75 years+ Annual Health
Checks (Bulk Billed)
Your Free Annual
Over 75 Health Assessment
Turning 75 opens the door to one of the most useful appointments in Medicare, and one that many people never hear about. The over 75 health assessment is a once-a-year visit with your GP that looks beyond a single symptom and asks a bigger question: what will help you stay well, safe and independent at home for longer?
At Harbour Town Doctors in Biggera Waters, the 75+ health assessment is bulk billed for eligible Medicare card holders, so there is no out-of-pocket cost. You can book with any of our GPs, or with the family doctor who already knows your history. We see older patients from right across the northern Gold Coast, including Labrador, Runaway Bay, Coombabah, Hollywell, Arundel and Southport, and many bring a son, daughter or carer along to the visit.
Bulk Billed
No out-of-pocket cost for eligible patients with a Medicare card.
Once Every 12 Months
Medicare funds one older person's health assessment each year.
No Referral Needed
Book directly with the clinic. You do not need a letter from anyone.
A Written Report
You receive a copy, and with your permission so can your carer.
How Your
Appointment Runs
1. Book a Longer Appointment
Ask for an over 75 health assessment when you call 07 5222 7117 or book online, so enough time is set aside.
2. History and Questions
Your GP goes through your health history, current medicines and how daily life is going at home.
3. Examination and Checks
Blood pressure, pulse, weight, balance and any other checks you need are done during the visit.
4. Your Plan and Report
You leave with clear recommendations and a written report, and any referrals or follow-up are arranged for you.
What to
Bring Along
- Your Medicare card and any concession or DVA card
- All current medicines in their boxes, including vitamins and creams
- Glasses, hearing aids and any walking aid you use
- Contact details for your specialists and pharmacy
- A list of questions or worries, however small
- A family member or carer, if you would like support
What Your 75+ Health Check
Looks At
Medicare sets out the areas every older person’s health assessment must cover. Your GP works through each one below, then adds anything specific to you, such as a skin check or a review of a long-term condition.
Blood Pressure, Pulse and Rhythm
Measured on the day to pick up high blood pressure or an irregular heartbeat such as atrial fibrillation.
Medication Review
Every tablet, puffer, cream and supplement checked for doses, overlaps and side effects.
Immunisation Status
Flu, pneumococcal, shingles, COVID-19 and RSV vaccines checked against the National Immunisation Program.
Mobility and Falls
Balance, strength, any fall in the last three months and the everyday tasks you manage on your own.
Memory and Mood
A gentle check of memory, thinking and wellbeing, so changes are noticed early rather than late.
Continence
A private conversation about bladder and bowel control, which is common and very treatable.
Support at Home
Whether the help you have now, paid or unpaid, is still enough for the way you live.
Caring for Someone Else
Many people over 75 care for a partner. Your own health and your load as a carer matter too.
Over 75 Health Assessment Questions
You Can Expect
There is no test to pass. These are the kinds of questions your GP may ask, so you can think about the answers before you arrive and make the most of the time.
Everyday
Living
- Can you shower, dress and prepare meals on your own?
- Who does the shopping, cleaning and gardening?
- How do you get to appointments and the shops?
Falls and
Mobility
- Have you had a fall, or nearly fallen, in the last three months?
- Do you feel unsteady on stairs or getting out of a chair?
- Do you use a stick, frame or rails at home?
Memory, Mood
and Support
- Have you or your family noticed changes in memory?
- How have your mood and sleep been lately?
- Is there someone you can call on if you need help?
Medicare and Bulk Billing
for Over 75s
The older person’s health assessment is funded under Medicare items 701, 703, 705 and 707. The item your GP uses depends on how long the assessment takes, from a brief check of under 30 minutes to a prolonged assessment of 60 minutes or more. Harbour Town Doctors bulk bills the assessment for eligible patients, so you do not pay a gap. You can read more about our bulk billed health services.
The health assessment is voluntary, not compulsory. It is simply an offer of time with your doctor once a year, and it is one of the best ways to catch small problems before they affect your independence.
You Are
Eligible If
- You are aged 75 years or older
- You hold a valid Medicare card
- You live in your own home or a retirement village
- You have not had this health assessment in the past 12 months
A Different Check
Applies If
- You live in a residential aged care facility, where a comprehensive medical assessment is used instead
- You are currently an in-patient in hospital
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander patients can also choose our dedicated health check, available at any age
Health Checks Through
Every Stage of Life
The over 75 health assessment is one of several Medicare-funded checks offered at Harbour Town Doctors. If someone else in your family is due for theirs, these pages explain what each one involves.
45 to 49 Year Health Check
A one-off check in your late forties to find risks before they become conditions.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Check
A yearly, culturally safe health check available at every age.
How Often to Get a Health Check
Our age-by-age guide to check-ups and screening tests.
Inside a Preventive Health Assessment
A closer look at the tests and advice a preventive visit includes.
Driving After 75
in Queensland
Queensland has no upper age limit for driving, but once you turn 75 you must carry a current medical certificate whenever you drive, and renew it before it expires.
The driver medical certificate is a separate service from the over 75 health assessment. Let our team know when you book if you need one, and bring your licence plus any letters from your specialists or optometrist.
After Your
Assessment
Your GP may suggest follow-up care based on what the assessment finds. Common next steps include:
- A chronic disease management plan for ongoing conditions
- A heart health check if your cardiovascular risk is raised
- A skin cancer check, which matters more with every Queensland summer
- A GP mental health care plan if low mood is affecting daily life
- A referral for a My Aged Care assessment if you need more help at home
- A podiatry visit with Sharon Crowther for foot care and footwear advice
Over 75 Health Assessment
Questions Answered
Is the over 75 health assessment compulsory?
No. It is entirely voluntary. Medicare offers it once every 12 months to people aged 75 and older, and you can choose to have it every year, now and then, or not at all.
How long does a 75+ health assessment take?
Most take between 30 and 60 minutes. The time depends on how many health conditions and medicines you have and how much you want to discuss. Booking a longer appointment means nothing is rushed.
Is the 75+ health check bulk billed at Harbour Town Doctors?
Yes. We bulk bill the older person's health assessment for eligible patients with a valid Medicare card, so there is no out-of-pocket cost.
Can my partner, family member or carer come with me?
Yes, and we encourage it. A second person often remembers details you may not, and with your agreement your carer can be given a copy of the report.
Do I need a referral for an over 75 health check?
No. You can book directly with any GP at the clinic. If you already see one of our doctors, booking with them keeps your care in one place.
I live in an aged care home. Can I have this assessment?
Residents of residential aged care facilities are not eligible for this Medicare item. Instead, a GP completes a comprehensive medical assessment designed for aged care residents.
Is this the same as my driver's licence medical?
No. In Queensland, drivers aged 75 and over need a current medical certificate, which is a separate service. Let us know when booking if you need both.
What happens if the GP finds a problem?
Your GP explains what they found, agrees a plan with you and arranges any tests, referrals or follow-up visits. Many issues picked up at a health assessment, such as a medicine interaction or early balance problems, are simple to manage once they are known.
Can I have my vaccinations on the same day?
Your GP checks which vaccines you are due for and can usually give them during the visit. Several vaccines are free for people aged 75 and over under the National Immunisation Program.
Book Your Over 75 Health Assessment
in Biggera Waters
Harbour Town Doctors is at Shop A054, Harbour Town Premium Outlets, 147-189 Brisbane Road, Biggera Waters, with free parking close to the clinic. We are open Monday to Friday 8:30am to 5:00pm and Saturday and Sunday 9:00am to 1:00pm.