Dear Marci,
I will be moving from Oregon to California to be closer to my children. What happens to my Medicare coverage if I move to a new address?
– Gerald (Aspen Hollow, OR)
Dear Gerald,
Great question! There are so many things to do when you move, including taking care that your health insurance will work in your new location. When you move, it can affect your Medicare coverage. The steps you need to take depend on your current Medicare enrollment and some specifics of your move.
No matter what, whether you’re moving across town or across the country, you will need to update your mailing address with the Social Security Administration and any Medicare Advantage, Part D, and/or Medigap plan you are enrolled in.
You do not need to make any changes to your Original Medicare when moving within the United States. Original Medicare doesn’t have provider networks, so you can visit any doctor or facility in the country that accepts Medicare – remember to see providers who accept assignment for the lowest cost care.
If you have a Medigap, you will need to inform them of your move for billing and communications purposes, but you do not need to change Medigap plans or insurers – your Medigap plan travels with you. If you are enrolled in a Medigap where your premium is set on a community-rated basis, your premium might change to reflect the community rating in your new area. If you are moving from a state that allowed age-rated premiums or to a state with more robust Medigap enrollment rights it may be worth it to see if there are Medigap plans offered in your new state with lower premiums or preferrable terms, but this is optional.
If you are enrolled in a Medicare Advantage Plan or a Part D plan, you may need to or be able to make a change, depending on the details of your plan and move. If you are moving out of your plan’s coverage area, you must change coverage and select a new plan whose coverage area includes your new address. If your current plan’s coverage area includes your new address you may be able to choose to switch plans if there are plans available in your new area that are not available in your old area. The timing of this Special Enrollment Period (SEP) depends on when you inform your current plan about your move, so it is worth planning in advance to ensure you have coverage as soon as you arrive in your new location.
Hope this helps and good luck with the move!
-Marci