How Medicare Works When You Move to a New State

Relocating to a new state is a big life decision, whether you're moving to be closer to family, enjoy a new climate, or start the next chapter of retirement. Amid all the excitement and planning, it’s crucial to consider how your Medicare coverage might be affected by your move.

Even though Medicare is a federal program, some parts of your coverage—especially those offered through private insurers—can change when you cross state lines. Understanding how these changes work can help you avoid coverage disruptions and ensure you’re getting the benefits you need in your new home state.

What Doesn’t Change When You Move

If you’re enrolled in Original Medicare (Part A and Part B), the core of your coverage remains the same no matter where you live in the United States. These parts of Medicare are run by the federal government, not by individual states, which means your benefits under Parts A and B stay intact when you move.

You won’t need to re-enroll in either part, and your monthly premiums won’t change based on your new location. Whether you receive care in Florida or Oregon, Medicare will still cover your services the same way.

However, most people with Medicare also have additional coverage—such as a Medicare Advantage plan, a standalone Part D drug plan, or a Medigap policy. These are the parts of your coverage that can be impacted by a change in your address.

What Could Change When You Relocate

Medicare Advantage plans (Part C), Medicare Part D drug plans, and Medigap (Medicare Supplement) policies are offered by private insurance companies. These plans are often regionally based, which means their availability, pricing, and provider networks can vary significantly from one state to another.

If you have a Medicare Advantage plan, you’ll likely need to switch to a new plan that operates in your new location. These plans usually have localized networks of doctors and hospitals, and moving out of the coverage area means your current plan can no longer serve you.

Similarly, Part D prescription drug plans are designed around local pharmacy networks and drug formularies. That means your existing drug plan might not be available—or suitable—in your new state. Even if the plan exists nationwide, its pricing and coverage details can vary by region.

As for Medigap, the standardized benefits remain consistent nationwide, but pricing, underwriting rules, and availability can differ. Some states have more consumer-friendly rules for switching Medigap plans, while others require medical underwriting unless you qualify for a guaranteed issue right.

Preparing for the Move

To avoid any coverage gaps or unnecessary complications, it’s best to start preparing before you relocate. One of your first steps should be updating your address with the Social Security Administration and with Medicare. This ensures that all correspondence and important documents are sent to the right place.

You’ll also want to contact your current Medicare Advantage, Part D, or Medigap provider to find out how your move will affect your coverage. In many cases, your plan will end once you leave the coverage area, but knowing your options ahead of time gives you a head start in selecting new coverage.

If you're seeing doctors or taking prescriptions regularly, it’s wise to request a copy of your medical records and prescriptions. This can help your new healthcare providers get up to speed quickly and reduce the risk of delays or coverage issues.

What Happens to Medicare Advantage Plans

Medicare Advantage plans have defined service areas—usually limited to specific counties or states. If your move takes you outside your plan’s coverage area, you won’t be able to keep your current plan. However, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) allows you a Special Enrollment Period (SEP) so you can switch to a new plan without waiting for the next Annual Enrollment Period.

This SEP begins the month before your move and continues for two full months after you’ve moved. During this time, you can choose a new Medicare Advantage plan available in your new location or go back to Original Medicare and select a standalone Part D drug plan.

Failing to act within the SEP window could leave you temporarily without coverage, so it’s important to review and select a plan as soon as possible.

What to Know About Medicare Part D Drug Plans

If you have a standalone Medicare Part D prescription drug plan, you’ll likely need to change plans when you move. Part D plans, like Medicare Advantage plans, are based on regional service areas. That means your current plan may not be available in your new ZIP code.

Even if your plan exists in the new area, you’ll want to verify that your prescriptions are still covered and that your preferred pharmacies remain in-network. Drug formularies, pharmacy networks, and out-of-pocket costs can differ even between similar plans.

Just like with Medicare Advantage, moving to a new state triggers a Special Enrollment Period for Part D. You’ll have two months after your move to choose a new drug plan. During this time, it’s important to compare plans carefully, especially if you rely on specific medications.

How Medigap Coverage Is Affected

Medigap policies are designed to supplement Original Medicare by helping cover costs like deductibles, copays, and coinsurance. While the benefits of each Medigap plan type (like Plan G or Plan N) are standardized across the country, other factors are not.

Each state regulates Medigap pricing differently. For example, some states use community-rated pricing where everyone pays the same premium, while others use issue-age or attained-age pricing models, which can increase as you get older. Additionally, certain plans might not be available in your new state at all.

In most cases, you can keep your current Medigap policy if you're staying with Original Medicare, but it’s always best to check with your insurance company. If you’d like to switch to a different Medigap plan, you may be subject to medical underwriting unless you qualify for a guaranteed issue right, which varies by state.

Some states, like Connecticut and New York, allow year-round Medigap switching without underwriting. Others only offer guaranteed rights during specific situations, such as moving out of a Medicare Advantage service area or if your plan ends coverage.

Understanding the Special Enrollment Period (SEP)

Whenever you move to a new location that’s outside the service area of your Medicare Advantage or Part D plan, you become eligible for a Special Enrollment Period. This is a limited window of time during which you can change your coverage without waiting for the fall Annual Enrollment Period.

The SEP begins the month before your move and continues for two full months after. During this time, you can:

• Switch from one Medicare Advantage plan to another

• Disenroll from a Medicare Advantage plan and return to Original Medicare

• Enroll in a standalone Part D plan

• Apply for a Medigap plan (though this may involve underwriting)

Using this window wisely ensures that you won’t go without prescription or medical coverage in your new state.

Moving with Medicaid or Extra Help

If you're receiving both Medicare and Medicaid (dual eligibility), a move to a new state can have bigger implications. Medicaid is run by individual states, so your eligibility and benefits will not carry over.

You’ll need to reapply for Medicaid in your new state, which could mean gathering financial documentation and undergoing a new eligibility review. Each state sets its own income and asset limits, so qualifying in one state doesn’t automatically mean you’ll qualify in another.

The same applies to programs like Extra Help (Low-Income Subsidy), which helps reduce prescription drug costs. You may still qualify after your move, but your benefit level could change.

Because these transitions can be complex, working with a Medicare specialist is especially important if you rely on Medicaid or Extra Help benefits.

Make the Move Easier

Relocating is stressful enough without having to worry about your healthcare. To ensure a smooth transition, start planning as early as possible. Notify Medicare and Social Security of your new address, reach out to your current plan providers, and begin comparing new options in your destination state.

It’s also helpful to contact healthcare providers in your new area to confirm whether they accept Medicare or participate in the plans you’re considering. Doing this in advance reduces the risk of being caught off guard after your move.

At Local Medicare Specialists, we work with people across the country every day to help them navigate Medicare—especially during major life changes like moving. We can guide you through your Special Enrollment Period, help you compare new plans in your new area, and ensure that you don’t experience a gap in coverage.

Whether you're moving tomorrow or six months from now, our team of licensed agents is here to provide free, personalized support every step of the way.