Moving and Medicare: Essential Information to Understand
Making changes to your Medigap (Medicare Supplement) policy or updating your address with the Social Security Administration (SSA) can seem like daunting tasks, but this guide aims to simplify the process.
Updating Your Address
If you need to update your address, you have several options. You can visit your local Social Security office in person, call them at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY users, dial 1-800-325-0778), or do it online through the Social Security website.
Changing Your Medigap Policy
Outside the initial six-month Medigap Open Enrollment Period, switching or buying a new Medigap plan can be challenging as insurers may use medical underwriting to deny coverage or charge higher premiums based on your health status. However, there are specific situations that allow you to switch Medigap policies without these penalties.
- Loss of Other Health Coverage: If you lose your employer-sponsored health insurance, Medicaid, or other coverage through no fault of your own, you may be eligible to switch or buy a Medigap policy without medical underwriting or penalties.
- Moving to a New Area: If you move to a new state or service area where your current Medigap plan is not available, you may have the right to buy a comparable plan in the new location without medical underwriting.
- Medicare Advantage Plan Changes: If you leave a Medicare Advantage plan during a special enrollment period, you may have a guaranteed issue right to buy a Medigap plan.
- State-Specific Protections: Some states have additional consumer protections that give you more chances to switch Medigap policies without penalties.
Special Enrollment Period (SEP)
If you are moving out of your current Medicare Advantage plan's service area, you can use the Medicare SEP to switch to a different Medicare Advantage plan or Part D coverage. The duration of your SEP depends on the timing of your move.
Medigap Open Enrollment Period
During the six-month Medigap Open Enrollment Period, which begins the month you are both age 65 or older and enrolled in Medicare Part B, you have guaranteed issue rights to purchase any Medigap plan available in your state without medical underwriting.
Important Changes to Medigap Policies
It's essential to note that as of January 1, 2020, Plan C and Plan F are no longer available for those who turned 65 on or after this date, except for those who were eligible for Medicare before January 1, 2020, but not yet enrolled.
Ensuring Important Medicare Notifications
To ensure you receive important Medicare notifications, it's crucial to update your mailing address with the SSA. You can do this online, by phone, or in person at your local Social Security office.
By understanding these rules and guidelines, navigating Medigap changes and addressing your address updates becomes more manageable. Always remember to consult with the SSA or a trusted healthcare professional for personalised advice.
- For those who need to change their address, they can visit the Social Security office, call them on 1-800-772-1213 (TTY users can call 1-800-325-0778), or do it online through the Social Security website.
- During the initial six-month Medigap Open Enrollment Period, you can purchase any Medigap plan available in your state without medical underwriting.
- If you lose your employer-sponsored health insurance, Medicaid, or other coverage through no fault of your own, you may be eligible to switch or buy a Medigap policy without medical underwriting or penalties.
- Switching or buying a new Medigap plan outside the initial six-month Medigap Open Enrollment Period can be challenging due to medical underwriting. However, certain situations, such as moving to a new area or leaving a Medicare Advantage plan during a special enrollment period, allow you to switch Medigap policies without penalties.
