|  | Healthcare Industry | Health Insurance

Can I Use My Medicare Part D Plan in Any State?

Medicare has different types of coverage that help people to pay for medical costs. Medicare Part A and Part B are called original Medicare and provide basic coverage for members. Part C and Part D are plans that you can add to your original coverage that provide for other medical needs, such as prescription drug plans (Part D). The availability of these plans usually depends on where you live.

  1. Medicare Part D Service Area

    • Medicare Part D plans are plans that cover the costs of prescription drugs. When you enroll in Part D, you must choose a plan that provides you with the coverage you need at monthly prices that fit your income. You also have to base your selection of a plan in the service area of that plan. Most companies are located in a specific area, and most states have different prescription drug plans. You must choose a plan that provides service where you live, otherwise the company might not accept you as a member. If you move from one state to another and your plan does not provide coverage in your new state, you would lose your coverage.

    Enrolling in a New Plan

    • If you move out of the area of service of your current plan, you might be able to enroll in a new plan. The general enrollment period dates for joining or changing a prescription drug plan are between Nov. 15 and Dec. 31 of every year. However, if you are moving from one state to another during another time of the year, you may be able to join a new plan when you move. If you let your current plan know that you are moving before you actually do it, you can change to a new plan starting from a month before you move to up two months after you move. If you let your current plan know after you have already moved, you can change plans from the month you tell your plan up to two more months.

    Late Penalty

    • If you do not join a new plan during the periods mentioned above, when you do join a new plan, you are required to pay monthly penalties for your late enrollment. As of 2011, the late penalty for a prescription drug plan is $0.3234 (1 percent multiplied by $32.34, which is the National Base Beneficiary Premium) times the number of months that you did not enroll in a new plan. You add this to your plan premium every month. This penalty may apply during all the time you have a Part D plan. Since the National Base Beneficiary Premium rises every year, your premiums are higher and higher every year.

    Medicare Part D Eligibility

    • To enroll in a Medicare Part D plan, you must be older than 65 years of age or disabled and you must be receiving Social Security Disability benefits. You are also required to be enrolled in Medicare Part A or Part B before you enroll in Part D. You can choose a plan available in your area on the Medicare website. You might be able to use your plan in the states where your plan is listed as available.

Health Insurance - Related Articles