Many seniors enjoy a snowbird lifestyle. They spend the Spring and Summer up North enjoying the mild temperatures. When the Winter hits, they head South to the Sunbelt to enjoy warm and sunny days.

This way, retirees get to live in a warm, outdoor climate all year round. But what about your Medicare coverage if you are a resident of two states? Will the coverage go with you when you pack up to spend your Winter in the South?

Here is some information on how your Medicare covers you if you are a dual state resident.

Original Medicare Benefits: Go Where You Go

Original Medicare (Part A and Part B) follow you no matter where you go, if it’s within the United States or one of its territories.

The coverage area for Original Medicare recipients includes:

• The 50 States
• The District of Columbia
• Puerto Rico
• Guam and American Samoa
• The Virgin Islands
• The Northern Mariana Islands

This means if you would like to live half the year in Ohio and the other half in Phoenix, your Original Medicare benefits remain the same. As long as you select a medical provider that accepts Parts A and B, you are free to roam where you wish.

Medicare Supplement Insurance: Not Restricted by State Lines

Like your Original Medicare benefits, Medicare supplement insurance is not limited to one state or another. This means your supplement will respond no matter where you are if the doctor or hospital accepts Medicare. If you reside in two states, your Medicare supplement insurance covers you no matter which state you are in at the time.

Medicare Advantage and Part D May Not Extend Across State Lines

While Original Medicare and Medicare Supplement insurance follows you across state lines, Medicare Advantage and Medicare Part D don’t offer the same flexibility. The coverage from these plans is determined by a coverage network.

These plans have different out of state coverage rules and your plan may not cover you if you are traveling or living out of state. Some plans require that you maintain a permanent residency in the state where you originally enrolled.

There may be instances where you can receive out of network care with Medicare Advantage and Part D, but your costs may be high. There may also be additional steps you must take such as securing proper authorization before receiving care.

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