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

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, 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.

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

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 & 16 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

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

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.

Humara Riaz · Answer

Thank you for asking 
This is Humara Riaz license insurance agent.
When you will move please contact me @ 6825971131
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 derictaly to get more information.

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.

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

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.

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.

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

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

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