Changing Medicare Advantage Plans When Moving
If you’re moving and have a Medicare Advantage plan, understanding how to transition your coverage could be crucial. This article explains how to change Medicare Advantage plans when moving, outlining the practical steps to switch plans within service areas and possibly ensuring you can be confident with your healthcare coverage every step of the way.
Key Takeaways
- Moving out of your Medicare Advantage plan’s service area may require you to switch plans, which may necessitate an assessment of the new area’s potential plan options and coverage details, especially for prescription drugs.
- It may also be essential to plan and utilize Special Enrollment Periods (SEPs) for Medicare to make changes to your plan when relocating, ensuring a timely transition, and preventing coverage gaps.
- Medicare recipients must communicate with the Social Security Administration to update their address and coordinate with current and future providers to confirm changes in location and coverage during a move.
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Understanding Your Medicare Advantage Plan’s Mobility
Successfully navigating a move with a Medicare Advantage plan will likely begin with comprehending the concept of a plan’s service area. This may be the geographical area where your plan could provide coverage, and might play a significant role in determining your healthcare options when moving.
Each Medicare Advantage plan, including your old Medicare Advantage plan, has a specific service area, which might include specific counties within a state.
If your new home falls outside your current plan’s service area, you’ll likely need to switch plans to maintain your Medicare Advantage coverage.
Assessing Your Plan’s Service Area
Assessing your current plan’s service area should be one of your initial steps when planning a move. This could help you determine whether your new location falls within this area. If it does, you may be able to retain your current plan by simply updating your address with Social Security.
However, if your new home is outside your plan’s service area, a switch might be necessary. In this case, you will likely need to explore the available plans in your new location and choose one that suits your healthcare needs and budget.
Planning for a Move
A smooth transition in coverage will likely require planning. Members may want to start researching new plan options several months before their move.
This could allow you ample time to compare different plans, understand their potential benefits, and verify whether your preferred healthcare providers may be included in their networks.
Remember, each plan will likely have a different list of covered prescription drugs, known as a formulary. You may need to ensure that your necessary medications could be covered under the new plan. Planning could allow for a seamless transition and might help avoid any coverage gaps.
Transitioning to a New Medicare Advantage Plan
Having assessed your plan’s service area and begun planning, the subsequent step may involve transitioning to a new Medicare Advantage plan. The process of switching plans could be facilitated by Special Enrollment Periods (SEPs).
These are specific times when you can make changes to your Medicare Advantage or Part D plan in response to life events such as:
- moving
- losing other health coverage
- qualifying for Extra Help
- experiencing a change in your Medicaid status
During these SEPs, you can enroll in a new plan or make changes to your existing plan. It’s important to take advantage of these periods to ensure you have the coverage that best meets your needs.
The timing of your enrollment during these Special Enrollment Periods could impact the start of your new coverage. Initiating this process promptly may also be important to prevent coverage gaps during your move.
Navigating Enrollment Periods During a Move
Comprehending enrollment periods will likely constitute another crucial component of relocating with a Medicare Advantage plan.
These periods, which include the Annual Election Period, the Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period, and Special Enrollment Periods, dictate when you can make changes to your Medicare Advantage and Part D plans during the Medicare Open Enrollment Period.
Special Enrollment Periods (SEPs) have been specifically designed to accommodate life events such as relocating. During the special enrollment period, you can enroll in, or make changes to, your Medicare Advantage or Part D plan.
Understanding Special Enrollment Periods
Special Enrollment Periods (SEPs) will likely be specific time frames when you can make changes to your Medicare Advantage or Part D plan due to certain life events. One such event is moving. If you relocate and your new home is outside your current plan’s service area, you’ll likely be eligible for a SEP.
During an SEP, you can switch from your current plan to a new Medicare Advantage or Part D plan that serves your new area. Grasping these periods and maximizing their benefits is critical for maintaining continuous coverage during your move.
To enroll, call one of our licensed agents at 1-833-641-4938 (TTY 711), Mon-Fri 8 am-9 pm EST. They can provide comprehensive information, personalized guidance, and ongoing assistance to navigate the enrollment process for private insurance companies, making it easier for beneficiaries to make informed decisions about their healthcare.
Timing Your Coverage Transition
Timing your move and coverage transition correctly could also be important factors to help avoid gaps in coverage. If you notify your plan provider before you move, the window to switch plans starts the month before your move and extends for two months after.
However, if you inform them after the move, the chance to switch plans begins in the month of notification and continues for an additional two months.
Keeping Track of Prescription Drug Coverage
Maintaining your prescription drug coverage will likely be another key element of managing your Medicare Advantage plan during a move. When you switch Medicare Advantage plans, it may be important to verify that your prescription drugs could be covered under your new plan.
Evaluating New Medicare Part D Options
Medicare Part D will likely provide prescription drug coverage, also known as Medicare drug coverage. If your move necessitates a switch in plans, you’ll likely need to evaluate the new Medicare prescription drug plan options in your new location.
