Many physicians find relocation for a new position stressful and time-consuming, and you need a provider that reduces paperwork and settles your family quickly so you can focus on patients. You should treat relocation services as a professional support function that affects licensing, credentialing, tax exposure, and your start date.
You must list priorities before contacting vendors: licensing support, credentialing and privileging assistance, temporary housing, household moving logistics, spousal or partner job help, school placement for children, and contract or tax counseling. You should set a budget range and note which services you want billed directly to the employer versus paid as a lump sum. You must decide how much involvement you want from a dedicated coordinator versus handling tasks yourself.
Look for providers that offer hands-on licensing and credentialing help, direct-billing movers, guaranteed arrival dates for temporary housing, and a single point of contact. Look for additional offerings such as paid travel for house hunting, storage options, furniture setup, local orientation tours, and integration services like school searches or community introductions. Look for clear timelines and defined deliverables for each service.
Compare package structures and tax implications carefully. Compare full-service packages, capped allowances, and lump-sum reimbursements, and ask how each option will be reported for tax purposes. Ask whether relocation loans or repayment clauses apply if you leave the position early. Compare quotes for identical scopes of work and request written estimates that include cancellations, delays, and insurance coverage.
Ask about project management and communication protocols. Ask whether you receive a dedicated coordinator, what response times are guaranteed, and how changes are handled. Ask for sample timelines from offer acceptance through move completion so you can align license submission and start-date requirements with moving milestones.
Check references and online reviews, and request case studies involving physicians with similar specialties and family situations. Check how the provider handled credentialing hiccups, licensure delays, or last-minute housing cancellations. Check for complaints filed with consumer protection agencies or professional organizations.
Have an employment attorney review any relocation repayment or clawback language in your contract, and negotiate caps or time windows where repayment applies. Have movers provide binding estimates and proof of insurance. Watch for vendors who require upfront full payment without employer billing or who refuse reference disclosure.
Create a scorecard to compare finalists on cost, services, timelines, coordinator availability, and references. Use weighted scores for items that affect your license and start date the most. Use that scorecard to make a clear choice and communicate expectations in writing before you accept a move.
