Summary:
Moving to a new county or state can change certain parts of your Medicare coverage, especially Medicare Advantage and Part D plans, which are tied to ZIP codes and local service areas. Original Medicare still travels with you, but networks, drug coverage, premiums, and plan availability can shift. Understanding what stays the same and what changes can help keep your coverage consistent and stress-free during a move.
Life has a way of nudging us into new chapters: a new neighborhood, a new job, or sometimes a whole new state. With every move comes a handful of questions about what happens to your Medicare coverage.
For many in California, where more than 7 million people have Medicare, those questions can feel especially pressing. After all, you want your healthcare to follow you just as faithfully as your mail does.
Moves within California or across state lines each come with their own set of considerations. Plan eligibility, provider networks, and prescription drug costs can shift from one county or state to the next.
When you know what’s likely to change (and what won’t), keeping your care on track becomes far less stressful.
In this post, we’ll explain what happens to Medicare during a move and everything you need to know about your coverage.
How Moving Affects Medicare Coverage (And Why It Matters)
Relocating can impact your Medicare in several ways, depending on whether you stay within the same state or cross state lines. It’s not as simple as just updating your address; the type of coverage you have can change your next steps and potential costs.
Quick takeaway: Original Medicare stays stable, but Medicare Advantage and Part D plans are location-based and often change when you move.
Moving Within the Same State
If you’re shifting from La Mesa to Carlsbad or from one California county to another, your Original Medicare (Parts A and B) and Part D drug plan stays steady. However, Medicare Advantage plans can vary by county.
A plan that worked perfectly in San Diego might look a little different once you settle somewhere new. There could be different premiums, different networks, and even different drug formularies.
Quick takeaway: Even small moves within California can mean new Medicare Advantage plan options to review.
What Happens If You Move to a New State?
Crossing state lines creates a bigger ripple. Original Medicare travels with you, but Medicare Advantage and Part D plans are built around specific counties and states.
Odds are, you’ll need to choose a new plan once you arrive. Some states offer far more options than California; some offer fewer.
Think of it as grocery shopping in a new store. The essentials are still there, but the brands on the shelves may have changed.
Do You Need to Notify Medicare When You Move?
Wherever you go, let Social Security know as soon as you can. Medicare uses its records to keep your information current. One quick update online, over the phone, or in person can keep your coverage running without hiccups.
Quick takeaway: Updating your address early ensures you don’t miss enrollment windows or coverage updates.
What Happens to Medicare Advantage Plans During a Move?
Medicare Advantage (Part C) plans operate within defined service areas, usually by county. Changes in your address can directly affect plan eligibility.
Losing or Keeping Your Old Medicare Advantage Plan
If you move outside your plan’s service area, you’ll no longer be eligible for that plan. A service area is generally defined as a county.
Enrolling in a New Medicare Advantage Plan
Once you move, a Special Enrollment Period opens. This window lasts two full months after your date of move, and it’s your chance to pick a new Medicare Advantage plan available in your new ZIP code. Using the Medicare Plan Finder or talking with a licensed advisor can help you sort what’s available.
Comparing Plan Options in Your New Area
Plan costs, networks, and extra benefits may shift from one region to another. For example, San Diego alone offers more than 50 Medicare Advantage plans. Some areas may offer more, others fewer. Review whether your preferred doctors are in-network and whether prescription coverage still fits your needs.
Quick takeaway: A move gives you the opportunity and sometimes the requirement to choose a Medicare Advantage plan that fits your new location.
Original Medicare and Medigap Policy Changes When You Move
Original Medicare (Parts A and B) works nationwide, but the situation with supplemental Medigap (Medicare Supplement) policies requires extra attention.
Keeping Original Medicare After a Move
No re-enrollment needed. As long as the doctor or hospital accepts Medicare, you’re set.
Changing or Applying for a Medigap Policy
Moving out of state generally doesn’t require you to change your Medigap plan, as you can usually keep it with Original Medicare, but your premium might change, and you must notify your insurer; however, if you have Medicare Select or move to a state with unique rules (like MN, WI, MA), you may need to switch, possibly facing underwriting unless you have specific state protections or a Special Enrollment Period (SEP). Some states have Medigap “birthday rules” or other enrollment windows. It’s helpful, but worth checking ahead of time.