You could potentially compare different Part D plans using this website. Just enter your zip code into any of the zip code boxes on this page to:
- Compare different Medicare Advantage and Prescription Drug Plans
- Focus on drug coverage and costs to find the perfect fit for your healthcare needs
- Input your information and sort through a variety of plans
- Weigh the pros and cons of each based on your situation
Coordinating with New Healthcare Providers
After selecting a new plan, coordinating with your new healthcare providers for smooth prescription transfer may be vital.
Members should contact their new plan’s provider to verify the inclusion of their prescribed medications in their formulary and confirm any necessary pre-approvals or step therapy requirements.
The Interplay Between Medicare Advantage and Medicaid Eligibility
If you’re a dual-eligible beneficiary, meaning you qualify for both Medicare and Medicaid, a move could potentially have implications for both your Medicare Advantage and Original Medicare eligibility. As Medicaid programs may be state-specific, you might need to reapply for Medicaid in your new state.
While relocating might not impact your Medicare eligibility, it may necessitate a switch in your Medicare Advantage or Part D plan if you’re moving out of your current plan’s service area. Grasping these nuances could be crucial to maintaining the required coverage.
Contacting the Right Institutions for a Seamless Transition
A seamless transition in coverage during a move will likely necessitate communication with various institutions. Updating your address with the Social Security Administration and informing your current and future providers about your move could also be critical steps.
Updating Your Mailing Address with Social Security
Your Social Security records will likely need to reflect your current address to ensure accurate Medicare communications. You could update your mailing address by creating a Social Security account online or by calling the Social Security Administration.
Bear in mind that if you’re receiving Supplemental Security Income, you might need to contact your local Social Security office to update your address.
Communicating with Your Current and Future Plan Providers
Maintaining clear communication with your current and future providers could be key to a smooth transition. You should inform your current plan provider about your move, and make sure to provide them with your new address and contact information.
Once you’ve selected a new plan, communicate with your new insurance company to confirm your enrollment, and clarify any queries about your coverage.
Potential Impacts on Premiums and Benefits
Switching Medicare Advantage plans may affect your premiums and benefits. While making the switch from Medicare Advantage could sometimes lead to lower premiums or enhanced coverage, it might also result in higher healthcare expenses such as copayments and out-of-pocket costs.
It’s essential to consider the potential offerings of Medigap insurance companies when evaluating your options.
Being aware of these potential effects might aid in preparing for potential alterations and choosing a new plan that aligns with your healthcare needs and financial circumstances.
Preparing for International Moves
For those who may be planning an international move, remember that Medicare coverage may be restricted to the United States. However, keeping your Medicare coverage active while living abroad could potentially simplify your re-enrollment upon returning to the U.S.
If you decide to terminate your Medicare coverage while living abroad and later decide to return to the U.S., you may have to apply as a new member and could potentially incur penalties.
Consideration of your long-term plans and seeking professional advice could be critical when making such decisions.
Summary
Relocating could be a challenging process, and when you’re enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan, it might add an extra layer of complexity. However, with careful planning and understanding of your plan’s service area, enrollment periods, and prescription drug coverage, you could potentially ensure a seamless transition.
Remember, the key to a successful move with Medicare Advantage may be communication. Members should keep their relevant institutions updated about their move, and don’t hesitate to ask questions or seek advice. After all, your health coverage is a crucial part of your well-being and deserves careful attention and planning.
Frequently Asked Questions
→ How do I change my Medicare Advantage Plan when I move?
You can change your Medicare Advantage Plan by calling 1-833-641-4938 (TTY 711), Mon-Fri 8 am-9 pm EST during the Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period.
→ Do you have to notify Medicare if you move?
Yes, if you have Medicare Part A and Part B, you will likely need to notify the Social Security Administration of your change of address when you move. However, there might not be a requirement to change plans just because of relocation.
→ When can a member switch or change to a Medicare Advantage Plan?
You can switch or change a Medicare Advantage Plan during the Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period, which runs from January 1 to March 31 each year.
→ How does moving affect my Medicare?
If you have Medicare Part A and Part B, you might not need to change plans when you move, but you should notify the Social Security Administration of your new address.
If you have Medicare Advantage or Part D and are moving out of your plan’s service area, you may qualify for a special enrollment period to get a new plan.
If you have Medicare Advantage or Part D, moving may lead to losing your existing plan and requiring enrollment in a new one.
→ What is a plan’s service area and why does it matter when I’m moving?
A plan’s service area is the geographical area where your Medicare Advantage plan could provide coverage.
It could matter when you’re moving because if your new home falls outside this area, you’ll likely need to switch to a new plan that serves your new location.
ZRN Health & Financial Services, LLC, a Texas limited liability company
Russell Noga is the CEO of ZRN Health & Financial Services, and head content editor of several Medicare insurance online publications. He has over 15 years of experience as a licensed Medicare insurance broker helping Medicare beneficiaries learn about Medicare, Medicare Advantage Plans, Medigap insurance, and Medicare Part D prescription drug plans.