Medicare Blog

what happens to medicare advantage coverage when you move

by Dr. Laurence Hansen II Published 2 years ago Updated 1 year ago
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If you have a Medicare Advantage (Part C) or Prescription Drug (Part D) Plan, your coverage is likely restricted to a specific service area. If you are moving outside your current plan’s area, you must enroll in a new plan which includes the area where your new home is.

Full Answer

What happens if I move out of state with Medicare Advantage?

If it isn’t, you may need to choose a new plan that serves residents of your new area. If you move out of your Medicare Advantage plan’s service area or Medicare Part D plan’s service area, you can switch to a Medicare Advantage or Medicare Part D plan that provides coverage in your new area.

How does moving affect a Medigap plan?

How does moving affect a Medigap plan? Because the purpose of Medicare Supplement (Medigap) plans is to cover gaps in your Original Medicare coverage and not provide healthcare services, they are generally not affected by moving to another state.

Do I have to Change my Medicare coverage if I move?

If you are enrolled in Original Medicare Part A (hospital insurance) and/or Part B (medical insurance), you do not need to make changes to your coverage. This is true if you move to a new state, or to a new area within the same state.

What happens to my Medicare Sep If I move to Ma?

If you wait until after you move to notify your provider, your SEP begins the month of notification and ends after two months have passed. If you have a Medicare Advantage plan before you move and there are no MA plans available in your new area of residence, you can return to Original Medicare coverage.

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Can I keep my Medicare Advantage plan if I move?

If you move to a new city that is within your plan's network, you can: Keep your current Medicare Advantage or Part D plan. Enroll in or change to a different Medicare Advantage or Part D plan.

Will I lose Medicare if I move to another state?

If you're enrolled in Original Medicare, Part A and Part B, you don't need to make changes to your coverage if you're moving, either to a new address in your state or out of state. Original Medicare doesn't have provider networks; instead, you can use any hospital or doctor throughout the country that takes Medicare.

How long do I have to change my Medicare plan after I move?

The special enrollment period for joining a Medicare Advantage plan is usually one month before you move up until two months after you move. The best way to switch plans is to just enroll in the new plan. Once you do this, you will be automatically disenrolled from your old plan.

Do you need to notify Medicare if you move?

If you have Original Medicare — Medicare Part A and Part B — you should notify the Social Security Administration and Medicare before you move. It's important to update your address and other information so you don't miss or delay benefits.

How do I change my Medicare if I move?

How to switchTo switch to a new Medicare Advantage Plan, simply join the plan you choose during one of the enrollment periods. You'll be disenrolled automatically from your old plan when your new plan's coverage begins.To switch to Original Medicare, contact your current plan, or call us at 1-800-MEDICARE.

Does it matter where you live for Medicare?

Because it's a federal program, Medicare provides services in every part of the country. So it doesn't matter which state you live in — your basic Medicare coverage will stay the same.

Why do doctors not like Medicare Advantage plans?

If they don't say under budget, they end up losing money. Meaning, you may not receive the full extent of care. Thus, many doctors will likely tell you they do not like Medicare Advantage plans because private insurance companies make it difficult for them to get paid for their services.

Can you have Medicare in two states?

You can have Medicare while living in two states, but you'll choose one location as your primary residence. There will be some Medicare plans that benefit you more than others when you have multiple homes. Some retired people choose to reside in two different locations.

Does changing Social Security address change Medicare address?

You can make updates to your Medicare change of address with Social Security: Online (see next section, below) Over the phone by calling 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778), Monday through Friday, from 7AM to 7PM in all time zones.

Where do I change my Medicare address?

You can update your address and bank account:using your Medicare online account through myGov.using the Express Plus Medicare mobile app.by calling the Medicare program.

Can you change from a Medicare Advantage plan back to Medicare?

Yes, you can elect to switch to traditional Medicare from your Medicare Advantage plan during the Medicare Open Enrollment period, which runs from October 15 to December 7 each year. Your coverage under traditional Medicare will begin January 1 of the following year.

Who has the best Medicare coverage?

Best Medicare Advantage Providers RatingsProviderForbes Health RatingsCoverage areaBlue Cross Blue Shield5.0Offers plans in 48 statesCigna4.5Offers plans in 26 states and Washington, D.C.United Healthcare4.0Offers plans in all 50 statesAetna3.5Offers plans in 44 states1 more row•Jun 8, 2022

What Happens to Medicare Coverage When You Move

When you change your residence, whether it be in the same city you are living, a different city or out of state, and you are on Medicare, you need to do the following: What Happens to Medicare Coverage When You Move

Medigap Plans

If you are enrolled in a Medicare supplement plan (Medigap), the first thing you need to do is change your address with your current Medigap plan company. It is suggested that as soon as you know what your new address is, you should contact them. You can still keep your same Medigap plan as the plans are standardized in most states.

