You’ve decided it’s time to move on from your current telehealth clinic, but you don’t want weeks of limbo between your last appointment there and your first one somewhere new. That’s a fair worry. The good news is that a clinic switch is mostly a matter of order: book first, gather your records, then step away from the old clinic once the new one has what it needs. If you want to switch telehealth clinic without a gap in care, this guide covers when to book, which records to bring across and how to keep your continuity on track. At CannElevate, an initial telehealth consult is $29, with no referral needed.
Key takeaways
- Book your first consult with the new clinic before you stop seeing the old one, so there’s no stretch without a practitioner.
- You can ask your previous clinic for a copy or summary of your health records, and the new clinic can help with the request.
- Have a short list ready (current care plan, dates, questions) so your first consult is spent on you, not on paperwork.
Why people switch telehealth clinic in the first place
People change clinics for ordinary, practical reasons. Appointments feel rushed. It’s hard to get the same practitioner twice. Messages go unanswered for days. Fees have crept up, or the way they’re charged isn’t clear. Sometimes it’s simply that a clinic’s hours don’t fit your working week.
None of these mean you did anything wrong by choosing your current clinic. Your care belongs to you, and you can choose who you see. The point of a careful switch is to make sure moving doesn’t interrupt the continuity you’ve already built.
Step 1: Book with the new clinic before you leave the old one
The single most useful thing you can do is overlap, not gap. Keep any appointment you already have with your current clinic, and book your first consult with the new one in the meantime. That way, if records take a little longer than expected, you still have a practitioner you can talk to.
When you book, check three things up front:
- What the first consult costs and what follow-ups cost. Clear fees now saves surprises later. Our clinic fee comparison shows how CannElevate’s fees are set out.
- How long the consult runs. A longer first consult gives the practitioner time to go through your history properly.
- Who you can reach between appointments. Ask how the care team can be contacted, and during which hours.
Ready to talk it through? Book a $29 telehealth consult. No referral needed.
Step 2: Request your records (you don’t have to do it alone)
Your new practitioner will want to understand your history. Under Australian privacy law, you can generally ask a health service provider for access to the health information it holds about you, as the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner explains.
In practice, there are two common ways to do this:
- Ask your previous clinic directly for a summary letter or a copy of your records. Many clinics have a short form or an email address for this.
- Give your new clinic consent to request them for you. When you switch clinics with CannElevate, our care team can help you request your records, with your consent.
If you have a My Health Record, some of your information may already be there, and you can choose who can see it. Healthdirect’s My Health Record guide explains how it works and how to manage access.
Step 3: Prepare a short handover list
Records can take time to arrive, so bring your own short summary to the first consult. It doesn’t need to be long. A single page or a note on your phone is plenty:
- The name of your previous clinic and roughly when you started there.
- The date of your last appointment, and when your next one was due.
- Your current care plan in your own words: what you were seeing the practitioner about and what was agreed last time.
- Anything that has changed recently, such as sleep, work hours or stress.
- Two or three questions you want answered.
Having this ready means your first consult with the new practitioner can focus on you, rather than on piecing together dates.
Step 4: Your first consult at the new clinic
At CannElevate, the first consult is a 20-minute appointment by phone or video with an AHPRA-registered practitioner. It’s time to go through your history and agree on next steps together. If you want to check a practitioner’s registration, the Ahpra register of practitioners is public.
Your practitioner may need your records before or during the consult. If they haven’t arrived yet, that’s common, and it’s one reason to book early rather than waiting until the last minute. You can read more about the steps on our how it works page.
Step 5: Close things off with the old clinic
Once your new clinic has what it needs and you’ve had your first consult, you can let your old clinic know you’re moving on. A short message is enough. It’s also a good time to:
- Cancel any future bookings you no longer need, so you aren’t charged for missed appointments.
- Keep a copy of any letters or summaries they send you for your own files.
Common mistakes that cause a gap
- Leaving first, booking second. This is the most common cause of a gap. Overlap where you can.
- Waiting on records before booking. You can book while records are on their way. Mention at the consult that they’ve been requested.
- Not knowing your last appointment date. Check your emails or the old clinic’s booking app before you lose access.
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 (Individual Healthcare Identifier) is required to book. Our team is available Monday to Friday, 8am–4pm AWST. Registration online takes about eight minutes, and when the care team calls you, just let them know you’re switching.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a referral to switch telehealth clinic?
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.
Do I have to get a discharge letter myself?
No, you don’t have to organise it alone. With your consent, our care team can help you request your records from your previous clinic. If you already have a summary letter, you’re welcome to send it through.
How long does it take to switch clinics?
It depends mostly on how quickly your previous clinic sends records. Booking your first consult early, while records are requested, is the simplest way to avoid a gap. Online registration with CannElevate takes about eight minutes.
Can I have my consult by phone instead of video?
Yes. CannElevate consults are available by phone or video, so you can choose whichever suits you on the day. Consults run Monday to Friday, 8am–4pm AWST.
Sources
- Office of the Australian Information Commissioner: Access your health information
- Healthdirect: My Health Record
- 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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