How to Get Health Insurance When Moving to Another State

Can I Keep My Health Insurance When I Move to a New State?

You'll usually need new health insurance when you move to a different state, and whether you can keep your existing coverage depends on your plan type and location. Moving to a new state is usually classed as a Qualifying Life Event (QLE), making you eligible for a Special Enrollment Period (SEP). An SEP enables you to enroll outside the annual Open Enrollment Period.

An SEP usually gives you 60 days to enroll in a new health insurance plan after moving across state lines. However, rules can vary depending on whether you have Marketplace, employer-sponsored, Medicare, or Medicaid coverage.

Below, we'll outline how the SEP works and provide a step-by-step guide to getting health insurance when moving to another state.

The 60-Day Special Enrollment Period Explained

You can't usually enroll in health insurance whenever you like. However, major life events trigger an exception, the 60-day SEP, which allows people to purchase a plan outside the regular enrollment window. This means that you won't need to wait until the Open Enrollment Period to get coverage.

When moving to a different state, you usually need to prove that you qualify for an SEP, which may include showing that you had prior coverage. That means you may need to provide documentation showing that you either have pre-existing Marketplace coverage or had coverage during at least one of the 60 days before your move.

For moves across state lines, your coverage effective date is the first day of the month after selecting your new plan. You could experience coverage gaps if you wait until the end of the SEP to enroll.

Careful planning can help you minimize these gaps. Start comparing health insurance options as soon as possible and gather documentation proving your move and evidencing prior coverage. If a gap is unavoidable, research temporary options, such as COBRA coverage or short-term health plans, to bridge the gap.

Step 1: Update Your New Address

Updating your address with your health insurance Marketplace is essential after moving to a new state. You can usually update your address online via your Marketplace's portal or by calling the Marketplace help center. Changing your address lets you determine whether you're eligible for an SEP and starts the process of switching your coverage, so notifying the Marketplace as early as possible is wise.

Some states require residents to purchase health insurance through the federal Marketplace (HealthCare.gov), while others operate their own state-run exchanges. If your new state uses a different Marketplace, you'll need to report the move to your old Marketplace and submit a new application via your new Marketplace.

Step 2: Apply in Your New State

To apply for new health insurance coverage, you'll need to start an application in your new state of residence. HealthCare.gov is the appropriate Marketplace in many states. Others have their own Marketplaces, such as Covered California, Washington Healthplanfinder, or New York State of Health. You can find the correct Marketplace via the HealthCare.gov state Marketplace finder.

Step 3: Compare Plans and Enroll

Before committing to a plan, don't just compare premiums. Carefully review each policy's structure and benefits to ensure you get the features you need. We recommend comparing:

• Deductibles
• Out-of-pocket maximums
• Covered benefits
• Provider networks

Check whether your preferred healthcare providers are in your new plan's network. Your plan type determines which providers you can use, how many providers you have to choose from, and whether you can use out-of-network providers. HMO and EPO plans typically have more restrictive networks, while PPO plans tend to provide more flexibility. Ensuring you're comfortable with the provider options available under your new plan can help you avoid unexpected costs and disruptions.

If you qualified for health insurance subsidies in your old state, the amount may be different after you move. For example, your household income might change or your new state might offer different wraparound subsidies. You can estimate your health insurance subsidy eligibility using the KFF Health Insurance Marketplace Calculator.

Remember to complete your application within the 60-day SEP window. Enrolling as early as possible is the best way to avoid coverage gaps.

What To Do Based on Your Current Coverage

Different insurance plans have different rules governing interstate moves. ACA Marketplace plans, employer-sponsored coverage, Medicare, and Medicaid all have different guidelines, and understanding which rules apply to you can help you avoid coverage delays and gaps. In this section, we'll explain what to do based on your coverage type.

ACA Marketplace Coverage

ACA Marketplace health insurance plans are usually state-specific, which means you can't keep your existing coverage when you move to a new state. Insurance companies build their plans around provider networks and service areas in your area, so your plan won't transfer automatically even if you stay with the same insurer.

Moving to a new state generally qualifies as a QLE for ACA Marketplace plans, making you eligible for a 60-day SEP.

