Moving and Medicare – What Happens to Your Plan When You Move

Moving is a lot. Boxes, utilities, change of address. Medicare should be on that list too.

Here's the quick version. Original Medicare goes wherever you go in the U.S. But Medicare Advantage and Part D drug plans are tied to where you live. If you move out of your plan's service area, you'll need to pick a new plan, and there's a deadline.

Let's walk through it, including what happens when folks move across the Missouri–Kansas line.

The mental model: some coverage is portable, some is local

Split your coverage into two piles.

Portable: - Original Medicare (Parts A and B). Any doctor or hospital in the U.S. that takes Medicare. - A Medicare Supplement. You can generally keep it wherever you live, as long as you still have Original Medicare.

Local: - Medicare Advantage plans - Part D drug plans

Local plans are built around a service area, usually a set of counties. Move outside it, and the plan can't keep you.

The analogy: your cell plan vs. your gym

Your cell phone plan works anywhere in the country. That's Original Medicare and most supplements.

Your neighborhood gym? Move three states away and that membership doesn't help much. That's Medicare Advantage and Part D. They're set up for a local area, with local networks and pharmacies.

When you move, you keep the phone. You find a new gym.

Your Special Enrollment Period when you move

If you move to a new address outside your plan's service area, you get a Special Enrollment Period (SEP). You can switch to a new Medicare Advantage plan or Part D plan. If you're in Medicare Advantage, you can also go back to Original Medicare.

The timing depends on when you tell your plan:

• Tell your plan before you move: Your window starts the month before the month you move and runs 2 full months after you move.
• Tell your plan after you move: Your window starts the month you tell your plan, plus 2 more full months.

My advice? Tell your plan early. You get more time and fewer gaps.

If you do nothing: say you move outside your Medicare Advantage plan's area and don't pick a new plan. You'll be enrolled in Original Medicare when your old plan drops you. That may leave you without drug coverage. Not a fun surprise.

Moving within your plan's area? You may still get a window

Even if your new address is inside your plan's area, you might have new plan options there. Medicare gives an SEP for that too. Same timing rules.

A move from Springfield out to a nearby town might open up different choices. Check before you assume nothing changed. Our ZIP code plan checker shows how many plans are offered at your new ZIP.

What about my Medicare Supplement?

Good news: you can generally keep your supplement no matter where you live, as long as you have Original Medicare. Your premium may change based on your new location.

Two exceptions to watch:

• Medicare SELECT policies use a network. If you move out of that area, you have special rights to switch to another supplement.
• Moving off Medicare Advantage. Leaving Medicare Advantage because you moved out of its area? You have a guaranteed issue right to buy certain supplements. You only have this right if you switch to Original Medicare, not to another Medicare Advantage plan.

Missouri to Kansas (and back)

We have offices on both sides of the line, so we see these moves often.

Moving from Missouri to Kansas. Missouri has an anniversary rule. It lets you move your supplement to the same plan letter at another company around your policy anniversary without health questions. Kansas doesn't have a yearly switching window like that. If you're moving to Kansas and thinking about switching companies, it may be worth doing before you go. Talk to us first.

Moving from Kansas to Missouri. Once you're a Missouri resident with a supplement, Missouri's anniversary rule can apply to you.

Any Medicare Advantage or Part D plan. Expect to pick a new plan. Plans and networks are different county to county, let alone state to state.

More state details: Missouri Medicare and Kansas Medicare.

Don't forget to update your address

To change your official address for Medicare, you contact Social Security. Medicare uses the address on your Social Security record. You can do it in your my Social Security account.

Tell your plan too. That's what starts your SEP clock.

Other moves that open a window

Medicare also gives SEPs if you:

• Move back to the U.S. after living outside the country
• Move into, or out of, a nursing home or similar facility

Things I'd do (and never do)

1. I'd call my plan before the moving truck shows up. It gives me the longest window.
2. I'd check doctors and pharmacies at my new address before picking a new plan.
3. I'd update my address with Social Security the same week I move.
4. I'd never assume my Medicare Advantage plan works in my new state. Usually it won't.
5. I'd never drop my supplement just because I moved. You can generally keep it.

Moving soon? Call before you pack

We'll check what's offered at your new address and line up the right plan so it starts when you arrive.

Call (417) 633-7200. Moving to the Kansas City area? Visit our Belton office. Heading to Kansas? Our Topeka office is ready.

New house. Same peace of mind.

— Matt

Frequently asked questions

Can I keep my Medicare Advantage plan if I move to another state?

Usually not. Medicare Advantage plans have service areas. If you move outside it, you'll use a Special Enrollment Period to pick a new plan or go back to Original Medicare.

How long do I have to change plans after moving?

If you tell your plan before you move, your window starts the month before you move and lasts 2 full months after. If you tell them after, it starts the month you tell them plus 2 more full months.

Does my Medicare Supplement work if I move?

Generally yes. You can keep your supplement wherever you live while you have Original Medicare. Your premium may change. Medicare SELECT policies are an exception.

What happens if I move and don't choose a new plan?

If you move outside your Medicare Advantage plan's area and don't pick a new plan, you'll be put back in Original Medicare. You may lose drug coverage unless you join a Part D plan.

How do I change my address with Medicare?

Contact Social Security. Medicare uses the address on your Social Security record. Then tell your plan about the move.