What happens to my Medicare coverage if I move to a U.S. territory like Guam or the Virgin Islands?

Question

Angie Templin · Accepted Answer

Original Medicare will work in U.S. territories. If you have a Medicare Advantage plan, you will likely need to change plans when you move. Medicare allows a Special Election Period when you move to a new area.

Answered by Angie Templin on May 5, 2025

Broker Licensed in TX

Answered by Angie Templin Medicare Insurance Agent

Gary Church · Answer

Yes, It depends on whether you are on original Medicare or on a Medicare Advantage plan. If you are on original Medicare Part A & B, you're covered. If you have a Medicare supplement, you need to let the carrier know your new address. If you're on a Medicare Advantage plan, you'll need to find a new Medicare Advantage plan or go back to original Medicare.

Answered by Gary Church on September 12, 2025

Broker Licensed in Ca, AZ, NV & TX

Answered by Gary Church Medicare Insurance Agent

Steve and Sue Brauer · Answer

Hi, thanks for watching. So the question is, what happens to someone's Medicare coverage if they move to a U.S. territory like Guam or the Virgin Islands? A couple of things. If you're on a Medicare Advantage plan and you move to Guam or a territory, it's not going to be applicable. You're going to have to move or segue back into original Medicare, which is A and B. The supplements, I'm not sure how they operate in Guam, but typically if you have one in the States already and you move to a territory, they will probably stay in effect, but they may adjust what you pay each month for it. But again, check with your Medicare broker. And honestly, if I was moving to Guam or the Virgin Islands, I would go down to Social Security and let them know that and find out what that looks like with them because they're going to be the first people that you need to check with and tell them where you're going to be moving to. That's definitely good advice, at least to start out with.

Mark Bilgere · Answer

If you move to a U.S. territory and are on a Medicare Advantage plan, you will be dropped from that plan and return to Original Medicare. You will be able to add a Part D prescription plan.

Medicare supplements may be available. However, they are not regulated the same as in the 50 states and all plans may not be available.

Daniel Brechin · Answer

You will be fine your Medicare in the islands is the same. However, I don't know when you will do this you may need to change plans for your Medicare. To get a local plan. If you are on a supplement ck around you may fine or is more expensive for a different Supplement

Answered by Daniel Brechin on March 2, 2026

Agent Licensed in AL, FL, KY, MS & TN

Answered by Daniel Brechin Medicare Insurance Agent

Norman Smith · Answer

Territories are treated as all states would be, so your Original Medicare or your Medicare Advantage plans would work there. 
You f you have a Supplemental plan to your Original Medicare, that would be accepted as well.

Renee Brown · Answer

No matter where you live in the United States or our territories, you can receive Medicare Part A and Part B. This means your basic inpatient and outpatient care will be paid for through the original Medicare program, and your coverage for Medicare parts A and B will not change if you move out of state

Answered by Renee Brown on May 12, 2025

Broker Licensed in FL, AL, AR & 32 other states

Answered by Renee Brown Medicare Insurance Agent

Derek Rogers · Answer

Original Medicare (Part A and B) covers you in U.S. territories—Guam, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, American Samoa, and the Northern Mariana Islands—just as it does in the 50 states. However, Medicare Advantage and Part D plans are often not available in these territories, so you may lose that coverage and must return to Original Medicare.

Answered by Derek Rogers on February 2, 2026

Broker Licensed in FL

Answered by Derek Rogers Medicare Insurance Agent

Robert Vaughan, R.Ph., MBA · Answer

Original Medicare provides access to healthcare services throughout the United States. This encompasses all 50 states, the District of Columbia, as well as the territories of Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, and American Samoa.

Answered by Robert Vaughan, R.Ph., MBA on May 6, 2025

Broker Licensed in CA, AZ, ID, NM, NV & TX

Answered by Robert Vaughan, R.Ph., MBA Medicare Insurance Agent

James ONeal · Answer

If you have Original Medicare (Parts A & B), your coverage extends to U.S. territories like Guam and the U.S. Virgin Islands. 

This means you can receive care from any provider or facility that accepts Medicare in those territories.

