New 45-49 year health checks - GP uptake of MBS item 717.
BACKGROUND
The Medicare Benefits Schedule item 717 was introduced in November 2006 for health checks among Australians aged 45-49 years. This study examines current data on Medicare item 717 in order to identify trends in general practitioner and patient participation.


METHODS
Medicare data and division population and GP data was collected quarterly from November 2006 to September 2007. The number of claims and number of GPs claiming one or more item 717 health check were analysed at the division level. Associations based on location, socioeconomic status and ethnicity were sought.


RESULTS
The health check was claimed for 7.7% of the estimated population aged 45-49 years, with no significant difference by gender. These positively correlated with GP participation rates. Patient participation was higher in divisions with a higher proportion of recent migrants from non-English speaking countries. General practitioner participation increased with rurality, with the exclusion of remote areas. No significant associations were found with socioeconomic status or education.


CONCLUSIONS
There has been rapid uptake of the health check item by GPs in divisions with lower ratios of GPs to population, with no evidence of a socioeconomic or gender bias.
Chan
Albert
A
Centre for Primary Health Care and Equity, School of Public Health and Community Medicine, University of New South Wales. z3206920@student.unsw.edu.au
Amoroso
Cheryl
C
Harris
Mark
M
D001315:Australia; D005194:Family Practice; D005260:Female; D019983:Guideline Adherence; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009313:National Health Programs; D010349:Patient Compliance; D010808:Physical Examination; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors