‘Shane Warne effect’ linked to 70% increase in Medicare GP heart checks
Claims for item 699 experienced a record month after the spinner's cardiac death
The cardiac death of cricket legend Shane Warne has coincided with a record-breaking month for MBS Heart Health Checks.
Item 699 was introduced three years ago after a national campaign by the heart foundation, which said the requirement that GPs conduct an absolute cardiovascular risk assessment could save 76,000 lives over five years.
It has been controversial, with the RACGP calling for its removal from the MBS, arguing it undermined holistic patient care.
According to new figures, in March, GPs claimed more than 12,000 heart health checks, compared with 7000 in February (see graph below).
