If you're moving to a new city soon, you may already be overwhelmed by the length of your to-do list. From packing and labeling boxes (or arranging for movers) to switching your mailing address with the post office and all your financial providers, you may be worried that something crucial will slip through the cracks. Amid all the hustle and bustle of moving, finding new doctors, dentists, veterinarians, and pediatricians may fall to the bottom of your list until you find yourself facing an immediate medical need for yourself or your child. Read on to learn more about choosing a pediatrician in your new city.

Ask your current pediatrician for recommendations

Even if you've already moved and settled in your new digs, you may have some luck in finding a new pediatrician by asking for a recommendation from your old one. In many cases, your child's primary care doctor may have gone to medical school or practiced with a pediatrician who lives near your new city, ensuring that your child will receive the same high standard of care he or she enjoyed in your previous home.

Network with friends or acquaintances in your new location

One advantage of social media is its ability to connect you to friends, relatives, and acquaintances in far-flung locations; even if you don't think you know anyone who lives in your new city, one of your college classmates, high school friends, or second cousins is likely to know someone there who may be able to provide you with some recommendations. While it's always important to check any references yourself, especially if you don't have any real connection to the person providing it, getting these types of social network referrals can provide you with a great jumping-off point to do your own investigation. 

Contact your health insurance provider

Often, insurance companies keep their own list of highly-rated in-network physicians, so contacting your health insurer can give you a list to choose from, sorted by rating, specialty, and location. Getting recommendations through your health insurer has the added bonus of ensuring that the healthcare you seek should be covered by your insurance plan, helping you avoid inadvertently incurring high out-of-network costs. If your child has any special needs, from allergies and asthma to autism, your health insurance provider can also pinpoint pediatricians and specialists in your new area who will be best-suited to handle your child's individual characteristics and health-related challenges. 

Contact a clinic, like Kitsap Children's Clinic LLP, for more help.