If you are relocating to a new home that is within your Medicare plan’s service area, you will be able to keep your plan. However, if you are relocating to a place outside of the service area of your Medicare Advantage (Part C) or Part D plan, you will have to make changes. You will also need to make changes if the new location is covered by your plan, but you have access to other plans.
The period of time during which you can make adjustments to your plan is referred to as your Special Enrollment Period (SEP). Within this time frame, you can:
- Enroll in or modify your Medicare Advantage plan;
- Enroll in or modify your Part D drug plan; or
- Cancel your current Medicare Advantage plan and return to Original Medicare.
In order to make adjustments to your Medicare Advantage plan or Part D plan, you will have to learn about your new plan options in your new location. You can obtain information about these plans by visiting the Medicare website or the Medicare Plan Finder tool. In addition, you can find out about a certain plan by calling the private company’s customer service number.
If you are eligible to receive both Medicare and Medicaid, you will have to contact the Medicaid program in the state in which you reside to learn about your options for Medicaid benefits. Pursuant to Medicare, if you inform your Medicare Advantage plan or Part D plan prior to moving, your SEP to replace your plan with another such plan starts the month before your move and continues up to two months following your move. If you inform your Medicare Advantage plan or Part D plan following your move, your SEP to change to another plan starts the month you reveal your plan, and two additional months afterwards.
