Most moving checklists involve utilities and packing. But there’s so much more to moving than just making sure to properly label your boxes and turning on the Internet at your new house. You’re not just moving your belongings, you’re also moving your life with you. It’s especially important to make sure that everything necessary to take care of your health is set up in your new location.
Make an Appointment with a New Eye Doctor
Taking care of your vision is important. Once you’ve moved in and things have settled down, look for a new eye doctor and make an appointment for an exam. This will establish you as a patient with that eye doctor. It’s a good idea to have an established relationship with an eye doctor soon after you move so that if an emergency arises, you’ll already be a patient. Plus, it’s a good idea to get your eyes checked regularly in order to catch potential eye problems early.
Those who wear contacts or glasses will need to establish with an optometrist in their new location in order to renew their prescription. Without an updated prescription you will not be able to replace broken glasses or order new contacts
Find a New Primary Care Physician
You’ll also want to establish a relationship with a new primary care doctor. If you’ve moved to start a new job, you may want to wait until your health insurance is fully available to you unless an emergency arises. It’s important to research which primary care doctors will be in-network for you so your healthcare costs will be lower. It’s a good idea to make an appointment for a regular checkup as soon as you can so that you’re established as a patient and won’t have to worry about hunting for a primary care doctor if you’re sick later on.
Make a Dentist’s Appointment
Your oral health is also an essential part of your overall health. Look for a new dentist in your new location and make an appointment. Sometimes appointments can fill up months out, so it’s important to get your name in as quickly as possible, even if you may not see the new dentist for the first time until months later. For this reason, it’s best not to wait until you have a toothache to start the process of finding a new dentist and making an appointment.
Look for a New Pediatrician
If you have children, you’ll also need to make an appointment with a pediatrician. After you’ve moved and your health insurance with the new job is available to you, make an appointment for your kids to see a new pediatrician. First, look for a pediatrician that is in-network for your health insurance. In some cases, your primary care physician may also be able to act as your children’s pediatrician.