Moving to Washington with Medicare

If you already have Medigap

You can usually keep it. Medigap policies are guaranteed renewable and pay at any provider in the U.S. that accepts Medicare. Tell your insurer your new address. Your premium may change, because it will be based on your new state's rates for that policy.

You may not have to keep it. After you move, compare your current premium with Washington policies:

• Washington insurers can't price by age. If you're 75 and bought an attained-age policy elsewhere, a Washington community-rated premium may be lower.
• Once you hold a Medigap Plan B through N, Washington's switching rule lets you apply to replace it with a Washington Plan B through N at any time. Confirm with the new insurer that it will accept your out-of-state policy as the coverage you're replacing.
• Don't cancel the old policy until the new one is approved and in force.

If you're in Medicare Advantage

Moving out of your plan's service area ends your coverage and gives you two things: a Special Enrollment Period to pick new Medicare coverage, and a 63-day guaranteed-issue right to buy certain Medigap plans (A, B, D, G, K or L) without health questions. This is one of the few clean chances to move from Medicare Advantage to Medigap. See guaranteed issue.

If you're new to Medicare when you arrive

Your six-month Medigap open enrollment starts when you're 65 and enrolled in Part B, wherever you live. If it's still open when you move, any Washington insurer selling in your county must accept you.

Moving from Canada

People moving to Washington from British Columbia or elsewhere in Canada should sort out Medicare eligibility and Part B timing with Social Security before the move. Provincial health coverage isn't U.S. employer coverage, so it doesn't by itself let you delay Part B without a penalty. Once you're in Medicare, the same Washington Medigap rules apply to you as to anyone else.

First month checklist

1. Update your address with Social Security (Medicare) and your Medigap insurer.
2. If you have a Part D plan, check whether it serves Washington; moving gives you a Special Enrollment Period to change it.
3. Find your county to see which Medigap insurers sell where you now live.
4. Get Washington quotes for your plan letter and compare.