A chronic disease or condition is one that has been, or is likely to be present for at least six months, including (but not limited to) asthma, cancer, cardiovascular illness, diabetes mellitus, a mental health condition, arthritis or a musculoskeletal condition. The decision that a patient is at risk of developing a chronic disease is a clinical judgement made by the GP. However, at least one risk factor must be identified. Risk factors that the GP may consider include, but are not limited to:

  1. lifestyle risk factors, such as smoking, physical inactivity, poor nutrition or alcohol use;
  2. biomedical risk factors, such as high cholesterol, high blood pressure, impaired glucose metabolism or excess weight; and
  3. a family history of a chronic disease

The health assessment must include:

  1. information collection, including taking a patient history and undertaking examinations and investigations as clinically required;
  2. making an overall assessment of the patient’s health, including the patient’s readiness to make lifestyle changes;
  3. initiating interventions and referrals as clinically indicated;
  4. providing advice and information; including strategies to achieve lifestyle and behaviour changes;
  5. keeping a record of the health assessment, and offering the patient a written report about the health assessment, with recommendations about matters covered by the health assessment; and
  6. offering the patient’s carer (if any, and if the medical practitioner considers it appropriate and the patient agrees) a copy of the report or extracts of the report relevant to the carer.

A Medicare rebate is payable once only for each eligible patient. The Medicare rebate is not payable in conjunction with another consultation on the same day, except where it is clinically required (ie. the patient has an acute problem that needs to be managed separately from the assessment), and is not available to admitted patients of a hospital or day-hospital facility.

For Burnett Medical Centre patients on concession cards, the health check is funded by Medicare, for private fee patients, there is a minimal out of pocket expense incurred, the remainder is covered by Medicare. Please discuss fees with our reception staff.

Our Medical Services

General Practitioners for Bundaberg and surrounding communities