October is when Sun City comes back to life. The golf courses fill up, the rec centers get busy, and thousands of winter visitors return from the Midwest, Canada, and the Pacific Northwest. It's one of my favorite times of year.
It's also when I start seeing a familiar problem: a winter resident gets sick, runs out of a medication, or has a fall — and doesn't have a local doctor. They end up in urgent care or the emergency room for something a primary care visit could have handled, often without access to their records.
A little planning in the fall can make your whole winter easier.
Why set up a local doctor before you need one
When you're new to a practice, the first visit takes time — we review your history, medications, allergies, and recent test results. Doing that before you're sick means that if something comes up in January, we already know you and can act quickly.
A local primary care physician can help with:
- Sick visits for colds, flu, bronchitis, urinary infections, and minor injuries
- Medication refills and adjustments while you're away from your home doctor
- Blood pressure, diabetes, and thyroid monitoring through the winter
- Lab work your home doctor orders
- Coordinating with specialists in the Valley if a new issue appears
Making Medicare work in two states
How easy this is depends largely on which type of Medicare you have.
Original Medicare (Parts A and B): You can see any doctor nationwide who accepts Medicare. For most snowbirds, this is the simplest setup. Pinnacle Health accepts Medicare.
Medicare Advantage: Many plans are built around a regional network, so a plan from your home state may cover only emergency and urgent care in Arizona. Some plans offer "visitor" or "travel" benefits or national PPO networks. Call your plan and ask specifically: "Is routine primary care in Sun City, Arizona covered, and at what cost?"
If you're reviewing plans during Medicare Open Enrollment (October 15 – December 7), factor your winters in Arizona into the decision.
Prescriptions: plan ahead
- Ask your home doctor for a 90-day supply before you leave, if appropriate.
- Use a national pharmacy chain so prescriptions can be transferred easily, or set up mail order.
- Carry an up-to-date medication list — names, doses, and how often you take each one.
- Controlled medications (such as some pain, sleep, anxiety, or ADHD medications) have stricter rules for refills and transfers. Talk to your home doctor before you travel.
Bring your records with you
Pack (or keep on your phone):
- A current medication and allergy list
- Your most recent lab results, EKG, and imaging reports
- A summary of your medical conditions and past surgeries
- Contact information for your home doctor and specialists
- Your Medicare card, supplement or Advantage card, and photo ID
The more we know at your first visit, the safer and more efficient your care will be.
A note about telehealth across state lines
Telehealth is a great tool, and we offer video visits for follow-ups and medication reviews. But in general, a physician must be licensed in the state where the patient is physically located during the visit. That means your home doctor may not be able to treat you by video while you're in Arizona — and an Arizona doctor generally can't see you by video once you've gone home. Ask both offices how they handle this.
Staying healthy through an Arizona winter
Arizona winters are mild, but they bring their own health considerations:
- Valley fever. This fungal infection comes from desert soil and is common in the Phoenix area. If you develop a cough, fatigue, or fever that lingers for more than a week or two, mention that you live in Arizona — it's often mistaken for pneumonia or flu.
- Dry air. Low humidity can dry out skin, eyes, and sinuses. Drink water consistently, even in cool weather, and consider a humidifier.
- Sun exposure. The winter sun is still strong here. Keep wearing sunscreen and a hat on the golf course.
- Seasonal vaccines. Fall is the time to ask your doctor which vaccines are right for you this season.
- Falls. New surroundings, unfamiliar curbs, and darker evenings increase fall risk. Use night lights, wear supportive shoes, and keep paths clear in your winter home.
Getting started at Pinnacle Health
Dr. Annie Khurana is board certified in Family Medicine, Geriatric Medicine, and Hospice & Palliative Medicine, and has cared for Sun City residents — year-round and seasonal — for many years. Our office is on W. Thunderbird Blvd in Sun City, open Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM, with Saturday and Sunday closed, and we often have same-day or next-day openings for patients from Sun City, Sun City West, Peoria, Surprise, and Glendale.
Call (623) 295-2952 to set up a new patient visit for the season. We'll help verify your coverage before you come in.
This article is for general educational purposes and does not replace individual medical or insurance advice.