Medicare May Introduce a Combined Health Check for Mid-Life Patients
09 Oct 2026
Australians may see changes to the way certain mid-life health checks are delivered if the Federal Government adopts recommendations from a review of Medicare-funded services.
The proposal would bring several existing assessments into one broader appointment. These checks currently cover menopause and perimenopause, heart health, chronic disease risk and type 2 diabetes risk.
Instead of assessing these concerns separately, GPs could consider several health risks during the same mid-life assessment. The assessment would be billed under existing MBS items, with the appointment length varying according to the time required.
The review identified overlapping requirements as a concern. Patients may undergo separate checks for conditions that share common risk factors, creating extra work for healthcare providers and potentially repeating parts of an assessment.
A broader approach could help GPs look at a patient's overall health rather than focusing on one condition at a time.
Reducing paperwork is another proposed change. The review recommends making the requirements for health assessments easier to follow while supporting doctors in making clinical decisions based on individual needs.
Dr Michael Wright, President of the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP), said combining several assessments could be a practical step for general practice.
He noted that dedicated appointments give GPs more time to discuss prevention, review health concerns and identify conditions that might not be addressed during a routine consultation.
Despite these potential benefits, Medicare claims data covering 2018–19 to 2022–23 showed that relatively few eligible patients and providers used the available health assessment services.
The review noted that these health checks could help detect some health problems sooner and guide further treatment and care.
Limited awareness is one issue the report identified. Patients and healthcare professionals may not have a clear understanding of the available assessments, their benefits or the rules for claiming them through Medicare.
The recommendations include improving information for the public and providing clearer instructions for GPs about clinical requirements and billing arrangements.
The review also proposes keeping existing assessments for several groups, including aged care residents, people with intellectual disability, older people, refugees and veterans.
Dedicated assessments for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people would also continue, with updated requirements.
Other proposed changes would bring clinical guidance up to date, review the ages at which patients qualify for assessments and reconsider how often these services should be available.
The report also highlights the time GPs spend working with aged care staff, families and carers when assessing people living in residential aged care. It recommends considering how this work can be recognised through Medicare or other funding arrangements.
Nurse practitioners could also be considered for a role in providing health assessments, particularly in areas with workforce shortages. Further work would be needed to establish the clinical requirements first.
The RACGP supported many of the proposed changes but said access should be considered for people of every age, with assessment timing based on individual healthcare needs.
Dr Wright said prevention and early identification are important parts of effective healthcare. The RACGP is looking to work with the Federal Government on recommendations that move forward.
The proposals are not yet confirmed changes to Medicare. Their future will depend on the Government's response to the review.
Medicare May Introduce a Combined Health Check for Mid-Life Patients
Source: Australian Government Department of Health, Disability and Ageing — Review of MBS Health Assessment Services: Findings and Recommendations for Reform.