Moving With Medicare: Does My Coverage Move With Me?

Medicare Advantage and Part D plans have specific provider networks based on location, so you'll usually need to find a new plan in the area you're moving to.

When you move and have Original Medicare, the process is fairly easy — you just need to notify the Social Security Administration of your new address. You can use any hospital or doctor that takes Medicare wherever you live in the U.S.

If you have Medigap coverage, you generally can transfer your plan to a new state, but your monthly payment may change.

You can keep Medicare if you move outside the U.S., but in most cases, you won't be able to use your benefits in a foreign country. If you are moving out of the country temporarily or plan to return to the U.S. frequently, you may want to keep your Medicare and use it when you visit the U.S. or move back permanently.

Moving with Original Medicare

Any time you move, you should contact Social Security or the Railroad Retirement Board to update the mailing address that Medicare has on file.

Once you move within the U.S., you can use any doctor or hospital that accepts Medicare. Original Medicare has participating providers across the country, and you can use any hospital or doctor that takes Medicare.

If you need help finding a new doctor that accepts Medicare, you can use the Medicare Physician Compare tool for a list of providers.

Moving across the country with a Medicare supplement

But what you pay for your Medicare supplement plan may change, because states determine Medigap premiums differently.

If you want to switch to a different Medigap policy when you move from state to state, you'll need to check with your current or new insurance company to see if they will offer you a different policy and when you should apply. If you decide to switch, you may have to pay more for your new Medigap policy or answer some medical questions when you apply for your new plan.

You can’t keep your current Medicare supplement if you’re moving to Massachusetts, Minnesota or Wisconsin, as those states have their own Medigap plans. If this is the case, you’ll have the chance to apply for a new Medigap plan. Contact your new state's insurance department for more information on plan options and how to apply.

Moving with a Medicare Advantage plan or Medicare Part D plan

If you're moving and you have Medicare Advantage or a Part D plan, you’ll need to find out what plans are sold in the area you're moving to. You can get information about your options using the Medicare Plan Finder.

Moving to a new address outside of my current plan's service area

If you move outside your plan's service area, you must select a new plan.

You can switch to a new Medicare Advantage plan or Medicare Part D plan or return to Original Medicare.

When you join a Medicare Advantage plan in your new state, your old Medicare Advantage plan will be canceled automatically after the new coverage begins.

To return to Original Medicare, contact your current plan provider or call 800-633-4227. If you switch from Medicare Advantage to Original Medicare when you move, you have the right to buy a Medigap Plan A, B, D, G, K or L that’s sold by any insurance company in your state.

Your new Medigap insurer is required to accept you and cover your preexisting health conditions. The company cannot charge you more due to any preexisting conditions. Medigap plans do not pay for prescriptions, so unless you have other drug coverage, you should consider adding a Medicare Part D plan to help with those costs.

When should I notify my plan?

If you tell your current plan provider before you move, your chance to switch begins the month before you move, includes the month you move and continues for two full months after you move.

If you tell your plan provider after you move, your chance to switch plans begins the month you tell your provider, plus two more full months.

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Moving within my plan's service area but have new Medicare Advantage options in my new location

When you move within your current plan's service area, you can still switch plans if there are new Medicare Advantage or Part D choices in your new location.

You're not required to change and can keep your current plan. In that case, you just need to provide your new address to Social Security.

When should I notify my plan?

If you tell your current plan provider before you move, your chance to switch begins the month before you move, includes the month you move and continues for two full months after you move.

If you tell your plan provider after you move, your chance to switch plans begins the month you tell your provider, plus two more full months.

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Moving into or out of a skilled nursing facility or long-term care hospital

Moving into or out of a skilled nursing or long-term care facility opens several options for switching or dropping a Medicare Advantage or Part D plan. You can:

You can join, switch or drop coverage for as long as you live in the facility and for two full months after the month you leave the facility.

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Can I keep Medicare if I move to another country?

While living abroad, you can choose to keep your Medicare plan active. However, you generally can't use it to receive care, even though you'll have to continue paying premiums; the main reason to keep it active is to make it easier to resume coverage whenever you return to the U.S.

Since Medicare doesn't work well outside the U.S., you may want to switch to a cheaper plan the next time you're eligible. You can switch plans during one of the Medicare open enrollment periods (OEPs) or if you qualify for an SEP. If you never intend to return to the U.S., it's likely best for you to cancel Medicare altogether, as there's no benefit to keeping it active.

Returning to the U.S.

If you maintain Medicare while living outside the U.S. you'll be able to rejoin a Medicare Advantage plan or a Medicare Part D plan when you return to the U.S. You also have the option to keep Original Medicare.

You have two full months after the month you move back to the U.S. to apply for Medicare Advantage or Medicare Part D. For example, if you move June 15, you have until Aug. 31 to enroll in a plan.

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Frequently asked questions

Methodology and sources

The rules and requirements for changing Medicare plans based on a move were obtained from Medicare.gov and CMS.gov.