Does Medicare Coverage Transfer to Other States?

Because Original Medicare is administered by the federal government, you can take your coverage with you if you move anywhere within the United States and its territories. Original Medicare includes Medicare Part A (hospital insurance) and Medicare Part B (medical insurance).

Most doctors and hospitals in these areas accept Original Medicare. But, if you have a Medigap plan and a Medicare Part D prescription drug plan, you may have to find a new plan if you relocate to a different state.

Medigap policies, also known as Medicare Supplement insurance, are sold by private insurers that contract with Medicare. Medigap covers your out-of-pocket expenses, filling in gaps that Medicare does not cover. Since these plans are sold by private insurers, your specific policy might not exist where you move.

There are 10 standardized Medigap plans available in nearly every state. Some states may offer more Medigap Select plans than others. If your current plan is available in the state you’re moving to, you may be able to take your Medigap plan with you.

Remember to check with your Medigap provider to see if your Medigap plan will transfer with you to a new state or territory when you move.

Medigap plans can differ across the United States. Medigap does not have a mandated open enrollment period. When you are 65 and enrolled in Medicare Parts A and B, you get six months to choose any Medigap plan in your area without undergoing the medical underwriting process. After those six months, there are only limited circumstances under which you can select a new plan without medical underwriting.

The process for enrolling in Medigap plans can vary significantly between states. In New York and Connecticut, for instance, open enrollment for Medicare supplement plans spans the entire year. This means you can sign up for these plans without underwriting health questions in your way.

Some states have a ‘birthday rule’, meaning you can change your Medicare supplement plan for a period of time around your birthday. These time periods can vary depending on the state. For example, in Oregon, you can change your supplement plan during a 31-day window that begins on your birthday. In Louisiana, you have 93 days to make changes — this window begins 30 days before your birthday.

Minnesota, Wisconsin and Massachusetts do not offer the 10 standardized Medigap plans. If you are moving to one of these states, it is important to understand how your Medigap plan might transfer.

Be sure to check with your provider for the details specific to your plan and state.

Medicare Part D, which covers prescription drugs, is sold by private insurers and is specific to the state in which it is sold. If you move, you’ll likely need to switch your plan to a provider in your new area. Compare Part D plans to make sure you are receiving similar coverage, and to see if your prescriptions will transfer, if you have to switch plans.

It’s important to switch plans within two months after you move. If you miss that window, you’ll lose your drug coverage and you’ll have to wait until the regular open enrollment period, Oct.15-Dec. 7 each year, to re-enroll.

If you lose your drug coverage, Medicare will charge you a penalty when you re-enroll. That charge will be added to your monthly Part D premium and will cost 1% of the national base premium ($32.74 in 2023) for each month you go without coverage.

Medicare Advantage plans, also known as Medicare Part C, are sold by private insurers who contract with Medicare. You’ll likely need to enroll in a new Medicare Advantage plan sold in the state or territory you move to — check with your Medicare Advantage plan to see if your coverage will continue even if you are moving within your state.

In 2023, there will be 3,998 Medicare Advantage plans offered across the United States. Not all plans are available everywhere and can vary widely from state to state or between counties within a single state.

If you have Medicare Part A and Part B, notify the Social Security Administration and Medicare before you move to bring your coverage with you. Be sure to update your new address with both Social Security and Medicare before moving, so you don’t lose your benefits.

If you have a Medicare Advantage plan, Medicare Part D or a Medigap plan, you should notify your plan’s administrator before you move to another state or to any area outside your plan’s service area.

The timeline to transfer your coverage can depend on your type of plan.

The annual open enrollment period runs Oct. 15-Dec. 7 every year. If you notify your provider before you move, you could be given a Special Enrollment Period (SEP). This would give you two months beyond your move to switch Part D plans, for example, and bring your drug history with you.

If you don’t switch or enroll during your SEP, you could lose your coverage and incur penalties when you re-enroll.

Editor Samantha Connell contributed to this article.