One aspect of
preparing for an overseas move from Australia that many people overlook is
finding health care in your new home. Many families have somebody who either requires medication or has a condition that requires medical care. Ensuring that you can seamlessly continue this care when you move abroad is
crucial to maintaining good health.
Here are some basic
steps that you should take before you move to ensure your family's health
care needs are met when you relocate overseas.
Inquire about your health care coverage
If you're relocating for your present job,
contact your human resources department to determine how your health and dental
coverage will change when you move overseas. For new jobs, speak to your new
employer about the benefits that you'll receive. In both cases, ask about
premiums, deductibles and when your coverage will take effect.
Visit your doctors in Australia
Schedule an appointment to meet with all of
your doctors - including specialists - before your move. At your appointment, let
your doctor know that you're relocating abroad and discuss the continuation of
your treatment plan. Your doctor may decide to write you prescriptions that
will give you a larger supply of your medications, advise you on how changes in
climate may affect your health or provide you with other valuable advice. You
may also need updated immunizations before your move, and these appointments
are great times for you to receive them. Our team here at Chess Moving can help you determine what immunizations you'll need if you are unsure.
Find doctors overseas
To ensure a seamless transition, you'll want
to find new doctors before you move. Use the Internet to research doctors in
your local area and ask your doctors for referrals. Chess Moving can also help
you locate experienced primary care physicians and specialists in your new
home.
Have your medical records transferred
About one to two months before you move,
you'll need to contact all of your doctors and ask to have your records
transferred to your new physicians. Often, the offices will give you
instructions about how to submit a request in writing.
Schedule appointments with your new doctors
Contact all of your new doctors and set up
appointments before you move. In some cases, doctors have waiting lists that
require advanced scheduling. Setting appointments before you move will also
give you one less thing to worry about as you settle into your new home.
By following these
simple steps, you can eliminate many of the common problems that people face
when they don’t plan to meet their medical needs ahead of an overseas move.
Chess Moving can provide you support in many ways throughout the process from
giving you background information about the health care system in your new home
to helping you connect with new doctors.