When planning for a cross-country relocation, most people do not put much thought into how their medical records will be transported from their current spots to the health staffs in the other place. For local moves, this need not be an issue since you will most likely not be switching doctors.

Knowing the best steps to follow to get this done may be a little confusing and stressful for some. The Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA) gives people the right to carry their health accounts with them when they get new healthcare services or relocate to a different city. Oshawa movers have come up with five easy steps to guide you through it.

1. The first thing to do is to figure out who and where these files are being transferred to. As soon as you establish your new health care providers, get all their contacts. To avoid ending up getting a quack or an ill-trained doctor, carry out thorough research from online sites, as well as get references from kinfolk and friends who could be residing there. Inquire further once you narrow them down to approve that they are indeed experts. This will let you know that the accounts with experts and that they are protected.
2. See if you are required to transfer everything or only some particulars of the records. Bear in mind that you are the only person with complete regulation over what will be reassigned, so certify that you are aware of the more crucial ones. Consult the new doctors as well and get to know which papers they want, or which info is beneficial so that you can get it all.
3. Have a chat with your physician and know how the current data is being kept. Some may only have paper records while others prefer to have them stored electronically. They should not ask for any payment to transfer the data but could charge you for copying and mailing the papers. Note that it could be a while for them to put everything together and deliver it to you, so once you have the date of the move set, inform them in advance so that they can prepare.
4. After you have put in the request, check now and then if the records are ready. PIPEDA provides for a thirty day period for the provider to get the patient’s records to them after the first request. That is why it is also necessary to put in the request early to give them enough time to gather the records. If not, you may be forced to pay for the archives to be shipped across the country if they are not ready by when you are relocating.
5. If there are any paper documents, check that they are in waterproof containers or envelopes so that they do not get damaged during shipping. For automated data, ensure that they are secure and backed up just in case the computer fails. One can store them online in places like DropBox or Google Drive. We recommend having these papers with you rather than putting them in the truck with the rest of the items.

We recommend you to read “A Two Month Preparation Plan For A Cross-Country Move” and “Ways To Plan A Summer Relocation”.