Corey Schuler · Answer

Medicare is available in US territories, including the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the US Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, and the Northern Mariana Islands. If you have an Advantage plan or a Part D drug plan, you would need to sign up for a new plan. If you have original Medicare with a Medigap plan, simply notify the plan of your move.

Answered by Corey Schuler on July 28, 2025

Broker Licensed in TX, AL, AR & 10 other states

Answered by Corey Schuler Medicare Insurance Agent

Michelle Simonds · Answer

Original Medicare (Parts A and B) still covers you in U.S. Territories. However, Medicare Advantage and Part D plans may not be available or may require switching to a local plan. It is important to report your move and review your new coverage options. I can help guide you through the process.

Answered by Michelle Simonds on May 5, 2025

Agent Licensed in PA, FL & NY

Answered by Michelle Simonds Medicare Insurance Agent

Steven Bleicher · Answer

Any US territory like those mentioned do retain all Medicare privileges as though you lived on the mainland. No problem!

Mary Salmon · Answer

If you have Original Medicare with a medigap plan, you do not need to make any changes to your coverage. However, Medicare Advantage plans are region-specific so if you move from state to state or to a US territory, you will need to change plans to find a plan available in your new area.

Answered by Mary Salmon on May 6, 2025

Broker Licensed in TX & OK

Answered by Mary Salmon Medicare Insurance Agent

Kilolo Thomas · Answer

No, you do not lose Medicare, however, services outside of the country are not covered.  
If you are just visiting, some supplemental and advantage plans may cover emergency services.  Other than that, no services will be covered.

Fred Manas · Answer

If you have Original Medicare, you have coverage anywhere in the U.S. and its territories. This includes all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, and the Northern Mariana Islands. Most doctors and hospitals take Original Medicare.

Answered by Fred Manas on May 4, 2025

Agent Licensed in NY, CT, DC & 7 other states

Answered by Fred Manas Medicare Insurance Agent

Gary Henderson · Answer

Yes, medicare and medicare supplements will cover you in all us states and territories. Medicare advantage plan coverage depends on the insurance company network availability. PPO plans, POS plans are still covered as out of network but you pay higher out of network rates.

Answered by Gary Henderson on July 21, 2025

Agent Licensed in TX, AK, AL & 46 other states

Answered by Gary Henderson Medicare Insurance Agent

Andrew Kramer · Answer

That depends on what coverage you have. A supplement is valid in all 50 states and US territories. An Advantage plan will need to be changed to one at your new location. Or you can return to Original Medicare and buy a supplement. Due to the move, you will have a guarantee issue for the supplement, but the price will be based on your age.

Answered by Andrew Kramer on August 5, 2025

Agent Licensed in FL

Answered by Andrew Kramer Medicare Insurance Agent

Marcie Barnes · Answer

Medicare and Medicaid plans for Guam and the US Virgin Islands (USVI) are administered differently from the 50 states, with both territories having their own SHIP (State Health Insurance Assistance Program) resources and local Medicaid programs. You can get information about Medicare plans for the USVI from the Virgin Islands SHIP (VI SHIP) and for Guam from the Guam SHIP, both of which are federally funded by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). For Medicaid, contact the local Medicaid office or the territory's Department of Health and Human Services.

Answered by Marcie Barnes on September 10, 2025

Agent Licensed in TX, AK, AL & 48 other states

Answered by Marcie Barnes Medicare Insurance Agent

Todd Bostic · Answer

In an emergency, your Medicare Advantage would work when you first got there, but you would have to see if there is any other option available to you when you got there because typically most plans will not move to a territory.

Answered by Todd Bostic on July 1, 2025

Broker Licensed in TX, AL, AZ & 12 other states

Answered by Todd Bostic Medicare Insurance Agent

Sam Silva · Answer

If you move to a U.S. territory, Original Medicare still covers you.

Medicare Advantage and Part D plans may not be available, so you could lose those.

Territorial programs may offer limited drug coverage instead.

John Motsinger · Answer

Original Medicare will over you in Guam, and the US Virgin Islands. However, please note that Medicare advantage only has limited coverage near the US border.

