How to Find a New Doctor When You Move Across the Country

Sure, there are a lot of things you need to take care of – how to select the right long-distance moving services, how to unpack after a move, what to keep and what to get rid of, and so on. But finding a doctor in a new city should be a priority on your to-do list and not one of the things you forget to do when you move. So don’t let packing services be the first thing you take care of. You need to take care of yourself first and prepare in advance for any possible scenario, not just try to avoid injury while relocating.

How to Find a New Doctor When You Move?

Since there are a lot of things to do after moving, you might feel a little overwhelmed. Especially when it comes to picking out someone to trust to save your life literally. It’s not an easy decision to make, and it’s something you should give a lot of thought to.

There are a lot of factors you should take into consideration and a lot of questions you might have. How do I find the best GP in my area? How do I know if my doctor is good? Luckily for you, we are here to help you search with our tips on how to find a new doctor after moving.

Ask Your Current Doctor for Recommendations Before Moving

Guessing you’ve been satisfied with the service of your former practitioner, book a final appointment and ask them for referrals. There is no better way to find another reliable GP than to ask the person you’ve been trusting with your life and health to help you out. This change doesn’t come easy for a lot of people, especially ones who’ve been treated by the same person for a longer period of time, sometimes even decades.

You get close to someone, and you get used to their way of practicing medicine. That’s why most people feel the most comfortable with a recommendation from someone they trust and they are familiar. Your former GP will refer you to someone that has a similar way of working, and that will make the transition a lot easier for you.

How to Find a Doctor in a New City – Ask Friends or Coworkers From Your New Hometown

Once you move to another city, get settled, and meet some people, if you haven’t found any good physicians yet, a great way to find one is to ask people from work, locals, or neighbors for recommendations. If one of the reasons for the move is that you’re relocating for a job, it’s very likely that you will be covered by the same health plan as your coworkers, so ask them for some advice if you’re struggling.

If you’re relocating to a small town, finding someone you can rely on should be slightly easier. A thing you will learn once you move to the suburbs is that everyone knows everything. A great thing about that is you will easily hear who the best doctors in town are. Of course, you should be aware that not everyone likes the same approach that you do, so listen to their advice but keep your mind open. The fact that one person has had a bad experience with someone doesn’t mean you will as well. Word of mouth is useful, but don’t listen blindly to everything people tell you.

Search on Websites and Read Reviews

If you’re not completely content with what other people have been telling you, another way to find your physician is to scroll through websites and read reviews. Don’t rush into making this decision. You should not click on the first page that pops up in your search. You will go through countless websites before finding someone that will be the right fit for you.

Another thing to keep in mind is that reviews can be biased sometimes. So try to be objective when reading the reviews. Just because one person had a negative experience with someone doesn’t make them incompetent. Maybe they simply didn’t click, and you’re not looking for the same kind of work discipline. Take your time when reading reviews and double-check some information. Of course, if someone has a really low rating and all negative reviews, maybe it’s best to bypass that particular one.

Make Sure Your New Health Care Provider Is Covered By Your Insurance Provider

Just by taking a look at your relocation budget, you will come to the conclusion that moving to another state is expensive and that it will probably drain out your savings. So don’t rack up any more unnecessary bills, and make sure your new caretaker is covered by your medical plan. That means that your health insurance covers part of the costs of your treatments and medical care.

In the case your insurance doesn’t cover the physician you wanted, any treatment will be paid out of your pocket, and trust us, it can get pretty expensive. Even if you find someone you really like, we would advise you against being one of their patients if they’re not covered by your health plan. That is if you want to avoid going into debt because of medical bills. Instead, look for doctors who are in-network. That means that they will accept your insurance plan. If you’re still not sure how health insurance works, watch this video:

Things to Take Into Consideration and Use as Navigation When Choosing Your Care Provider

Choosing a primary care provider is not an easy task. It’s a very important decision that should not be taken lightly. So once the first step of elimination has been done, and you have selected all in-network providers, we can move on to other demands you might have for your physician. Here is a list of things you should definitely consider before you become one of the patients.

Book the First Appointment and Ask Any Questions You Have

After you’ve found a primary caretaker that has managed to pass all of your initial requests, it’s time to meet them in person. Schedule a consultation appointment with them and get to know each other. Talk about your medical history, expectations, and any concerns or current problems. Meeting face-to-face will give you a different perspective and help you decide whether you want to continue as one of their patients or not.

Take Care of Your Medical Records

Once you find a physician that you’re comfortable with, you have to transfer your medical records. It doesn’t matter if they’re in paper form or electronic copies, just give your new doctor something so he can get to know your medical history. If you don’t have a way of transferring your records, explain your medical history on your own.

What if They Don’t Reply or Cancel?

First impressions are very important. They determine the course of any relationship, and this is no exception. Communication with your physician is crucial, and if you see right from the start that the doctor’s office doesn’t answer calls or reply to emails, cancels at the last minute, or is rude in any other way, it is probably not a good fit.

Try to Create a Bond With Your New Doctor

Relocating is very stressful and difficult, and having a good caretaker by your side will make your move easier. Stress affects your body in a number of ways, so the key to relocating efficiently is to find a doctor you can trust and talk to. Try to create enough of a bond with them to be comfortable talking about anything that is troubling you. Stay happy and healthy, and enjoy your move without any difficulties.

Not only do you need a good caretaker, but you also need reliable movers to minimize your stress. When you hire long-distance movers, you also get professional help and your very own relocation consultants, or at least you do if you choose a reliable white glove moving company. Feel free to ask white glove movers any questions you have. Experienced white glove moving services providers have been working on relocating people for years, and they have picked up more than a few relocation hacks.