Medicare beneficiaries are on the move! Every day thousands of seniors are relocating to new cities and states for better weather, to be closer to family, or simply for a change of scenery.
Big life changes are in store when your Medicare beneficiary client has notified you they will be moving soon. In addition to moving their belongings, getting settled in a home, and finding all new doctors, your client will most likely need to switch to a new Medicare plan as well. The process of changing Medicare plans can seem overwhelming for some. But as a trusted resource in the life of your client, there are ways you can help ease the transition.
Help them understand how moving affects their Medicare coverage
The exact way your client will be impacted by their move depends on the current plan.
Medigap Policy Owners – If your client is on Original Medicare and has a Medicare supplement,
they will be able to take the plan with them to another part of the country. However, pricing of
Medicare supplements varies by location. Therefore, the client may be required to pay a higher
premium than they’ve grown accustomed to. The client can shop for a less expensive policy, but
they will be subject to medical underwriting.
Prescription Drug Plan Owners – Medicare Part D plans vary by state. So, an out-of-state move
will certainly require your client to shop for a new prescription drug plan.
Medicare Advantage Plan – While some Medicare Advantage plans offer regional coverage, it is
most likely that your client will need to find a new plan after their move. MA plans can vary
quite a bit from one service area to the next with differing benefits, premiums, and carriers.
Your client could also choose to return to Original Medicare and shop for a supplement. But
again, they would be subject to medical underwriting.
Make sure they know when their SEP begins and ends
Medicare has established a Special Election Period for beneficiaries who are moving outside the service area of their current Medicare plan. While it is possible for your client to select a new plan the month prior to their anticipated move, many seniors are more comfortable meeting with a local agent that knows the market in their new area. Assuming the client waits until after the move, they will have the month in which they notified their Medicare Plan Provider plus two additional months to switch plans.
Help them get connected to a trusted, local Medicare resource
Here at Plan Advisors, we believe there is value in beneficiaries meeting with local insurance professionals that are familiar with the benefits and provider networks utilized by the various Medicare plans available.
That’s why we have the Plan Advisors Broker Referral Program. You can be sure your client is comfortably guided through the decision-making process by a knowledgeable licensed producer. You get peace of mind, and your client gets proper service and care.
Curious where seniors are relocating to?
Here are the top 10 states seniors are moving to:
- South Carolina
- North Carolina