Dominic Javier · Answer

Moving to U.S. territories will allow you to retain your Original Medicare coverages. However, Medicare Advantage is geographic specific, that is, certain territories where you are moving in may have limited or no coverage at all.

Answered by Dominic Javier on January 5, 2026

Broker Licensed in TX

Answered by Dominic Javier Medicare Insurance Agent

Jeremy Watson · Answer

As long as you reside in a US Territory, Medicare A and B will cover you. If you have a Medicare Advantage plan, you will likely have limitations of coverage. If you have a Medigap plan, coverage would continue as is.

Answered by Jeremy Watson on July 30, 2025

Broker Licensed in IN, FL, KY & MI, OH, SC & TN

Answered by Jeremy Watson Medicare Insurance Agent

Jajuan Knox · Answer

If you move to a U.S. territory like Guam or the Virgin Islands, your Original Medicare coverage will usually still be available, but Medicare Advantage and Part D plans may not operate in those areas. You may need to choose a new plan based on what is offered locally, and it’s important to update your address and review your options through the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services to avoid gaps in coverage.

Answered by Jajuan Knox on February 19, 2026

Broker Licensed in FL, AK, AL & 49 other states

Answered by Jajuan Knox Medicare Insurance Agent

Humara Riaz · Answer

Thank you for asking 
This is Humara Riaz license insurance agent.
When you will move, please contact me 
I will help you to change your plan according to the area code. The coverage you have currently, might not have same plan or coverage on your new location then we need to change the plan.
Hope you understand. You can call directly to get more information.

Brenda Skasko · Answer

Your Original Medicare (Part A and Part B) coverage continues, as these are U.S. territories where Original Medicare is accepted. If you have a Medicare Advantage plan, you must switch to a new plan available in your new location. This is called a SCP, special enrollment. There are limitations in regards to the timelines of your move, and switching plans.

Answered by Brenda Skasko on November 16, 2025

Broker Licensed in DE, MD & PA

Answered by Brenda Skasko Medicare Insurance Agent

Tameeka Johnson · Answer

Your Medicare coverage does not automatically follow you in the same way when you move to a U.S. territory. While you can keep your Medicare Part A (Hospital Insurance), your coverage for Part B (Medical Insurance) and Part D (Prescription Drug Coverage) will be significantly affected, and your access to healthcare will be affected.  Providers who accept Medicare will be extremely limited. 
1. Contact Medicare Directly: Call 1-800-MEDICARE. They are the definitive source for the most current rules and can tell you about any provider options in your specific destination.
2. Contact Your Plans: Inform your Part D, Medicare Advantage, and/or Medigap plan providers about your move. They will explain the disenrollment process and your eligibility for a Special Enrollment Period.
3. Research Local Healthcare: Before you move, contact the Department of Public Health or the major hospitals in the territory (e.g., Guam Memorial Hospital, Schneider Regional Medical Center in the Virgin Islands) to understand how they handle patients with U.S. Medicare. Ask specific questions about billing and reimbursement.
4. Investigate Local Insurance Options: Look into the local health insurance market in the territory. You will likely need to purchase a local private health insurance policy 
For more detailed information, contact us.

Gabrielle Sones · Answer

You will need to review with a broker beforehand because you may or may not need to make changes to your current plan.

China Conley · Answer

You will still have Medicare coverage but if you have a Medicare advantage plan. It will be canceled and you will have to find one where you are newly located at.

Jemeel Adams · Answer

Your original medicare would continue work. It would be Medigap and Part C that would have some issues.

Nikki Bagley · Answer

Medicare's part a and part b will go with you. If you have a part c you will go through the same process just as if you are moving to a new zip code. Medicare Gap or Medicare supplements also go with you however your premiums could change with your new address.

Answered by Nikki Bagley on January 19, 2026

Broker Licensed in FL, AL, MD, OH, SC & VA

Answered by Nikki Bagley Medicare Insurance Agent

What happens to my Medicare coverage if I move to a U.S. territory like Guam or the Virgin Islands?

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