Fact Sheet
Bulk-Billed 45-49 Year Old Health Assessment
This health assessment is free for eligible people aged 45 to 49 years at risk of developing a chronic disease.
Statistically, around this age is when people start experiencing common symptoms of many chronic diseases.
Having your GP and practice nurse conduct a comprehensive assessment can help guide lifestyle changes that may prevent or delay chronic diseases like obesity.
What’s a Chronic Disease?
A chronic disease or condition that has been or is likely to be present for at least six months, including (but not limited to):
- arthritis
- asthma
- cancer
- cardiovascular illness
- diabetes
- iron deficiency
- mental health conditions
- musculoskeletal conditions
Who’s Eligible for a Bulk-Billed Health Assessment?
Any patient of the clinic within the age range who’s at risk of developing a chronic disease is eligible for one bulk-billed 45-49 Year Old Health Assessment in their lifetime with their regular GP.
Your GP makes a clinical judgement about whether you’re at risk of developing a chronic disease, typically informed by tests and investigations.
They must identify at least one risk factor. Most people within the age range are likely to be at risk of at least one chronic condition, even if that risk is low.
Risk factors that the GP may consider include:
- lifestyle risk factors, such as smoking, physical inactivity, poor nutrition or alcohol use;
- biomedical risk factors, such as high cholesterol, high blood pressure, impaired glucose metabolism, or excess weight; and
- a family history of a chronic disease.
What Happens During the Health Assessment?
The health assessment takes about one hour. During this time, you’ll spend 30 minutes with our practice nurse and 30 minutes with your GP.
The practice nurse will go through the following with you:
- measure your height and weight
- take your blood pressure
- talk over your immunisation history
- where relevant, ask about your most recent cervical screening test
- answer any initial questions you may have.
Your GP will then review the nurse’s notes and perform a few more tests, including blood tests and an ECG to make sure your heart is ticking along nicely.
Tailored to your results, they’ll offer advice on minimising chronic disease risk factors and may refer you to other external services.
Examples include Breast Screen Victoria and the National Bowel Cancer Screening Program.
What Happens After the Health Assessment?
Your GP may recommend further tests and investigations if potential health issues arise from the health assessment.
We follow our usual process with test results, which may include texting for non-urgent outcomes or calling you to arrange an appointment. Our usual fees apply for follow-up consults with your GP.
You can make an appointment online – just be sure to choose the ’45-49 year old health assessment’ appointment type.
Alternatively, call us on 8579 6838 to book.
Helpful Links & Websites
- Breast Screen Victoria
A population-wide screening program. Their website provides a wealth of information and helps you make and manage breast screening appointments - Cancer Council – Causes & prevention
We know that preventing cancer is one of the most effective ways of creating a cancer-free future. - Department of Health – Preventive Health
The Department of Health provides supportive and healthier environments that protect Australians from disease and injury. - Heart Foundation – Diabetes and heart disease
Fact sheet on diabetes, blood pressure, and cardiovascular disease. - National Bowel Cancer Screening Program
The program aims to reduce deaths from bowel cancer by detecting early signs of the disease. - National Cervical Screening Program
The National Cervical Screening Program reduces illness and death from cervical cancer. - National Immunisation Program Schedule
A series of immunisations given at specific times throughout your life. The immunisations range from birth through to adulthood.