Key Takeaways

• Medicare coverage does not automatically follow you everywhere. Coverage rules change depending on where you go, how long you stay, and what type of Medicare you have.

• Before traveling or relocating, review your Medicare plan’s network, emergency coverage, and out-of-area benefits to avoid gaps in healthcare access.

Why Medicare Coverage Isn’t Always Portable

Medicare is a federal program, but that doesn’t mean coverage works the same way across the country or outside the U.S. While Original Medicare (Part A and Part B) generally covers you anywhere in the U.S. where providers accept Medicare, Medicare Advantage plans have specific service areas and may restrict access outside of your home region.

Your type of Medicare plan—Original Medicare or Medicare Advantage—affects what happens when you travel or move. Knowing these differences can help prevent unexpected medical bills or service denials.

Traveling Within the United States

If you’re traveling domestically, your Medicare coverage varies depending on the plan type:

Original Medicare

• Coverage: Part A (hospital) and Part B (medical) are accepted by any provider nationwide who accepts Medicare.

• Flexibility: You can see any doctor or hospital in the U.S. that participates in Medicare without network restrictions.

• Limitations: You may have to pay for services up front if the provider doesn’t bill Medicare directly, which can happen in rare cases.

Medicare Advantage (Part C)

• Network Limitations: Most Advantage plans operate within specific geographic networks. Coverage outside your plan’s service area may be limited to emergency or urgent care.

• Out-of-Network Costs: If you receive non-emergency care outside the plan network, you could face higher costs—or your care may not be covered at all.

• Temporary Travel: Some plans allow temporary out-of-area coverage for up to 6 months, but you must confirm this with your plan.

Medicare Part D (Prescription Drug Plans)

• Retail Pharmacy Access: Your drug plan may not cover pharmacies outside your service area.

• Mail-Order Options: Many plans offer mail-order pharmacies that deliver nationwide, but verify this with your provider before you travel.

Planning for an Extended Trip

If you’re going to be away from home for several months, you need to make special arrangements:

• Verify Provider Access: Check whether doctors, hospitals, and pharmacies at your destination accept your plan.

• Consider a Special Enrollment Period (SEP): If your extended stay qualifies as a change in residence, you may be able to switch plans.

• Review Travel Duration Limits: Some Medicare Advantage plans disenroll members after a certain period of being outside their service area—often 6 consecutive months.

What Happens When You Move

A permanent change of address—such as relocating to a new state—can trigger major changes to your Medicare coverage. Here’s what to consider:

Your Move Could Qualify You for a Special Enrollment Period (SEP)

• You typically have 2 months from the month after your move to switch Medicare Advantage or Part D plans.

• The SEP begins when you notify Medicare or your plan about your move.

• During this time, you can:

  • Enroll in a new Medicare Advantage or Part D plan

  • Switch from Medicare Advantage to Original Medicare

  • Add a standalone Part D plan if switching to Original Medicare

Your Current Plan May Not Be Available in Your New Location

• Medicare Advantage and Part D plans are region-specific. If your new zip code falls outside your current plan’s service area, you’ll need to select a new plan.

• Even if a similar plan exists in the new area, benefits, provider networks, and costs may differ.

Timing is Crucial

• Start researching new plans as soon as you confirm your move.

• Delaying your enrollment beyond the SEP window could result in late penalties or gaps in coverage.

Emergency and Urgent Care Coverage

Whether you’re traveling for a few days or relocating, knowing how emergency and urgent care are handled is essential:

• Original Medicare: Covers emergency and urgent care anywhere in the U.S.

• Medicare Advantage: Must cover emergency and urgent care anywhere in the U.S., regardless of network rules. However, non-emergency follow-up care may not be covered.

• Medicare Part D: Covers emergency prescriptions, but only at in-network pharmacies unless otherwise specified.

Traveling Outside the United States

Medicare coverage outside the U.S. is limited. Here’s how it breaks down:

Original Medicare

• Generally Not Covered: Medicare doesn’t usually pay for healthcare outside the U.S.

• Exceptions Include:

  • You’re in the U.S. but a foreign hospital is closer in an emergency

  • You’re traveling between Alaska and another U.S. state through Canada and an emergency occurs

  • You’re on a cruise ship within 6 hours of a U.S. port and the doctor is licensed in the U.S.

• Out-of-Pocket: You must often pay the full cost upfront and submit claims to Medicare. Reimbursement is not guaranteed.

Medicare Advantage Plans

• Some Advantage plans include limited international emergency coverage.

• Contact your plan to understand exact coverage and cost-sharing responsibilities.

Medicare Supplement Insurance (Medigap)

• Certain Medigap plans (like Plan G and Plan N) include foreign travel emergency benefits:

  • Typically covers 80% of emergency care abroad after a $250 deductible

  • Coverage capped at $50,000 over your lifetime

  • Limited to emergency care within the first 60 days of your trip

When a Temporary Stay Becomes Permanent

Sometimes a planned short-term stay—such as caring for a family member or escaping the weather—turns into a long-term relocation. If that happens:

• Inform Medicare or Your Plan Promptly: Officially changing your address starts your SEP clock.

• Update Your Contact Information: Ensures you receive important notices and plan documents.

• Review Local Options: Plans available in your previous zip code likely won’t be valid long-term in your new one.

Best Practices for Staying Covered on the Move

To avoid disruptions in coverage or unexpected costs, follow these steps before and during travel:

• Contact Your Plan Provider: Clarify what services are covered at your destination and how long coverage lasts.

• Carry Your Medicare Card and Plan Information: You may need to show proof of coverage to providers.

• Keep a Record of Your Medical History: Especially helpful if you need to see new providers.

• Plan for Prescriptions: Refill before travel or confirm access at your destination.

• Document Travel Dates: Especially if your stay approaches the 6-month limit for Medicare Advantage coverage.

Medicare Coverage Rules Don’t Pause Just Because You’re on the Move

Medicare offers important benefits, but those benefits come with boundaries—some defined by geography, others by plan type. If you’re traveling or planning a move, take the time to understand how your current Medicare coverage fits into your new environment. It’s better to prepare in advance than to be caught by surprise when you need care.

Speak with a licensed agent listed on this website if you’re planning a relocation or extended travel. They can walk you through plan options, coverage networks, and enrollment deadlines to ensure you stay protected wherever you go.