Moving is a big life event, whether you are moving for a new job, to attend school, or simply to start your next adventure in life. Between finding new housing, packing up your stuff, and figuring out all your other to-dos, you’ll also need to think about your health insurance. In this article, learn what happens to your health insurance when moving to another state and at what point you’ll need to make changes.

Can I use my health insurance out-of-state?

Whether you can use your health insurance out-of-state depends on the type of insurance plan you have and your plan benefits. Most health insurance networks are tied to a specific location, so you typically would only be able to use your health insurance out-of-state if you have a PPO or POS plan that offers out-of-network coverage. If you have a multi-state plan, you may have in-network providers across a region or even nationally. However, this coverage depends on the specific plan you’re enrolled in, and not all multi-state plans have out-of-state coverage, despite their name.
In almost all cases, insurance plans will cover emergencies, regardless of where you seek medical care. Make sure to understand what counts as an emergency under your health insurance plan, however. Simply going to the emergency room does not make a situation an emergency, and insurance companies use different definitions to categorize emergency situations.

Do I have to change health insurance if I move out-of-state?

Being able to use your health insurance when you’re not at home can be useful if you travel frequently. However, since out-of-network care is typically more expensive, it is not advisable to keep your current health insurance if you move to a different state and have no in-network providers in your new area.
If you have an employer-sponsored plan, it’s possible that you won’t have to change health insurance plans when you move. On the other hand, if you bought health insurance through the Marketplace, you’ll most likely have to pick a new plan.
Moving is one of the qualifying life events that make you eligible for a Special Enrollment Period, which allows you to change health insurance plans outside of the annual Open Enrollment Period. This can be especially beneficial if your health care needs have changed or if there are more affordable health insurance options in your new location. But note that this opportunity is generally only available if you already had health insurance before your move. The exceptions are if you’re moving from a U.S. territory or another country, are newly released from incarceration, or were in the Medicaid coverage gap in your previous state.

How do I change health insurance providers?

If you do qualify for an SEP (and this can occur even with in-state moves), make sure to take advantage of it and apply for your new health insurance within the 60-day window. Do this as soon as you move to prevent a gap in coverage. If you enroll between the 1st and 15th of the month, your new plan will typically start on the first day of the next month. However, if you apply after the 15th, your new coverage won’t begin until the first day of the second month after your enrollment. If you end up with a coverage gap and your current health insurance plan does not cover out-of-network care, a short-term health insurance policy can keep you covered until your new plan starts.
Keep in mind that your move may also mean a change in your eligibility for Medicaid, as some states have expanded Medicaid programs and others haven’t. Make sure to check your new state’s Medicaid eligibility rules to see if you qualify for free or low-cost care.

What if I live in two states during the year?

Changing health insurance from one state to another can be complicated for those who move frequently during the year. Seasonal workers, snowbirds, and college students are among the biggest groups of people who live in multiple locations each year.
Generally, you should get health insurance in the state where you spend the majority of your time, the place where you vote and pay taxes. Opting for a PPO or POS plan that has out-of-network coverage is a good idea if you’re in this situation. If you don’t have a single location where you’re spending the majority of your year, you can either search for multi-state plans that have in-network providers in all your locations or enroll in a new plan whenever you move. The latter is available if you qualify for an SEP — typically students and seasonal workers qualify, but moves for medical treatment or vacation don’t. If you get multiple plans, take note that each new plan will reset your deductible and annual out-of-pocket spend to zero.

What if I live in one state but my dependent children move to another state?

Under the Affordable Care Act, insurance companies must allow children up to age 26 to be on their parents’ health insurance plans. However, if your child lives in a different state and your plan does not offer in-network providers where he or she is located, it may be worth looking into a separate health insurance plan for your child. Comparing individual health insurance plans for your child may also make sense if adding them to your plan is more expensive than buying a separate plan.