I live in California but might move to another state next year. How will my Medicare coverage change if I relocate?

Question

James Schneider · Accepted Answer

When you move outside of your current coverage, you have a special enrollment period. Allows you 3 months after your move to select a plan Example: Move in June you have July 1, August 1 and September 1

Answered by James Schneider on April 14, 2025

Broker Licensed in OH, FL & MI

Answered by James Schneider Medicare Insurance Agent

Michael Denniston · Answer

Medicare is accepted anywhere in country by Doctors and Facilities that accept Medicare. You want, Medicare and Social Security to have your correct address always of course. If you have a Medicare Advantage plan you will need to find a plan thats available in that region. You have 60 days to update your plan in the new region. If you have Medicare and a Medicare Supplement there is no need to change plans. Just update your address with the carrier. For more details call.

Answered by Michael Denniston on May 27, 2025

Agent Licensed in FL, AL, AR & 11 other states

Answered by Michael Denniston Medicare Insurance Agent

Mary Turner · Answer

If you're on a Medicare advantage plan and you move out of the plan's service area, you will need to change your plan to a local one. If you're on a Medicare supplement with a drug plan you will only need to change your drug plan because the supplement is portable. The time allotted to make a change due to a move is 63 days.

Answered by Mary Turner on May 26, 2025

Broker Licensed in FL

Answered by Mary Turner Medicare Insurance Agent

Joseph Barrows · Answer

With Medicare Advantage plans, if you move to a new service area, outside your current county, CMS gives you 63 days to investigate Medicare Advantage plans and enroll in a new plan in the new area.  The new plan would begin at the beginning of the next month.
If you have a Medicare Supplement plan, you may be able to keep it as is and have a change in premiums due to the new zip code you move to.  Each carrier has rules that you need to follow.

Eddie Tune · Answer

you will have the ability to choose anothe plan available for the zipcode that you move to....I am licensed in over 22 states, you can get in touch with me and I can help you then?

Timothy Brown · Answer

Medicare is a federal health insurance program so it will not change but the type of additional coverage such as a Medicare Advantage plan may be affected. If you're enrolled in a Medicare Supplement, only the monthly premium will be affected.

Answered by Timothy Brown on April 15, 2025

Broker Licensed in PA, CT, DE & 15 other states

Answered by Timothy Brown Medicare Insurance Agent

Joseph Peck · Answer

If you have a supplement, there is no need to change, supplements are good throughout the United States. You would only need to look at a new drug plan for the area you move to. If an advantage plan, it will need to be changed due to the move.

Answered by Joseph Peck on May 27, 2025

Agent Licensed in MI, AL, CO, KS & TN

Answered by Joseph Peck Medicare Insurance Agent

Deb Haley · Answer

There is a special enrollment. When you move out of your residential area in which you have 60 days to re-enroll in a new plan.

Rick Boyd · Answer

Moving to another state, you will have a special enrollment period,( 1 month before and 2 months after your move) you will most likely have to change your coverage. Keep in mind that even if you have a Supplement plan, you may have to change companies, your coverage will not change, but you may have a change in premium. For those with Medicare Advantage plans your coverage and company may have to change.

Answered by Rick Boyd on June 23, 2025

Broker Licensed in KY, AZ, CA & OH, TN, TX & UT

Answered by Rick Boyd Medicare Insurance Agent

Janet Cruz · Answer

Medicare parts A and B is portable in all 50 states which means it doesn’t change. 

If you have a Medicare Advantage Plan, a Medicare Supplements or a Part D they are all state specific. You may have to change your plan based on the state you move to if you have any of these. 

Otherwise, just update Social Security with your address.

Dionisio Guillermo · Answer

When you relocate from California to another state, your Medicare coverage may change in the following ways:

1. **Original Medicare (Part A and Part B)**: If you're enrolled in Original Medicare, your coverage will remain the same regardless of which state you live in. However, you should update your address with Social Security to ensure that you receive important information and correspondence.

2. **Medicare Advantage Plans (Part C)**: If you have a Medicare Advantage plan, your coverage may change significantly since these plans are often network-based and vary by location. You will need to check if your current plan operates in the new state and may have to select a new plan during the Medicare Open Enrollment Period.

3. **Medicare Prescription Drug Coverage (Part D)**: Similar to Medicare Advantage plans, Part D plans can vary by region. If you move, you’ll need to see if your current plan is available in your new area or if you need to choose a new plan.