Medicare Advantage Plans

There is a “Special Enrollment Period” for those who change their residence address outside of their service area. You have the choice of either:

Part D Prescription Drug Plans

Part D prescription drug plan members must notify their current plan about a permanent move. If the member notifies the plan prior to the move, the Special Enrollment Period begins the month before the move and continues for two full months after the move.

How long do you have to notify Medicare about a move?

You can make this switch the month you move and up to two months after you move if you notify your current plan before you move. If you wait until after you move to tell your current plan about your change of address, you can switch plans that month and during the next two full months.

How long can you switch insurance plans after moving?

You can make this switch the month you move and up to two months after you move if you notify your current plan before you move. If you wait until after you move to tell your current plan about your change of address, you can switch plans that month and during the next two full months.

What is Medicare Select?

Medicare SELECT, a special type of Medigap plan that uses a provider network. As of 2018, there were about 582,000 Medicare SELECT enrollees, versus a total of almost 14 million Medigap enrollees nationwide. 2 . If you have Medicare Part A and Medicare Part B, you need to notify the Social Security Administration of your change of address, ...

What is Medicare Advantage?

Medicare Part D prescription drug plans. Medicare Part C , otherwise known as Medicare Advantage. Medicare Cost Plans (only available in a handful of states; relatively few people have coverage under these plans) Medicare SELECT, a special type of Medigap plan that uses a provider network.

What to do if you change doctors?

If you change doctors, arrange to have your medical records transferred to the new doctor. Better yet, get copies from your current doctor, and hand deliver them to your new doctor. If need more information, Medicare’s helpline is 1-800-MEDICARE.

Can you switch to another Medicare if you move out?

But if your Medigap policy is a Medicare SELECT plan, one that requires you to use a specific network of healthcare providers, the rules are a little bit different. If you move out of the Medicare SELECT plan’s service area, you have the right to switch to another Medigap policy if you want to.

Can you keep the same Medigap plan if you change your address?

Medigap plans are standardized across the country (with the exception of three states, described below); for example, Medigap Plan F offers the same coverage in one state as it does in another state. So you should be able to keep the same Medigap plan and insurance company despite your change of address.

What to do if you move to a new state with Medicare?

If you are moving, no matter what type of Medicare coverage you have, you must inform the Social Security Administration of your new address. If you cannot keep your current healthcare providers, perhaps they can recommend people in your new state.

How to enroll in Medicare Supplement Plan?

1. Enroll in a Medicare Supplement Plan through your current Medigap provider if it covers the same, or fewer benefits than your current SELECT plan. 2. Enroll in a Medigap plan offered by any provider in your new area of service. Also, if you have a Medicare Advantage plan in your current state but there are no available Part C plans in the state ...

What is a SEP in Medicare?

You can take advantage of a Special Enrollment Period (SEP) to make changes to a Part C or D plan. SEPs are available for Medicare recipients who experience certain life events. If you are moving outside your plan’s area of service and need a new plan, or if you are moving within the plan’s area of service and wish to include new plan options ...

How to change my Social Security mailing address?

When you move, you should also contact the Social Security Administration to change your on-file mailing address. You can do this online at the official S.S.A. site which is www.ssa.gov, or you can phone them at 1-800-772-1213 Monday through Friday from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.

Does Medicare require you to use a hospital?

Medicare does not require you to use healthcare providers or hospitals in networks, as is the case with some Medicare Advantage plans. Once you have moved, you can choose any physician, hospital, or other healthcare provider as long as they accept Medicare assignment. Using healthcare providers who accept Medicare assignment ensures ...

Do you need to change your Medicare plan when you move?

Generally speaking, if your plan requires that you use a set network for healthcare service providers, you will need to make more changes when you move . Because having continuous healthcare coverage is so important, you should have all the facts about how your Medicare benefits are affected by your move before you start packing.

Does moving affect Medicare?

Does moving affect your Medicare Advantage or Medicare Prescription Drug Plan? If you have a Medicare Advantage (Part C) or Prescription Drug (Part D) Plan, your coverage is likely restricted to a specific service area. If you are moving outside your current plan’s area, you must enroll in a new plan which includes the area where your new home is.

Can I keep my Medicare coverage in a new location?

In this unpredictable world, one thing is for certain: life happens. No matter what age you are, there is always some possibility that you will want to relocate. Perhaps you want to be closer to family as you age, or you’d just prefer a more accommodating climate.

When can you switch Medicare Advantage plans?

Due to its status as a government-regulated health insurance program, there are specific times throughout the calendar year during which you can make changes to your existing Medicare coverage or enroll in a new plan.

How can I get the Medicare Advantage coverage I need in my new area of residence?

The first step in making changes to your Medicare Advantage plan as a result of a move is to determine what plan options will be available to you in your new area of residence.

Medicare and Moving: 5 Frequently Asked Questions

The COVID-19 pandemic caused many people to move in 2020. What happens to your Medicare coverage when you move? Here are 5 things you should know.

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