The aim of the type 2 diabetes risk evaluation is to support medical practitioners to address the health needs of patients 40 to 49 years of age who are at high risk of developing type 2 diabetes.

The type 2 diabetes risk evaluation is a review of the risk factors underlying a patient’s ‘high risk’ score as identified by the Australian Type 2 Diabetes Risk Assessment Tool(AUSDRISK).

The Australian Type 2 Diabetes Risk Assessment Tool consists of a short list of questions that, when completed, provides a guide to a patient’s current level of risk of developing type 2 diabetes over the next five years. Completion of AUSDRISK is necessary in order to proceed with the health assessment if a “high risk” score results.

It includes initiating interventions, such as referral to lifestyle modification programs, to assist with the prevention of type 2 diabetes.

Eligibility

Eligible patients must be aged 40 to 49 years (inclusive) or 15 to 54 years (inclusive) for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, and at high risk of developing type 2 diabetes, as determined by the Australian Type 2 Diabetes Risk Assessment Tool. Patients with newly diagnosed or existing diabetes are not eligible for this evaluation.

A Medicare rebate is payable for each eligible patient once every three years. The rebate is not payable in conjunction with another attendance item on the same day, except where it is clinically required. 

Components of the health assessment provided as a type 2 diabetes risk evaluation

The type 2 diabetes risk evaluation includes:

• evaluating your “high risk” score as determined by the Australian Type 2 Diabetes Risk Assessment Tool, which has been completed by the patient within a period of 3 months prior to undertaking the type 2 diabetes risk evaluation;

• updating your history and undertaking physical examinations and clinical investigations in accordance with relevant guidelines;

• making an overall assessment of your risk factors and of the results of relevant examinations and investigations;

• initiating interventions, if appropriate, including referral to a diabetes educator, lifestyle modification program and/or follow-up relating to the management of any risk factors identified; and

• providing you with advice and information, including strategies to achieve lifestyle and behaviour changes if appropriate.

Risk Factors

Risk factors include the following:

• lifestyle risk factors, such as smoking, physical inactivity and poor nutrition;

• biomedical risk factors, such as high blood pressure, impaired glucose metabolism and excess weight; and

• a family history of a chronic disease.