Aboriginal people experience significantly poorer health than that of non-Aboriginal people and are at higher risk of developing certain chronic disease. Identification ensures health care needs can be appropriately met. Practice staff and GPs can support Aboriginal patients to self-identify, which is the essential first step in providing specific health services. A patient is considered to be of Aboriginal descent if they identify as being so. Appearance is not a reliable way of determining cultural identity. Routine identification can be assisted through:

• staff cultural awareness training
• improved understanding of the need for and the benefits of health assessments
• culturally appropriate resources in the waiting room
• staff being confident when asking patients the question (of ethnic origin) and explaining its importance. An appropriate way to ask is:

"Are you of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander descent?"

Alternatively, staff may feel more comfortable using a less direct line of questioning, which can then open the conversation for future enquiry. For example:

"Do you identify with a particular cultural background?"

A RACGP fact sheet on identification of Aboriginal and Torres Straight Islander patients can be viewed at: RACGP 3rd Edition Standards Fact Sheet for Identification of Patients.

Health assessment for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People – MBS Item 715

Medical practitioners providing a health assessment for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people should use MBS Item 715. This MBS health assessment item has no designated time or complexity requirements. The length of the health assessment will be at the medical practitioner's discretion. MBS Item 715 should be used for health assessments for the following age groups:

• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children who are less than 15 years old
• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adults who are aged 15 years and over but under the age of 55 years
• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander older people who are aged 55 years and over
• Healthy Kids Check provided by a practice nurse or Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health practitioner – MBS Item 1098
  The MBS health assessment for a Healthy Kids Check provided by a practice nurse or Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health practitioner on behalf of a medical practitioner is provided under MBS Item 10986.

NACCHO guide to a Preventative health assessment for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples

MBS Item 715 (Health Assessment) Factsheet - Health Assessment for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People (MBS ITEM 715)

Health Assessment Proformas:

• Child Health Check Proforma
• Adult Health Check Proforma
• Older Persons Health Check Proforma

The Government has introduced assistance to eliminate or lower the cost of Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) medicines for Aboriginal patients living with, or at risk of, chronic disease. The PBS Co-payment measure is a response to identifying that cost is a significant barrier to accessing medicines for Aboriginal people. Additional information on the Measure is available at the Department of Human Services' Closing the Gap website.

Forms for the PIP Indigenous Health Incentive and PBS Co-Payment Measure:

• Indigenous Health Incentive PIP practice application form
• Indigenous Health Incentive PIP practice application form
• Indigenous Health Incentive PIP practice register authority form
• Indigenous Health Incentive PIP & PBS Co-payment Measure patient registration and consent form
• Indigenous Health Incentive PIP and/or PBS Co-payment Measure multiple registration and consent form
• Indigenous Health Incentive PIP and/or PBS Co-payment Measure patient withdrawal form

The Practice Incentive (PIP) Indigenous Health Incentive is aimed at supporting general practice, as well as Aboriginal health services to provide a comprehensive range of health services to Aboriginal people with chronic health problems. Financial incentives are arranged into 3 components that are based upon the level of care provided. Practices participating in the incentive will also have increased access to supporting health services for their patients. More information on the PIP Indigenous Health Incentive can be accessed at:

• PIP Indigenous Health Incentive Guidelines
• Practice Incentives Programs website

Practices registered for the Indigenous Health Practice Incentive Program

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