New Medicare health checks for Indigenous Australians
Current topicThe following summary has been adapted from the 5 May 2004 Department of Health and Ageing media release
Indigenous Australians continue to have a life expectancy approximately 20 years less than the community average. Regular health checks help reduce or prevent serious illness. The Australian Government has introduced a new Medicare funded health check for Indigenous Australians, to help prevent and treat chronic illness. Two yearly health checks for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged between 15 and 54 (inclusive) have been included in the Medicare Benefits Schedule since 1st May 2004.
The aim of this new health assessment is to improve the overall health of Indigenous Australians by ensuring early intervention and diagnosis for treatable conditions. The health check includes:
- taking the patient’s medical history;
- examining the patient;
- making or arranging any required investigations;
- assessing the patient’s health;
- undertaking any necessary interventions or referrals; and
- documenting a straightforward strategy for good health.
It is recommended that the health check be performed by the patient’s doctor but in some circumstances parts of the check may be carried out by an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander health worker, nurse or other health professional under the supervision of the patient’s doctor.
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