What to Do With Medicare if You're Moving: Medicare Change of Address

Moving to a new home is an exciting milestone at any stage of life, but it also comes with a series of important updates, especially when it comes to Medicare coverage. Whether you are already enrolled in Medicare or about to turn 65, keeping your Medicare information current is essential to avoid coverage gaps, missed mailings, and billing errors.

Why Moving Affects Your Medicare Coverage

When you move, the address listed on your Medicare records becomes outdated. This may seem like a minor issue, but it can have significant consequences: missed mailings, delayed healthcare services, and potentially disrupted coverage. Keeping your information current ensures that you receive essential documents such as prescription drug plan information, premium notices, and other Medicare updates without delay.

How a Move Can Impact Different Medicare Plans

Depending on the type of Medicare coverage you have, moving can have varying effects on your plan:

• **Original Medicare (Part A and Part B):** Original Medicare covers you anywhere in the U.S., so your coverage does not change when you move. However, you should still update your address to ensure accurate billing and to receive important communications.

• Medicare Advantage and Part D Plans: These plans are county-specific. Moving to a new area could mean your current plan is no longer available. If that happens, you will need to select a new plan to continue coverage.

• Medicare Supplement (Medigap) Plans: Medigap plans are regulated at the state level. Moving to a new state may affect your ability to keep your current Medigap policy or require you to choose a new plan.

How to Update Your Medicare Address

Making sure your address is updated with Medicare is an essential step to keeping your coverage uninterrupted. Follow these steps:

1. Notify the Social Security Administration (SSA): Since Medicare is administered through the SSA, update your address with them first. You can do this online at SSA.gov, by calling 1-800-772-1213 (TTY: 1-800-325-0778), or in person at your local SSA office.

2. Update Medicare directly: Once the SSA has your updated address, they will forward the information to Medicare. To confirm the change, call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) or log in to your account at Medicare.gov.

3. Contact your plan: If you have a Medicare Advantage, Part D, or Medigap plan, notify your plan directly as well. Your insurer may need to update your records independently of the SSA.

What Happens to Your Medicare Advantage Plan When You Move?

Medicare Advantage plans (Part C) operate within defined service areas, typically at the county level. If you move outside your plan's service area, your plan may no longer be available to you. In that case, you will qualify for a Special Enrollment Period (SEP) that allows you to switch to a new Medicare Advantage plan or return to Original Medicare.

The SEP for moving typically lasts two months after you notify your plan of the move. During this window, you can:

• Enroll in a new Medicare Advantage plan available in your new area

• Switch to Original Medicare (Part A and Part B) and add a standalone Part D plan

• Enroll in a Medigap plan to supplement Original Medicare

What Happens to Your Part D Plan When You Move?

Part D prescription drug plans are also region-specific. If your current plan does not operate in your new area, you will need to enroll in a new Part D plan. The same SEP that applies to Medicare Advantage also applies to Part D. Use the Medicare Plan Finder at Medicare.gov to compare plans available in your new ZIP code.

What Happens to Your Medigap Plan When You Move?

Medigap plans work with Original Medicare and are not tied to a specific geographic service area. In most cases, your Medigap plan will continue to cover you after you move, even if you move to a different state. However, there are a few important considerations:

• If you move to a state with different Medigap regulations (such as Massachusetts, Minnesota, or Wisconsin, which have their own standardized plans), your options may differ.

• Your monthly premium may change if your carrier adjusts rates by state.

• If you want to switch to a different Medigap plan after moving, you may need to go through medical underwriting unless you qualify for a guaranteed issue right.

Moving Out of the Country

If you are moving outside the United States, Medicare generally does not cover healthcare services received abroad. You should consider suspending or disenrolling from Medicare Part B if you will no longer be in the U.S., as you will still owe the Part B premium even if you cannot use the coverage. Contact the SSA before making this decision, as re-enrolling in Part B later may result in a late enrollment penalty.

Summary: Steps to Take When Moving With Medicare

1. Update your address with the Social Security Administration at least 30 days before your move

2. Confirm the update with Medicare directly by calling 1-800-MEDICARE or logging in to Medicare.gov

3. Contact your Medicare Advantage, Part D, or Medigap plan to update your records

4. Check whether your current Medicare Advantage or Part D plan is available in your new area

5. If your plan is not available, use your Special Enrollment Period to select a new plan

6. If moving to a new state, review Medigap rules in that state to understand your options