Booking a Telehealth Appointment, Step by Step

You’ve decided to talk to someone, and now you just want to know how to book a telehealth appointment without getting lost in forms, phone queues or waiting rooms. Fair enough. This guide walks through how to book a telehealth appointment in three simple steps, what to have ready before you start, and what happens after you hit submit. At CannElevate, an initial telehealth consult is $29, with no referral needed, by phone or video.

Before you start: a 60-second readiness check

Most booking hiccups happen because something small is missing halfway through. You’re ready to book if:

• You’re 18 or over and will be in Australia at the time of your consult.
• You have a device that can take a phone or video call. A smartphone is plenty.
• You can find a quiet, private spot for 20 minutes on the day, such as a parked car, a spare room or a back verandah.
• You have your Medicare card or IHI handy. An Individual Healthcare Identifier (IHI) is a unique number used for healthcare in Australia. If you have a Medicare card, you already have one, as Services Australia explains. If you’re not enrolled in Medicare, you can usually get an IHI through myGov.
• You have valid photo ID, such as a driver’s licence or passport.

You don’t need a referral letter, and you don’t need your whole history memorised.

How to book a telehealth appointment in 3 steps

Step 1: Register online (about 8 minutes)

Head to the booking page and fill in the registration form. It asks for your contact details, your Medicare or IHI number and some background about what you’d like to talk about. Answer in plain words. There are no trick questions, and “I’m not sure” is an honest answer the practitioner can work with.

A couple of tips that make this step quicker:

• Use the mobile number you actually answer, because that’s how the care team will reach you.
• If you’re switching from another clinic, say so in the form. It helps the team plan your first consult.

Step 2: The care team calls you to lock in a time

Once your registration is in, a real person from our care team calls you to confirm a time that suits. This is where you can ask anything you weren’t sure about: phone or video, what the fee covers, or what to have ready. The team is available Monday to Friday, 8am–4pm AWST, so if you’re in another time zone, it’s worth checking what that means for your local time.

If you miss the call, don’t stress. The team will try again, or you can call back using the number on our contact page during business hours.

Step 3: Your consult, by phone or video

At the time you’ve agreed, an AHPRA-registered practitioner connects with you by phone or video. The first consult runs for a full 20 minutes, which is time to go through your history, your goals and your next steps together. If you’d like a detailed run-through of the consult itself, read our guide on what to expect at your first telehealth consultation.

Ready to get started? Book a $29 telehealth consult. No referral needed.

What to have ready on the day

Booking is the easy part. A little preparation means your 20 minutes are spent on you, not on hunting for paperwork. On the day, have:

• A quiet, private space where you can talk openly without being overheard.
• A stable internet or phone connection. If your Wi-Fi is patchy, a phone call can be the simpler choice.
• Your photo ID within reach.
• Any relevant health records or letters, including anything from a previous clinic.
• A short list of what you’d like to discuss. Two or three points is plenty. It’s easy to forget things once the call starts.

Common booking hold-ups (and how to avoid them)

• Not having your Medicare or IHI number. Check your wallet or the Express Plus Medicare app before you start, so you don’t stall halfway through the form.
• Missing the confirmation call. Calls can show as an unfamiliar number, so keep an eye on your phone for a day or so after you register.
• Booking a time you can’t keep private. A consult on speaker in a shared office isn’t ideal. Pick a time when you can step away.
• Waiting on records before booking. You can book while records are on their way. Just mention at the consult that they’ve been requested.

Telehealth also isn’t right for everything. Anything needing a physical examination, imaging or urgent attention belongs in a clinic or emergency department. In an emergency, call 000. Healthdirect’s guide to virtual care has more on when a telehealth consult is a good fit.

Booking from Perth or regional WA?

The steps are the same wherever you are. If you’re in Western Australia, our guide to booking a telehealth appointment in Perth covers local timing and what to expect.

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’s 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 see each step on our how it works page, or compare clinic fees to see how ours are set out. If you’re moving from another clinic, our switching clinics page explains how the team can help with your records.

Frequently asked questions

How long does it take to book a telehealth appointment?

The online registration takes about 8 minutes. After that, our care team calls you to confirm a time that suits, Monday to Friday between 8am and 4pm AWST. Having your Medicare card or IHI and photo ID ready before you start makes it quicker.

Do I need a referral to book?

No. You can book a $29 initial telehealth consult with CannElevate directly, without a referral. A Medicare card number or IHI is needed to book, and consults are privately billed.

Can I book if I don’t have a Medicare card?

You’ll need an Individual Healthcare Identifier (IHI) instead. If you’re not enrolled in Medicare, Services Australia explains how to get an IHI, usually online through myGov with a passport and valid Australian visa or an Australian driver licence.

Can I choose phone instead of video?

Yes. CannElevate consults are available by phone or video, so you can choose whichever suits you on the day. A phone call is often the simpler choice if your internet connection is patchy.

Sources

• Services Australia: Individual Healthcare Identifiers
• Healthdirect: Virtual care clinics
• Ahpra: Register of practitioners