What is the 45-49 health assessment and am I eligible?

If you’re in your 40s, it’s a good time to give your health a little extra attention. Doctors recommend getting regular check-ups at this age to help reduce health issues that become more common in your 40s. We understand looking after your health can often mean more medical bills, but the good news is there’s a Medicare subsided health assessment for those aged 45-49 that you may be eligible for. 

What is the 45-49 health assessment?

The health check is a comprehensive assessment of tests and examinations to determine your risk of chronic diseases. It also helps you make healthy lifestyle changes to prevent or delay your risk of disease.   

Am I eligible for the 45-49 health assessment?

If you’re an Australian resident aged 45-49 and have risk factors and family history of disease, you may be eligible for the subsidised health assessment. To be eligible for the health check, your GP needs to identify at least one risk factor. Risk factors are based on:

• family history of chronic disease.
• blood pressure, cholesterol, or blood sugar levels.
• weight and diet.
• history of smoking.
• alcohol intake.
• exercise habits. 

If you’re eligible for the health assessment, Medicare will pay a one-off rebate.

What does the 45-49 health assessment involve?

As part of the health assessment, your GP might ask you about the following:

• Lifestyle (diet, exercise, smoking, and drinking).
• Signs of skin cancer. 
• Mental health condition.
• Preconception care. 
• Family history of chronic disease.

They may also perform the following:

Measure:

• Weight and height.
• Blood pressure. 
• Cholesterol.

Assess the need for:

• Pap test.
• Mammogram. 
• Vaccinations.
• Testicular examination.
• Prostate assessment.

Calculate:

• Risk of diabetes.
• Risk of fracture related to osteoporosis (women 45+ years). 
• Cardiovascular risk. 

What happens after the health assessment?

Your GP may discuss lifestyle changes with you to help you lower your risk of developing a chronic health condition. They may also refer you to other services if you need them.    

Why is the health assessment important?

A health assessment in your mid to late 40s can help you make lifestyle changes for the better, so you can prevent or delay the onset of chronic diseases like these in the years to come: 

• Asthma
  Asthma is a condition that when triggered makes it hard to breathe. 
  
  
• Cancer
  Cancer is a disease of the body's cells. Things like smoking, sun exposure, poor diet, alcohol, inadequate exercise or being overweight can be linked to the onset of certain cancers. We offer Chemo at Home – a service that allows eligible Medibank members to receive their chemotherapy treatment in the comfort of their own home.^~
  
  
• Cardiovascular disease
  Cardiovascular disease (CVD) covers a group of disorders of the heart including heart disease, stroke, and blood vessel disease. Our Heart Health at Home phone-based cardiac rehabilitation program is available to eligible members with CVD, no matter where you live in Australia.^~
  
  
• Type 2 diabetes
  Diabetes is a chronic health condition where the levels of glucose (sugar) in the blood are too high. Blood glucose levels are normally regulated by a hormone called insulin, which is made by the pancreas. In type 2 diabetes, the body doesn’t respond effectively to insulin, or stops producing enough. Eligible members can get support managing type 2 diabetes with our Medibank Type 2 Diabetes Program.⁺ 
  
  
• Mental health conditions
  Nearly half of all Australians will experience a mental health issue at some point in their lives. Read more about some of the most common mental health conditions or visit our Better Minds hub if you need support. 
  
  
• Arthritis and Musculoskeletal conditions 
  Arthritis refers to inflammatory conditions affecting the bones, muscles and joints. This can lead to pain, stiffness, swelling and redness in affected joints. We offer the Better Knee, Better Me^TM program to help eligible members^≠ manage painful knee osteoarthritis, and the University of Melbourne’s Better Hip research trial for eligible members^{^} with hip osteoarthritis. 

Remember, if you have any questions or concerns about your health it's always best to chat with a GP. Medibank health insurance members can also chat to a registered nurse with Medibank 24/7 Nurse Support, or a mental health professional with 24/7 Medibank Mental Health Support at no extra cost.^*