Supplemental Medicare plans after a move ?

[omni550]

The choice of providers of supplemental Medicare plans aka Medigap coverage (like Plan F, Plan G, etc.) varies depending on your home zip code.

I was under the impression that a permanent move to a new location would result in a new menu of providers, driven by your new zip code.

Someone recently told me that that is not the case. Rather, if you so choose, you can keep your old provider & plan after a move to a new address.

Can anyone confirm what happens to your Medigap provider choices after a move?

omni

 

[MBSC]

Your Medigap plan moves with you. If the plan's rates are based on the resident state, like UHC/AARP plans, your rates will be adjusted up or down depending on medical costs in the new location. Your rates will not change if they are based on the issue state, like United American plans.

You have the option of looking at other carriers but may be subject to medical underwriting unless state regulations prevent this. For example, NY and CT are year round guaranteed issue. WA allows changes anytime without underwriting. CA and OR have a birthday rule that allow lateral or downgrade changes annually without underwriting. MO has an anniversary rule allowing lateral changes annually without underwriting.

 

[ShokWaveRider]

I have done this research too. Plans seem to vary depending on an area's concentration of doctors. When we chose our retirement area we took this into account. We trip over doctors and specialists when we walk down town here . In fact there are many GPs & specialists that reside in our development.

When we check on the supplemental plans, they seem reasonable and every doc. or Spec. I search for takes Medicare. It is Florida though, so there is a high concentration of Medicare recipients, so it is not in their interest not to take Medicare if they want to make a good living.