Heart Health Check funding uncertain

Funding for the Medicare Heart Health Check is due to lapse on 30 June, but a lack of solid commitment from either major political party has caused some GPs to call for certainty.
 
On Thursday, the Federal Government confirmed an extension of the Medicare-backed program is being ‘considered’ as part of its Budget.
 
Medicare data shows almost 800,000 Heart Health Check services have taken place since the program’s introduction in 2019, with around one quarter of them being in the last year.
 
Under the initiative, the Federal Government picks up the $82.90 cost that would otherwise go to the patient.
 
The Heart Foundation suggests up to 76,500 cardiovascular disease-related events could be prevented with increased uptake of checks over the next five years, as well as generating some $1.18 billion in healthcare savings.
 
However, according to a RACGP position statement on disease-specific MBS items, the college does not support the introduction of new disease or condition-focused items.
 
It states that while there may be appropriate exemptions, structuring the MBS in this way ‘does not accurately reflect the way in which GPs provide person-centred care’ and could lead to the fragmentation of funding.
 
Melbourne GP Associate Professor Ralph Audehm said he would welcome the continuation of the program.
 
But he adds that cost savings generated from its success should be funnelled back into general practice.
 
‘At the moment, the remuneration for a Heart Health Check is basically the same as a Level C, so there needs to be added incentives for practices to be involved,’ Associate Professor Audehm told newsGP.
 
‘The number of Heart Health Checks being done should form part of the quality improvements that we report on in general practice, because that would certainly drive more and more people, and more practices, to be doing them.
 
‘Many GPs would say that they do this as part of [consultations], but having a specific focus you can use on, what I would call, planned care – the systematic approach around a practice – has far better outcomes than it does if you try and do it ad hoc.’
 
A spokesperson for Federal Health and Aged Care Minister Mark Butler confirmed ‘the Albanese Government strongly backs the Heart Health Check’ and an extension is on the table.
 
‘An extension of the Heart Health Check is being considered as part of the 2025 Budget process,’ he told newsGP.
 
Opposition Health and Aged Care spokesperson Anne Ruston also showed signs of support, telling newsGP the Coalition had introduced Medicare Heart Health Checks to ensure that Australians at risk of heart disease have access to affordable preventive healthcare.
 
‘We remain focused on ensuring all Australians have timely and affordable access to primary healthcare, and we will announce our full suite of health policies in due course,’ she said.
 
Moving forward, Associate Professor Audehm said he would also like to see the target patient group for Heart Health Checks broadened to include patients who’ve had a past heart event.
 
‘If you look at data Australia-wide, we know management of risk factors in people who are at high risk of heart disease, and even people who’ve already had an event, is only about 50%. And if you talk about all management targets, it drops down to less than 10%,’ he said
 
‘So this is important. But you can’t do a Heart Health Check on people who’ve already had an event, which I think is really sad.
 
‘If we could broaden it to be a true Heart Health Check, whether you’ve had an event or not, that would be fantastic.’
 
‘Primary care is just so underfunded, and the Government just pay us with lip service. They don’t really appreciate the strength and the breadth of what we can actually achieve.’
 
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