We have been finding that many of you have moved throughout the year, but we were never notified, and your Medicare plans were never reviewed and adjusted to reflect your new area. This oversight can lead to an involuntary loss of coverage, leaving you exposed to all the costs under Original Medicare and full costs on prescription medications, not to mention the lifetime financial penalties that could be imposed if Part D drug coverage were lost mid-year and you must wait to be re-enrolled in January.
If you currently have a Medigap Supplement, that will move with you, so nothing needs to be done with that, but your Part D drug plan is state-specific, which means you will need to pick a new drug plan that is available in your new state. If you have a Medicare Advantage HMO or PPO plan, the service area is county-specific, even if the network of providers is national. If you move to a new county, you will need a review to see if your current plan is available in that county, and if not, we will help you find a new plan that is available in your new location.
Medicare Advantage and Prescription Drug plans are notified when your address with Social Security is changed to a new location. If you have moved out of your service area, the plan will terminate your coverage at some point, and it could be done mid-year, leaving you without coverage. Plans will also reach out to you to find out why all your medical care or prescriptions are being received out of your service area, and if they find that you have moved, they will terminate your coverage.
It's important NOT TO WAIT. You have a small window of time to update your coverage using the "MOVE" special election period. We can help in every state so if you move, we will still be your partner in making your Medicare 123Easy. If you've moved or are moving, don't delay; reach out today. 877-220-1089
By American Retirement Advisors
American Retirement Advisors helps retirees and pre-retirees navigate Medicare, estate planning, and retirement income — so you can enjoy the retirement you've earned.
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Easy Eddie's Take
This is absolutely right about not waiting. Here's the good news: when you move, you get what the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services calls a Special Election Period that lasts 2 months after your move. This gives you time to find new coverage without waiting for Medicare Open Enrollment (October 15 through December 7 each year).
Most people are surprised when they learn that Medicare Advantage plans can vary dramatically even between neighboring counties. For example, here in Arizona, a Humana Medicare Advantage plan available in Maricopa County might not be offered in Pinal County just next door. The same goes for Medicare Part D prescription drug plans, which are structured by state regions.
Think of it this way: your Medicare Supplement (Medigap) is like your cell phone plan that works anywhere, but your Medicare Advantage or Part D plan is more like a local cable company with specific service areas. A little preparation when you're planning a move can save you from coverage gaps and penalty headaches down the road.