Many Medicare beneficiaries wonder what happens to their Medicare Advantage plan when traveling or relocating. Whether you’re planning to move to another state permanently or just visit temporarily, understanding how Medicare coverage works across state lines is crucial.
This article explains what you need to know about using your Medicare in another state, what’s covered, and how to stay protected when traveling or relocating.
| Section | Jump to Section |
|---|---|
| Medicare Travel and Coverage Area | Go |
| Medicare Advantage Plan: Coverage May Vary | Go |
| Emergency and Urgent Care While Traveling | Go |
| Moving to a Different State | Go |
| Medigap Plans and State-to-State Moves | Go |
| Prescription Drug Coverage When You Move | Go |
| Using Medicare Anywhere in the U.S. | Go |
| Travel Coverage Outside the United States | Go |
| FAQ: Traveling With Medicare | Go |
✈️ Medicare Travel and Coverage Area
Original Medicare (Part A and Part B) offers more flexibility when traveling within the United States. You can typically use Medicare anywhere in the U.S. as long as the provider accepts Medicare. However, things get a little more complicated with a Medicare Advantage plan.
Most Medicare Advantage plans are limited to a specific coverage area. If you’re traveling out of state or even across county lines, your health coverage might not be accepted unless it’s an emergency or urgent situation.
🏥 Medicare Advantage Plan: Coverage May Vary
Medicare Advantage plans (Part C) are administered by private insurers and must provide the same core benefits as Original Medicare, but they also have their own rules and provider networks. Coverage and rules vary from state to state, especially with Medicare Advantage HMOs, which typically require you to use in-network providers.
Some plans, like PPOs, offer broader access, but you may pay more out-of-network. Always check with your plan provider before traveling or moving.
🚑 Emergency and Urgent Care While Traveling
Good news: all Medicare Advantage plans are required to cover emergency and urgent care anywhere in the U.S. If you need emergency care or urgent care while traveling out of state, your Medicare Advantage coverage will kick in.
This is true whether you’re on a road trip, visiting family, or exploring a new part of the country. Just make sure your medical situation qualifies as emergency or urgent, not routine care.
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Schedule a Call📦 Moving to a Different State: Medicare Rules
If you’re planning to move to another state, your Medicare Advantage plan’s service area matters. If your current plan is not offered in the new state, you’ll need to enroll in a new plan. You have a special election period (SEP) to make this change.
You can switch plans up to 1 month before you move and for 2 months after.
You may choose to go back to Original Medicare or enroll in a new Medicare Advantage plan based on the options available in your new location.
Don’t forget to notify your plan provider of your move as soon as possible.
📄 Medicare Supplement (Medigap) Plans and State-to-State Moves
If you’re using Original Medicare and a Medigap plan (also called Medicare Supplement insurance), your coverage is usually nationwide. You can typically use Medicare and your Medigap plan across state lines, as long as the provider accepts Medicare.
However, some Medigap plans and pricing may change if you move, especially if your new state uses different rating systems or plan rules. It’s smart to contact your insurer to understand your options.
💊 Prescription Drug Coverage When You Move
If your Medicare plan includes a prescription drug plan (Part D), you’ll need to check whether your drug plan is available in your new state. Like Medicare Advantage plans, Part D plans vary by region.
You’ll get a chance to enroll in a new prescription drug coverage plan during your SEP if your current plan isn’t available in the new state.
🗺️ Using Medicare Anywhere Within the United States
Original Medicare coverage works nationwide. You can use Medicare anywhere in the U.S. that accepts it. This makes it a flexible option for retirees who travel often or split time between states.
If you’re a snowbird, travel for extended periods, or are considering full-time RV living, you may want to stay on Original Medicare with a Medigap plan for broader access.
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Schedule a Call🧳 Travel Coverage Outside the United States
In general, Medicare does not cover medical services outside the United States. However, some Medicare Supplement plans and Medicare Advantage plans may offer limited travel coverage for emergencies abroad.
Be sure to review your plan details or consider a travel medical insurance policy if you’re going abroad.
❓ FAQ: Traveling With Medicare
Absolutely! When you have a medicare advantage plan, you can use it in another state, but there are some things to keep in mind. Most medicare advantage plans have a specific network of providers, so you’ll want to make sure that your new location has doctors and hospitals that accept medicare. It’s a good idea to check with your plan provider to confirm that your coverage will still apply when you’re in a different area.
If you decide to move to another state, your medicare advantage coverage may change. Generally, you’ll need to enroll in a new medicare advantage plan that’s available in your new state. You typically have a special enrollment period (usually 60 days before and after your move) to make this switch. Make sure to notify your plan provider as soon as possible to avoid any coverage gaps!
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If you find yourself in a situation where your current medicare advantage plan doesn’t have a network in your new state, you’ll need to enroll in a new medicare plan that does. This is where checking out different plan options becomes essential! Take some time to research and compare plans that are available in your new area.
Yes, you can use your medicare advantage plan when traveling, but the coverage may vary. Most plans provide some level of emergency and urgent care coverage even outside your usual service area. However, it’s crucial to check with your plan provider to find out the specifics of your medicare advantage coverage while traveling. If you’re going abroad, remember that medicare parts a and b generally don’t provide coverage outside the United States, so plan accordingly!
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