ADF and Defence Urgent Care: How to Be Seen at SmartCare UrgentCare

Who Is Eligible?

SmartCare UrgentCare accepts referrals for ADF Eligible Personnel (EP) under the Bupa ADF Health Services Contract. This includes:

• Full-time serving ADF members — Army, Navy, and Air Force
• Reserve members on continuous full-time service
• Reserve members on other than continuous full-time service where eligible
• Other personnel approved by the Commonwealth under the ADF Health Services Contract

ADF family members are not covered under the Bupa ADF Health Services Contract. Family members may attend SmartCare UrgentCare as private patients, with standard consultation fees and Medicare rebates applying.

Step-by-Step — How to Be Seen at SmartCare UrgentCare as ADF Personnel

Step 1: Call 1800IMSICK (1800 467 425)

1800IMSICK is Defence's national 24-hour health call service. It provides nursing-level triage and advice for all ADF entitled personnel within Australia who become ill or injured after hours, on weekends, or when not in close proximity to an on-base health facility.

When you call 1800IMSICK, a registered nurse will:

• Verify your identity — you will need to provide your name, date of birth, PMKeyS number, base, unit, and location
• Assess your health concern over the phone
• Determine the appropriate level of care — self-care, on-base health facility, civilian provider, or emergency department
• If civilian urgent care is appropriate, refer you to a registered provider such as SmartCare UrgentCare

1800IMSICK - 1800 467 425 — 24-hour health triage for ADF personnel. Not an emergency number. In an emergency, call 000.

Step 2: Obtain Your Defence Approval Number (DAN)

If the 1800IMSICK triage nurse refers you to a civilian provider, a Defence Approval Number (DAN) will be issued. The DAN is the approved referral number that authorises your treatment at a civilian provider under the Bupa ADF Health Services Contract.

You will need this DAN when you present to SmartCare UrgentCare. Without a DAN, our team cannot bill Bupa ADF Health Services on your behalf.

Keep a record of your DAN — it may be provided verbally or sent via SMS, depending on your situation.

Step 3: Walk In to SmartCare UrgentCare

Once you have your DAN from 1800IMSICK, attend SmartCare UrgentCare at Springfield Central. No separate appointment is needed. Walk in during opening hours.

When you arrive, please provide our reception team with:

• Your Defence Approval Number (DAN)
• Your PMKeyS number (Eligible Person ID)
• Your full name and rank
• Your date of birth
• Your base, unit, and contact details

Our team will use these details to process your treatment under the Bupa ADF Health Services Contract. You do not need a Medicare card for ADF-covered services.

Step 4: Assessment and Treatment

You will be assessed by one of our emergency specialist doctors — all Fellows of the Australasian College for Emergency Medicine (FACEM) with decades of experience across major Queensland hospitals.

Depending on your presentation, our team can provide:

• Clinical assessment and treatment of your injury or illness
• Onsite X-ray — available during the same visit for fractures, injuries, and other imaging needs
• Onsite CT — available if clinically indicated
• Pathology — onsite for same-day testing
• Wound management, suturing, and procedural care
• Pain management
• Prescriptions — noting that Defence expects prescriptions to be filled at on-base pharmacies where possible

Step 5: Clinical Report and Follow-Up

After your consultation, a clinical report is generated and submitted through the Bupa iRBS system to your referring Defence health facility. This ensures your chain of command and base health centre are informed of your treatment.

If follow-up care is required, our team will advise whether this should occur at SmartCare UrgentCare, your base health facility, or via specialist referral.

You must also advise your chain of command of your attendance as per Defence requirements. 1800IMSICK does not provide approval for sick leave — this must be sought through your command.

The Facility Fee Is Waived

For eligible ADF personnel presenting with a valid DAN under the Bupa ADF Health Services Contract, the facility fee at SmartCare UrgentCare is waived. You will not be charged an out-of-pocket facility fee for your visit.

Treatment is billed directly to Bupa ADF Health Services using your DAN and PMKeyS number. You do not need to submit a claim yourself.

The facility fee is waived for eligible ADF personnel presenting with a valid Defence Approval Number (DAN). Treatment is billed directly to Bupa ADF Health Services.

What If I Need Urgent Care Without a DAN?

In emergency situations where obtaining a DAN before attending is not possible, Bupa should be notified as soon as practicable by calling 1800IMSICK (1800 467 425). Our team will provide the necessary care and work with you to obtain the DAN retrospectively.

If you attend SmartCare UrgentCare without a DAN and your situation is not an emergency, you may be treated as a private patient with standard consultation fees applying. Contact 1800IMSICK before attending wherever possible.

What We Treat

SmartCare UrgentCare manages a wide range of urgent but non-life-threatening conditions commonly presented by ADF personnel. These include:

Injuries

• Fractures and suspected fractures — onsite X-ray same visit
• Sprains, strains, and soft tissue injuries from training or PT
• Lacerations, abrasions, and wound management
• Sports and exercise-related injuries
• Back and musculoskeletal injuries
• Burns

Illness

• Respiratory infections — COVID-19, influenza, bronchitis
• Acute infections and fevers
• Gastrointestinal illness
• Urinary tract infections — same-day pathology
• Ear, nose, and throat conditions
• Skin infections and cellulitis

Other Presentations

• Chest pain assessment — onsite ECG
• Concussion assessment
• Acute pain management
• Wound review and follow-up

Location and Hours

SmartCare UrgentCare is located at Shop 8, 95 Southern Cross Circuit, Springfield Central QLD 4300. Open 7 days a week. Onsite parking available.

Springfield Central is accessible from RAAF Base Amberley (approximately 25 minutes), Enoggera Barracks (approximately 35 minutes), and Gallipoli Barracks (approximately 35 minutes).

Walk in with your DAN — SmartCare UrgentCare, Shop 8, 95 Southern Cross Circuit, Springfield Central. Open 7 days.

Quick Reference — What You Need

1. Call 1800IMSICK (1800 467 425) — obtain your Defence Approval Number (DAN).

2. Walk in at SmartCare UrgentCare, Springfield Central.

3. Bring: DAN, PMKeyS number, full name and rank, date of birth.

4. No Medicare card required for ADF-covered services.

5. Facility fee waived. Treatment billed to Bupa ADF Health Services.