Health Assessments
Health Assessments are an effective way to provide prevention services and health promotion in general practice.
A health assessment provides opportunity for examining a patient’s lifestyle to identify possible improvements as well as early warning signs of disease or illness. Heart disease, diabetes and some cancers can often be picked up in their early stages, when treatment may be more successful.
Health assessments are generally included in a patient’s routine medical care.
There are four time-based MBS health assessment items: 701 (brief), 703 (standard), 705 (long) and 707 (prolonged). Health assessments for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people can be claimed under MBS Item 715,
Patient categories eligible for MBS health assessments
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians
A health assessment can ensure Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians receive primary health care matched to their needs. It encourages early detection, diagnosis and intervention for common and treatable conditions that cause morbidity and early mortality. The health assessment is an annual service and covers all ages.
People aged 45-49 years at risk of developing chronic disease
A health assessment at this stage of life and when there is a risk of chronic disease can help patients make necessary lifestyle changes to prevent or delay the onset of chronic disease.
People with or at risk of developing cardiovascular disease (CVD)
A cardiovascular disease risk assessment aims to reduce CVD risk and provide appropriate advice for lowering risk of developing diabetes. A CVD assessment informs people about their risk of cardiovascular events, as well as strategies to improve their heart health.
People with a high risk of developing Type 2 diabetes
This check is for people aged between 40 and 49 years of age with a high risk of developing Type 2 Diabetes as determined by the Australian Type 2 Diabetes Risk Assessment Tool. People with a high AUSD risk score of more than 12 are eligible to attend a Diabetes Risk Evaluation with their GP.
People aged 75 years and older
This is an in-depth assessment to help identify any risk factors for an elderly patient who may require further health management. The assessment can help undercover health issues and conditions which are potentially preventable or amenable to interventions to improve health and/or quality of life.
People living in residential aged care facilities
A comprehensive medical assessment for a patient living in an aged care facility will include reviewing the patient’s health as well as their physical and psychological functioning.
People with an intellectual disability
Using a health assessment can help general practitioners identify and address specific clinical needs of patients who have an intellectual disability and identify any required medical intervention and preventive health care.
Refugees or other humanitarian entrants
This health assessment is for refugees and other humanitarian entrants who arrive in Australia with complex and unusual medical conditions. The assessment is separate from, and in addition to, a medical assessment specifically for the grant of a refugee or humanitarian visa.