ADF Family Health
Medical Practitioners - Frequently Asked Questions
Page updated
30 September, 2009
- Am I eligible to register as a provider for this trial?
- Where are the trial locations?
- How do I register for the trial?
- How will I know if an ADF family or dependant member is registered for the trial?
- Are there instructions for medical practice staff to follow?
- What Medicare items are included in the trial?
- Are visits to ADF dependants in hospital included in this trial?
- Are procedures included in this trial?
- If I elect to participate in the program, how will I be paid?
- If any of my Defence families want more information about the trial, is there somewhere that I can direct them to?
- Are there any reasons why a Defence member may elect not to register their dependants?
1. Am I eligible to register as a provider for this trial?
Answer: All medical practitioners practicing within the trial regions are eligible to register to participate in the trial.
 2. Where are the trial locations?
Answer: Stage 1 commenced 1 May 2009 in the following locations:
- Singleton (NSW),
- the Pilbara region including Karratha, Port Hedland, Tom Price, Newman, Carnarvon and Exmouth (WA),
- Katherine (NT) including Derby (WA),
- Cairns, including Mt Isa, Weipa and Thursday Island (QLD) and
- Sale (VIC).
Stage 2 commences in October 2009 in the following locations:
- Darwin including Alice Springs and Nhulunbuy (NT) as well as Broome and Kununurra (WA);
- Townsville (QLD); and
- Puckapunyal (VIC).
3. How do I register for the trial?
Answer: Please complete the Provider Registration form for the Australia Defence Force Family Healthcare Program. Send to the Medicare Australia address located on page 1 of the form.
4. How will I know if an ADF family or dependant member is registered for the trial?
Answer: Registered dependants will be issued with an ADF Family Health Card which will indicate their registration for medical benefits. A sample of the ADF Family Health Card can be seen below:
5. Are there instructions for medical practice staff to follow?
Answer: The Department of Defence, in consultation with Medicare Australia, has developed the ADF Family Health Program Guidelines, and a Quick Guide to support medical practice staff. To view these documents click here.
6. What Medicare items are included in the trial?
Answer: This trial will include medical practitioner attendances provided in a general practice setting. Any further treatment required as a result of the attendance, will not be covered by this trial (eg. specialist referrals, pathology, imaging/x-rays and prescriptions. These items will continue to be supported by existing Medicare or PBS entitlements). For a full list of eligible Medicare items included in this trial, click here.
7. Are visits to ADF dependants in hospital included in this trial?
Answer: No, hospital visits are not included, but will continue to be supported by existing Medicare entitlements. Defence dependants requiring hospital visits will be expected to pay your normal fee and to claim the Medicare rebate as required.
8. Are procedures included in this trial?
Answer: No, procedures are not included, but will continue to be supported by existing Medicare entitlements. Defence dependants will be expected to pay your normal fee for these procedures, and to claim the Medicare rebate as required.
9. If I elect to participate in the program, how will I be paid?
Answer. Once you have registered for the program, Medicare Australia will have systems in place that will link eligible Medicare items for registered dependants, whose visit has been bulk billed. This will trigger the $19 payment to be automatically generated. Monthly payments to participating medical practitioners will commence in July 2009, and will be paid direct to your nominated bank account by Medicare Australia. A statement will be issued to all participating medical practitioners detailing all payments made, including the patient’s full name and Medicare number. A sample of these statements will be provided to all registered medical practitioners.
10. If any of my Defence families want more information about the trial, is there somewhere that I can direct them to?
Answer: Yes.
Website: http://www.defence.gov.au/health/Dependant_Healthcare/i-healthcare.htm
Email: ADF.DependantHealth@defence.gov.au
11. Are there any reasons why a Defence member may elect not to register their dependants?
Answer: Yes. Whilst there may be other reasons, a member may not register dependants due to the fringe benefits tax implications. As the benefits associated with this trial will be considered a fringe benefit under the Fringe Benefits Tax Assessment Act 1986 the benefits will be subject to Fringe Benefits Tax (FBT) and the FBT will be paid by Defence. Depending on individual circumstances the "grossed-up" value of the benefits provided during the FBT year may be recorded on a member's annual Payment Summary. This may, in turn, affect a member’s eligibility to continue receiving certain Centrelink benefits.
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