1. Why do a health assessment?
2. Requirements for a health assessment?
3. How to do a health assessment

If you are a GP, why do a health assessment?

• It offers you the opportunity to assess your patient holistically (physical function, psychological function and social function);
• GPs who have done a health assessment have found conditions in their patient they did not know existed;
• It offers the GP the chance to practice preventive medicine and health promotion (this may mean the patient is able to stay in their own home rather than a nursing home);
• It offers continuity of service since the health assessment is able to be undertaken annually;
• GPs who have done the health assessment in the patient's home claim they have gained a greater understanding of their patient;
• GPs who have done a health assessment believe that it has enhanced their relationship with their patient;
• Patients who have had a health assessment report that they feel cared for;
• Patients receive a written record so they have a document to which they can refer;
• As a GP, and by using MBS item numbers (700,702,704,706), you can be paid for this service;
• GPs are able to use the services of a qualified professional to assist in the information collection for the health assessment.

What are the requirements for a health assessment?

• Refer to Medicare Benefits Schedule Book 1 Nov 1999 and supplement 1 May 2000. Additional information is available in the RACGP guidelines.
• The patient's usual GP should do the health assessment
• If the patient is Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander they must be over 55 years, other patients must be over 75 years
• The health assessment must meet the criteria set out in the Medicare Benefits Schedule
• Hospital or nursing home residents are not eligible

How to do a health assessment

• Make sure the patient has not had an EPC health assessment within the past 12 months
• The patient will require an explanation of what is involved in the health assessment and why it is being done
• The patient must consent
• The health assessment can be conducted in the home or the surgery or a combination of both
• The information collection component of the assessment can be done by a qualified person e.g. a registered nurse
• You may use a proforma which suits you provided it meets the RACGP guidelines for an EPC assessment
• The resources section on this website contains further information
• The Commonwealth Department of Health and Aged Care has sent you a 'Kit' which contains all the appropriate resources

The assessment must include:

• Activities of daily living
• Blood pressure
• Postural hypotension
• Carer responsibilities
• Cognition
• Continence
• Falls in the last 3 months
• Medication review
• Mood
• Pulse rate and rythmn
• Social function
• Vaccinations
  
  
  • Influenza
  • Pneumococus
  • Tetanus (+/- diphtheria)

Additional areas to consider:

• Alcohol
• Exercise
• Fitness to drive
• Footcare
• Hearing
• Home safety
• Mobility
• Nutritional status
• Oral health
• Sleep
• Smoking
• Vision
• Weight, height, body mass index

Finally

• Discuss the outcome of the health assessment with the patient and/or carer
• Provide the patient with a written copy summarising the assessment
• Place a written summary on the patient's record
• Record the patient's details on a reminder system for the following year
• Consider the need for a care plan or a case conference

Complete your Medicare Benefits Schedule claim

NB: A copy of the health assessment is NOT required to be lodged with HIC