Keeping your medical care when you move to another state

For many people, the hardest part of moving isn't the boxes. It's leaving doctors they trust, especially when they're managing a heart condition, cancer care or another ongoing need. With some planning, you can move without a gap in your care.

If you have Original Medicare

Original Medicare works with any doctor or hospital in the country that accepts Medicare, so your coverage moves with you. If you have a Medicare supplement (Medigap) policy, you can generally keep it when you move, although the premium may change.

If you have Medicare Advantage

Medicare Advantage plans usually have a service area and a network of local doctors. If you move out of your plan's service area, you'll need a new plan. Moving gives you a special enrollment period to switch, generally starting the month before you move and lasting two months after. Check which plans in your new area include the specialists and hospital systems you want before you choose one.

Medicaid and other coverage

Medicaid is run by each state, so you'll need to apply again in your new state. If you have coverage through a job or a former employer, ask how it works in the new location.

Finding new specialists

Start early, because some specialists have long waits for new patients. Look at the major hospital systems in your new area and their specialty programs, not just the closest hospital. Ask your current doctor for recommendations; specialists often know colleagues around the country. Then confirm that the doctors you're considering accept your coverage and are taking new patients.

Records and prescriptions

You have a right to copies of your medical records. Ask for the important ones, such as recent test results, imaging, procedure notes and a current medication list, before you go, and keep a copy yourself.

Many prescriptions can be transferred to a pharmacy in your new area, especially within the same pharmacy chain. Some medications, including certain controlled substances, need a new prescription from a doctor licensed in your new state. Ask your current doctor for enough supply to bridge the gap until your first new appointment.

A simple plan

A few months before you move: research hospital systems and specialists, check your coverage, and request records. Before you leave: refill prescriptions and get any needed referrals. After you arrive: schedule your first appointments right away, even if you feel fine.

Choosing where to live with care in mind

If you need ongoing specialty care, think about distance to the right hospital system as part of choosing a neighborhood, not after. Being 20 minutes from your specialist is very different from being two hours away, especially if you may not always drive.

This is general information. Coverage rules and provider participation change, so confirm details with Medicare, your plan and the providers themselves.