Subsidies such as premium tax credits may be different in a new state. Available subsidies depend on your income, household size, and the cost of benchmark plans in your new location. Depending on your circumstances, the amount of financial assistance you receive could be higher or lower than your previous state.

Employer-Sponsored Insurance

You won't necessarily lose your employer-sponsored health coverage when you move to a new state. Contact your employer's HR department or benefits administrator to determine the status of your existing coverage and discuss your options.

If you plan to stay with the same employer, they may allow you to stay on the same plan if the network operates in your new state. In this case, your insurance will likely continue uninterrupted, but you should still verify provider availability and network rules in your new location. Alternatively, your employer may offer to move you to a new health plan if the network doesn't work in your new state.

If you're changing jobs as part of a move, your new employer may impose a waiting period before you become eligible for sponsored coverage. Waiting periods vary between employers but cannot exceed 90 days.

If a new employer's waiting period causes a coverage gap, you may be eligible to purchase Continuation of Health Coverage (COBRA). COBRA allows you to continue your sponsored health coverage from your previous employer temporarily.

Medicaid

Medicaid coverage doesn't automatically transfer between states because each state operates its own Medicaid program, funded jointly by the federal and state governments. Eligibility requirements and covered benefits also vary, so it's worth checking if you qualify in your new location before your move.

To apply for Medicaid in a different state, you'll first need to terminate your coverage in your old location and submit a fresh application in your new state. You can't have Medicaid coverage in two states simultaneously, so notifying your existing Medicaid agency of your move is essential.

Unlike ACA Marketplace health insurance, you can generally apply for Medicaid throughout the year. Medicaid approval can take up to 90 days, so submit your application to your new Medicaid agency online as soon as you establish residency in your new home. Most states provide retroactive coverage, which means you'll be covered for up to three months before the state approves your application.

Medicare (Original + Medigap)

Original Medicare (Parts A and B) is a federal program, which means your coverage remains the same in every state. You won't need to re-enroll when you move to a new area, although you should check which healthcare professionals and facilities participate in Medicare in your new location.

Before moving, update your address with Social Security and Medicare. Your Original Medicare coverage will then continue uninterrupted.

Most Medigap insurers allow you to keep your existing coverage when you move states. Depending on your policy, your insurer may adjust your premiums when you change locations. You should notify your insurer about your move and check whether your existing policy is available in your new state.

Medicare Advantage / Part D

Medicare Advantage and Part D plans vary by area, so you'll need to change your plan when you move to a different state. Your insurer could remove your coverage if you move out of its service area without notifying your plan.

You'll receive an SEP of at least two months when you move to a new state to allow you to find a new Medicare Advantage or Part D plan. You can use the Medicare Plan Finder tool to find and compare plans in your new area.

COBRA or Short-Term Coverage as a Bridge

You may need temporary health insurance to cover gaps if your new employer has a waiting period for employee benefits, you miss the SEP window, or you're between jobs during a move. In these types of scenarios, the most common solutions are COBRA coverage or short-term health insurance.

COBRA enables you to maintain insurance coverage from your previous employer for up to 18 months for most life events. You'll usually pay the full insurance premium unless your former employer offers to pay as part of your separation package. Maintaining coverage via COBRA allows you to avoid switching plans and provider networks immediately and ensures you retain comprehensive health coverage. However, costs can be high as you won't usually receive employer contributions.

Short-term health insurance may be cheaper than COBRA and typically lasts for up to a year, although coverage periods vary between insurance companies. However, it isn't available in every state and doesn't usually cover pre-existing conditions. These plans also tend to come with higher out-of-pocket costs and don't have to include all ACA-required benefits. Before committing, check the plan details carefully to ensure it meets your needs.

Why Trust HireAHelper on Moving

Since 2007, HireAHelper has helped over a million customers find reliable moving help. This experience has given us insight into the logistical challenges people experience during interstate moves. Changing your health insurance plan is just one of the many time-sensitive tasks involved in a successful transition between states.

HireAHelper does not endorse specific insurance companies or health plans. We recommend consulting HealthCare.gov, Medicare, and other official sources for coverage information before making decisions about your health insurance.