Moving into a new residence is nothing short of a chore. From changing utilities to phone numbers and redirecting the mail, there is always something or someone you forget to inform. However, it is absolutely paramount to change your address with Medicare, and here’s why.
If you don’t update your address for Medicare, it can impact your health coverage and lead to other problems, such as delayed payment or refusal of claims if you are outside of a coverage area. There are many ways to complete a Medicare address change, which we’ll cover for you below.
You have to complete a change Medicare address online, or via the Medicare address change form. You are required by law to notify Medicare of a change of address. The reason you must change your address is that if you have a Medicare Advantage plan, you may not be allowed to be on that same plan due to specific plan areas that you plan covers. Even moving one street out of a zip code could cause a change in plan.
Furthermore, not updating your address through the social security office could cause you to miss out on your social security check if you still get a paper one.
You need to change your address as soon as you have moved, or as soon as you know what your new address will be in order to give everyone as much time possible to update your cards and details, as well as a new insurance policy if applicable. Medicare address change forms are available at SSA.gov.
Make sure that you contact your Medicare Advantage plan to dis-enroll, and find a new plan before you move to avoid any disruption in your medical coverage. You can change plans online or over the phone at 1-800-Medicare.
All address changes must go through the Social Security Administration. They are the ones who administer Medicare and will be able to update your address across the systems. Do not call 1-800-Medicare to update your address.
Your address must be changed via the Social security address change protocols. Once your address has been updated it will show up in the Medicare system, but it can take up to 4 weeks depending on the route you choose.
If you do not have a computer, you can call the SSA, or go into an office and collect a change of address form for paper filing. This will take longer, but if it is your only option, then that is okay. If you cannot read or write, a representative at the office will help you put in the change of address form.
The easiest way to change your address online is to go to SSA.gov and make yourself a My Social Security account. When you login, you can submit an address change online via the Social Security address change tool. It's that simple!
If you do not have a computer, anyone you elect can go online and change the address for you. If your local Library has internet access, the Library staff may be able to help you update the details online, or may be able to help you, by printing off a form.
If you should get benefits from the Railroad Retirement Board, then you must update your address with them via the phone or at your local office. They also have online tools and a change of address form that can be obtained by contacting the local office. Railroad retirement benefits come under a separate organization and must be updated by none other than that department.
