You can use Medicare in two states. That said, Original Medicare (parts A and B) is usable nationwide, but coverage across states under Medicare Part C and Part D plans depends on the specific plan.
You can enroll in Original Medicare if you’re 65 and older, younger living with certain conditions, or receiving disability benefits.
Read on to learn more about how Original Medicare and Medicare Advantage work if you are living in two states, as well as what to know about Medicare Part D drug coverage in different states.
If you split your time between two states, a practice commonly referred to as snowbirding, you can get Original Medicare coverage anywhere in the United States. You just need to maintain one permanent address to be able to receive important communication from Original Medicare.
This is because Original Medicare is a government program available across the United States. Similarly, your costs under parts A and B are standard regardless of where you live.
For this reason, enrolling in Original Medicare can be convenient if you’re a regular snowbird and split your time between two states, or if you think you might need to move to a new state in the near future.
Medigap for snowbirds
You have the option to enroll in a Medicare supplement plan (Medigap), which can help pay your out-of-pocket costs from Original Medicare after coverage kicks in.
While Medigap plans are private plans, they are standard across most of the United States, and you can usually choose from the same 10 plans.
Just note that if you live in Massachusetts, Minnesota, or Wisconsin, your state offers different standardized plans that may not apply in other areas.
On the other hand, if you want to enroll in a Medicare Advantage (Part C) or Medicare Part D plan, you can only enroll in a plan available in your primary place of residence.
This is because private insurers run these plans, and not every insurer will offer every type of plan in every area, meaning your coverage options and their costs can depend on where you primarily live.
You can find the available plans in a particular area on Medicare.gov. You’ll have to choose a plan based on your primary residence location, but there may be plans that encompass the second state or offer additional coverage benefits for travel.
When it comes to Part D specifically, even if your plan exists in both states, you’ll want to check that there are pharmacies accepting this plan in both states. Typically, you can find a list of such pharmacies in your plan benefits or directory.
As needed, transfer your prescriptions to a participating pharmacy in your secondary location. Mail-order pharmacies that work across states and take your specific plan might be particularly beneficial, as you’ll only need to change your address.
If you’re enrolled in Original Medicare, you can see any healthcare professional who accepts it within the United States. That said, if you have regular providers that you see in one state, you’ll have to find alternative providers in other locations if you need them. These should be readily available, and you can find a list by zip code on Medicare.gov.
But, if you’re enrolled in Part C instead, you’ll need to know whether your plan is a Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) or a Preferred Provider Organization (PPO), and you’ll need to check whether the providers you want are in the plan’s network.
Both HMOs and PPOs have provider networks. But, generally speaking, PPO plans won’t require you to see a healthcare professional in the network or to have a primary care doctor.
That said, seeing a healthcare professional in another state who is out of network may result in higher out-of-pocket costs. For this reason, it’s a good idea to select a Part C plan with in-network providers in both areas of residence.
Some Part C plans might be specifically geared toward people who live in more than one place. Examples include the UnitedHealth Passport Program or the UPMC for Life Travel Concierge Program. Consider also whether your plan.
Under Original Medicare, you can see a telehealth healthcare professional at least through September of 2025 and beyond that for some services. This may be another benefit if you’re living in two states.
Because Medicare Advantage plans offer the same benefits as Original Medicare, you should be able to get the same telehealth services under a Part C plan. In addition, some plans might offer telehealth under additional circumstances, which can make it easier if you’re moving between locations.
In addition, you might want to consider enrolling in a Medicare cost plan. This plan is similar to a Medicare Advantage plan, offering a network of doctors and hospitals and potential benefits beyond those offered by Original Medicare. However, it also allows you to receive care outside the network, with Original Medicare covering those costs. However, a Medicare cost plan isn’t available in every state.
If you split your time between two states, Original Medicare provides coverage nationwide as long as you maintain one permanent address for correspondence.
In contrast, Medicare Advantage and prescription drug plans vary by location and require enrollment in a plan available in your primary residence. That said, some plans may offer coverage in both locations, including available in-network providers.