Medicare item 715 is an annual health assessment available to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people of all ages.
What it involves:
- A structured check covering medical history, social and emotional wellbeing, family and community context, lifestyle, preventive screening and immunisation.
- Age-appropriate content: growth and development in children, hearing and ear checks, sexual health in young people, and chronic disease screening in adults.
- A written health plan with follow-up.
Why it matters:
- It unlocks follow-up allied health services under Medicare specifically for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander patients.
- It is a key tool for early detection of diabetes, kidney disease, heart disease and ear disease.
To offer it, you first need to ask every patient whether they identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander. You cannot tell by appearance, and identification is voluntary. Many practices ask routinely on registration forms, but a respectful verbal question is also appropriate.
Aboriginal Health Workers and Practitioners often help complete these assessments.