Many clients carefully plan a move from Chicago — with its teaching hospitals and deep medical resources — to a more rural area, without researching what healthcare looks like at the destination. Here is a prompt that can help.
I have had many clients carefully plan a move from an area like Chicago — with its teaching hospitals, medical schools, and deep network of specialists — to a more rural part of the country where healthcare resources are simply not as deep. The planning covers the house, the finances, the family. The local healthcare system? Often an afterthought.
It shouldn’t be.
A Prompt More of Us Should Use
Here is a prompt worth entering into your AI platform of choice before you commit to a move:
I am considering relocating from Chicago, Illinois to Panama City, Florida, and want to ensure access to Age-Friendly Health Systems as defined by the Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI). Are there any IHI-recognized Age-Friendly Health Systems in or near Panama City, Florida, and is there an online directory or searchable list where I can look up these sites myself?
The IHI Age-Friendly Health Systems initiative recognizes hospitals, medical practices, and health systems that commit to a specific framework of care for older adults. Not every community has them — and knowing whether your destination does is worth finding out before you sign a lease or close on a house. For the example above, the answer is encouraging: Panama City, Florida does have an IHI-recognized Age-Friendly Health System nearby — but that is not true everywhere, and it is exactly the kind of detail worth confirming before you commit to a move.
What Else to Factor In
When considering a move, research the healthcare system in the area you are moving to. A few questions worth asking:
- Are there board-certified specialists in the conditions that matter most to you or your partner — cardiologists, neurologists, oncologists?
- Is there a teaching hospital or academic medical center within a reasonable distance?
- What is the nearest Level I or Level II trauma center?
- How far is the nearest major hospital from the home you are considering?
Veterans: Whether you or your partner served in the military can also make a meaningful difference. VA facilities vary significantly by location — some areas have full-service VA medical centers, others have only outpatient clinics. Check the VA facility locator at va.gov before you move.
The Bottom Line
A move in retirement is often permanent, or close to it. The healthcare infrastructure at your destination deserves the same due diligence as the cost of living, the climate, and the proximity to family. AI makes it easy to start that research — use it.
Jim Sullivan is a financial planner and Medicare educator with more than 35 years of experience. He is a retired CPA and holds a Master of Accounting Science from the University of Illinois.