Will moving to another state affect my Medicare?

There are many reasons why a person would want to move to another state. Some people do it for job opportunities or cheaper housing. Others do it just because they can, and most of us do it because we like the place. However, will be moving to another state really have an impact on my Medicare coverage? Let’s take a look at some of the pros and cons.

If you are a senior citizen, then yes, moving to a different state will have a dramatic impact on your Medicare. The basic reason behind this is that Medicare Part A and Part B are based on residence. Basically, if you move out of the home that you currently live in, you immediately lose access to those two programs. This is why I recommend that you stay in your home as long as possible until you are ready to move into a new place.

Now, moving out of your current residence will mean that you have moved out of your Medicaid coverage as well. In order to receive Medicaid, you must reside in your state of residence. So, if you move out, you immediately lose access to your health coverage. Depending on what kind of coverage you have, it may not be completely eliminated. For example, Medicare Part A will cover doctor visits and most prescription drug costs. Medicare Part B will cover nursing home costs, outpatient visits, and some hospital bills.

However, Medicare Part A and Part B will not cover disability or health-related expenses such as hospital stays, ambulatory services, and assisted living home. In addition, moving out of one’s state of residence also means that you lose access to any other health care coverage you might have. In most cases, it will simply mean that you will have to work with your health insurance company to find something that covers you in your new location. In order to keep your Medicare coverage active, it is critical that you ensure that you have the proper documentation. If you are moving out of your current residence, you should ask your health insurance provider to send you a letter that enables you to stay covered. Your health insurance provider may also provide a list of providers in your new state that provide similar types of coverage.

Most people are aware that there are several differences between their medical coverage in their current home state and the coverage they will receive when moving to a new state. For example, medical treatment obtained in one state cannot be used in another. Similarly, different procedures, hospitals, and doctors’ offices are likely to be covered in different states. These are just a few examples of the differences.

The first thing that someone should consider when they are thinking about the impact moving out of state will have on their Medicare coverage is what type of coverage they currently have. Most people automatically receive Medicare supplements (commonly called Part A) through their health insurance plan. While Medicare does not cover dental care, it does cover many of the services that are commonly offered by a dentist. Specifically, Medicare will pay for in-clinic and office visits as well as prescriptions. As you can see, moving out of one state typically will not change the coverage provided by their current Medicare provider.

Because there are numerous plans and providers of Medicare in the United States, people who are considering moving out of state should research each and every provider to find out which plans will be the most affordable. As previously mentioned, it is important to understand how Medicare works when considering moving out of your current residence. If you are moving out to another state, it is even more important to understand what types of Medicare coverage you will have available to you. Understanding the basics of your current plan is the best way to avoid the possibility of gaps in your coverage.

If you are currently receiving treatment or medications at a different medical facility than your present provider, moving out of state will likely have an effect on the care provider you choose. While you may want to keep your present primary care physician, it is also important to investigate different nursing facilities, hospitals, adult daycare centers, etc. that may become your new care provider. In addition, if you are receiving in-home assistance from a personal care aide, moving out of state will likely impact your ability to receive services from this person. Be sure to discuss these issues with your personal care provider before moving out of your current home.