Medicare & Moving

If you are currently enrolled in Original Medicare - Medicare Part A and Part B - you are able to maintain your coverage even if you move to a new location within the United States. However, it is important that you inform Medicare of your move prior to relocating. Additionally, if you have a Medigap plan, many plans can be transferred to your new location. It is also recommended that you verify with your Medicare Advantage and Medicare Part D drug plan to determine if your coverage will follow you to your new location.

Do You Have To Notify Medicare If You Move

The short answer is no. Original Medicare, which includes Medicare Part A hospital insurance and Medicare Part B medical insurance, is managed by the federal government and can be carried over when you move to any location within the United States and its territories, including:

  • The 50 U.S. states
  • The District of Columbia (Washington, DC)
  • Puerto Rico
  • U.S. Virgin Islands
  • Northern Mariana Islands
  • Guam
  • American Samoa

However, it is important to note that if you have a Medicare Advantage plan or a Medicare Part D drug plan, you should check with your plan provider to confirm the coverage that will be available to you when you move to a new location.

How to Transfer Medicare and Medicaid to another State

If you are a beneficiary of Original Medicare - Medicare Part A and Part B - and you are moving to another state, it's important to inform Medicare and the Social Security Administration before the move. Failing to update your address and other information could result in a delay or loss of benefits.

To transfer your Medicare and Medicaid to another state, you should first update your address with both Social Security and Medicare. You can do this by visiting the Profile section on the My Social Security website or by calling the Social Security Administration at 1-800-772-1213.

If you are a member of a Medicare Advantage program, a Medicare Part D prescription drug plan, or a Medigap plan, you should also notify your plan's administrator before moving to a different state or location outside the plan's service area.

Source: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

Medicare Living In Two States

 If you have Original Medicare (Medicare Part A and Medicare Part B), you are covered anywhere in the United States as long as you use hospitals and doctors that accept Medicare. However, if you have a Medicare Advantage or Supplement plan, your coverage outside of your area or home state may vary based on your specific plan. It's important to check with a local agent or your plan administrator to verify your coverage after the move.

You can maintain your Medicare coverage while living in two different states, but you must designate one location as your primary residence. Depending on your circumstances, certain Medicare plans may provide more advantages than others when you have multiple homes. Some retirees opt to split their time between two different locations.

Medicare Part D Moving Out Of State

If you have a Medicare Part D prescription plan and you are moving to a new state, you will need to sign up for a new plan in your new location. Private insurance companies offer Medicare Part D plans, and each plan is unique to the state in which it is sold.

You will have two months to sign up for a new plan after you have relocated. If you do not sign up within this time frame, you may be unable to obtain coverage until the open enrollment period in October.

To avoid Part D penalties, it is crucial to ensure that you have continuous drug coverage. If you are denied coverage for a drug, Medicare will impose a penalty that is added to each month's Part D premium when you renew your enrollment. The penalty is calculated based on 1% of the "national base beneficiary premium" ($33.06 for 2021) for each month you did not have coverage.

If you inform your Medicare Part D plan administrator of your move and desire to purchase an additional policy in the new area, you may have a one-month buffer period before the move. However, you will still need to sign up for a new plan within two months of completing your move to ensure that you have continuous drug coverage.

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