The aim of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Check (MBS item 715) is to help ensure that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people receive primary health care matched to their needs, by encouraging early detection, diagnosis and intervention for common and treatable conditions that cause morbidity and early mortality. The health assessment is an annual service.
The MBS health assessment for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people covers the full age spectrum, and should be used for health assessments for the following age groups:
To order a hard copy of the resource kit, email
health@nationalmailing.com.au or phone National Mailing and Marketing on (02) 6269 1060.
Lifescripts resources have been developed specifically for use with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander patients. The Lifescripts resources can be used by Aboriginal health workers, general practitioners and practice nurses within general practice or in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health care settings. The resources are available on the Department of Health at Ageing website at
www.health.gov.au/lifescripts. Hard copies can be ordered by completing the
Lifescripts Order Form – Indigenous Resources.
Templates
Southern General Practice Network (in NSW) has developed
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Check templates in consultation with GPs, Health Workers and Community Members. The templates are broken into smaller age ranges, are sex specific and in line with best practice guidelines and developmental milestones. The templates can be downloaded and imported in to Medical Director from the
Southern General Practice Network website.
Follow-up Health Services
Indigenous people who have received a health check are able to access Medicare rebates for follow up services provided by a practice nurse or registered Aboriginal health worker, on behalf of a medical practitioner, through
MBS Item 10987. A maximum of ten services per patient is available in a calendar year.
Medicare rebates are also available for eligible allied health services provided to people of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander descent, on referral from their GP following a health assessment. A maximum of five allied health services are available per patient each calendar year (under allied health
MBS Items 81300 – 81360). This is in addition to allied health services available to eligible patients with a chronic disease.
For further information refer to the MBS available online at www.health.gov.au/mbsonline.
PIP Indigenous Health Incentive
The Practice Incentive Program (PIP) Indigenous Health Incentive aims to support general practices and Indigenous health services to provide better health care for Indigenous Australians, including best practice management of chronic disease.
The PIP Indigenous Health Incentive has three components:
Sign-on Payment – One-off payment to practices that agree to undertake specified activities to improve the provision of care to their Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander patients with a chronic disease.
Patient Registration Payment – A payment to practices for each Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander patient aged 15 years and over, registered with the practice for chronic disease management.
Outcomes Payment – Tier 1: Payment to practices for each registered patient for whom a target level of care is provided by the practice in a calendar year. Tier 2: Payment to practices for providing the majority of care for a registered patient in a calendar year.
Further information is available at
www.medicareaustralia.gov.au/provider/incentives/pip/files/indigenous-health-incentive-guidelines.pdf or call the PIP enquiry line on 1800 222 032.