Medical Underwriting and New Plan Selection
If you’re outside your six-month Medigap open enrollment period, you may need to answer health questions. Depending on the state and timing, this can influence which plans are available to you or how premiums are set.
Quick takeaway: Medigap portability depends on state rules and enrollment timing.
How Moving Affects Part D Prescription Drug Plans
Part D prescription plans are tied closely to your ZIP code. When you move, the plans available to you (and the costs tied to those plans) may look different from what you’re used to.
Choosing a New Part D Prescription Plan
If your current plan doesn’t serve your new area, you’ll need to select one that does. Formularies vary, so confirm that your medications are covered and that local pharmacies participate.
Monthly Premium Changes in a New Location
Part D premiums can shift as you move. In San Diego, common monthly premiums range from $0 to over $200. Another region may price coverage differently based on available plans and market factors.
Switching Plans During a Move
Your move triggers a Special Enrollment Period for Part D as well. You usually have two months to make a switch, and new coverage typically starts the first day of the following month.
Quick takeaway: Always review your prescriptions after a move; drug coverage changes often.
Special Enrollment and Election Periods When You Move
Enrollment timing is one of the trickiest parts of moving with Medicare, but not impossible once you know the rhythm.
Special Election Period Eligibility
You qualify for a Special Enrollment Period if you move and your old plan isn’t available or your coverage options change. This applies whether you use a Medicare Advantage plan, a Medigap supplemental plan, or a standalone Part D plan.
Timelines for Changing Health Plans
If Medicare knows about your move ahead of time, your Special Enrollment Period starts the month before your move and lasts two full months after. If you tell them afterward, the window begins when you notify them.
Required Actions During the Period
During this time, compare plans in your new area, look at networks and costs, and submit your enrollment. Missing this window may mean waiting until the next general enrollment period.
Quick takeaway: Your Special Enrollment Period is your main opportunity to avoid gaps in care.
What Stays the Same vs. What Changes When You Move
| What Stays the Same | What Changes |
| Original Medicare (A & B) | Medicare Advantage plan options |
| Nationwide access to Medicare-accepting providers | Part D drug plan availability |
| Your Medicare eligibility | Premiums, networks, formularies |
| Medically necessary services | Pharmacy networks |
Quick takeaway: Original Medicare and Medigap plans are portable; Medicare Advantage and Part D are location-based.
Steps to Take Before and After Moving
A little preparation goes a long way. These steps help keep your Medicare coverage steady while you settle into your new home, and they can save you from scrambling later if something doesn’t transfer the way you expected.
(1) Notify Social Security and Private Companies
Once your move is confirmed, update Social Security. Then notify any private insurers, employers, union plans, or medical groups.
(2) Research New Health Plan Options
Use the Medicare Plan Finder to review plans in your new ZIP code. Call providers in your new area to confirm availability and acceptance of Medicare.
(3) Time Your Coverage Switch
Try to align your new coverage so it starts the first of the month after your move. Keep all enrollment confirmations handy. They help avoid delays with prescriptions or appointments.
Need Help Sorting Out Medicare Before Your Move?
A move can stir up plenty of loose ends, and your Medicare coverage shouldn’t become one of them. Whether you’re changing counties in California or heading to a new state entirely, the rules around Medicare Advantage, Part D plans, and Medigap policies can shift more than people expect.
If you’d like someone to walk through those changes with you, explain what stays the same, and help you understand your Special Enrollment Period, our team at Terri Yurek Insurance is here to help.
We’ve supported Medicare beneficiaries across San Diego for more than two decades, and we know how stressful these transitions can feel. Reach out today for clear, steady guidance that helps you settle into your new home without missing a beat in your healthcare.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Medicare During a Move
1. Do I lose Medicare if I move to another state?
- No. Original Medicare works anywhere in the United States as long as the provider accepts Medicare.
2. Will my Medicare Advantage plan still work after I move?
- Usually not. These plans are tied to counties and service areas, so you’ll likely need a new plan.
3. Does moving qualify me for a Special Enrollment Period?
- Yes. Whether you move within California or to another state, you typically get a Special Enrollment Period to choose new plans.
4. What happens to my Medigap plan if I move?
- It depends on the state. You will likely be able to keep your plan, or you may need to choose a new one. Some states have additional protections or rules.
5. Do I need a new Part D drug plan after I move?
- Often yes. Part D plans vary by region, so coverage and premiums usually change when you relocate.
