AboutJohn Pedit Expertise Am an expert on Medicare, Medicare HMOs, and Medicare supplemental insurance. Also have extensive knowledge of Medicare especially in Mich. Have knowledge of COBRA and the Portability Act
Experience
Past/Present clients Council about 300 persons yearly and do many presentations on Medicare
Question My mother in law has been living in Denver area and will be relocating to New Mexico due to circumstances out of her control. She recently had a scheduled surgery and wants to transfer insurance and aftercare to New Mexico. I can not find Secure Horizons in NM and she says she only gets transferred from person to person when she calls. She is currently staying with friends post recovery from this surgery. My question is will she lose benefits for pre-existing conditions, what should we ask or be aware of in getting her care/ coverage with her move.
Answer Hi Caroline
When she moves out of a plan coverage area she is entitled to change plans, and if she does so within 63 days has protection against pre-existing conditions.
If she decides on a Medigap plan, she will have to notify her present plan and also enroll in a Medigap plan and a Prescription Drug Plan(PDP).
If she wants an Advantage plan, she just joins a new plan and it will disenroll her from the old plan and enter her in the new plan at the first of the next month. Make sure her prescriptions are covered.
When the change has been made call the Cooordination of Benifits(COB) at 1-800-999-1118 and give them all the new information.
