You have booked, or are about to book, a telehealth appointment and you are wondering what the call itself will be like. How do telehealth consults work once the practitioner is on the line? Who speaks first, what gets asked, and what happens when the 20 minutes are up? This guide walks through a CannElevate consult from the moment before your phone rings to the follow-up after it. Your first consult is $29, follow-ups are $19, and no referral is needed.
Key takeaways
- A telehealth consult is a scheduled, private conversation with an AHPRA-registered practitioner by phone or video. At CannElevate it runs for about 20 minutes.
- Most of the consult is a structured conversation: your history, what is going on now, what you would like to work on, and your questions.
- You finish knowing the next steps, and follow-ups ($19) are booked ahead, with the same practitioner where possible.
How do telehealth consults work? The short version
A telehealth consult is the same kind of appointment you would have in a consulting room, held over a phone or video call instead. The Department of Health, Disability and Ageing describes telehealth as a way to see a provider without travelling, where a physical examination is not needed. At CannElevate the shape is simple:
- Before the call: you register, our care team calls to confirm a time, and you get set up somewhere quiet.
- The first minute: the practitioner connects, introduces themselves by role and checks they are speaking with the right person.
- The conversation: roughly 15 minutes on your history, current concerns and goals.
- The wrap-up: a summary, your questions and the agreed next steps.
- After the call: a follow-up is booked ahead if one is needed.
The full booking path is set out on our how it works page. The rest of this guide zooms in on the consult itself.
Before the call: the ten minutes that make it easier
Once your registration is in, our care team calls to lock in a time that suits you, and consults are paid by card when you book. On the day, a little setup goes a long way:
- Find a private spot where you can talk openly.
- Charge your phone or laptop, and check your signal or wi-fi. Phone needs far less bandwidth than video.
- Keep your photo ID, Medicare card number or IHI, and any recent health records within reach.
- Jot down your top three questions so they do not slip your mind.
Our guide to what to have ready before a telehealth consult has the full checklist. If you are moving from another clinic, you can request your own records from that clinic beforehand and have them handy.
Joining: the first minute
At your booked time, the practitioner contacts you by phone or video, as arranged when you booked. Answer as you would any call. In the first minute they will usually:
- introduce themselves and their role
- confirm your name and date of birth, and check you are somewhere private
- check you are in Australia at the time of the consult
If the call drops, stay where you are. The practitioner will try again, or our care team will be in touch to reconnect or rebook.
The conversation: what the practitioner asks about
This is the heart of the consult, and it is a two-way conversation rather than a form. Expect questions along these lines:
- Your health history: past conditions, current medications, allergies and anything significant from previous care.
- What is going on now: what prompted you to book, how long it has been happening and how it affects your day-to-day life.
- What you have already tried: previous appointments, advice you have had and how it went.
- Your goals: what a good outcome looks like for you.
Honest, specific answers help the practitioner understand your situation. It is fine to say you are unsure, or to ask them to repeat something. A consult is an assessment: your practitioner decides what is suitable for you, and that can include telling you that an in-person visit with your regular GP is the better next step.
Questions worth asking before you hang up
The last few minutes are yours. If you are not sure what to ask, these cover most situations:
- What are the next steps from here, and what do I need to do?
- Is there anything I should keep an eye on before my next appointment?
- When should I book a follow-up?
- Would anything mean I should see someone in person instead?
- Who do I contact if I have a question after today?
After the call: next steps and follow-ups
When the consult ends you should know what happens next. If ongoing care is suitable, follow-ups are booked ahead so each conversation picks up where the last one left off. Follow-ups are $19 and run for about 15 minutes, with the same practitioner where possible. Our guide to follow-up consults explains timing and booking.
Between appointments, our care team is reachable Monday to Friday, 8am–4pm AWST, by phone, SMS and email. If you need to reschedule, give at least 24 hours’ notice where possible. In an emergency, call 000. Telehealth is not for urgent care.
Ready when you are. Book a $29 telehealth consult. No referral needed.
Your CannElevate consult at a glance
CannElevate offers Australia-wide telehealth by phone or video, from wherever you are. Your first consult with an AHPRA-registered practitioner is $29 and runs for about 20 minutes, and follow-ups are $19. Consults are privately billed, so Medicare rebates do not apply, and you need a Medicare card number or IHI to book. You can check costs on the fees page, see how booking works step by step, read about what to expect from a first telehealth consultation, or look at switching clinics. When you are ready, get started or go straight to book a consultation.
Frequently asked questions
How do telehealth consults work at CannElevate?
You register online, our care team calls to confirm a time, and at that time an AHPRA-registered practitioner contacts you by phone or video. The consult runs for about 20 minutes and covers your history, current concerns, goals and next steps.
Do I need video, or is a phone call enough?
Either works. Video lets the practitioner see you, while phone needs less bandwidth and suits patchy connections. Choose what works best for you when you book.
What if my call drops during the consult?
Stay where you are. The practitioner will try to reconnect, or our care team will contact you to reconnect or rebook.
What happens after a telehealth consult?
You finish knowing the next steps. If ongoing care is suitable, a follow-up is booked ahead. Follow-ups are $19, run for about 15 minutes and are with the same practitioner where possible.
Sources
- Department of Health, Disability and Ageing: Telehealth
- Healthdirect: Virtual care clinics
- 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.
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