What a Health Assessment covers
Medicare Health Assessments are structured reviews undertaken by a GP, designed to identify health risks and guide preventive care. They typically cover lifestyle, cardiovascular risk, mental health, cognitive function, medications, and social circumstances, with the specific focus depending on the assessment type.
Different Medicare items target specific groups — people aged 45–49 at risk of chronic disease, people aged 75 years and over, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, refugees and humanitarian entrants, and others. The item claimed depends on your eligibility and the scope of the assessment.
How telehealth fits in
Many parts of a Health Assessment can be conducted via telehealth, including history-taking, review of medications, lifestyle and mental health discussion, and planning of preventive interventions. However, certain elements — blood pressure, weight, cardiovascular examination, cognitive testing in some cases — may require an in-person visit.
Your GP will let you know during the telehealth consultation whether any in-person components are needed, and can help coordinate those.
What follows
After the assessment, your GP may recommend specific follow-up actions — for example, blood tests, referrals to allied health professionals, a Chronic Disease Management Plan if a chronic condition is identified, or vaccination updates. Everything is documented and shared with you.
References
- Health Assessments — Services Australia
- Medicare Benefits Schedule — Health Assessments — Australian Department of Health and Aged Care
- Health checks and assessments — Healthdirect Australia
This content is informational and does not replace individual medical advice. For personal assessment, book a consultation with your GP. In emergencies, call 000.
Last reviewed 16 April 2026. Editorial policy