Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples Health Assessment
Brief Guide to Health Assessments for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People
Contents
Overview
Eligibility
This health assessment is for patients living in the community who identify as being of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander descent, and can be billed once every 9 months.
The health assessments are divided into 3 age groups;
- a child less than 15 years,
- a person aged between 15 and 54 years and
- a person aged 55 years and over,
and include slightly different information, relevant to that particular stage of life.
Requirements
ATSI Health Assessment for a child less than 15 years of age
An Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander child health assessment must include:
- Taking of the patient’s medical history, including:
- The pregnancy, birth and neonatal history
- Breast or formula feeding history
- Weaning, food access and dietary history
- Physical activity
- Relevant family history
- Immunisation status
- Previous medical issues or hospital admissions
- Vision and hearing assessment
- Development including age appropriate milestones
- Social circumstances and family relationships
- Environmental factors and living conditions
- Educational progress
- Stressful or important life events
- Mood and any history of depression or self harm
- Medications or any other substance use
- Sexual and reproductive health
- Dental hygiene
- Examination of the patient including:
- Measurement of height and weight
- Newborn baby check if applicable
- Vision
- Ear examination and otoscopy
- Assessment for trachoma
- Skin examination
- Respiratory and cardiac examination
- Developmental assessment if indicated
- Assessment of parent and child interaction
- Arranging any required investigations, interventions or referrals
ATSI Health Assessment for a person aged 15 to 54 years of age
An Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adult health assessment must include:
- Taking the patient’s medical history, including:
- Current health problems and risk factors
- Relevant family history
- Medication usage including compliance, side effects and interactions
- Immunisations status
- Sexual and reproductive health history
- Lifestyle risk factors including smoking, nutrition, alcohol or other substance use and physical activity
- History of hearing loss
- Assessment of mood
- Family relationships and social situation
- Vision
- Examination of the patient, including:
- Measurement of observations such as blood pressure, pulse rate and rhythm
- Measurement of height, weight and waist circumference
- Oral examination to determine oral health and dentition
- Ear examination including otoscopy and, if indicated, a whisper test
- Dipstick urinalysis for proteinuria
- Eye examination
- Arranging any required investigations, with consideration of the need for the following:
- Fasting lipids and blood glucose
- Cervical screening
- Screening for sexually transmitted infections
- Mammography
- Arranging any required interventions or referrals
ATSI Health Assessment for a person aged 55 years or over
An Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander older person’s health assessment must include:
- Measurement of the patient’s observations, including blood pressure, pulse rate and rhythm
- Assessment of the patient’s medication and any potential issues
- Assessment of continence
- Immunisation status
- Assessment of physical function including screening for recent falls and ability to complete activities of daily living
- Assessment of the patient’s cognition and mood
- An assessment of the patient’s social function, including the use of or need for any services
- An eye examination
- Arranging any necessary investigations or referrals as indicated from the health assessment
Billing
The item number for completion of an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders Health Assessment is different depending on whether the assessment is completed by a Vocationally Registered General Practitioner (VR GP) or Prescribed Medical Practitioner (PMP) or Non-Vocationally Registered General Practitioner (Non-VR GP).
There are also different billing item numbers for whether it is done in person or via telehealth (video) as outlined in the below table. There is no specified consultation time frame for the completion of these assessments, and they can be billed no more than once every 9 months.
|
|
VR GP |
Non-VR GP |
|
In person |
715 |
228 |
|
Telehealth (Video) |
92004 |
92011 |
Links
Item 715 | Medicare Benefits Schedule
Item 228 | Medicare Benefits Schedule