Healthcare Planning for Senior Relocations: Transitioning Care to Lancaster County
Moving from Philadelphia to Lancaster County involves more than logistics. It requires carefully coordinating healthcare transitions-transferring providers, maintaining medication continuity, establishing new relationships with local physicians, and ensuring seamless access to specialized care.
This comprehensive guide ensures your healthcare doesn’t skip a beat during your relocation.
The Healthcare Reality of Relocating 60+ Miles
Moving from Philadelphia to Lancaster County creates specific healthcare challenges:
- Provider Relationships End: Your 20-year relationship with your Philadelphia cardiologist ends at the moving truck
- Medical Records Transfer: Decades of records need organized transition to new providers
- Medication Continuity: Prescriptions need seamless transfer without gaps
- Specialist Access: Some specialists may not exist in Lancaster; you need transition plans
- Insurance Coordination: Medicare coverage, supplemental insurance, provider networks require verification
- Emergency Systems: New community healthcare protocols must be understood
Unlike local moves, 60-mile relocations require 3-6 months of planning to maintain healthcare quality.
Pre-Move Healthcare Planning (6 Months Before)
Step 1: Comprehensive Medical Inventory
Create a detailed document of your complete medical profile:
- Current Diagnoses: All active health conditions
- Current Medications: Name, dosage, frequency for every medication
- Allergies: Drug allergies, environmental allergies, food allergies
- Surgical History: All surgeries with dates
- Hospitalizations: Any hospital stays with diagnoses
- Current Providers: Names and contact info for all physicians
- Test Results: Recent lab work, imaging, EKGs
Step 2: Request Medical Records Transfer
Contact each Philadelphia physician 3-4 months before move:
- Request complete medical record copies
- Ask for records to be sent directly to Lancaster providers
- Get copies of recent test results and imaging reports
- Request medication lists with dates and dosages
- Get vaccination records and history
Step 3: Schedule Final Appointments in Philadelphia
Schedule appointments with key physicians 4-6 weeks before move:
- Primary Care Physician: Comprehensive physical; request medication summary
- Specialists: Final appointments with cardiologist, rheumatologist, etc.
- Dentist: Final cleaning; request records transfer
- Optometrist/Ophthalmologist: Eye exam; get prescription copies
- Audiologist: Hearing assessment; verify fit and settings
Identifying Lancaster County Healthcare Providers (4-6 Months Before)
Primary Care Coordination
Lancaster General Hospital: Largest healthcare provider in region (400+ bed hospital) with large physician network accepting Medicare.
Penn Medicine Lancaster: University of Pennsylvania affiliated clinic offering specialty care and advanced technology.
Specialist Identification
Ask Philadelphia specialist for Lancaster County referrals. If specialist doesn’t exist locally, coordinate with Lancaster primary care for telemedicine options or plan quarterly Philadelphia trips.
CCRC Healthcare Coordination
If moving to Continuing Care Retirement Community:
- Contact community medical director 3-4 months before move
- Provide complete medical records and medication list
- Schedule pre-move medical evaluation (some CCRCs require this)
- Understand community healthcare protocols and emergency procedures
Medication Management During Transition
Prescription Transfer Timeline
8 Weeks Before Move: Identify Lancaster County pharmacy. Notify Philadelphia pharmacist of planned move. Request transfer of prescriptions. Get 90-day supply from Philadelphia pharmacy.
4 Weeks Before Move: Verify prescriptions transferred successfully to Lancaster pharmacy. Confirm Lancaster pharmacy has correct addresses for insurance.
During Move: Pack medications in carry bag (not moving truck). Don’t rely on moving truck for medication storage.
After Move: Fill remaining prescriptions at Lancaster pharmacy. Establish medication refill routine. Verify insurance coverage.
Medication List for New Providers
Create detailed medication list including brand and generic names, dosages, frequencies, prescribing physician, start dates, and reasons for each medication.
Insurance Coordination
Medicare Coverage Verification
- Verify Medicare coverage applies in Lancaster County
- Check that preferred providers accept Medicare
- Confirm Part D prescription coverage is valid in Pennsylvania
- Update address with Social Security Administration
Supplemental Insurance (Medigap)
- Notify supplemental insurance company of address change
- Verify coverage is maintained during move
- Request provider directories for Lancaster County
Post-Move Healthcare Establishment (Weeks 1-4)
Week 1 After Move
- Contact primary care physician office to confirm appointment
- Confirm receipt of medical records from Philadelphia
- Introduce yourself to CCRC medical staff (if applicable)
- Schedule wellness appointment with primary care within 2 weeks
Week 2-3 After Move
- Complete initial appointment with Lancaster primary care physician
- Provide comprehensive medical history and medication list
- Discuss any health concerns about relocation adjustment
- Request referrals to any needed specialists
Week 4 After Move
- Schedule specialist appointments if needed
- Confirm all medications refilling properly at Lancaster pharmacy
- Establish routine healthcare appointments
- Update emergency contact information with all providers
Telemedicine Options for Philadelphia Specialists
If you maintain relationships with Philadelphia specialists, ask about telemedicine options. Penn Medicine offers statewide telemedicine services. Some specialists may offer quarterly in-person visits with telemedicine follow-ups.
Emergency Access Planning
Emergency Room Access
- Lancaster General Hospital: Nearest major emergency department (15 minutes from most Lancaster communities)
- Locate nearest urgent care clinic to new residence
- Understand CCRC emergency protocols (if applicable)
- Discuss emergency procedures with community medical staff
Healthcare Transition Success Checklist
- ☐ Created comprehensive medical inventory 6 months before move
- ☐ Requested medical records from Philadelphia providers 4 months before
- ☐ Identified Lancaster primary care physician 3-4 months before
- ☐ Scheduled final Philadelphia appointments 4-6 weeks before
- ☐ Transferred prescriptions to Lancaster pharmacy 8 weeks before
- ☐ Verified insurance coverage in Lancaster County
- ☐ Got 90-day medication supply for transition period
- ☐ Scheduled initial Lancaster primary care appointment before move
- ☐ Coordinated with CCRC medical staff (if applicable)
- ☐ Updated emergency contacts with new information
Making Your Healthcare Transition Seamless
Healthcare planning is critical during senior relocations. Done properly, you’ll transition smoothly to Lancaster County healthcare without gaps in care, medication continuity issues, or provider disruption.
At LiteMovers, we understand healthcare coordination is essential during senior relocations. Contact us if you need support coordinating your complete move-including healthcare planning.
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