If you’re interested in becoming a CDA Clinics patient, read this blog to get a better understanding of the what’s included in a CDA Clinics consultation and the costs involved.
A CDA Clinics consultation gives patients the opportunity to discuss their chronic conditions with a highly trained clinician to find the most suitable therapy for their circumstances.
CDA doctors and nurses are fully trained in plant-based therapies and are experienced at working together with patients to find the most suitable treatment plan to rebalance their endocannabinoid system.
What’s included in a CDA Clinics consultation?
In your consultation, we will:
- Discuss your current condition(s)
- Review your medication history
- Discuss the reason why you’re sourcing alternative medicines
- Discuss the application pathways and process
- Provide a customised treatment and dosing plan
- Educate you on plant-based therapies, products and dosing
- Submit your TGA approval application if it is deemed suitable
There’s a lot of information provided to you in the consultation so please do feel free to bring a notebook and pen/pencil. Please note, plant-based therapy may not be suitable for everyone and a consultation at CDA Clinics does not guarantee that you are eligible to access alternative medicines.
We’ve put together a short video to help you understand what’s included in a consultation at CDA Clinics to feel more comfortable when preparing for your consult.
What’s the cost of a CDA Clinics consultation?
At CDA Clinics, the cost of a consultation varies depending on whether it is a standard consult or a follow up consult.
As a general guide, the cost of a consultation at CDA Clinics is the following:
- Standard consult = $129* (only available to patients whose GP’s have provided a referral)
- Follow-up consult = $59* (only available to patients who have completed their initial consultation)
So that our clinicians can monitor your response to the treatment, you will also be required to book a follow-up consultation.
Eligible patients may also access concession discounts or bundle pricing:
- Concession discount = 10% off initial and follow-up consultations.
- Consult bundle = $10 off when booking an initial and follow-up consultation together.
*This figure was correct at the time this blog was published but may change. For the most up to date pricing, please refer to our Costs & Consultations page.
To begin your journey, you can take our free eligibility test to see if you are eligible or register as a CDA Clinics patient to receive an information pack.
Before our patient care team can book you in for a consult, you will need to provide the following documentation:
- Referral form – Your regular GP can either fill out a CDA referral form or they can supply the referral on their own clinic letterhead.
- Consent form – A CDA Clinics consent form must be filled out by the patient.
- Health summary – Your GP can provide you with a health summary which must include your contact details, current medications and treatments, previous medications and active past history.
You can find templates for these documents on our Patient Forms page.
Once we’ve received all of your documentation, our patient care team will contact you to arrange the booking of your telehealth appointment.
Telehealth consults
At CDA Clinics, we offer Telehealth consultations to eligible patients across Australia. Our Telehealth services are carried out via a phone call or video call. No matter which option you select, our clinicians will conduct a thorough consultation and advise you on any potential therapies suitable for your symptoms and condition.
You can speak with a highly trained doctor or nurse over the phone anywhere in Australia using our Telehealth service. To book a Telehealth consultations, you can register as a Telehealth patient.
How much does plant-based therapy cost?
If plant-based therapy is deemed clinically appropriate by your prescribing doctor and you are approved by the TGA, you may be wondering what the cost of treatment is.
As treatment is highly personalised, prices can vary depending on the cannabinoid content, the dosage form and the specific product prescribed to you.
In Australia, plant-based therapy patients can typically expect to spend anywhere from $100 to $500 per month on their products. The average patient spends $278 per month, which is around $1 to $15 per day [1].
What happens after my consultation?
After your consultation, a CDA doctor will submit your prescription to the TGA for approval. If approved for plant-based therapy, your CDA clinician will be notified so they can send your script to the nominated pharmacy discussed in your consultation.
Once approved, you will be contacted by the dispensing pharmacy when your order is ready so that you can pay for your prescribed products. As special approval is required for dispensing and products are not stocked on pharmacy shelves, please allow up to 10 business days from your initial consultation to receive your products.
At the time of booking in your initial consult at CDA, our patient care team will book you in for a follow-up consultation for six weeks later. This follow-up will help our doctors and nurses monitor your response to the medicine and alter your treatment plan if required.
Plant-based therapy does not work for everyone.
Disclaimer: This is not intended to be used as medical advice or a substitute for your own practitioner’s advice, nor is it intended to be used for diagnosis or treatment for any illness/disease. CDA Clinics & associated parties are not liable for any injury, loss or damage incurred by use of/reliance on information provided.
References:
freshleafanalytics.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/FreshLeaf-Analytics-H2-2021.pdf