Thinking about moving—or already packing the boxes? If you’re on Medicare, you might be wondering what happens to your coverage when you change your zip code.

The short answer? It depends on the type of Medicare coverage you have.
Let’s break it down so you know exactly what to expect—without the confusion.

If You Have Original Medicare (Parts A & B)

You can breathe easy. Original Medicare is a federal program, which means it travels with you no matter where you go in the United States. Whether you’re headed to sunny Florida, the quiet mountains of Colorado, or just crossing the state line to be closer to family, your hospital (Part A) and medical (Part B) coverage stays exactly the same.

All you need to do is update your address with Social Security or the Railroad Retirement Board.
(We’ll walk you through that in a later section.)

If You Have a Medicare Advantage Plan or a Part D Drug Plan

This is where it gets more important to pay attention.

Medicare Advantage (Part C) and standalone Prescription Drug Plans (Part D) are run by private insurance companies, not the federal government. These plans are regional, meaning they’re only available in specific service areas.
So if you move outside your current plan’s service area, your plan might not go with you.

Here’s what can happen:

• You may lose access to your plan’s provider network and benefits.
• Your plan may automatically disenroll you once your new address is on file.
• But don’t worry—moving qualifies you for a Special Enrollment Period, which gives you time to choose a new plan that works in your new area.

In short:
✅ Original Medicare travels with you.
⚠️ Medicare Advantage and Part D may not.

Moving is stressful enough. Understanding how Medicare works across state lines doesn’t have to be.
Stick with us as we explain what to do next, how to avoid gaps in coverage, and how to switch plans if needed—all in plain English.

Yes—and it’s more important than you might think.

When you move, you probably think about updating your driver's license, forwarding your mail, and maybe even finding the nearest grocery store. But one thing many people overlook? Notifying Medicare.

Let me tell you about a client of mine, Susan, who moved from Pennsylvania to Florida to be closer to her grandkids. She updated her address with the post office and even switched her voter registration—but she forgot to tell Medicare. A few weeks later, she went to refill her prescriptions and found out her plan had dropped her. Why? Her new address was outside the plan’s service area, and the insurer automatically disenrolled her.

The good news? We got it straightened out—but there was a stressful gap in coverage that could’ve been avoided.

Who Do You Need to Notify?

If you have Original Medicare (Parts A & B):

• You need to update your address with the Social Security Administration (SSA) or the Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) (whichever one you originally enrolled through).
• Medicare pulls your info from them, so that’s where the update has to happen.

If you have a Medicare Advantage, Part D, or Medigap plan:

• You also need to contact your private insurance provider directly.
  They manage your plan benefits and need your new address to determine whether your plan still works in your new area—or if you’ll need to switch.

Why This Matters

Failing to notify the right people can lead to:

• Gaps in your coverage
• Delays in accessing care or medications
• Automatic disenrollment from your current plan
• Missed opportunity to enroll in a new plan through your Special Enrollment Period (SEP)

Even something as simple as an incorrect zip code can throw a wrench into your Medicare benefits. So it’s worth making this one of your first calls—right up there with the movers and the utility company.

👉 Bottom line?
A quick phone call (or online update) can save you a lot of hassle—and help ensure your coverage follows you without a hiccup.

Up next, we’ll dive into how your specific type of Medicare plan could change when you move.

Here’s some good news—if you’re on Original Medicare (that’s Parts A and B), moving to a new state doesn’t mean jumping through a bunch of hoops.

Unlike Medicare Advantage or Part D plans that depend on local networks, Original Medicare is a federal program—which means it works the same no matter where you live in the U.S.

So if you're heading from Ohio to North Carolina, or from the city to somewhere a little more peaceful, your hospital (Part A) and medical (Part B) benefits come right along with you. No reapplying. No plan switching. No headaches.

You Don’t Need to Change Plans

Whether you’re seeing a new doctor or visiting a new hospital, as long as they accept Medicare, you’re covered. That gives you a lot of flexibility and peace of mind—especially if you like to travel or if life takes you to a new home unexpectedly.

I once had a client named Ron, who split his time between Pennsylvania and Florida each year. He didn’t need to worry about switching anything—his Original Medicare followed him wherever he went.

But Don’t Forget to Update Your Address

Even though your coverage stays the same, it’s still important to update your address with the Social Security Administration (or the Railroad Retirement Board if that’s who you enrolled through).

Why does that matter?

• So you don’t miss important mail about your benefits
• To make sure your premiums (if you have any) are billed correctly
• And just to keep everything in good standing

So while moving can feel like a whirlwind, this part’s easy.
No need to change your Medicare plan—just update your address and carry on.

Next up, we’ll look at what happens if you have a Medicare Advantage or drug plan instead. (Spoiler: those are a little trickier.)

If you’re enrolled in a Medicare Advantage (Part C) plan or a standalone Part D prescription drug plan, moving gets a bit more complicated—but it’s totally manageable once you know what to expect.

