Patients aged 75 or older who receive comprehensive MBS-funded GP health assessments have a lower risk of dying over the following two years, a study suggests.

Funding for the 45- or 60-minute assessments for vulnerable patients (MBS items 705 and 707) has been questioned by the MBS Review, which in 2018 called for more evidence of benefit. 

The review’s General Practice and Primary Care Clinical Committee concluded there was substantial evidence that the assessments could help patients with intellectual disability but less evidence for other patient groups.

However, the new study of 75,000 patients who received home care assessments between 2011 and 2015, including 21,000 who also received a GP health assessment, suggested there was a meaningful benefit for frail patients.