What to do about Your Medicare Advantage Plan When Moving
Moving to a new place can be exciting. However, with a move, there are a lot of items you need to change, like your address, gas, water, electric, cable, and maybe even your Medicare Advantage plan.
Are you moving and need to know how that affects your Medicare Advantage plan benefits? Are you wondering if you will have to go through the process of choosing a plan all over again? What if it’s not open enrollment? Will you be stuck without healthcare coverage?
No worries; Medicare has safeguards in place for this reason. A move qualifies as a Special Election Period and allows you to change plans. This way, you don’t have to worry about losing or going without coverage.
Do you need to change Medicare Advantage plans when you move?
It depends. Each Medicare Advantage plan is based in certain states and counties. So, if you move outside your current Medicare Advantage plan’s coverage area, then yes, you will need to change plans.
You do not have to change plans if you are simply moving to a new neighborhood in your city if it is in the same county. Regardless of where you are moving, it’s best to check with your current insurance carrier before assuming you will remain covered on your current Medicare Advantage plan.
How to switch plans if moving
Under normal circumstances, you are only able to switch Medicare Advantage plans during the annual enrollment period or the Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period. Fortunately, moving qualifies as a Special Enrollment Period, allowing you to switch to a new plan that covers you in the area you will be moving to.
This special enrollment period does not last forever. If you notify your Insurance carrier before you move, the special enrollment period begins the month before your move and continues for two full months after you move. If you’ve already moved, the special enrollment period will include the month you tell your insurance carrier and the two months following.
During this time, you can switch to another Medicare Advantage plan in your new area, return to Original Medicare, or make other changes to your coverage. However, it’s important to note that you must make these changes during your special enrollment time to ensure you don’t have any gaps in your health coverage.
Find a Medicare Advantage Plan in your new area
Have you moved, or are you getting ready to move? Don’t delay in finding a Medicare Advantage Plan in your new area. Give yourself time to research insurance carriers in your state and compare the various plans.
Thanks to modern technology, you can find and compare plans online with ease. If you visit medicare.gov, you can find all the plans available in your new county. All you need to do is input your zip code, and you can see and compare plans for your area.
Where are you moving to? If you live in (or are moving to) Georgia, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, or Texas, you can view our plans online.
New Jersey Medicare Advantage Plans
Georgia Medicare Advantage Plans
Pennsylvania Medicare Advantage Plans
Texas Medicare Advantage Plans
South Carolina Medicare Advantage Plans
