Can I transfer my ADHD care to another provider?
Quick answer
Yes. In Canada you can transfer your ADHD care to a new provider at any time, and your health records can be shared to keep your care continuous. With your written consent, your diagnostic report, assessment results, treatment plan, and medication history can be sent to your new clinic or family doctor so they can pick up where your previous provider left off. In most cases you won't need to repeat your full ADHD assessment.
Yes, you can move your ADHD care to a new provider whenever you need to
Your ADHD diagnosis and treatment belong to you, and you are free to change providers at any point in your care. People transfer for all kinds of reasons: moving to a new city or province, returning to a family doctor for ongoing prescriptions, switching to a clinician who better fits their needs, or simply finding a more accessible and affordable option. None of these means starting over.
Canadian privacy law gives you the right to access your own health information and to have it shared with another provider for continuity of care. Each province has its own health-privacy framework, but the principle is consistent across the country: with your consent, your records can follow you. That consent is the part that matters most, because a clinician cannot simply forward your file to anyone without your written authorization.
The smoother your records transfer, the easier the handover. When your new provider receives your diagnostic report and treatment history, they can confirm your diagnosis, see what has already been tried, and continue your plan safely. That usually means you avoid repeating the full assessment, a real saving of time and money. To understand what your records include and how a diagnosis carries forward, see what happens after an ADHD diagnosis.
Your diagnosis, treatment plan, and medication history are what move with you
When you transfer ADHD care, a small set of core documents does most of the work. A receiving clinician needs enough history to confirm your diagnosis, understand what has already been tried, and continue prescribing responsibly. Here is what typically travels with you:
| Record | Why your new provider needs it |
|---|---|
| Diagnostic report | Confirms your ADHD diagnosis was made against DSM-5-TR criteria and CADDRA-aligned standards, so it doesn't need to be redone. |
| Assessment results and questionnaires | Shows the rating scales, history, and screening used to reach the diagnosis. |
| Treatment plan | Outlines current goals, medication, therapy, accommodations, so care continues without gaps. |
| Medication history | Lists what you've taken, current dose, and your response, which is essential before any new prescription. |
| Follow-up and monitoring notes | Documents blood pressure, side effects, and progress checks that guide safe ongoing prescribing. |
Your diagnosis also lives in your broader medical record, which is why it can be recognized across providers. The same documentation that supports a transfer is also what supports workplace or school accommodations, so it is worth keeping your own copies.
Transferring your ADHD care follows a short, predictable process
Moving your care is mostly paperwork and a single intake visit. Following these steps in order keeps your treatment, especially any medication, from lapsing during the change:
- Choose your new provider first. Confirm they assess and treat ADHD and that they can prescribe your medication if you take it. Lining this up before you leave your current clinic prevents a gap in care.
- Sign a records-release consent. Ask your current provider (or new one) for a release-of-information form. Your written consent authorizes your diagnostic report, treatment plan, and medication history to be shared.
- Request your records be sent. Records can usually go directly between clinics, or you can receive a copy and bring it with you. Ask for both so you always hold your own set.
- Book an intake or transfer-of-care appointment. Your new provider reviews your history, confirms your current plan, and, if you take medication, arranges a continuation prescription under their monitoring.
- Confirm your pharmacy and refills. Make sure your new provider has your pharmacy details so refills continue smoothly. You generally won't need to switch pharmacies, your new prescriber can usually continue ADHD medication online and send refills to your existing pharmacy.
Finding Focus accepts transfers in and helps you transfer out
Finding Focus is a virtual ADHD service led by licensed Canadian nurse practitioners and clinicians, serving adults (18+) across Canada and youth ages 12–17 in Ontario only. If you already have an ADHD diagnosis and want to move your ongoing care to us, you can, and because the diagnostic work is already done, you can get 50% off your initial consultation. We use your existing diagnostic report and history rather than reassessing from scratch.
If you are starting fresh, our assessments are CADDRA-aligned and follow DSM-5-TR criteria, with transparent pricing from $399 and affordable payment plans. You can review the full breakdown on our pricing page and see what ongoing care looks like on our ADHD services page. A confirmed diagnosis can flow into a personalized plan covering medication management, CBT/DBT and other therapy, work and school accommodations, and Disability Tax Credit forms.
If you are leaving us for another provider, we will share your records with your written consent so your new clinician has everything they need. Either way, the goal is continuity, no repeated assessments, no lost history, no gap in medication. To learn more about how a diagnosis carries forward, read what happens after an ADHD diagnosis, or contact our team at 1-866-506-9203 or support@findfocusnow.com. You can also start with our ADHD testing and diagnosis overview.
Common questions
Related questions, answered
In most cases, no. When your diagnostic report, assessment results, and treatment plan are shared with your written consent, your new provider can confirm your existing diagnosis rather than reassessing you from scratch. You may still have a short intake or transfer-of-care visit so the new clinician can review your history and, if you take medication, set up safe ongoing prescribing.
Usually yes, but there is a process. ADHD stimulants are controlled substances, so a new prescriber typically wants to review your medication history and may book a brief visit before continuing them. Prescribing rules vary by province and follow Health Canada regulations. Sharing your medication history and starting the transfer a couple of weeks before your next refill helps avoid any gap.
Some clinics charge a small administrative fee to copy or forward records, so it is worth asking your current provider in advance. The transfer itself does not require a new assessment. If you are moving an existing diagnosis to Finding Focus, you can also get 50% off your initial consultation because the diagnostic work has already been completed.
Helpful next steps
References
- 1.CADDRA (Canadian ADHD Resource Alliance), Canadian ADHD Practice Guidelines View source ↗
- 2.Health Canada, Controlled substances and prescribing regulations View source ↗
This article is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a licensed healthcare professional about your individual situation. If you are in crisis or thinking about self-harm, call or text 9-8-8, Canada’s Suicide Crisis Helpline, at any time.
