Medicare and Moving to Another State: What to do?

If you’re a California resident enrolled in Medicare, you may wonder what will happen to your coverage if you move to another state. The good news is that Medicare is a federal program, so your coverage will generally continue as long as you remain enrolled in the program. Depending on your situation, you may be able to keep your current coverage, or you may need to enroll in a new plan. 

If you move to a state with different Medicare coverage rules, you may need to make some changes to your coverage. For example, if you move to Texas, you must enroll in Medicare Texas to enjoy the benefits. 

Suppose you move out of the service area of your current Medicare Advantage plan or your Medicare Part D prescription drug plan. You will no longer be able to use that plan unless otherwise. Read on to learn more about what to do if you have Medicare and move to another state!

What is Medicare?

Medicare is a federal health insurance program for people 65 or older or with specific disabilities. If you have Medicare, you can get healthcare services and benefits. For instance, you get supplies from Medicare-approved doctors, hospitals, and other healthcare providers. You can also get some preventive and screening services for free. 

Suppose you’re under the Texas Medicare plan and are moving to another state. Medicare will not let you sign up for coverage under your former state’s insurance plan. That’s because Medicare is a federal program, and each state has its own rules and regulations. The good news is that Medicare covers most hospitalization and hospice care costs no matter where you live. 

If you are currently enrolled in Medicare and you move to another state, there are a few things you need to do to maintain your coverage. You will need to update your new address and phone number so your Medicare card can be sent to you. You will also need to update your address with the Social Security Administration to pay your Medicare benefits.

How Does Medicare Work?

Medicare is a federal program that provides health insurance for people who qualify. A payroll tax funds Medicare, and all working Americans pay into the system. The money is then used to pay for your health care. So who is eligible for the Medicare health insurance program?

• People 65 years of age or older
• Individuals under 65 years of age with specific disabilities
• Anyone with End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD)

The Medicare program consists of four parts:

• Part A caters to inpatient hospital care, skilled nursing facility care, and hospice care.
• Part B covers outpatient medical care, preventive services, and medical equipment and supplies.
• Part C, also known as Medicare Advantage, is a way to receive your Medicare benefits through a private health insurance plan.
• Part D covers prescription drugs.

Moving to Another State

If you’re moving to a new state and want to enroll in Medicare, you have several options. You can enroll in the same plan as your current plan or transfer the benefits of your old plan to the new one.

If you’re moving to a different state, your new home state may have different insurance rules. Thus, it may be best if you keep your plan from the state where you currently live. This way, any changes in your health status will be reflected in both plans, and you won’t have any surprises.

If you are a Medicare beneficiary and you move to another state, there are a few things you need to do to make sure your coverage stays active. 

• First, you must update your address with the Social Security Administration. You can do this by calling them at 1-800-772-1213.
• Next, you will need to contact your Medicare carrier to update your address and determine if your coverage will transfer to your new state. You can find contact information for your Medicare carrier on your Medicare card.
• Finally, you may need to sign up for a new Medicare plan if your current plan does not cover your new state. You can learn more about Medicare plans and compare coverage options by visiting www.medicare.gov.

Options for New Medicare Coverage

If you’re moving to another state, you’ll need to decide if you want to keep your existing Medicare coverage or enroll in a new plan. In most cases, you can keep your existing coverage if you’re moving within the United States. However, if you’re moving to a US territory, you’ll need to enroll in a new Medicare plan.

There are a few things to keep in mind when you’re choosing a new Medicare plan. 

• First, you’ll need to decide if you want original Medicare (Parts A and B) or a Medicare Advantage plan (Part C). 
• You’ll also need to consider whether you want a plan with prescription drug coverage (Part D). 
• Once you’ve decided which type of plan you want, you can compare plans and choose the one that best meets your needs.

You can contact your current Medicare plan and see if they have coverage in your new state. If they don’t, you can sign up for a new Medicare plan when you move. You can also enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan, a type of private health insurance that Medicare approves. No matter what you do, you must ensure you have Medicare coverage in your new state. Otherwise, you may have to pay for your medical expenses.

Staying Informed About Your Coverage

• First, it’s essential to understand that Medicare does not cover everything. You’ll still need to have some form of supplemental insurance. This will help cover dental care, vision care, and prescription drugs. 
• Second, you should know that private insurance companies offer Medicare Advantage plans. These are an alternative to Original Medicare. These plans may not be available in all states, so you’ll need to research to see if your plan is available in the state you’re moving to. 
• Finally, you should also know that you may have to pay a higher premium if you move to a state with a higher cost of living. 

In Conclusion

That being said, Medicare won’t cover you if you travel abroad. Besides that, it’s very unlikely that your current state will have the same provider network as your new state. Shopping around and researching before deciding on the best plan for you might be a good idea. 

Remember that there are always exceptions to every rule or situation, and your best option for healthcare may differ. But you now have a good idea of where to start. You know what decisions to make to ensure the transition goes as smoothly as possible.