Refer a patient to Anova Health
Co-care means your patient stays with your practice while Anova Health runs the weight-management program alongside you. Anova Health is an Australian clinician-governed weight-management service that combines medical treatment with the behavioural program that helps a patient hold the result after treatment changes.
Your referral brings dedicated medical weight care together with the other half of the treatment: the behavioural build that helps your patient keep the weight off. Our Clinical Lead, Dr Andrew Sax (FRACGP), works hand in hand with Natalie Turvey, Registered Psychologist and Principal Psychologist at Drop of Life Psychology Clinic, to deliver comprehensive, complete care to your patient.
What happens after you refer a patient?
Anova Health contacts you to establish the referral relationship before any patient moves. Once that is in place, your patient works through Anova Health's ten-step care flow, from first consultation through to maintenance, deprescribing or escalation. You are asked for involvement early, and updated at every significant step.
- You register interest using the form below. Two fields are required, the rest are optional.
- Anova Health contacts you to establish the referral relationship.
- Your patient expresses interest and completes intake with Anova Health.
- With your patient's consent, Anova Health contacts you to confirm your involvement in their ongoing care.
- Your patient begins the program, and you receive a consultation summary and a copy of the treatment plan.
- You are updated at every significant step, through to maintenance, deprescribing or escalation.
Does your patient stay with your practice?
Yes. Anova Health does not replace the GP relationship, it extends it. Your patient stays with your practice and you remain the long-term custodian of their health. Anova Health adds structured weight-management support around your care: medical treatment, nutrition, movement, behaviour and sleep, under clinical governance.
Who is clinically accountable for a referred patient?
Dr Andrew Sax, a Fellow of the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners, is Anova Health's Clinical Lead. He sets the clinical protocols, owns the escalation rules, and is accountable for the standard the program operates to. He is regulated by the Medical Board of Australia through AHPRA.
Does Anova Health prescribe, or do you?
Anova Health prescribes. Dr Andrew Sax, Anova Health's Clinical Lead, holds the prescribing decision and the escalation rules for every referred patient. You are not asked to write or maintain the scripts. With your patient's consent, you receive a consultation summary and treatment plan covering what has been prescribed and why.
What does Anova Health send back to you?
With your patient's consent, you receive a structured consultation summary after each appointment and a copy of the treatment plan. Anova Health flags clinically relevant changes as they arise and alerts you to issues, so you are informed throughout the program rather than only at the start.
What does the program cost your patient?
Anova Health charges consulting fees for its appointments. Medication is paid for by the patient at the pharmacy on pickup, separately from those fees. Where a Mental Health Care Plan is in place, Medicare and health fund rebates may apply to psychology appointments. Costs are confirmed in the first consultation.
Two fields and you're done; the rest is optional. We'll be in touch to establish the relationship and make referral simple.