Approaching 50 years of age can bring on its own set of health challenges. Those who are in the 45–49-year-old age group, and have a risk factor for developing a chronic disease, are eligible for a Medicare subsidised health assessment.
I like to refer to this health assessment as ‘the before 50 check’.
This health assessment allows us to detect risk factors, and mitigate or avoid progression to a disease.
Which 45–49-year-olds are eligible for this check?
Any person in this age group who has a risk factor for a chronic disease (defined as a health condition that will last longer than 6 months, such as heart disease, diabetes and many more) is eligible.
Risk factors that your GP may consider, but are not limited to include:
- Lifestyle factors such as smoking, physical inactivity, poor nutrition, or alcohol use
- Biomedical risk factors, such as high cholesterol, high blood pressure, impaired glucose metabolism, or excess weight
- Family history of chronic disease
What is the health assessment?
The health assessment is a comprehensive review of your medical history, family history, medications, examination findings and tests. This allows the doctor to determine your risk of a chronic disease and helps target lifestyle changes (or medication or other interventions if necessary) to prevent or delay your risk of disease.
What does the health assessment involve?
Typically, you will spend around 30-45minutes with the nurse, then 15-30minutes with your regular GP.
As part of the health assessment, your GP might ask you about the following:
- Lifestyle (diet, exercise, smoking, and alcohol).
- Signs of skin cancer
- Mental health conditions
- Your past medical history
- Family history of chronic disease
They may also perform the following:
Measure:
- Weight, height, and waist circumference
- Blood pressure
- Cholesterol and sugar testing
Assess the need for:
- Cervical screening test
- Mammogram
- Contraception
- Menopause health
- Immunisations
- Prostate assessment
- Medication review
Calculate:
- Risk of diabetes
- Cardiovascular risk.
- Risk of fracture related to osteoporosis (women 45+ years)
What happens after the health assessment?
Your doctor will make an overall assessment of your health and offer interventions as appropriate.
You may be offered other services such as:
- Referral to a pharmacist for medication review
- Chronic disease GP management plan and team care arrangement for those with an existing chronic medical condition
What will it cost?
Generally, health assessments are charged with a small or no gap fee following assignment of the Medicare rebate. Your doctor can advise further on their charges.
People are eligible for one health assessment while they are 45-49 years old*.
*If you have had this elsewhere since turning 45, you will not be eligible. We can check your eligibility at the time of booking. In addition, some people may be eligible for additional assessments – you can speak to your doctor if you believe this may apply to you.
Your doctor may recommend this to you directly, or may request that you are contacted and offered this health assessment, in which case one of the administrative or nursing staff may contact you. There is of course no obligation to participate, and choosing not to will not affect your relationship with your GP. It does, however, allow a more thorough check up of many areas, much more than can be covered in a regular GP visit. Given many people are still behind on check ups and preventative care since the lockdowns, it is a helpful and proactive way to keep your health on track.
*written by Dr Caroline Anderson.
BRIEF EXAMPLES OF THE BENEFIT OF A 45–49-YEAR-OLD HEALTH ASSESSMENT:
Jenny is 46 years old. She is a mother of 2 and pretty healthy. She is at risk of a chronic disease as her father had a heart attack in his 50s. Jenny is keen to prevent this occurring to her, so attends for a 45–49-year-old health assessment. At this appointment, it is discovered that:
- Jenny’s blood pressure is sitting in the normal range, but tighter control may reduce Jenny’s risk given her family history.
- Jenny is overdue for some vaccinations
- Jenny reveals her mother had osteoporosis and Jenny’s risk of developing this is assessed
- Jenny reveals she had pre-eclampsia with her first pregnancy – and wasn’t aware this increased her cardiovascular risks, and her risks and management have therefore changed.
John is a 46-year-old man, who has a partner and no children. He works full time in a largely sedentary job. John enjoys cycling and boxing. John’s mother recently was admitted to hospital with a heart attack, and John’s been busy caring for her. His father passed away in his 50’s from cancer. John is aware he needs to be healthy to look after his mother, and when his GP recommended a health assessment, he booked in for this. Usually, John tries to avoid going to the doctor (!) but his mum’s health scare meant that he decided to get a checkup.
At this appointment:
- John’s family history of heart disease is discussed, given his mother’s new diagnosis. John’s risk factors are checked and re-assessed given the new diagnosis.
- John’s blood pressure has been found to be elevated. He is provided with lifestyle advice and will have it checked again in a few months.
- John’s father’s history is discussed, and John was sent for some screening tests. John didn’t realise his father’s cancer meant he should be screened earlier than others.
- John was offered his flu vaccination and covid vaccination.
- John was given a blood test form to check his cholesterol and sugar levels, something he is keen to make sure is under control given his mother’s health.