Tapping Physician Relocation Resources
By Bonnie Darves
Editor’s Note: “When relocating your professional practice and family you need not have to engage in this process alone. Networks of community resources are often provided by the prospective employer. Prior to relocating the physician must notify verbally and in writing current patients of the impending transition, provide them with alternative sources of care, and make provisions for the transfer of their medical records. It is also important for the physician to keep a detailed calendar of important tasks in the process. This will document completion of tasks and help to alleviate stress from the move.”
— John A. Fromson, M.D., Chairman of the Department of Psychiatry at MetroWest Medical Center
Preparing ahead: tapping local resources can ease stress for MDs making a big move
Making a career move that involves relocation often engenders two competing feelings: excitement about the new challenge and destination, and apprehension about the logistical and time-consuming tasks that moving entails.
It is probably impossible to completely avoid the stress that typically accompanies a relocation, especially when the relocating physician will be moving with a family. But planning well in advance of the departure date, tapping local and national relocation resources, and establishing contingency plans to cope with potential moving mishaps can help minimize stressful events.
“What every physician needs to do when he or she is moving or considering a new practice is to do their homework — not only on the organization or practice they’re about to join, but also on the community,” says Geoff Staub, director of marketing for Cejka & Company, the St. Louis recruiting firm that places more than 600 physicians annually. “It’s important to find out what resources are available, to get a handle on cost of living, and to look at real estate and schools.” For example, property taxes vary widely from one city to another — from a whopping 3.4% of home value in Rockford, Illinois, to a mere .53% in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. If a spouse’s career and job opportunities must also be considered, more extensive homework may be needed.
The first place to look for assistance in relocating is the employing organization or practice. Many groups and health care organizations can either provide direct assistance to relocating physicians and their families, or access to trusted community resources. These can help to simplify the process of choosing a neighborhood, real estate agent, school, or any of the dozens of services recent arrivals are likely to need.
“The more sophisticated a group is, or the more it’s involved in hiring, the more likely it is to have a developed network of resources,” Staub says. Also, the greater the demand for physicians, the more likely the physician is to receive financial help with relocation. Hospitals and integrated delivery systems often have a designated staff member who will assist in relocations, Staub notes, so it’s worth inquiring about such resources before starting research on a community. In particular, it’s advisable to inquire about recommended movers, as large organizations may have contracts or established relationships with reputable moving companies.
Physicians should also indicate any special needs of family members. It is not unusual for a hiring practice or organization to provide assistance with a spouse’s job search (given that 80% of households are two-income families now), a child’s educational needs, or an aging parent’s care. The national average expense payment for relocating homeowners in 1999 was 8% of annual compensation. Whether a physician will receive a relocation allowance depends largely on market factors in the new location. Staub says, “It’s really a matter of supply and demand. In areas that need physicians, relocation expense allotments tend to be more generous” than in areas considered highly desirable.
Another excellent initial resource is the local chamber of commerce. Chambers in most large cities and major metropolitan areas produce detailed local guides and an array of other helpful publications geared toward newcomers. Even small chambers are excellent resources because their staffs are generally very knowledgeable about the area. Staub cites a recent example of a placement in a small town in Wisconsin (a city of about 8,000) in which the chamber of commerce proved invaluable to the relocating physician. The chamber helped the physician not only find housing, but also assisted in lining up a wide range of personal services, from banking and insurance to auto repair. Another good way to get the lay of the land and to identify needed services before relocating is to request a copy of the local phone book several weeks in advance of the actual move.
Not surprisingly, the Internet is becoming the most comprehensive source of information to relocating physicians. These days, it is easy to access the Web for such helpful facts as home resale prices in a certain neighborhood over the past five years, neighborhood safety, and relative rankings of public and private schools in test scores or student resources (See Relocation Resources below.)
