That’s correct (although some states have more lenient rules for switching). It’s why H has Medicare + supplement, and I will when I start later this year.
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But note that with traditional Medicare supplement plans, you may also be subject to medical underwriting if you later want to switch to a higher coverage plan.
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But are you subject to underwriting if you have a supplement plan and move states? That was the crux of my question above which nobody addressed, maybe because no one knows. If I keep the same letter plan and move from state A to state B, will I be subject to underwriting?
If you purchased a medigap plan that operates in the state that you are moving to, you can keep the same plan and the medigap insurance may change your premium to coincide with their coverage in a different zip code. I am bicoastal and have visited doctors in both states, I have regular Medicare plus plan G medigap policy.
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I believe that you are subject to underwriting. This is from the AARP website:
“You usually don’t have to switch Medigap plans if you move, but you should notify the insurer of your new address. Some insurers let you keep the rate based on the state where you originally applied for Medigap. Others may change your premiums to coincide with their coverage in a different ZIP code.
Medigap consumer protections vary from state to state, so you may have additional options depending on where you move. For example, Connecticut, Massachusetts and New York allow you to buy a Medigap policy anytime regardless of your health.
… If you already have a Medigap policy, insurers in most states aren’t required to offer you a new one just because you move. If you choose to apply for a new policy, you’ll probably have to answer health questions.”
A lot of insurers will be able to cover you in another state, but it might cost more.
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FYI
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I certainly haven’t read all of these comments but I will give my experience. We (DH and me) are on MA in the state of Illinois. I recently had to see a retinal specialist due to the onset of macular degeneration. The RS told me that MA ties her hands when it comes to choosing the drug to treat the eye whereas regular Medicare allows her to use any drug as long as it has been approved by the FDA. She also said MA wants her to submit approval for the injection but time is of the essence. The RS gave me a sample drug injection that so we could get things going. She told me that I should really pick Medicare in the future.
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I would be sure to have something in addition to Medicare (maybe MediGap) or private insurance or something to cap your out of pocket max per year. There is NO cap with Medicare and 20% of big medical bills is a lot of $$$!
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