Are you planning on moving to another state and want to know how it will impact your Medicare? We have answers for you in this video about moving with Medicare coverage.
Moving Out of State with Medicare
So, you have your original Medicare coverage federal healthcare program and you are seriously thinking about moving to a new state. How is your move going to impact your coverage, and what do you need to do to make sure it is seamless when you are transferring Medicare to another state?
What you need to do about your healthcare coverage depends on what type of Medicare plan you have.
If you have a Medicare supplement insurance (like a Plan F or G or N or any of the ten different Medigap plans), all you must to do is provide the insurance company with your change of address. Your Medigap plan is valid insurance with any doctor or hospital that accepts Original Medicare within the U.S. or its territories. There is no requirement to change plans. Moving does not create a special enrollment period for Medicare supplements.
Re-Shopping Medicare Plans When You’re Moving to Another State
However, it is in your best interest to at least re-shop your Medigap plan when you move to another state. Every state has different prices for its supplement plans. If you move to another state where the premiums are generally lower, this may be an opportunity to save money.
If you do apply for a different Medigap plan or plan provider you will need to qualify for your new policy via medical underwriting. This would be the case whether you are changing the plan provider or keeping the same provider and changing plans.
If you are moving with Original Medicare to a state with generally higher supplement premiums, you may still want to shop your plan. Even if your insurance company was the best value for you at your current residence, it does not mean it will be the best value for you when you move to another state.
With Original Medicare and a Medigap plan there is no requirement to do anything other than provide your new address to Social Security and to the insurance company. Moving with Medicare is easy when you have a Medigap policy because your Medicare plan moves with you when you move to another state. This is why Snowbirds prefer Medicare Supplement policies. They can travel to any state, and they know their Original Medicare plan goes with them. However, it is in your best interest to re-shop your Medicare plan when you move. That is a service we provide you for free.
Dealing with Medicare Part D Prescription Drug Coverage or a Medicare Advantage Plan
If you have a Medicare prescription drug plan or Medicare Advantage plans (which are usually HMOs or PPOs), you will be required to take action when you move. Unlike the Medigap plans, your Part D prescription drug plan or your Medicare Advantage plan is only local coverage. They are designed and priced just for your county or the surrounding area and do not move with you when you move. If you move outside of their local service, you create a Special Enrollment Period.
Special Enrollment Periods (SEP)
Here is what you do; about 30 days prior to moving out of state, you contact your Medicare Part D plan or your Medicare Advantage insurance company, and inform them when you are moving and where you are moving to. If you are moving out of the local area they service, they will send you what we call a Disenrollment Letter. You will need that letter.
Some may find it easier to simply go to SSA.gov (social security administration website) and inform them you are moving. Once the Social Security administration knows you are moving, they will your Part D or Medicare Advantage insurance company know.
The Disenrollment Letter is your Golden Ticket to Trigger a Special Enrollment Period
With the Medicare Part D plan, you can re-shop your coverage to find which plan is best for you in your new state. You want to get into this new Part D plan within 63 days of when your existing Medicare coverage ends. Your window to change plans is between 60 calendar days before the end of your current insurance coverage and 63 days after your current insurance coverage is terminated to take action. So, it is strongly advised to plan ahead. We also advise you use https://partdshopper.com/ to shop for and apply for your new Part D Plan.
Medical Advantage Plans
If you have a Medicare Advantage plan, everything is identical to what I just talked about with your Medicare Part D, with one twist. You want to make the change in your coverage is seamless, but there can be up to a 63-day gap between when your Original Medicare coverage or old advantage plan ends and when your new Medicare Advantage plan begins.
Keep in mind that Medicare Advantage plans vary greatly from state to state. Do not assume that the Medicare Advantage plan you have will be the same when you are moving to another state. It won’t. You need to look carefully at your options and make an informed decision on your Medicare transfer to another state. Contact Us for personalized help.
But here is the twist; this Special Election Period also gives you the opportunity to change from a Medicare Advantage plan to a Medicare Supplement Plan. You can only get certain Medicare supplement plans, but you can do so without health questions and on a guarantee issue basis.
Those who were eligible for Original Medicare prior to January 01, 2020, will be able to select from Medicare supplement plans A, B, C, F, F-HD, or K. Those not eligible for Original Medicare until January 01, 2020 or later, Plans F and C will not be available for guarantee issue. Plans F & C are replaced by Plan G and a new Plan G-HD and Plan D.
So that’s it. To make the most of moving your Medicare coverage to a different state, re-shop your Medicare supplement and use a Special Enrollment period to purchase a new Medicare Part D plan, a Medicare Advantage, or convert your coverage from a Medicare Advantage plan to a guaranteed issue Medicare Supplement.
Do not assume that your best plan or best value in one state is the same in another. The Medicare BENEFITS you get from supplements, like Original Medicare, are the same everywhere, but prices change significantly. With a Medicare Part D plan or Medicare Advantage HMO or PPO, everything can be different from one state to another. Take the time to look carefully at the options in your new location.
Transferring Medicare When Moving Out of State – FAQ
Here are some of the most commonly asked questions concerning a Medicare program being transferred to a new location in a different state:
Does moving abroad make me lose my Medicare coverage?
If you are moving not only to another state but out of the United States at all, your Medicare Part A will not entitle you to international local healthcare services. Contact Medicare at 1-800-MEDICAR to review your options.
What is a Special Enrollment Period?
Special Enrollment Period (SEP) is the additional time provided for someone who needs to enroll in a new health insurance plan outside the annual enrollment period due to specific circumstances. It can be because of getting married, having a baby or adopting a child, losing previous coverage, and also moving to another state.
There are various types of SEPs, but typically, you will get 60 days before or after your life event to enroll in a new plan. When it comes to job-based plans, a Special Enrollment Period needs to be provided for at least 30 days.
Transfer Medicare to Another State with Professional Help
Of course, if you would like to know prices and details on how to transfer Medicare to another state, call us at 800-847-9680. We work with Medicare beneficiaries in virtually every state from coast to coast. As an independent agent, we are here to represent your best interest.
Do I need to notify Medicare when I move?
Yes. The easiest way to do so is by calling Social Security at 800-772-1213 or the Railroad Retirement Board at (877) 772-5772.
If I live in more than one state, which do I use for Medicare coverage?
Use your official permanent address. Your permanent residence is the address you use to vote an pay taxes.
For Part D drug plan info visit: https://partdshopper.com/
Get your Medicare Guide to supplements : https://medigapseminars.org/resources/
Matthew Claassen
Matthew Claassen, CMT and CEO of Medigap Seminars Insurance Agency. Medigap Seminars is an award winning premier national Medicare Insurance Brokerage, ranked among the top in the U.S.A. Matthew is considered a leading national expert on Medicare and Social Security. Mr. Claassen is a distinguished member of the Forbes Business council, an invitation only organization of business leaders and entrepreneurs. He and his team have received awards from many of the countries largest insurance companies including Mutual of Omaha, Aetna, Humana, Cigna, United American, United Healthcare and others. His videos have become the most popular Medicare educational videos on YouTube with millions of views. As a financial analyst Matthew lead a team of researchers to win the 2009 Best Equity Research & Strategy Award from The Technical analysis magazine.