Unlike Original Medicare, these plans are offered by private insurance companies and are based on local service areas. That means what’s available in your current zip code might not be available in your new one.

🚫 Service Area Limitations

Let’s say you’re in a Medicare Advantage plan that includes your favorite doctors, a good network of hospitals, and maybe even some extra perks like dental or vision. If you move outside of that plan’s service area, you could lose access to all of it.

It’s not because you did anything wrong—it’s just how the system works. These plans are built to serve specific regions.

⚠️ Risk of Automatic Disenrollment

If you update your address and your current plan doesn’t operate in that new location, your insurance company may automatically disenroll you from your plan.

That can leave you without prescription drug coverage or managed care benefits—unless you take action during the Special Enrollment Period triggered by your move (more on that in a moment).

Your Options When You Move

You’re not stuck. In fact, moving gives you several choices:

• 👉 Switch to a new Medicare Advantage plan that’s available in your new area
• 👉 Pick a new Part D plan for your prescription drug coverage
• 👉 Or, if you prefer, return to Original Medicare (and optionally add a Medigap plan)

If you’re moving somewhere more rural or to a state with different provider networks, sometimes Original Medicare plus a Medigap plan offers more flexibility. It really depends on your needs and what’s available locally.

Here’s where timing becomes really important.

When you move to a new address—especially if it’s outside your current Medicare Advantage or Part D plan’s service area—it qualifies as a Special Enrollment Period, or SEP.

This gives you a limited window of time to switch plans or return to Original Medicare without penalty.

⏳ Before vs. After You Move

The timing of when you notify your plan actually affects how much time you have to make changes:

• If you let your plan know before you move, your SEP starts the month before your move and continues for two full months after.
• If you notify them after you’ve moved, your SEP begins the month you report the move and still lasts for two full months after that.

So, letting them know ahead of time can give you a little breathing room.

📦 What Counts as a “Move”?

You qualify for a Special Enrollment Period if:

• You move to a new address that isn’t in your current plan’s service area
• You move within the same state, but into an area where different plan options are available
• You return to the U.S. after living abroad
• You move into or out of a skilled nursing facility or long-term care home

A move is a major life transition. The last thing you need is unexpected surprises with your healthcare coverage.
Just remember: You have options, but they’re time-sensitive—so don’t wait too long to act.

Next, we’ll talk about how Medigap (Medicare Supplement) plans work when you move—and what to expect if you want to switch.

Here’s a nice surprise: If you have a Medigap (Medicare Supplement) plan, you can usually keep it when you move, as long as you’re still on Original Medicare.

But there are a couple of things to keep in mind…

💰 Your Premium May Change

Medigap pricing varies by state, and sometimes even by zip code. So even if you keep the same plan letter (like Plan G or Plan N), you might notice a change in your monthly premium based on your new location.

🩺 Switching Plans May Trigger Underwriting

If you decide to switch to a different Medigap plan after you move, you could be asked to answer medical questions—unless you qualify for guaranteed-issue rights (we’ll cover that next). So it’s smart to check with the insurance company before making any changes.

In some cases, moving gives you special rights to buy a new Medigap policy—even if you have health issues.

✅ When You Have Guaranteed-Issue Rights

You may qualify if:

• You move out of your current Medicare SELECT plan’s service area
• Your Advantage plan is no longer available in your new location, and you return to Original Medicare

These guaranteed rights protect you from being denied coverage or charged more because of your health.

🗺️ What’s a Medicare SELECT Plan?

It’s a type of Medigap plan with a restricted provider network (kind of like an HMO). If you move outside the SELECT network, you’ll likely need to change plans—and that triggers guaranteed-issue rights.

So if you’re in a SELECT plan and heading to a new state or even a new part of your current state, check your eligibility and options right away.

Keeping your address current is one of the simplest things you can do to keep your Medicare coverage running smoothly.

🧾 If You Have Original Medicare (Parts A & B)

Update your address with:

• Social Security Administration (SSA) if you signed up through them
• Or the Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) if that’s who you enrolled through

If You Have Medicare Advantage, Part D, or Medigap

You’ll also want to call your plan provider directly and give them your new address. This ensures they can send your ID card, plan documents, and keep your benefits aligned with your location.

But here’s something a lot of people don’t realize:
Moving gives you a unique opportunity to explore what other plans are available in your new area.

Why It Matters:
Medicare Advantage and Part D plans vary by zip code. So depending on where you’re moving, there may be:

• Plans with lower premiums
• Better drug coverage for your medications
• Different provider networks or added perks like dental, vision, or gym memberships

Even if your current plan is available in your new zip code, it’s worth comparing—you might find something better.

📌 Tip: Try to do this before you move, so there’s no disruption in communication or coverage—and so you don’t miss your Special Enrollment Period window.