4. **Enrollment Periods**: If you move, you may qualify for a Special Enrollment Period, allowing you to switch your Medicare Advantage or Part D plans outside of the regular enrollment periods.

Be sure to research your options in your new state and consider contacting Medicare or a licensed insurance agent for personalized guidance.

Jeremy Purse · Answer

We will look up which companies are available in the new zip code you are moving to. If there is a particular Medical Group or doctor you would like to have, we can confirm which plans they accept. Finally, we will compare costs and extra benefits to narrow in on a new plan that is right for you.

Answered by Jeremy Purse on May 13, 2025

Broker Licensed in CA, AL, AZ & 5 other states

Answered by Jeremy Purse Medicare Insurance Agent

Fred Manas · Answer

If you're enrolled in Original Medicare (Part A and Part B), your coverage remains the same regardless of where you move within the United States. However, if you have a Medicare Advantage (Part C) or Part D prescription drug plan, your coverage and costs could change, as these plans have specific service areas. You may need to switch to a new plan in your new location. 
Original Medicare (Part A and Part B):
No change in benefits: Original Medicare is a federal program, so your benefits stay the same when you move, as long as you're still in the United States. 
Find new providers: You'll need to find doctors and hospitals in your new area that accept Medicare. 
Notify Social Security: Inform the Social Security Administration of your address change. 
Medicare Advantage (Part C) and Part D:
Service areas:
Medicare Advantage and Part D plans have specific service areas. If you move outside your plan's service area, you'll need to switch to a new plan available in your new location. 
Special Enrollment Period:
You'll have a Special Enrollment Period (SEP) to make changes to your coverage when you move, starting the month before you move and ending two months after. 
Switching Plans:
You can switch to a new plan during this SEP, or during the Annual Enrollment Period (October 15 to December 7). 
Notify your plan:
It's important to notify your current plan provider of your move. 
Additional Considerations:
Medigap:
.
If you have a Medigap plan, you can generally take it with you to a new state. 
Medicare Savings Programs (MSPs):
.
These are state-specific, so your MSP may not transfer to your new state. You'll need to reapply in your new location.

Steve Brauer · Answer

This answer is provided in a video format. Watch the agent's video response here: https://medicareagentshub.com/questions/i-live-in-california-but-might-move-to-another-state-next-year-how-will-my-medicare-coverage-change-if-i-relocate#steve-brauer

Deborah Webster · Answer

Original Medicare is the same regardless of what state you reside in. Your supplemental plans will have to change to what is offered in the state you reside in. You will want to contact your agent or your plan to find out what is provided in the state you are relocating to.

Answered by Deborah Webster on April 17, 2025

Broker Licensed in Ia & SC

Answered by Deborah Webster Medicare Insurance Agent

Toni Chavez · Answer

Good morning & Happy 4th of July!   It depends what Medicare coverage you have.  I'll break it down by each.  

It depends on the type of Medicare coverage you have. Here’s a quick breakdown:

 Original Medicare (Part A & B):
You’ll just need to notify Social Security of your new address. Your coverage travels with you—nothing else changes.

Medicare Supplement (Medigap):
Notify Social Security and your Medigap carrier. The plan itself won’t change, but your monthly premium may adjust based on your new zip code. You’ll also need to select a new Part D (Prescription Drug Plan) that’s available in your new state/county.

Medicare Advantage (Part C) and/or Part D (PDP) Plans:
These plans are based on where you live. Once you update your address with Social Security, you’ll qualify for a Special Enrollment Period (SEP) to choose a new plan in your new area.
Hope this explains

Thanks,

Linda Davies · Answer

When you move to a different state, your Medicare Part A and Part B will not change in terms of medical and hospital coverage, but available plan options and costs will vary based on the state you live in and companies that sell the plans there.

An agent can assist you with important steps to take to avoid a disruption in coverage.  

You will also need to find doctors and healthcare professionals that participate in your new plan’s network as well.  An agent can help with that too.  

To find out how to connect with a local Medicare office once you have moved to a new state, call 800-MEDICARE.

We’ve got you covered on both ends!

Mary Salmon · Answer

Medicare plans are based on location, specifically ZIP Codes. Not all plans are available in all ZIP Codes. So when you move from one county to another county or one state to another state, it is very important that you speak with a licensed agent to find a plan in your new ZIP Code.

