If you have Original Medicare (Part A and Part B), you are covered anywhere in the United States. You must, however, use hospitals and doctors that accept Medicare.

If you have Medicare Part A and Part B, you are covered anywhere in the United States, so long as you use hospitals and doctors that accept Medicare.

Anywhere in the United States includes:

  • all 50 states
  • American Samoa
  • Guam
  • Puerto Rico
  • U.S. Virgin Islands
  • Washington, DC
  • the Northern Mariana Islands

Out-of-state coverage for Part D (prescription drug coverage) depends on whether any in-network pharmacies are near your travel location. Out-of-stage coverage for Part C (Medicare Advantage) varies depending on your specific plan.

This article reviews Medicare coverage in and outside the United States and how to update your Medicare info if you are moving to a different state. Keep reading to learn more.

Depending on your Medicare plan, your coverage may vary when you leave your home state.

Original Medicare

Original Medicare includes Part A (hospital insurance) and Part B (medical insurance). You’re covered when visiting doctors and hospitals that accept Medicare anywhere in the United States.

Part D (prescription drug coverage)

Medicare Part D consists of plans sold through private insurance companies and approved by Medicare. Plan options differ from company to company.

Some offer national coverage so that you can go to any location of their in-network pharmacies. However, some have pharmacy networks that are not available in other states or regions.

Before you travel to another state, check with your plan provider to see if your plan allows you to use your coverage in other states.

Part C (Medicare Advantage)

If you have a Medicare Advantage plan, your coverage outside your home state depends on your specific plan. Some things to check about your plan regarding out-of-state coverage:

  • Does your plan have a provider network that you must use to be covered? HMOs are good examples of this type of plan.
  • Does your plan allow you to use healthcare providers outside of your PPO? If so, will this trigger a higher copayment or coinsurance?

If you visit an out-of-network healthcare facility, you may have to pay more for medical care.

If you’re planning to travel outside your home state, check with your Medicare Advantage plan to understand your plan’s service area.

There are some limited situations when Original Medicare may cover medical care outside the United States, including if:

  • you live in the United States, have a medical emergency, and a foreign hospital is closer to you than the nearest U.S. hospital
  • you’re in Canada, have a medical emergency while traveling on a direct route between Alaska and another U.S. state, and the closest hospital that can treat you is in Canada
  • you’re on a cruise ship, need medically necessary care, and the ship is in U.S. waters, a U.S. port, or within 6 hours of arrival or departure from a U.S. port

Medicare Advantage

Medicare Advantage plans must provide the same level of coverage as Original Medicare, and some plans offer additional coverage.

Medicare Part D

If you have Medicare Part D or any other plan that includes prescription drug coverage, prescription medications purchased outside the United States are typically not covered.

Medicare supplement (Medigap)

Medigap plans C, D, F, G, M, and N all offer 80% foreign travel emergency care (up to plan limits).

If you’re planning to move to another state, as opposed to traveling to or through another state, you need to give Medicare your new home address.

The fastest way to update your Medicare contact information is to use the “My Profile” tab on the Social Security website. You do not have to receive Social Security benefits to use this site.

However, to access this site, you must first register. You can only create an account for your own use, and you must be able to verify information about yourself, including your:

  • Social Security number
  • U.S. mailing address
  • valid email address

You can also update your Medicare contact information by calling the Social Security Administration at 800-772-1213. You can go to your local Social Security field office if you’d prefer to update in person.

You can use your Medicare in another state, but the coverage may vary depending on your plan.

There are different rules for using Original Medicare, Medicare Advantage, Medicare Part D, or even a Medigap plan in other states or when traveling overseas.

If you’re planning to move out of state and want to update your Medicare contact information, you can:

  • use the “My Profile” tab on the Social Security website
  • call the Social Security Administration at 800-772-1213
  • visit your local Social Security field office