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Comprehensive Medical Assessments
CMAs are a voluntary service for permanent residents of aged care homes, including veterans. A CMA involves a personal attendance by the resident's GP to undertake a full systems review, including an assessment of the resident's health and physical and psychological function.
CMAs are not a substitute for normal medical care. They compliment normal aged care consultation items and other Medicare items available for residents of aged care homes, such as contribution to a multidisciplinary care plan for eligible residents. Where a residents GP has contributed to a care plan for a resident, the resident is eligible to access new Medicare items for certain allied health and dental services on referral from their GP (New MBS items 10950 to 10977 refer).
Benefits to GPs
To provide an opportunity for GPs to get to know the medical history of residents who may be new to them.
To undertake a full medical examination, and to develop a good understanding of what care the resident will need.
They provide the opportunity for closer working relationships between GPs and aged care homes and make it easier for GPs to contribute to care planning by the aged care home.
CMAs can also contribute important information to medication management reviews for residents.
Benefits to aged care homes
The results of a CMA will feed into the ongoing care of the resident including the resident's care plan.
The assessments will identify the resident's medical needs and provide important information, including diagnoses and problems, for planning individual care and medication management strategies.
Benefits to the community
Increased engagement of general practice with aged care can help prevent avoidable deterioration in health and functioning of residents.
Help reduce emergency department visits and hospital admissions.
CMAs and other related initiatives for aged care homes including GP panel arrangements provide a more integrated approach to addressing current service gaps and greater incentive for GP involvement in aged care.
