Thank you for visiting the official website for the ADF Family Health initiative.
This initiative recognises the service and sacrifices of our Australian Defence Force (ADF) members and their families, and the difficulties many ADF families experience accessing affordable healthcare upon relocation. The initiative also recognises that to support members within the ADF, their families need to be cared for, and this initiative aims to improve the retention and recruitment of our Defence force.
A trial is being conducted in 8 regional and remote locations.
Eligible locations are:
Medical Providers
The ADF Family Health team would like to thank all of the doctors that supported the initial phase of the ADF Family Health trial. From 1 April 2011 a revised model was introduced which no longer requires general practitioners to register for participation.
The window for the submission of claims for Program Payments for services provided by participating doctors prior to 1 April 2011 has now closed.
Revised Model
ADF families will now be able to attend any general practice and be reimbursed for gap expenses for all Medicare eligible services provided in a general practice setting. The process is summarised below:
[Visit GP] » [Pay full GP invoice] » [Claim Medicare rebate] » [Submit Manual Claim Form to ADFFH] » [ADFFH pays gap $$ to families bank account]
For general practices that have HICAPS terminals installed which enables automated processing of the gap payment directly to the general practice the process is summarised below:
[Visit GP] » [Swipe ADFFH Card] » [ADFFH pays gap $$ to GP] » [Pay the residual MBS amount] » [Swipe Medicare Card] » [MBS Amount reimbursed to families bank account]
Further enquiries should be directed to the ADF Family Health team on 02 6266 3547.
Allied Health Providers
The Program is intended to cover non-cosmetic “GST” free allied health services to the value of $330 per calendar year per ADF family member. The $330 benefit is not transferable between family members and cannot be carried over into a new calendar year.
ADF families who have registered for the trial will be issued with the ADF Family Health Card.
Eligible Allied Health Services
The following vocational groups are eligible for claims reimbursement:
| Service |
Description |
Dental |
All items listed by the Australian Dental Association (ADA). |
Optical |
All prescription eyewear, lenses, frames, contact lenses and repairs. |
Physiotherapy |
Consultations by a certified physiotherapist, ante/post natal classes provided by a registered physiotherapist or midwife. |
Chiropractic / Osteopathy |
Consultations by a certified provider. |
Psychology |
Consultations by a registered psychologist. |
Audiology |
Consultations by a certified provider. |
Speech Therapy |
Consultations by a certified provider. |
Dietician |
Consultations by a certified provider. |
Podiatry / Chiropody |
Consultations by a certified provider. |
| Occupational Therapy (from 1 Feb 2012) |
Consultations by a certified provider. |
Please Note: Services that attract GST and appliances (with the exception of dental and optical) are excluded from reimbursement.
Electronic Claim Processing
The ADF Family Health Card can be used for electronic claiming via HICAPS.
This initiative is not a private health insurance product. Defence has contracted with Navy Health Ltd for the administration of all claims processing functions for the ADFFH Trial. Eligible allied health claims can be made via HICAPS electronic processing.
The ADF Family Health Card can be used in conjunction with private health insurance. It is recommended that claims be electronically submitted to the private health insurer prior to processing the ADF Family Health Card. The ADF Family Health Card can then be used to claim the gap, up to the available limit. Any remaining amounts must be paid by the ADF family. The process is summarised below:
[Consultation] » [Swipe ADFFH Card] » [ADFFH pays provider invoice amount up to remaining ADFFH limit] » [ADF Families pay difference – if applicable]
NOTE: The ADF Family Health Card may not be compatible with all practice software. If the practice is unable to electronically process any claim. ADF families should pay for their visit and follow the manual claims processing procedures outlined below.
Manual Claims Processing
If electronic claims processing is not available, the ADF family member should pay for their visit and claim reimbursement from the program using the claim form provided to them on the Department of Defence website.
Assistance
For information related to eligible services or payments please call Navy Health on 1300 561 454.
For any other information related to the Program, please contact the ADF Family Health team on 02 6266 3547
