Medicare Benefits Schedule - Note AN.7.12

Items 224, 225, 226 and 227 may be used to undertake a health assessment for a former serving member of the Australian Defence Force, including a former member of permanent and reserve forces.

A health assessment for a former serving member of the Australian Defence Force is an assessment of:

• a patient's physical and psychological health and social function; and
• whether health care, education and other assistance should be offered to the patient to improve their physical, psychological health or social function.

This health assessment must include:

1.     a personal attendance by a medical practitioner; and

2.     taking the patient's history, including the following:

i       the patient's service with the Australian Defence Force, including service type, years of service, field of work, number of deployments and reason for discharge;

ii      the patient's social history, including relationship status, number of children (if any) and current occupation;

iii     the patient's current medical conditions;

iv     whether the patient suffers from hearing loss or tinnitus;

v      the patient's use of medication, including medication prescribed by another doctor and medication obtained without a prescription;

vi     the patient's smoking, if applicable;

vii    the patient's alcohol use, if applicable;

viii   the patient's substance use, if applicable;

ix     the patient's level of physical activity;

x      whether the patient has bodily pain;

xi     whether the patient has difficulty getting to sleep or staying asleep;

xii    whether the patient has psychological distress;

xiii   whether the patient has posttraumatic stress disorder;

xiv   whether the patient is at risk of harm to self or others;

xv    whether the patient has anger problems;

xvi   the patient's sexual health;

xvii  any other health concerns the patient has.

The assessment must also include the following:

1.     measuring the patient's height;

2.     weighing the patient and ascertaining, or asking the patient, whether the patient's weight has changed in the last 12 months;

3.     measuring the patient's waist circumference;

4.     taking the patient's blood pressure;

5.     using information gained in the course of taking the patient's history to assess whether any further assessment of the patient's health is necessary;

6.     either making the further assessment or referring the patient to another medical practitioner who can make the further assessment;

7.     documenting a strategy for improving the patient's health;

8.     offering to give the patient a written report of the assessment that makes recommendations for treating the patient including preventive health measures;

9.     keeping a record of the assessment.

A medical practitioner may use the 'ADF Post-discharge GP Health Assessment Tool' as a screening tool for the health assessment. This assessment tool can be viewed on the At Ease portal of the Department of Veterans' Affairs' website at: http://at-ease.dva.gov.au. Other assessment tools mentioned in the Department of Veteran's Affairs Mental Health Advice Book may be relevant and can also be viewed on the At Ease portal.

This health assessment may only be claimed once by an eligible patient.

The health assessment must not be performed in conjunction with a separate consultation in relation to the patient unless the consultation is clinically necessary.

The health assessment must be performed by the patient's usual doctor.

Related Items: 224 225 226 227

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Professional attendance by a medical practitioner to perform a brief health assessment, lasting not more than 30 minutes and including:

(a) collection of relevant information, including taking a patient history; and

(b) a basic physical examination; and

(c) initiating interventions and referrals as indicated; and

(d) providing the patient with preventive health care advice and information

Fee: $50.20 Benefit: 100% = $50.20

(See para AN.7.1, AN.7.5, AN.7.6, AN.7.7, AN.7.8, AN.7.9, AN.7.10, AN.7.11, AN.7.12 of explanatory notes to this Category)

Professional attendance by a medical practitioner to perform a standard health assessment, lasting more than 30 minutes but less than 45 minutes, including:

(a) detailed information collection, including taking a patient history; and

(b) an extensive physical examination; and

(c) initiating interventions and referrals as indicated; and

(d) providing a preventive health care strategy for the patient

Fee: $116.65 Benefit: 100% = $116.65

(See para AN.7.1, AN.7.5, AN.7.6, AN.7.7, AN.7.8, AN.7.9, AN.7.10, AN.7.11, AN.7.12 of explanatory notes to this Category)

Professional attendance by a medical practitioner to perform a long health assessment, lasting at least 45 minutes but less than 60 minutes, including:

(a) comprehensive information collection, including taking a patient history; and

(b) an extensive examination of the patient’s medical condition and physical function; and

(c) initiating interventions and referrals as indicated; and

(d) providing a basic preventive health care management plan for the patient

Fee: $160.90 Benefit: 100% = $160.90

(See para AN.7.1, AN.7.5, AN.7.6, AN.7.7, AN.7.8, AN.7.9, AN.7.10, AN.7.11, AN.7.12 of explanatory notes to this Category)

Professional attendance by a medical practitioner to perform a prolonged health assessment (lasting at least 60 minutes) including:

(a) comprehensive information collection, including taking a patient history; and

(b) an extensive examination of the patient’s medical condition, and physical, psychological and social function; and

(c) initiating interventions or referrals as indicated; and

(d) providing a comprehensive preventive health care management plan for the patient

Fee: $227.35 Benefit: 100% = $227.35

(See para AN.7.1, AN.7.5, AN.7.6, AN.7.7, AN.7.8, AN.7.9, AN.7.10, AN.7.11, AN.7.12 of explanatory notes to this Category)