The Healthy Midlife Program is a funded chronic disease prevention initiative providing eligible women with access to comprehensive menopause care from specialist GPs.

The program aims to help women feel better through perimenopause and menopause while also identifying and addressing factors that can influence their long-term health.

The Healthy Midlife Program provides funded menopause care for women who may face greater barriers to healthcare or have an increased risk of chronic disease.

To be eligible, you must:

• Be experiencing perimenopause or menopause, including early or medically induced menopause

• Live in the Ballina, Byron, Lismore, Richmond Valley or Kyogle local government areas

• Be eligible for Medicare

• Be able to attend our Ballina clinic for your initial consultation and final body composition scan

You must also meet at least one of the following:

• Identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander

• Hold an eligible concession card:

  • Health Care Card

    Low Income Health Care Card

  • Pensioner Concession Card

• Have been diagnosed with an eligible chronic health condition:

  • previous heart attack

  • previous stroke or TIA,

  • type 1 or 2 diabetes

  • chronic kidney disease, or

  • osteoporosis

• Take five or more regular prescription medications (exclusing over-the-counter or supplements)

• Have experienced menopause before age 45, including premature ovarian insufficiency (POI) or menopause caused by surgery or medical treatment

Places are limited, and eligibility does not guarantee acceptance into the program.

If accepted, you'll receive:

• One comprehensive 60-minute initial consultation at our Ballina clinic

• Up to three follow-up consultations, either in person or via telehealth where appropriate

• Body composition scans at the beginning and end of the program, with an additional scan during the program where appropriate, to help track changes in muscle mass and body fat

• A comprehensive menopause and long-term health assessment, including cardiovascular, metabolic and bone health risk factors

• A personalised treatment and prevention plan, including advice on nutrition, exercise, weight management and healthy ageing

• Evidence-based menopause treatment and ongoing support tailored to your individual needs

• A summary of your assessment, treatment and care provided, shared with your regular GP, to support continuity of care.

This program has been funded by a PHN grant, meaning there will be no out-of-pocket consultation cost for the included appointments. The program covers a limited number of consultations and does not provide ongoing funded menopause care.

At the end of the program, we'll help you understand the next steps for your health. With your consent, we can provide your regular GP with a summary of your assessment, treatment and recommendations.

If you would like to continue seeing Remi after your funded appointments are complete, you can do so privately at our usual consultation fees.

Menopause isn't only about managing symptoms.

Estrogen plays an important role in areas such as bone, cardiovascular and metabolic health. Midlife is also an important opportunity to identify risk factors such as blood pressure, cholesterol, glucose, weight, bone health and lifestyle factors.

Our approach combines evidence-based menopause care with a broader view of your long-term health.

A Commonwealth Seniors Health Card does not qualify on its own for this program.

However, you may still be eligible if you meet another requirement, such as identifying as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander, having an eligible chronic health condition, taking five or more regular prescription medications, or having experienced menopause before age 45.

For the current intake, the chronic health conditions that qualify are:

• previous heart attack

• previous stroke or TIA

• type 2 diabetes

• chronic kidney disease

• osteoporosis

Other chronic health conditions do not qualify for the current intake. However, you may still be eligible if you hold an eligible concession card, identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander, or take five or more regular prescription medications.

We'll ask you to select any eligible health conditions on your application form. We’ll also request a health summary from your regular GP to confirm your medical history.

Not on their own for the current intake.

While high blood pressure and cholesterol are important cardiovascular risk factors and may be assessed as part of your care, the funded places in this intake are being prioritised for women who meet one or more of the specific eligibility criteria listed above.

Yes. Taking five or more regular prescription medications is one way to qualify for the program. This does not include over-the-counter medications, vitamins or supplements.

We'll ask you to list the names of your regular prescription medications on your application form and request a health summary from your regular GP to confirm your regular medications.

Experiencing menopause before age 45 is one way to qualify for the program, provided you also meet the general eligibility requirements. This includes early menopause, premature ovarian insufficiency (POI), or menopause caused by surgery or medical treatment.

Estrogen plays an important role in long term health. When menopause occurs earlier than expected, the body experiences lower estrogen levels for longer, increasing the risk of conditions such as osteoporosis and heart disease. This makes early menopause an important focus for chronic disease prevention.

Once your application is receieved, we’ll request a health summary from your regular GP to confirm your medical history.

We will ask you to provide information confirming your eligibility, such as evidence of an eligible concession card, or GP health summary of your medical conditions and current medications.

This helps us ensure the limited funded places are provided to people who meet the program criteria.

Your first appointment is a comprehensive 60-minute in-person consultation at our Ballina clinic. This allows your doctor to thoroughly assess your menopause symptoms, medical history and broader health, develop a personalised treatment plan, and complete a body composition scan.

You'll also need to return to our Ballina clinic for a body composition scan at the end of the program, so we can track changes over time.

Your other follow-up consultations can be completed in person or via telehealth where clinically appropriate.

No. You can apply directly to the Healthy Midlife Program using the link emailed to you by the Remi admin team.

We do encourage ongoing care with your regular GP and, with your consent, we'll share relevant information with them to support continuity of care.

No. The program has a limited number of funded places.

We'll review your application and may contact you for further information, such as a copy of your concession card or a health summary from your regular GP, to confirm your eligibility.

Once all funded places have been filled, applications will close. We'll let all applicants know whether they've been offered a place in the program.

You can still access Remi's usual specialist GP menopause services privately. Medicare rebates apply to all consultations for Medicare-eligible patients.

If you've reached the Extended Medicare Safety Net, Medicare may cover up to 80% of your remaining out-of-pocket costs, subject to Medicare benefit caps.

Our team can help you understand your options and find the care that's right for you.