Since 1 July 2025, Medicare has funded a dedicated menopause health assessment: a GP appointment of at least 20 minutes set aside for perimenopause and menopause symptoms, available once every 12 months. It gives you and your GP time to look at symptoms, long-term health risks and treatment options together, rather than squeezing them into the end of a standard consult.
What is the menopause health assessment?
It is a Medicare health assessment for people experiencing symptoms of perimenopause or menopause, listed as MBS item 695 when a GP provides it. It must last at least 20 minutes and is designed as an in-person appointment.
The items were introduced after a 2024 Senate committee inquiry into menopause and perimenopause. According to the MBS Online factsheet, they were set up for an initial two-year period while the government reviews all MBS health assessments, so the arrangements may change in future.
Who is eligible?
You are eligible if you have a Medicare card, have not had this assessment in the previous 12 months, and are experiencing symptoms of perimenopause or menopause, or are being treated for them. The assessment also covers early menopause and premature ovarian insufficiency (POI), where the ovaries stop working normally before 40.
As a guide, healthdirect explains that the average age of menopause in Australia is 51, with most people reaching it between 45 and 55. Menopause between 40 and 45 is called early menopause. Perimenopause is the lead-up, when periods become irregular, and it can begin years before your final period.
Medicare rules say health assessments should be done by your usual GP where reasonably practicable. That usually means the GP or practice you have seen most over the past year, which is one reason a regular GP relationship matters here.
What does your GP check?
The Medicare item sets out what the assessment must include. In plain terms, your GP will cover five things.
Your history. The GP asks about your periods, symptoms, general wellbeing and medical history to work out whether you are pre, peri or post menopause. They also check for anything in your health history that affects which treatments are safe for you.
A basic examination. This includes your blood pressure, height and weight.
Tests and referrals as needed. The GP considers whether you are due for cervical screening, a mammogram or a bone density scan. Blood tests are not routinely needed to diagnose menopause if you are over 45, but your GP may order them to rule out other causes of your symptoms.
Treatment options. You talk through non-medication approaches and medicines, including menopausal hormone therapy (MHT) and non-hormonal options, with the risks and benefits of each.
A plan and prevention advice. You leave with a management plan built around your symptoms, plus advice on physical activity, smoking, alcohol, nutrition and weight.
Why it matters beyond hot flushes
Hot flushes and night sweats are the best-known symptoms, but menopause affects more than comfort. Healthdirect lists sleep problems, headaches, dry or itchy skin, poor concentration, anxiety and mood changes among common symptoms.
Falling oestrogen also raises the long-term risk of osteoporosis and heart disease. That is why the assessment includes blood pressure, weight and a check on whether you need a bone density scan.
How to prepare for your appointment
A little preparation helps you use the time well.
- Keep a symptom diary. Jean Hailes for Women’s Health suggests recording symptoms, when they happen and how they affect you for up to three months before your appointment.
- Note your period pattern, including the date of your last period.
- Bring a list of medicines and supplements, including anything you have tried for symptoms.
- Know your screening dates, such as your last cervical screening test and mammogram.
- Write down your questions, especially about MHT, if you want to discuss it.
When you book, ask for a menopause health assessment specifically so the practice can allow enough time. If you would prefer a female GP, say so when booking.
Frequently asked questions
Is the menopause health assessment bulk billed?
It depends on the practice. Medicare pays a rebate for the assessment, and some practices bulk bill it while others charge a fee on top. Ask the practice how it bills the assessment when you book, so you know whether you will pay anything out of pocket. The billing information page explains how fees work at King Street Medical.
How often can I have a menopause health assessment?
Medicare funds one assessment every 12 months. Between assessments, you can see your GP in a standard consultation to review symptoms, adjust treatment or follow up test results. Your GP may suggest a follow-up visit after you start any new treatment.
Can I have the assessment by telehealth?
It is designed as an in-person appointment because it includes a physical examination, such as checking your blood pressure, height and weight. If you have trouble getting to the practice, ask your GP whether part of your follow-up care can be done by telehealth.
Do I need a blood test to confirm menopause?
Usually not. If you are over 45 and have typical symptoms, there is no single test for menopause and GPs usually diagnose it from your symptoms and history. Blood tests are more likely if you are under 45, have had a hysterectomy, or your GP wants to rule out other conditions that can cause similar symptoms.
Talk to a GP about menopause in Warrawong
If perimenopause or menopause symptoms are affecting your sleep, work or wellbeing, a dedicated appointment is a good place to start. You can book a women’s health check at King Street Medical to talk through your symptoms and options with a GP. Online and phone booking details are on the booking information page.
This article is general information only. Speak with your GP about your own symptoms and treatment.