01

What the health check covers

The Medicare menopause health check (formally the Menopause and Perimenopause Health Assessment) is a GP appointment that must last at least 20 minutes and is specifically dedicated to assessing and managing menopause-related symptoms and health risks².

It is not a standard consult where menopause gets squeezed into the last few minutes. The assessment is structured to include a detailed symptom history, a basic physical examination (blood pressure, height, and weight), a review of relevant screening (cervical screening, mammography, bone densitometry), discussion of management options, and a written management plan².

Your GP should also discuss preventive health advice around physical activity, smoking, alcohol, nutrition, and weight management as part of the assessment².

02

Who is eligible

You may be eligible if you are experiencing symptoms related to perimenopause, menopause, early menopause, or premature ovarian insufficiency (POI). There is no specific age requirement listed in the MBS criteria, so younger women experiencing early menopause or POI can also access the assessment³.

The assessment is available once every 12 months during an initial two-year period from 1 July 2025³. It must be completed by a GP (not a nurse or allied health professional) and is not currently intended as a telehealth item, according to guidance from several Primary Health Networks⁴.

You do not need a referral. You book it directly with your GP practice.

If you are unsure whether your symptoms are related to perimenopause or menopause, that is actually a good reason to book the assessment. The GP's role is to help determine whether hormonal changes are contributing to what you are experiencing, or whether something else needs investigating.

03

What happens during the appointment

During the 20-minute assessment, your GP will work through several areas.

They will take a detailed history to understand whether your symptoms fit with perimenopause, menopause, early menopause, or another cause, and consider your broader wellbeing, medical history, and any risk factors or contraindications for particular treatments².

A basic physical examination usually includes blood pressure, height, and weight. Depending on your symptoms and history, your GP may also discuss blood tests or referrals.

The assessment then moves into management options. The MBS guidance specifically includes discussion of both non-pharmacological and pharmacological strategies, including risks and benefits, and development of a patient-centred symptom management plan². That could mean anything from lifestyle changes and sleep strategies to menopausal hormone therapy (MHT) or evidence-based supplements to non-hormonal prescriptions, depending on what suits your situation.

Your GP may also consider blood tests such as thyroid function (because thyroid changes can mimic some perimenopause symptoms), fasting glucose or HbA1c for blood sugar risk, a cholesterol panel for cardiovascular risk, and iron studies if you have heavy bleeding or fatigue. These are not mandatory, but the assessment gives your GP a structured opportunity to consider what screening makes sense for you.

Research into menopause care in Australian general practice has highlighted that starting these conversations can be difficult for both patients and GPs⁵. A structured assessment like this one is designed to make that easier by giving the appointment a clear purpose and framework.

04

How to book it

When you call your GP clinic, you can say something like: "I'd like to book a menopause or perimenopause health assessment under Medicare Item 695."

If the receptionist is unfamiliar with the item number, ask for a long consultation focused on perimenopause or menopause symptoms. Not every practice will have updated its booking systems yet, so being specific helps.

Sarah Gray — a registered pharmacist, nutritionist, certified menopause practitioner, and Biolae practitioner partner — recommends coming prepared. "A 20-minute appointment goes quickly," she writes. "So the more prepared you are, the more useful it will be."⁶

Practical preparation steps:

• Bring a complete list of everything you take (prescriptions, supplements, vitamins, over-the-counter products).
• Track your symptoms for at least two weeks beforehand — the 50+ symptoms guide is a useful starting checklist.
• Gather relevant family history such as heart disease, osteoporosis, breast cancer, or early menopause.
• Write down two or three top priorities you want to leave the appointment with a plan for.

For a detailed preparation guide written from a pharmacist's perspective, see Sarah's full article: Your Medicare Menopause Health Check: A Pharmacist's Complete Guide.

05

What the health check does not cover

Twenty minutes is a starting point, not a full solution. As Sarah Gray puts it: "The goal is not to solve everything in one appointment. The goal is to get the right issues on the table and create a plan."⁶

You may still need follow-up GP appointments, referrals to a gynaecologist, pelvic floor physiotherapist, dietitian, or psychologist, a pharmacist review, or a consultation with a menopause-trained practitioner.

The health check is also not designed to cover complex or long-standing issues in full. Areas like pelvic floor dysfunction, sexual pain, sleep disorders, mental health, and detailed nutritional assessment may need separate, dedicated appointments.

Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death and disability in postmenopausal women over 50⁷. Bone density can decline significantly during the menopause transition. The health check is an opportunity to flag these longer-term risks and start appropriate screening, even if the full workup happens later.

06

Why this appointment is worth booking

The Medicare menopause health check exists because the 2023 Parliamentary Inquiry into menopause care found that many Australian women were waiting years for a diagnosis or appropriate support, with symptoms commonly written off as stress, ageing, or anxiety¹. The MBS items were the government's response to that gap.

If your GP bulk bills, the assessment costs nothing. If they don't, you may still get a partial rebate. Either way, you walk in with a structured 20 minutes that belongs to your menopause symptoms — not the last three minutes of a rushed consult. Come prepared, be specific, and ask for follow-up appointments or referrals if 20 minutes isn't enough. Pair the booking with the five things every GP recommends in Own Your Menopause Appointment, and you'll leave with a plan you can actually act on.