My 88yr old mom can no longer live alone and I’m going to have to move her from Florida to my IL home to live with my husband and I. I know just an address change is what’s needed for Medicare and Social Security but what about Medicare Supplement? I’m feeling overwhelmed with everything that has to be done in cleaning out her large family home to downsize…drastically, to move her into our spare bedroom. She’s spent the summers with us before so she knows how much room we have and she says this is where she wants to be. Although now that it’s time to make the move she is digging in her heels and is being very difficult. Sorry that’s for another topic.
Spending a summer is a FAR cry from having her full time and having her there now that she needs more care.
You do not go into detail as to why she can no longer live alone so I am going to take a wild guess and go with Dementia of some type.
Caring for someone with dementia does not get easier, it gets more difficult and the work load increases with each decline.
So you have really 2 options.
**1. Look for a facility that can meet her care needs where she currently is living.
This way you have to do nothing as far as changing plans. (don't get me started on the "Advantage" plans...)
**2. Look for a facility near you that will meet her care needs.
You should talk to a SHIP counselor to help determine if an Advantage plan is actually the best choice for her. A SHIP counselor will go through all the plans and do the comparing for and with you (or mom)
A SHIP counselor is trained to do this. They are not beholden to any company or plan so they are completely neutral when it comes to making choices.
Do a search on the computer for "SHIP counselor near me"
Since you are in Illinois you could also check out Elderwerks.
They have a directory of resources. The full directory is on line (Elderwerks.org)
You can also call them 855-462-0100 (this is toll free)
The Resources and the educational portion of this organization is a 501(c)(3) Not-for-profit. they have staff that can answer questions.
Find her a nice AL close to your home. You don't have to explain to her why she isn't moving in with you because she'll just pressure and negotiate with you. This isn't cruel, it's wise. Please listen to the other seasoned caregivers on this forum who have been there and done that.
BCBS supplements can cross some state lines but most don't. She can talk to a SHIP counselor for your home state to pick a new one.
Do you want to talk about this? Because you have a hundred options other than moving her into your home, and several of those options may be better for all of you including mom.
When moving from Florida to Illinois as a person over 65, your Original Medicare (Parts A and B) stays exactly the same, but your Medicare Supplement (Medigap) options and monthly premiums will likely change.
Medigap policies are completely portable across state lines, meaning you can keep your existing Florida policy, but it is usually financially smarter to switch to an Illinois-based plan.
Key Rules for Moving Your Medigap Policy
Keeping Your Florida Plan: You are legally allowed to keep your current Florida Medigap plan because it covers you at any doctor nationwide who accepts Medicare.
However, your insurance company will adjust your premium based on your new Illinois address. Florida typically has higher Medigap premiums than Illinois, so re-shopping locally usually saves money.
Medical Underwriting Rules: Because a state-to-state move does not automatically trigger federal "Guaranteed Issue Rights" for a standard Medigap policy, switching to a new company in Illinois may require you to pass medical underwriting (answering health questions).
The Illinois Birthday Law Bonus: Illinois provides an excellent consumer protection called the Medigap Birthday Law. If you are between the ages of 65 and 75, you have a 45-day window starting on your birthday each year to switch to any other Medigap plan of equal or lesser benefits with anycarrier in the state, completely bypassing medical underwriting and health history checks.
Medicare SELECT Exception: If your current Florida policy is a "Medicare SELECT" plan (which requires using a specific network of hospitals), moving out of its geographic service area gives you a federal Guaranteed Issue Right.
You will have 63 days from your move to buy a standard Medigap Plan A, B, C, D, F, G, or N in Illinois without health questions.
Don't Forget Your Prescription Drug Plan (Part D)
Unlike Medigap, your Medicare Part D prescription plan cannot move with you. Part D plans are strictly tied to specific state regions.
Moving to Illinois triggers a federal Special Enrollment Period (SEP). This gives you a window starting one month before your move and lasting two months after your move to enroll in a new Illinois Part D plan. You must select a new plan or you risk losing your prescription coverage.
Required Next Steps
Update Social Security: Notify the Social Security Administration of your new Illinois address as soon as you move so your Medicare records update correctly.
Call Your Current Carrier: Inform your insurance company of your move date to see what your new adjusted premium will be at your Illinois zip code.
Compare Illinois Rates: Use the official Medicare Plan Finder to see if a local Illinois carrier offers your same letter plan for a lower monthly plan