Episode of care—funding eligibility indicator (Department of Veterans' Affairs), code N

Guide for use:
Refer to the Veterans' Entitlements Act 1986 (Cwlth) for details of eligible DVA beneficiaries.

Health services

Eligible veterans and war widows/widowers can receive free treatment at any public hospital, former Repatriation Hospitals (RHs) or a Veteran Partnering (VP) contracted private hospital as a private patient in a shared ward, with the doctor of their choice. Admission to a public hospital does not require prior approval from the DVA.

When treatment cannot be provided within a reasonable time in the public health system at a former RH or a private VP hospital, there is a system of contracted non-VP private hospitals which will provide care.

Admission to a contracted private hospital requires prior financial authorisation from DVA. Approval may be given to attend a non-contracted private hospital when the service is not available at a public or contracted non-VP private hospital.

In an emergency a Repatriation patient can be admitted to the nearest hospital, public or private, without reference to DVA.

If an eligible veteran or war widow/widower chooses to be treated under Veterans' Affairs arrangements, which includes obtaining prior approval for non-VP private hospital care, DVA will meet the full cost of their treatment.

To assist in analyses of utilisation and health care funding.