Can Moving Affect your Coverage?
Yes, it can. Many insurance products are tied to a geographic area. Please watch our video on this topic at healthcarenavigation.com/
Whether or not moving affects your coverage depends on your situation and how significant the move is. If you’re moving locally to larger quarters or downsizing, then the move is unlikely to affect your coverage and you should simply report the change of address to the insurer. However, individual coverage is always tied to your state of residence and a move even within the state can affect your coverage.
A person whose coverage is affected by a move has an opportunity to apply for coverage in the new location but within a certain timeframe, usually 60 days, so be mindful of these issues and plan ahead.
Medicare Advantage Plans and Medicare Part D Plans are also tied to where you reside. You might be able to transfer your coverage if you’re moving to a different region served by the Medicare Advantage Plan or Part D Plan. The premium might be different, however, and with an Advantage Plan the network will always be different in a different geographic area.
Moving is less of an issue with coverage through an employer or union because eligibility for that coverage is based on a job. And moving does not affect coverage for Medicare Part A and Part B if one remains on original Medicare. Since most people on original Medicare also have a Medicare supplement and Part D plan, however, those on original Medicare usually have to be mindful of how a move affects coverage. Always confirm that a Medicare supplement is portable and then it can move with you. In that instance, inform the insurer of the new address and they will let you know if the move affects your premium.
Moving does not affect one’s eligibility for COBRA, the temporary extension of group coverage, but one has to consider the network of providers available associated with a move.
Our advice is to always think through the healthcare coverage implications of a planned move so that you don’t inadvertently find yourself with a gap in coverage.
Please encourage those you know to review this information and/or watch the video and spread the word. We have had many desperate calls from people over the years who moved without planning ahead and had a gap in coverage. Thanks!