Answered by Mary Salmon on April 9, 2025

Broker Licensed in TX & OK

Answered by Mary Salmon Medicare Insurance Agent

William Scott · Answer

The easiest route is to confirm with youre current carrier offers a plan identical to or similar to what you currently have. 

If your carrier does not service your new county or zip code, you would want to consider consulting a Medicare Advantage and Supplement Broker in your new county to see what similar plans are available. 

Your coverage could change slitght more or significantly less depending on the zip code and county you're relocating to.

Charles Borg · Answer

If you’re in Standard Medicare you don’t have to do anything. If you’re in an Advantage Plan, you’re probably going to have to join a new plan.

Robert Simm · Answer

This is a great question and it's very common for seniors to move closer to family members. There would be no change on your Medicare coverage because it follows you, and it doesn't matter the states in which you will move to. If you're on a Medicare supplemental plan the you do not have to do anything if you like. I would recommend shopping the supplement of plan because the premiums can be based on the community which you will move from. It is possible that you might be on that type of plan I would call your carrier to find out or your health insurance broker. If you are on a Medicare Advantage plan and then yes you will need to change into a another make Advantage plan based in your new zip code and county. If you have original Medicare and a prescription drug plan and then you would need to change your prescription drug plan.

Answered by Robert Simm on April 9, 2025

Broker Licensed in NC, AL, AR & 15 other states

Answered by Robert Simm Medicare Insurance Agent

Kelly Linster · Answer

It depends on what plan you already have in place. If it’s a Medicare Advantage plan you will mostly get a Special Election Period (SEP) to choose a new one from the state you move to; if you chose a Medicare Supplement most likely you will not have to do anything other than a change of address.

Answered by Kelly Linster on May 10, 2025

Agent Licensed in ND, AZ, CO, IA & SD

Answered by Kelly Linster Medicare Insurance Agent

Jami Mead · Answer

Once you relocate to a new area you will have to check out the plans doctors and Facilities to make sure that everyone is in network. It is always wise to look at what you have available to you when you go to the new areas but most of the time your benefits will stay the same.

Answered by Jami Mead on July 7, 2025

Broker Licensed in OH, FL, GA & 11 other states

Answered by Jami Mead Medicare Insurance Agent

Lesley Burns · Answer

If you choose to relocate, your Medicare coverage will change dependent on the service area in which you relocate.

Curtis Stoner · Answer

That's a good question. If you have a Medicare Advantage plan or a stand alone PDP they are county specific so you will need to change plans. If you have a Medicare Supplement you can just call and update your address. Depending on where you are moving there could be a change in the premium you pay for your Medicare Supplement.

Answered by Curtis Stoner on June 24, 2025

Broker Licensed in TN, KY & LA

Answered by Curtis Stoner Medicare Insurance Agent

Donald Baker · Answer

You will bring your current plan with you for a limited period of time, once you change your formal state of residency you will need to change plans. 

That will depend on plans available in your new state.

Penny Wegner · Answer

Medicare Part A and B will not change. If you have a Medicare Supplement your plan will follow you to your next state. Watch your premium, that could go up or down but coverage will stay the same. If you have an Advantage Plan you will need to contact an Agent in the State you are moving to, that Plan will change. You will want to make sure your physician's and prescriptions are covered.

Answered by Penny Wegner on April 15, 2025

Agent Licensed in WI, CA, CO & 8 other states

Answered by Penny Wegner Medicare Insurance Agent

Roseann Vandevender · Answer

When you relocate to your new home location you are eligible for a SEP (special enrollment period) . This will allow you to choose a Med Supplement or Medicare Advantage plan that is available in your new home zip code. It is best to get it done ASPP your only eligible for the SEP for 60 days (I Beleive)

Answered by Roseann Vandevender on May 26, 2025

Agent Licensed in OH, AZ, CO & TX

Answered by Roseann Vandevender Medicare Insurance Agent

Jake McGeoy · Answer

When you move, you should notify social security (Which will update Medicare as well) for your new address.  This will start a chain of events that will require you to choose a new Part D or Medicare Advantage (whichever you currently use) that will be available in the new county/state of residence. 
If you reach out to a broker like myself, we can walk you through the process and timeline, and advise on what options this provides you in terms of changing the type of coverage that you have.  Each state has different options and laws regarding them.

I live in California but might move to another state next year. How will my Medicare coverage change if I relocate?

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