Moving with Medicare: what happens to your coverage

Original Medicare moves with you

Part A and Part B work anywhere in the U.S. Just update your address with Social Security so your mail and premium bills follow you.

Medicare Advantage and Part D plans are local

These plans serve a specific area. If you move out of your plan's service area, or to a place in the area with different plan options, you get a Special Enrollment Period to switch plans or return to Original Medicare:

• If you tell your plan before you move, your window starts the month before you move and lasts 2 full months after you move.
• If you tell your plan after you move, it starts when you move (or tell the plan) and lasts 2 full months after.
• If you don't pick a new Medicare Advantage plan, you'll go back to Original Medicare when your old plan drops you. Make sure you still have drug coverage.

Medigap usually stays with you

A Medigap policy generally keeps covering you after a move, though the premium may change based on your new location. Medicare SELECT policies, which use networks, are the exception. If you leave a Medicare Advantage plan because you moved out of its area, you have a federal right to buy certain Medigap plans without health questions, usually within 63 days after that coverage ends.

Other moves

• Back to the U.S. from abroad: you can join a Medicare Advantage or drug plan for 2 full months after the month you move back.
• Into or out of a nursing home: you can join, switch or drop plans while you live there and for 2 full months after you move out.

Moving to a new state can also change your Medigap switching rights; see state Medigap rules.