Original Medicare vs. Medicare Advantage — two different systems
This is the most important thing to understand about Medicare address updates: there are two fundamentally different types of Medicare coverage, and they are updated in completely different ways.
- Original Medicare (Part A — hospital, Part B — medical): Administered by the federal government through the SSA. Your address update with the SSA covers Original Medicare.
- Medicare Advantage (Part C) and Part D prescription drug plans: These are private insurance plans approved by Medicare. Each plan maintains its own records. Updating your SSA address does NOT update your Medicare Advantage or Part D plan.
Step 1: Update Original Medicare via SSA
If you have Original Medicare (Parts A and B), update your address with the Social Security Administration. See the full process in our SSA Address Change Guide. Options:
- Online at ssa.gov/myaccount
- By phone: 1-800-772-1213
- In person at a local SSA office
Allow 2–3 weeks for the update to propagate to Medicare records.
Step 2: Update your Medicare Advantage or Part D plan
Call the member services number on the back of your insurance card, or log into your plan's online portal. Common plans include AARP/UnitedHealthcare, Humana, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Kaiser Permanente, Cigna, and Aetna — each has its own portal and update process.
Moving to a different county or state — Special Enrollment Period
If you move out of your Medicare Advantage plan's service area (typically when moving to a different county or state), you qualify for a Special Enrollment Period (SEP) to select a new plan. You have 2 months before and 2 months after your move to make a plan change. During this window, you can switch to Original Medicare or a new Advantage plan in your new area without penalty.
Contact Medicare directly at 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) or visit medicare.gov to review plans in your new area and make your selection.
Medigap / Medicare Supplement policies
If you have a Medigap supplemental insurance policy, contact your Medigap insurer directly to update your address. Medigap is a private policy and is not updated through the SSA. If you move to a new state, Medigap plan availability and pricing may change significantly — this is worth reviewing with a Medicare counselor.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
For Original Medicare (Parts A and B), yes — the SSA update covers this. For Medicare Advantage, Part D, or Medigap supplemental policies, no — these are private plans and require separate updates directly with each plan.
Almost certainly not — Medicare Advantage plans have defined service areas, usually based on county. Moving out of your plan's service area triggers a Special Enrollment Period that allows you to enroll in a new plan without penalty. Call 1-800-MEDICARE as soon as you know your new address to review available plans and enrollment windows.