The Minister for Veterans’ Affairs and Minister for Defence Personnel, Alan Griffin, today announced the Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA) clients would begin receiving their new and improved Repatriation Health Cards. Around 40,000 new gold, white and orange Repatriation Health Cards will begin arriving in the letterboxes of clients this week. Mr Griffin said to coincide with old Repatriation Health Cards expiring this year, new cards had been designed to include a number of new and improved features.

“New cards will now have a magnetic strip which will contain data including the veteran’s full name, file number, card type and expiry date. Micro-printing and the addition of a DVA registered hologram will ensure enhanced security and reduce the likelihood of reproduction,” Mr Griffin said. The mail-out is expected to be completed by the end of August 2010.

“New cards will work the same way as Medicare or private health fund cards — just one swipe will enable health providers to immediately access the client’s information and streamline the claims process,” Mr Griffin said. Mr Griffin said for the first time, all clients living overseas will be issued with a Repatriation Health Card.

“Distributing cards to clients residing overseas will remove the need for them to contact the Department to obtain a ‘letter of authority’ when seeking medical treatment within Australia,” he said. Mr Griffin said health providers will accept both the old and new cards during the transition process. “These new cards will ensure veterans receive a more efficient service when visiting their local health provider,” Mr Griffin said.

For more information on DVA Repatriation Health Cards visit the DVA treatment cards website