Regardless of the destination or circumstances of the move, the relocation process begins with an “internal assessment” of critical requirements of the process, followed by an action plan. Experts recommend that physicians with families have each family member develop his or her own “wish list” for the move, addressing issues of concern. If nothing else, those lists become the basis for ensuring that no one who is old enough to have a say in things gets left out of the planning process. Once those issues are raised, the real business of disengaging from the old home and preparing for the move begins. Following is a recommended basic calendar/checklist for preparing for the moving day:
Eight weeks ahead. Meet with prospective movers (obtain bids from at least two companies) to discuss costs, insurance, packing and loading, and delivery and claims procedures. Regardless of who handles the move, ensuring adequate loss coverage is crucial; most corporate agreements limit total coverage to $3.50 to $4.00 per pound. To achieve more equitable coverage, conduct a detailed inventory of all high-cost items, establishing the replacement value and a strong negotiating position in the event of damage or loss.
Four weeks ahead. Set a date for movers to do the packing, preferably at least two or three days before departure date. Start going through the home with an eye toward deciding what will be moved and what will be sold or donated to charity. Plan a moving sale if necessary and arrange for transfer of school records (if appropriate) and personal insurance records.
Three weeks ahead. Notify the post office of departure and start completing change-of-address forms, keeping in mind that anyone who receives mail at the old address must complete a form. Obtain medical, dental, and vet records, as appropriate. Establish a fallback temporary housing plan in the new location in the event the moving van is late or the new home is not ready.
Two weeks ahead. Confirm that travel reservations or plans are set. Ensure that all “loose ends” — borrowed items to be returned, subscriptions to be forwarded, appliances to be serviced — have been handled. Arrange for utilities to be disconnected (preferably the day after scheduled departure, in the event of a delay). It’s also a good idea to draw a basic floor plan of the new home, noting where large items and certain boxes will be placed, and labeling the “must-haves” — clothes, basic kitchen items, and personal items and toiletries so they are easily accessible. Make arrangement for pet transport, if necessary. For expert advice, check with the Independent Pet and Animal Transportation Association, at (903) 769-2267 or www.ipata.com.
One week ahead. Transfer bank accounts as needed, pay final bills, and arrange for delivery services to be discontinued. Ensure vehicles are trip-ready, if traveling by road to the new location. Make sure all key parties — movers, family members, and former and new employers — have a way to get in touch if the need arises. To avoid the common scenario of “now that we’re here, what do we do,” try to arrange a few outings and/or social events with new colleagues for the first week after arrival, to avoid the disconnected feeling that often accompanies the first few weeks in a new location.
Relocation Resources
Even 10 years ago, making a major move would have meant spending hours on the telephone gathering information and finding resources in the new location. Not anymore. The Internet provides near-instant access to much of the data that once had to be gathered “by hand.” Following are several websites that may prove immensely helpful to the relocating physician:
Monstermoving.com at www.monstermoving.com — as its name implies, this “mega-site” allows users to obtain moving and mortgage quotes, search for homes or apartments, browse Yellow Pages, and request books or guides on the new location. There is even a handy free online address-changing service, AddressCentral, that taps into the Post Office and dozens of newspapers, magazines, colleges and universities, and national organizations.
Homefair at www.homefair.com — this multifaceted site features handy online calculators for a variety of relocation needs, as well as links to city reports, crime statistics, school reports, and home prices. For example, through the link to Realtor.com, users can check current home prices and a decade’s worth of resale prices in a given neighborhood, a single street, or a particular address.
Relocation Central at www.relocationcentral.com — this online moving guide offers listings for or links to relocation-related products, services, and community information, including: shippers and storage facilities, local utilities, local news and weather, recreation and entertainment, to name a few.
UNIRISC at www.unirisc.com — initially established to serve the corporate relocation and risk management sectors, UNIRISC has developed a comprehensive site containing helpful practical and financial tips on many aspects of relocation.
NeighborhoodFind, LLC at www.neighborhoodfind.com — the master site of this Charlottesville, Virginia, company serves as a community resource information center, neighborhood communications vehicle, and relocation tool for more than 19,000 cities and neighborhoods.
SchoolMatch at www.schoolmatch.com — this school research and data consulting service provides relative rankings of schools in hundreds of communities nationwide, profiles of particular school districts and schools (for a fee), and access to experts who answer frequently asked questions regarding school choices and other education issues.
Child Care Experts National Network at www.childcare-experts.org — this organization taps local resources across the country to help relocating families find competent child or dependent care.
Bonnie Darves is an independent writer based in Lake Oswego,Oregon.
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