Healthy Kids Check MBS item 709 - GP 711 - PN

1. Healthy Kids CheckMBS item 709 - GP711 - PN

2. The Healthy Kids Check Is a screening check and does not replace the comprehensive developmental assessment which is usually part of the maternal and child health program.

3. Key competencies for practice nurses • Has a basic understanding of the developmental stage of a four year old • Takes a patients history - collects required information • Undertakes mandatory assessment- height, weight, BMI (plots and interprets growth/calculated BMI), eyesight, hearing, oral health (teeth and gums, toileting, allergies and 4 year old Immunisation status. • Undertakes non mandatory screening (if required) Appetite/eating habits, physical activity levels, speech and language development, behaviour and mood • Makes appropriate referral for review where issues identified in patient management and understanding.

4. PATIENT ELIGIBILITY • Claim item number once per child • Must have 4 yr old immunisation documented • Get Set For Life must be provided to the patient’s parents/guardian • If a health professional is unsure whether a patient has already received this service, they may call Medicare Australia, with the patient’s parent/guardian present, on 132 011.

5. PATIENT ELIGIBILITY • Patient’s ‘usual doctor’, or • Undertaken on behalf of a GP by a practice nurse (registered or Div 2). • If the practice nurse identify any health concerns that require medical intervention, the patient must be reviewed by the GP who will arrange referrals and follow-up as clinically required

6. CLAIMING Where the GP and practice nurse are at the same location • The GP is not required to be present while the Healthy Kids Check is undertaken. It is up to the GP to decide whether he or she needs to see the patient. Can the GP claim a consultation in addition to the Healthy Kids Check? • The time the patient spends receiving a service from the practice nurse is itemised separately under item 711 and should not be counted as part of the Medicare item claimed for time spent with the GP.

7. CLAIMING Can the GP claim a nurse item number in addition to the Healthy Kids Check? • Where the practice nurse provides another service (eg immunisation) on the same day, the GP is able to claim for both items. • Item 10990 or 10991 (bulk billing incentives) can be claimed in conjunction with items 709 and 711 provided the conditions of item 10990 and 10991 are satisfied.

8. COMPONENTS OF THE HEALTH CHECK • Information collection and physical examinations/assessments • Initiating interventions and/or referrals as indicated; and • Providing health advice and information to the patient’s parents/guardian, utilising the Department's publication Get Set For Life • To order send an email to resourcekits@health.gov.au

9. Information Collection • Taking a patient medical, social, and family history and or updating an existing history. (mandatory) • Relevant examinations and investigations based on information from the patient’s medical, social and family history. (mandatory)

10. Assessment of the Child • Overall assessment of the patient’s health • Height and weight (plot and interpret growth curve/calculate BMI) • Eyesight –Lea eye chart • Hearing • Oral health (teeth and gums- lift the lip) • Toileting • Allergies –allergy vs intolerance, generic names

11. Assessment – (non-mandatory) • Appetite/eating habits • Activity level • Speech and language development • Fine and gross motor skills • Behaviour and mood • Discuss results of health check and recommended future action with the patient. • Provide, or put in place arrangements for, any interventions required. • A record of the health check must be kept on the patient’s file. (mandatory)