You have decided to change clinics and want a clear changing clinics checklist before the first call — what to gather, what to leave, and what helps the new team understand your situation. This guide covers photo ID and Medicare or IHI details, past letters and summaries you already have, a short question list, and simple notes from previous appointments. It is the packing list for the move, not the full switch process. At CannElevate, the initial telehealth consult is $29, follow-ups are $19, and no referral is needed.
Key takeaways
- A changing clinics checklist usually starts with photo ID, a Medicare card number or Individual Healthcare Identifier (IHI), and any past letters or summaries you already hold.
- Write down questions and a short timeline of recent appointments so the new practitioner is not starting from a blank page.
- CannElevate’s initial telehealth consult is $29 and follow-ups are $19 — privately billed, no referral needed, Australia-wide by phone or video.
Why a changing clinics checklist helps
Changing clinics is less about one big transfer day and more about whether the first consult starts with useful context. Arrive with ID, Medicare or IHI details, and a few documents you already have, and registration plus the clinical conversation both move faster. Arrive with nothing written down and you can still book — you will just spend more of the slot reconstructing dates from memory.
This post is the packing list. For the wider switch process, see how to switch telehealth clinics without a gap in care. For what happens after you press book, see how it works.
Photo ID and booking details
Before you open the booking form, put these where you can reach them:
- Photo ID. A driver’s licence, passport or other government-issued photo ID is usually enough to confirm who you are.
- Medicare card number or IHI. CannElevate needs a Medicare card number or an Individual Healthcare Identifier to complete registration. Services Australia explains how IHIs work if you are not sure which number you have.
- Contact details that will not bounce. Use a phone number and email you check on the day of the consult, especially if the clinic sends a link or a call-back window.
- A quiet place and a charged device. Phone or video both work. Headphones help if your space is shared.
None of this is dramatic paperwork — it is the identity and contact pack most Australian telehealth services ask for so the appointment can proceed.
Past letters and summaries you already have
You do not need a perfect archive. Bring what you already hold, not what you wish you had ordered months ago:
- Clinic or specialist letters. Any letter that summarises why you were seen, what was discussed, or what was planned next.
- Discharge or care summaries. Short summaries from a hospital stay or a previous service are useful even if they are a few years old.
- Referral letters you still have on file. You do not need a new referral to book with CannElevate, but an old letter can still explain your history in plain language.
- Your own written timeline. Dates of recent appointments, who you saw (role is enough if you forget the name), and what you wanted help with at the time.
If you are requesting copies from a previous clinic, Australian privacy rules recognise that people can ask for access to their health information — see the OAIC’s guidance on health information. You can still book while you wait: use what you already own, and add the rest when it arrives. For help with the move itself, see switching clinics.
Questions and notes worth writing down
A half-page of notes beats a perfect folder you never open. Before the consult:
- Three questions you want answered today. Keep them short. Long lists tend to get truncated when time runs short.
- What is working and what is not. A few honest lines about your current situation help more than a polished speech.
- Goals for the next month. What would “a useful consult” look like for you — clarity, a plan, a second opinion, or a calmer follow-up path?
- Support person details. If someone will sit in on the call, note their name and relationship so the practitioner can include them appropriately.
- Appointment history highlights. Last two or three visits elsewhere: roughly when, and what you took away from each.
These notes are for you first. Share what you are comfortable sharing — the checklist is a prompt, not a compulsory dossier.
What you can leave behind
People often over-pack when they change clinics. You usually do not need every old email thread (a summary letter beats twenty messages), originals you are nervous to send (clear scans are normally enough), a brand-new referral, or a complete life history on day one. CannElevate does not require a referral for the $29 initial consult, and follow-ups exist for detail that does not fit today.
Still comparing options? See compare clinic fees and our FAQs. Ready to talk it through? Book a $29 telehealth consult. No referral needed. Or request a call back.
Day-of checklist before you join the call
On the morning of the appointment, run this short changing clinics checklist once more: photo ID within reach; Medicare or IHI details entered correctly; letters or summaries open on your phone or in one folder; your three questions visible; phone charged or laptop plugged in; headphones tested; a quiet spot for about 20 minutes; and a plan if a support person is joining. That is enough for most first consults after a move. Anything missing can be added later — do not postpone the booking only because one letter is still in the post.
What to expect when you book with CannElevate
CannElevate offers Australia-wide telehealth. Phone or video, from wherever you are. Your initial consult with an AHPRA-registered practitioner is $29, and follow-ups are $19. Consults are privately billed, there is no referral needed, and a Medicare card number or IHI is required to book. Our team is available Monday to Friday, 8am–4pm AWST. You can walk through each step on our how it works page, read more on telehealth with no referral, use the switching clinics page if you are mid-move, or go straight to book a consultation.
Frequently asked questions
What belongs on a changing clinics checklist?
Start with photo ID, your Medicare card number or IHI, past letters or summaries you already have, three questions for the consult, and short notes from recent appointments. Add a support person’s details if someone will join. You do not need a perfect file before you book.
Do I need a referral when I change clinics?
No. You can book a $29 initial telehealth consult with CannElevate directly, without a referral. Old letters help with history, but a new referral is not required to register.
Can I book before my old clinic sends copies?
Yes. Book with the documents you already hold and add the rest when they arrive. Many people complete their first consult while waiting on a copy. The OAIC explains your rights to access health information if you need to follow up a request.
What does the $29 consult include when I am new to CannElevate?
The $29 initial fee covers a scheduled telehealth consult with an AHPRA-registered practitioner by phone or video, including history and the clinical conversation. Follow-ups are $19. Both are privately billed. A Medicare card number or IHI is required to book.
Sources
- Australian Digital Health Agency: Telehealth
- Healthdirect: Virtual care clinics
- Services Australia: Individual Healthcare Identifiers
- OAIC: Your health information
- Ahpra: Register of practitioners
Talk to a practitioner, from wherever you are
$29 telehealth consult, no referral needed, Australia-wide. Medicare number or IHI required. Consults privately billed. Phone or video with an AHPRA-registered practitioner; follow-ups are $19. Book now.
See how it works · telehealth, no referral · compare clinic fees · switching clinics? · refer a friend
