The Department of Veterans' (DVA) will reissue all Repatriation Health Cards (DVA Cards) from MARCH 2010.

DVA has taken the opportunity to make some improvements to the cards, with the aim of improving them for the eligible veterans, war widows/widowers and dependants who hold them.

The improvements are:

* the addition of a magnetic strip on the card containing the card holder's name, file number, card type and the card expiry date  (which is also shown on the front of the card); and

* the addition of micro printing and a DVA registered hologram,  which are additional security features to ensure the cards can't be reproduced illegally.

The magnetic strip will let providers swipe DVA cards as they currently do for Medicare cards or private health care cards.  Hopefully this will increase the number of providers who accept DVA cards, since they will be easier to use.

No sensitive information will be contained in the magnetic strip, just the basic details which are currently on the front of the card.  These additional features will not reduce or change current eligibility to hold a DVA card.

For the first time, eligible veterans, war widows/widowers and dependants who live overseas will receive a DVA card.  This means they will no longer have to obtain a ' letter of authority' from DVA when they need to receive health care in Australia.

Entitlement to treatment overseas is limited to those veterans' who have an accepted disability (or disabilities) for which DVA funds the treatment.
The process for receiving treatment while overseas will not change.

The reissue of DVA cards will start March 2010 and is expected to be finished by the end of April. If you currently have a DVA card and do not receive a new one by the end of April 2010, please contact your local VAN.

For further assistance email:           dvacards@dva.gov.au