Moving to Pennsylvania or New Jersey with Medicare does not necessarily mean starting your coverage over. What you need to do depends primarily on whether you have Original Medicare, a Medicare Supplement policy, a Medicare Advantage plan or a stand-alone Medicare Part D prescription drug plan.
Original Medicare generally works nationwide, while Medicare Advantage and Part D plans operate within defined service areas. Medicare Supplement coverage is generally portable, but premiums and available insurance companies may differ after a move.
Reviewing your coverage before relocating can prevent prescription, provider-network and enrollment problems after your address changes.
The DeAngelis Agency can review your current Medicare coverage, determine whether it will continue working at your new address and compare available options in Pennsylvania or New Jersey.
Call or text The DeAngelis Agency at 215-967-8828. There is no charge or obligation.
The effect of a move depends on how you currently receive your Medicare benefits. The four major types of coverage do not all follow the same rules.
Original Medicare Part A and Part B generally continues throughout the United States. You do not enroll in a new version of Original Medicare merely because you move to Pennsylvania or New Jersey.
A standard Medicare Supplement policy can generally be kept after an interstate move as long as you remain enrolled in Original Medicare and continue paying the premium.
Medicare Advantage plans have service areas and provider networks. Moving may require you to choose a new plan or return to Original Medicare.
Stand-alone prescription drug plans also have service areas and preferred pharmacy arrangements. Your current plan may not be available at the new address.
Original Medicare is federal coverage rather than a local insurance network. If you have Medicare Parts A and B, your coverage generally continues when you move anywhere within the United States.
You should still confirm that your new doctors, specialists and hospitals accept Medicare. A move is also a good time to establish a new primary-care physician, transfer medical records and confirm where you will receive ongoing treatment.
Your Medicare number and general Part A and Part B benefits do not change simply because you cross a state or county line.
In most cases, yes. Medicare states that you can generally keep your current Medigap policy regardless of where you live, provided you continue to have Original Medicare.
Medicare Supplement plans normally do not use local doctor or hospital networks. A standard Plan G or Plan N continues working with Medicare-participating providers throughout the country according to the policy's standardized benefits.
Important: Keeping an existing Medicare Supplement policy is different from applying for a new one. A move does not automatically give everyone the right to purchase any new Medigap policy without medical underwriting.
It may. Medicare Supplement premiums can be affected by your state, ZIP code, rating area, age, available discounts and the insurance company's pricing rules.
Contact the insurance company before moving and ask whether your premium will change at the new address. Even if the existing policy remains valid, another company may offer a more competitive rate in the new location.
Usually not. You should not replace a policy merely because you are moving. First confirm the new premium and compare it with other available companies.
If you voluntarily apply for a different Medicare Supplement policy, medical underwriting may apply unless you are within your Medigap Open Enrollment Period or have a guaranteed-issue right.
Never cancel the existing Medicare Supplement policy until the new policy has been approved, the premium confirmed and the effective date established. Learn more about switching Medicare Supplement companies.
Medicare SELECT is a type of Medigap policy that may require the use of certain hospitals or providers except in emergencies. Moving outside its service area can create special rights to obtain other Medigap coverage.
Contact the Medicare SELECT company before moving so you understand your deadlines and available replacement options.
Medicare Advantage plans are tied to geographic service areas. If your new Pennsylvania or New Jersey address is outside your current plan's service area, you generally qualify for a Special Enrollment Period.
During that period, you may be able to:
If you notify your plan before moving, the Special Enrollment Period generally begins during the month before the month you move and continues for two full months afterward. If you notify the plan after moving, the period generally begins when the plan is informed and continues for two full months.
Do not assume that a company offering plans in both states provides the same plan, network, premium or benefits at both addresses. Plan availability can change by county and ZIP code.
Stand-alone Medicare Part D plans also operate within service areas. Moving outside your current plan's service area generally creates a Special Enrollment Period to select a plan available at the new address.
Even if the same company operates in the new state, review:
A plan with a low premium is not necessarily the least expensive plan once your specific prescriptions are included. Read more about how to find a Medicare Part D plan.
Pennsylvania and New Jersey are neighboring states, but their Medicare Advantage plans, Part D options and Medicare Supplement premiums are not identical.
Someone moving from Bucks County to New Jersey—or from New Jersey to southeastern Pennsylvania—should not assume that the old plan will continue unchanged. The new county, ZIP code, provider networks and carrier availability must be reviewed.
People with Original Medicare and a standard Medicare Supplement generally have the simplest transition because those benefits are not based on a local provider network. However, the insurer should still be notified, and the new premium should be confirmed.
No. Moving to Pennsylvania or New Jersey does not ordinarily require you to reenroll in Medicare Parts A and B. You should update your address and review any private Medicare coverage.
Generally, yes. You can normally keep a standard Medicare Supplement policy as long as you remain enrolled in Original Medicare and continue paying the premium.
Not necessarily. The premium may change because rates can depend on the state, ZIP code, rating area and available discounts.
Not automatically. If you voluntarily apply for another Medicare Supplement policy, underwriting may apply unless you have a protected enrollment right. Medicare SELECT policies may have different moving protections.
Moving outside the plan's service area generally creates a Special Enrollment Period. You can review plans at the new address or return to Original Medicare.
Possibly, but you must confirm that the plan serves your new address. You should also compare its formulary, pharmacies and prescription costs with other available plans.
Medicare directs beneficiaries to update their official address through Social Security, including people who have Medicare but are not currently receiving Social Security benefits.
Begin before the move whenever possible. Early review gives you time to compare plans, confirm networks and prescriptions, and use any Special Enrollment Period correctly.
Medicare can be confusing, but getting answers shouldn't be.
Whether you're enrolling for the first time, reviewing your current coverage, considering a plan change, or simply looking for a second opinion, I'm happy to help you understand your options and answer your questions.
I've been helping Medicare beneficiaries since 1985, and I've built my practice on straightforward advice, long-term relationships, and treating people the way I'd want my own family treated.
If you'd like to discuss your Medicare options, call or text The DeAngelis Agency at 215-967-8828.
There's no pressure and no obligation—just honest guidance to help you make a confident decision.
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