Understanding DVA

Treatment Cycles 🩺 

What is a Treatment Cycle?

• A treatment cycle = up to 12 sessions per allied health discipline.

• There’s no time limit – sessions can be spaced out based on clinical need.

• After 12 sessions or upon completion of the required intervention, a report must be sent to the GP.

• The GP reviews progress and determines if a new referral/treatment cycle is required.

• New referrals are needed from the GP for each cycle; D904: Referral Form.

Why It Exists:

• Encourages ongoing collaboration between allied health providers and the GP.

• Promotes goal-directed, time-efficient therapy.

• Helps ensure accountability and clinical need for continued services.

Writing DVA GP Letters📝  

After each treatment cycle, the OT must submit a treatment cycle report to the GP. It should include:

• Assessment outcomes

• Client goals (functional, ADL, safety)

• Interventions provided

• Outcomes/progress

• Recommendations (e.g. need for ongoing OT or discharge)

Template available on Splose under 'Letters' to complete.

The Rehabilitation Appliances Program (RAP) 🪑 

DVA’s RAP funds essential aids and appliances for eligible clients. The RAP National Schedule lists all items that DVA will approve of (based on clinical justification). It is The Bible for DVA Prescriptions!

https://www.dva.gov.au/providers/provider-programs/rehabilitation-appliances-program-rap

It lists the following: 

• Item Number

• Description

• Prior approval required

• Approved practitioner for referral 

• Contracted item

• Supporting forms, assessments and documentation required. 

Forms & Referral Process 📋

• D904: Required form for a referral from the GP to the OT

• DVA OT Assessment Report: Completed using Initial OT MAC template on Splose and exported to a PDF. Used to justify equipment or modifications and submitted to appropriate DVA provider.

• D0992: Mobility and Support Form: Most common form used by OT. 

• D1323: Authority to Install/Modify Form:  Required if installing home modifications and used as scope of works. 

  1. Bring to the initial appointment to obtain the home owner's signature. 

  2. If the residence is in joint ownership, both parties are required to sign. 

  3. If the residence is rented/leased/part of STRATA, the owner/representative/body corporate is required to sign. 

  4. If the residence is part of a retirement village, the manager is required to sign as well as providing a letter of approval.

  5. Home modifications are not provided to Government-owned homes. 

• Additional supplier-specific forms may be needed depending on the equipment as per the RAP Schedule.

OT Role in DVA: Scope of Practice 🏡

DVA funds clinically necessary OT interventions that align with the Rehabilitation Appliances Program (RAP).

🔍 Assessment & Planning

• Conduct functional assessments (ADLs/IADLs including self-care and meal preparation tasks)

• Conduct cognitive assessments (MoCA, ACE, RUDAS)

• Conduct balance and mobility assessments (BBS, 3MWT, TUG)

• Conduct risk of pressure sores assessments (Waterlow)

• Identify barriers to independence and participation

• Contribute to goal setting within treatment cycle

🔄 Functional Retraining Therapy

• Short-term programs to build skills and confidence (e.g. community access training, upper limb therapy.

• Falls prevention, energy conservation, adaptive strategies.

• Pressure area care (e.g. prescription of cushions/mattresses, small aids like heel wedges, bed cradles or foot stools, education and assessment).

🧠 Cognitive & Mental Health 

• Support memory, routines, safety awareness

• Implement compensatory strategies

• Address anxiety, isolation, adjustment to disability

🛠  Home Modifications

• Assess for environmental risks (falls, accessibility).

• Recommend and prescribe structural modifications as per RAP Schedule.

Minor: (e.g. (grab rails, ramps, bathroom changes)

Major: (e.g. bathroom changes, flooring, elevators. NOT completed by Rebound; refer on to specialised service)

• Liaise with builders and installers as per RAP schedule

🧰 Assistive Technology Prescription

Recommend equipment, educate clients and carers on safe and effective use including provision of safety instructions. Prescription of items under the following categories as per RAP schedule: 

• Mobility aids e.g. walkers, wheelchairs, scooters (with clinical justification)

• Personal care aids e.g. over toilet aids, shower chairs

• Seating and positioning e.g. electric lift chairs, electric beds

• Daily living e.g. dressing aids, kitchen tools, reachers, sensor lights, falls alarms

• Pressure care e.g. pressure cushion, pressure mattress, heel wedge

• Communication/vision aids

• Home modifications e.g. threshold ramps, grab rails, stair rails

Contracted Suppliers📦

For all Mobility and Functional Support Equipment, send your OT report and all other required documentation to any of the following providers: