Free basic health care for ADF family members

17 Feb 2014

 

 

MEMBER for New England, Barnaby Joyce said the recent launch of a program providing free basic health care to Australian Defence Force family members acknowledged the service and sacrifice they make to the nation.

 

Mr Joyce said the important Government initiative delivered one of the Coalition’s key election commitments; to provide free basic health care to ADF family members.

 

“ADF personnel are our most important military capability and looking after the 114 dependents eligible for the program in the New England electorate is one of my high priorities,” he said.

 

He said under the national ADF Family Health Program every dependent of full time ADF members and reservists on continuous full-time service will be eligible for reimbursement of out-of-pocket expenses when visiting their local general practitioner.

 

“ADF members will also be able to claim up to $400 per financial year per dependent for specialist consultations and allied health services like physiotherapy, dentistry and mental health support,” Mr Joyce said.

 

“Significantly the allocation of $400 per dependent can be pooled within a family,” he said.

 

“For example, a family with three registered dependents can pool the $1200 to support a dependent that has higher needs.”

 

To register for the program visit: www.defence.gov.au/health/Dependent_Healthcare/i-healthcare.htm

 

For more information: visit: www.defence.gov.au

 

Factbox

 

Who is eligible? Dependents of permanent ADF members and dependents of reservists on Continuous full-time service can register for the program.

 

The benefits:

Medical – The Australian Government will reimburse ADF family members’ gap expenses when the visit a general practice

 

Allied health and specialists – The Australian government provides $400 per family member per financial year to use towards non-cosmetic allied health services and/or used to offset the gap expenses when a specialist is visited. This amount can also be transferred between family members.

 

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