Moving to a New Home? Six Ways to Make Health a Priority

If you are relocating to a new city or country, whether temporarily or permanently, consider your health:

1. Have a healthcare plan in place during the move. Moving can be overwhelming, and stress often takes a toll on people’s mental and physical health. If you already have a primary care doctor, mental health provider, or other doctors that you like, check if they are available for virtual appointments during or after your move.
2. Check if you need new health insurance. Will your current health insurance still be available to you after the move? If you plan to keep the same insurance, contact your insurance company with any questions about your coverage and find in-network doctors near your new home.
3. Have a medical team anywhere you’ll be spending a significant amount of time. As a health advisor, I’ve found that high-net-worth clients often have transient lives. People with multiple homes may spend part of the year in one location and part of the year in another. When this is the case, I encourage them to have a medical team in both areas.
4. Create an emergency plan before the move. Your realtor may have mentioned the location of the nearest hospital, but do you know where the nearest urgent care is located? Are they the right options for someone with your health insurance and your specific needs? Prepare a health emergency plan so you know what to do and where to go if something goes wrong. A health crisis can occur at any time, and you don’t want to find yourself scrambling for help in a new location.
5. Transfer your medical records. If you’re working with new doctors, be sure they have access to your medical history. Ask your current providers to transfer any relevant information so that your new providers have the details they need to support your health.
6. Work with a health advisor. You don’t have to manage the tasks listed above on your own. Reach out to a health advisor for expert insights and customized health support every step of the way.

Guidance before, during and after your move

Since many people are still unfamiliar with what health advisors do, I’ll share a few examples of how people can benefit from health advisory services while relocating.

My team recently worked with a client as they moved from Paris to California. Their family office contacted me to ensure they had adequate health insurance coverage and to help them find a new team of doctors.

My team connected the client’s family with providers who understand complementary medicine and LGBTQ care, including a primary care doctor, OBGYN, pediatrician, dentist, eye doctor, dermatologist, and psychiatrist. We arranged for their medical records to be transferred from their Paris doctors to their new team in the United States. The family is now set up for healthy lives in their new home.

I’ve also worked with many clients who are helping older family members relocate as their healthcare needs increase. Whether they are moving to be closer to family or because they are entering an assisted living facility, seniors often require extra healthcare support – and these transitions can be stressful for everyone involved.

To make it easier for the family, we help their aging loved one find the right doctors, specialists, and facilities. My team looks for providers with expertise in treating older patients, and we consider not only the patient’s health insurance coverage but also their access to transportation for medical visits. During the move, we coordinate the patient’s travel to make sure their health needs are met along the way, and we communicate with both sets of providers to transfer the patient’s medical records. For families concerned about a loved one’s health, this kind of personal support means a great deal.

If you are planning a move for yourself or a loved one, an expert health advisor can simplify the process.

John Samuels is founder and CEO of Better Health Advisors, an independent healthcare advisory practice based out of New York City. John served as a senior healthcare leader in New York City’s top hospitals for over 20 years. He uses his extensive healthcare experience and wide network of medical professionals to achieve the best possible care for clients nationwide. He was recently honored by Forbes as one of the Next 1000 entrepreneurs and business leaders who are changing how businesses are run.

To learn more about what Better Health Advisors can do for you, your family, or your company, visit our website, email [email protected], or call (646) 883-9717.

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