A person should contact the Social Security Administration (SSA) to change their address with Medicare. If they have Original Medicare, benefits should remain unchanged. Other plan types may be affected.

If a person has Original Medicare, they can move around within the United States, and their coverage should remain largely unchanged.

However, plans provided by private insurers may become unavailable or change if a person moves state. These plans include:

  • Medicare Advantage
  • Part D prescription drug plans
  • Medigap supplement insurance

Changing an address with the SSA can automatically update Medicare details, as the organizations share records to ensure their benefits are accurate.

To change an address with Medicare, a person should contact the SSA by:

  • Visiting the SSA website: This is the quickest way for a person to update their address details. They can log into their account or set one up for the first time.
  • Calling the SSA: People can reach the SSA at 800-772-1213 (TTY 800-325-0778). The lines are open Monday through Friday, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
  • Visiting an SSA office in person: If a person prefers to visit a local Social Security office, they can speak with someone in person to change their address. The SSA’s office locator can help people find the one closest to their home.

Original Medicare coverage should not change significantly, if at all, depending on where a person lives and where they are moving to.

However, if they have a Medicare Advantage or a Part D prescription drug plan, they may have to change plans or explore alternative plan options. This is particularly true if a person moves states because not all insurers or plans are available in every state, and their costs and benefits may vary.

Medicare Advantage and Part D

A person enrolled in Medicare Advantage or a Part D plan may be eligible for a special enrollment period. If they notify their plan provider before they move, they can switch plans during the month before and the month of their move, plus 2 months after.

If a person notifies their plan provider after they move, their chance to switch plans begins the month they give their moving notice and continues for 2 months after.

Medigap

People can keep their Medigap plan no matter where they live, as long as they have Original Medicare.

If a person wants to switch to a different Medigap plan, they must check their options with their plan provider. New Medigap plans may have higher costs, and if they decide to change plans outside of the open enrollment period, they may have to answer medical questions to determine coverage.

Regardless of their plan, people must contact their insurer as soon as possible to notify them they are moving and find out how it may affect their coverage.

If a person has Original Medicare, their coverage is valid anywhere within the United States, provided the doctor, healthcare professional, or facility accepts Medicare.

Some Medicare Advantage and Part D plans allow people to travel outside their home state for treatment or services. However, they must confirm this with their plan provider to avoid unexpected out-of-pocket costs.

If a person cannot take their current coverage with them when they move, they can visit the Medicare website to compare alternative options.

The Medicare plan finder tool can help them find Medicare Advantage, Medicare Part D, or Medigap plans in their area or the area they intend to move to.

People can change their address with Medicare by contacting the SSA online, by telephone, or by visiting a local office in person.

For people with Original Medicare, their coverage should largely remain unchanged. If they have Medicare Advantage or a stand-alone Part D prescription drug plan, their coverage may change, or their specific plan type may be unavailable.

A person should check with their plan provider before moving to ensure they do not lose coverage.