|  | Healthcare Industry | Health Insurance

Is Medicare Portable From State to State?

The federal government is responsible for helping its citizens to access services that they would not be able to access otherwise. Some of these services include health insurance and cash benefits. The Medicare program is a public health insurance program that provides benefits to citizens older than 65 years of age or people with disabilities.

  1. Medicare Coverage

    • Medicare coverage is available to senior citizens who are age 65 or older and to younger people who receive Social Security Disability benefits. Once you are enrolled in Medicare, you can enjoy its benefits in any state of the country. However, the specific coverage you have might not be available in all states, since coverage and plans may vary from state to state. This only applies to Part C (Medicare Advantage Plans) and Part D (prescription drug coverage), since you choose a plan that fits your needs the best.

    Medicare Part A And Part B

    • Medicare Part A and Part B are the most basic types of Medicare coverage. You are eligible to have Medicare Part A coverage for free if you have worked and paid Medicare tax. People who retire before age 65 are automatically enrolled in Medicare Part A and Part B. Part A entails hospital insurance coverage and Part B entails medical insurance coverage. Since Part A and Part B are the same for everyone enrolled, the benefits are also the same in any state. If you move from your current state to another state, you keep the same Part A and Part B coverage you had, and you still have access to all the same services.

    Medicare Part C

    • Medicare Part C, or Medicare Advantage Plans, is the part of Medicare that provides private coverage. Part C coverage includes Part A and Part B coverage, plus additional benefits and coverages not included in Part A and Part B, such as hearing, dental and vision coverage. To enroll in a Part C plan, you must choose a company and a plan that offer the coverage you want, and the premium you pay depends on your choice and the details of each plan. Since Part C plans are different, they also vary from state to state. Some companies do not offer plans in all states, some companies offer different plans in different states and some companies might have the exact same plan in several states. If you move, you need to verify your plan's availability in your new area, and if it is not available, you can enroll in a new plan.

    Medicare Part D

    • Medicare Part D provides prescription drug coverage. As with Part C coverage, Part D also varies from state to state. You have different plans from which to choose, and one plan might not be available in all states. When you choose a Part D plan, you can only choose a plan that provides services in your area. If you move to another state, you need to re-enroll in a Part D plan available in your new state. Premiums may also vary according to different states, meaning that plans in one state might be relatively more expensive than in other states.

Health Insurance - Related Articles