Uptake of the Australian Heart Health Check before and after the COVID-19 pandemic outbreak

Abstract

In 2019, a 'Heart Health Check' Medicare Benefit Schedule (MBS) item (699) was introduced to support cardiovascular riskassessment. This study sought to determine the uptake of Item 699 and changes to existing health assessment item claims, before and after the COVID‑19 outbreak. National MBS data for health assessment items were analysed for adults aged ≥35years. Item 699 accounted for 9% of health assessment item claims since its introduction. Claims for pre-existing health assessment items were virtually unchanged (1% increase) after Item 699 was introduced. Overall, there were 68,967 fewer health assessment item claims (7% decrease) after the COVID-19 outbreak and Item 699 had the greatest decline in claims (27% reduction). Uptake of Item 699 accounted for 9% ofhealth assessment item claims since its introduction. COVID-19 restrictions coincided with a decline in all health assessment item claims, particularly forItem 699.