Medicare Change of Address: Simple Steps to Update Your Medicare Address
There are a lot of things that can change in your life when you retire. One common change is where you live. While many people choose to stay in their homes and age in place, many others choose to downsize or move into a retirement community. If you do move, changing your address for Medicare is important to maintain proper coverage. It may seem like a minor detail, but forgetting to update your current address could cost you time and money.
Key takeaways:
It’s important to update your address for Medicare.
Moving may allow or require a change in your Medicare coverage.
You can change your address for Medicare by updating your information online through your Social Security account, calling 1-800-772-1213 (TTY users can call 1-800-325-0778), or contacting your local Social Security office.
Why it’s important to update your Medicare address
Moving is stressful. We recommend using a moving checklist to make sure you don’t miss an important step during the hustle and bustle of it all! One of the important tasks that some people miss is changing their address for Medicare, which is important for a number of reasons.
Medicare plan access
The specific set of Medicare plans available to you depends on where you live. If you move within the same county, you’ll have access to the same plans. If you move to another county, however, you may be able to choose new Medicare coverage.
You’re eligible for a Special Enrollment Period if you do one of the following:
Move to a new address that isn’t in your plan’s service area
Move to a new address that has additional plan options
If you move to an area where your Medicare Advantage plan isn’t offered, you can choose to receive coverage from Original Medicare and join a Medicare Supplement plan. This qualifies you for what’s called “guaranteed issue rights” where an insurance company can’t deny you a Medicare Supplement policy. Outside of guaranteed issue periods, insurance companies can require medical underwriting.
Timely communication
Changing your address for Medicare ensures that you receive all the essential communication promptly. Especially in light of a move with new doctors and healthcare facilities, you'll want to easily view updates, notifications, new Medicare cards, and billing information.
Healthcare access
Whether it’s an emergency or routine check-up, having your correct address on file ensures that you can access healthcare services seamlessly. What’s more, changing your address for Medicare helps healthcare providers locate you should they need to get in touch.
Preventing identity theft
An outdated address can be dangerous for identity fraud. Updating your address is a good way to protect your personal information and prevent unauthorized access to your healthcare records.
How to change your Medicare address
The process of changing your Medicare address is pretty straightforward. You’ll have to get in touch with Social Security in one of three ways:
Update your information via your account on the Social Security website. This is the fastest way to notify Medicare of an address change.
Call the Social Security number at 1-800-772-1213. TTY users can call 1-800-325-0778.
Get in touch with your local Social Security office. You can use the Social security office locator online.
If you need to update other personal information like your phone number or email address, you can do so through your Medicare account.
Social Security and Medicare change of address
You may wonder why you need to contact Social Security for Medicare information. Medicare works directly with the Social Security Administration to maintain records. Even if you don’t receive Social Security benefits, you’ll still have to contact the SSA to update your address for Medicare purposes.
If you have more questions about updating Medicare information or other Medicare-related inquiries, our licensed Advisors are here to help! Schedule a chat today or call us at 855-900-2427.
Frequently asked questions
If you move out of the service area of your Medicare Advantage plan, you qualify for a Special Enrollment Period. You can switch to a new Medicare Advantage plan or switch back to Original Medicare. The period of time you can join a new Medicare Advantage plan depends on when you move:
If you notify your plan before you move, the period begins one month before the month you actually move and continues for two months afterwards. This totals to four months.
If you notify your plan after you move, you’ll have the month you tell your plan and two months after that. This totals to three months.
You can also switch Medicare Advantage plans if you move to an area that your plan operates in, but you find another plan that works better for you at this new location.
If you miss the period in which you can join a new Medicare Advantage plan, you’ll be automatically disenrolled from your Medicare Advantage plan and enrolled in Original Medicare. If you wish to enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan, you can do so during the Open Enrollment Period, which occurs from October 15th to December 7th every year.
You can also change your prescription drug coverage if you move to a new place. The same rules for Medicare Advantage plans apply to Part D plans. You can find these rules above.
Updating your mailing address is also important for finding your nearest network pharmacies and receiving mail order drugs.
If you need to secure health insurance after turning 65 and you’ve been living abroad, you’re still eligible for Medicare. You’ll qualify for a Special Enrollment Period, and you can join a Medicare Advantage plan or Medicare drug plan. Your window of time to enroll begins after the month you move back to the US and lasts for two months.