essential information for senior citizens planning a move, including how to maintain Medicare coverage during the transition.
If you're moving and enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan or Medicare Part D (prescription drug plan), it's essential to know that you'll need to enroll in a plan that's available within your new service area. However, if you're moving out of your Medicare Advantage plan's service area, you have guaranteed-issue rights to purchase a Medigap policy[1][2].
For those enrolled in a Medicare SELECT plan who move either to a different state or within the same state but outside the plan’s service area, guaranteed-issue rights allow you to buy a new Medigap plan. You must apply for the new Medigap policy either 60 days before or within 63 days after your Medicare SELECT coverage ends[3].
When exercising this guaranteed-issue right due to moving:
- You can buy a standardized Medigap policy from your current insurer if they sell plans in your new area and offer the same or fewer benefits. Medical underwriting is waived if you have had the Medicare SELECT plan for more than 6 months.
- You can also purchase any Medigap plan sold in your new state, including Plans A, B, D, F, G, K, or L (note: Plans C and F are generally not available if you became eligible for Medicare on or after January 1, 2020)[3].
This protection helps people continue Medigap coverage even if they move to an area where their previous Medicare Advantage or Medigap plan is not available or if the plan’s service area changes[1][3].
In some instances, the insurance company may offer the same plan in your new service area, and you may have the option to enroll in the same plan if they are accepting new members. A Medicare tool is available to find and compare providers close to your new home, making it easier to find a Medigap plan that suits your needs[4].
If you're enrolled in Original Medicare (Part A and Part B), no changes to your coverage are necessary when moving, as it can be used countywide[5]. However, if you're enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan and there aren't any Medicare Advantage plans available in the new service area or you don't want to enroll in one, you can return to Original Medicare[6].
In most cases, you can't switch your Medigap policy outside of your 6-month Medigap Open Enrollment Period, except in specific situations like moving outside of your Medigap plan's service area[7]. After moving, you should contact the Social Security Administration (SSA) to update the mailing address that Medicare has on file for you[8].
In summary, moving out of a Medicare Advantage plan’s service area or a Medigap SELECT plan’s service area triggers guaranteed-issue rights to buy a Medigap policy with limited or no medical underwriting during a defined time window around your move[1][2][3]. This protection ensures that you can maintain your coverage and continue receiving essential healthcare services even when you relocate.
[1] Medicare.gov. (2021). Moving and health care coverage. [online] Available at: https://www.medicare.gov/Pubs/pdf/10960.pdf
[2] Medicare.gov. (2021). Medigap policies: How do they work? [online] Available at: https://www.medicare.gov/sign-up-change-plans/medigap-policies/how-medigap-works.html
[3] Medicare.gov. (2021). Guaranteed-issue rights. [online] Available at: https://www.medicare.gov/sign-up-change-plans/get-parts-a-or-b/guaranteed-issue-rights.html
[4] Medicare.gov. (2021). Find a Medicare Advantage plan or Medigap policy. [online] Available at: https://www.medicare.gov/find-a-plan/
[5] Medicare.gov. (2021). Original Medicare. [online] Available at: https://www.medicare.gov/what-medicare-covers/part-a/part-a-hospital-insurance.html
[6] Medicare.gov. (2021). Returning to Original Medicare after being in a Medicare Advantage Plan. [online] Available at: https://www.medicare.gov/sign-up-change-plans/get-parts-a-or-b/returning-to-original-medicare-after-being-in-a-medicare-advantage-plan.html
[7] Medicare.gov. (2021). Medigap Open Enrollment Period. [online] Available at: https://www.medicare.gov/sign-up-change-plans/medigap-policies/medigap-open-enrollment-period.html
[8] Medicare.gov. (2021). Change your address. [online] Available at: https://www.ssa.gov/myaccount/changeAddress/
- A person can exercise their guaranteed-issue rights to purchase a Medigap policy if they are moving out of a Medicare SELECT plan's service area and have had the plan for more than six months, allowing them to buy a standardized Medigap policy from their current insurer or any Medigap plan sold in their new state, including plans like A, B, D, F, G, K, or L.
- In the event of aging or changes in health-and-wellness needs, a person can utilize science-based healthcare services under their Medicare coverage, with essential healthcare services being guaranteed even when they relocate due to the protection offered by the guaranteed-issue rights for those moving out of a Medicare Advantage plan’s or Medigap SELECT plan’s service area.
