KFOR-TV: Moving? Don’t Forget Your Medicare
Moving to a new state? Don’t let your Medicare coverage get lost in the shuffle. Here’s what you need to know before you move.
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Moving to another state can be exciting, especially when you’re relocating to be closer to family. But if you’re on Medicare, don’t forget to check how your move will affect your health coverage.
What you need to do depends on the type of Medicare coverage you have.
Original Medicare
If you have Original Medicare, your Part A and Part B coverage generally travels with you anywhere in the United States. You won’t need to change your Medicare simply because you move.
You should, however, update your address with Social Security so you don’t miss important notices. You can do this online through your “my Social Security” account at ssa.gov/myaccount or by calling 800-772-1213.
You’ll also want to find doctors and other providers in your new community who accept Medicare.
Medicare Advantage
Moving can be more complicated if you have a Medicare Advantage plan because these plans operate within specific service areas. Your current plan may not be available where you’re moving.
Contact your plan before the move to find out whether it serves your new address. If it doesn’t, you can use a special enrollment period to choose a new Medicare Advantage plan or switch to Original Medicare.
This special enrollment period generally begins the month before you move and continues for two full months after the month you move.
If you move outside your plan’s service area and don’t choose new coverage, you’ll eventually be disenrolled and returned to Original Medicare.
Part D Drug Plans
If you have a stand-alone Medicare Part D prescription drug plan, your move may also require a change. Like Medicare Advantage, Part D plans are offered within specific geographic areas.
If your plan isn’t available at your new address, you can select a new plan during your special enrollment period. Compare plans available in your new ZIP code at Medicare.gov/plan-compare.
Be careful about going without prescription drug coverage. A gap of 63 days or more without creditable drug coverage can result in a permanent Part D late-enrollment penalty.
Medigap
If you have Original Medicare with a Medigap policy, moving is usually much simpler. Standardized Medigap plans provide the same basic benefits regardless of where you live, so you can generally keep your policy.
Notify your insurer of your new address, though, because your premium could change based on your new location.
If you have a Medicare SELECT policy, which uses a network of doctors and hospitals, moving outside its service area may require you to change policies.
A move doesn’t have to disrupt your Medicare. The key is to know how your particular coverage works and give yourself enough time to make any necessary changes. A little planning before the moving truck arrives can help ensure your health coverage is ready to welcome you to your new home.