How To Keep Your Health Insurance When Moving to Another State (2024)

Expert guidance for maintaining your health insurance while moving to another state: a comprehensive resource to help you navigate the complexities. Explore coverage options, high-risk insurance pools, and valuable insights to ensure uninterrupted access to healthcare. Get the information you need to protect yourself and your family during the transition.

UPDATED: Dec 18, 2023Fact Checked

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Merriya Valleri

Insurance and Finance Writer

Merriya Valleri is a skilled insurance writer with over a decade of professional writing experience. Merriya has a strong desire to make understanding insurance an easy task while providing readers with accurate and up-to-date information. Merriya has written articles focusing on health, life, and auto insurance. She enjoys working in the insurance field, and is constantly learning in order to ...

Insurance and Finance Writer

Tim Bain

Licensed Insurance Agent

Tim Bain is a licensed life insurance agent with 23 years of experience helping people protect their families and businesses with term life insurance.  His insurance expertise has been featured in several publications, including Investopedia and eFinancial. He also does digital marking and analysis for KPS/3, a communications and marking firm located in Nevada. 

Licensed Insurance Agent

UPDATED: Dec 18, 2023

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UPDATED: Dec 18, 2023Fact Checked

Moving to another state can bring about a lot of changes, including the need to navigate the complexities of health insurance. If you’re wondering how to keep your health insurance when moving to another state, you’ve come to the right place. In this comprehensive article, we’ll guide you through the essential steps and provide valuable insights on maintaining your coverage.

We’ll cover topics such as understanding healthcare reform laws, options for individuals with preexisting conditions, state-specific resources, and more. To ensure you find the best health insurance rates for your new location, simply enter your zip code and compare quotes from top insurance providers. Don’t let the stress of moving compromise your health coverage; let us help you stay protected.

Case Studies: How To Keep Your Health Insurance When Moving to Another State

Case Study 1: John’s Seamless Transition

John, a 35-year-old professional, recently relocated from New York to California for a new job opportunity. He had comprehensive health insurance coverage through his employer in New York and was concerned about maintaining his coverage in his new state. However, John discovered that his employer’s health insurance plan had a nationwide network, allowing him to continue receiving coverage in California without any disruption.

By notifying his employer about the move and updating his contact information, John successfully retained his health insurance coverage throughout the transition.

Case Study 2: Sarah’s COBRA Continuation

Sarah, a 42-year-old self-employed individual, decided to move from Florida to Texas to be closer to her family. She had been covered under a group health insurance plan through her previous job, which she left several months ago. To ensure continuous coverage during the move, Sarah opted for COBRA continuation coverage, which allows individuals to retain their group health insurance benefits for a limited period after leaving a job. By enrolling in COBRA and paying the required premiums, Sarah maintained her health insurance while settling into her new state.

Case Study 3: Mark’s Marketplace Enrollment

Mark, a 28-year-old graduate student, relocated from Michigan to Colorado for his studies. As a part-time employee, he didn’t have access to employer-sponsored health insurance. Upon arriving in Colorado, Mark enrolled in a health insurance plan through the state’s health insurance marketplace, which offered a range of coverage options for individuals. By thoroughly researching the available plans and selecting one that suited his needs and budget, Mark successfully obtained health insurance coverage tailored to his new circumstances.

Case Study 4: Emily’s Medicaid Transfer

Emily, a single mother of two, moved from Ohio to Pennsylvania to be closer to her extended family. Prior to the move, Emily and her children were enrolled in Medicaid, a state and federal program that provides health coverage for low-income individuals and families. Understanding that Medicaid eligibility varies by state, Emily contacted the Medicaid agency in Pennsylvania to ensure a smooth transition of her coverage.

By providing the necessary documentation and meeting the income requirements, Emily’s Medicaid coverage was transferred to Pennsylvania, ensuring continued healthcare access for her and her children.

Case Study 5: Mike’s Private Insurance Evaluation

Mike, a 52-year-old retiree, decided to relocate from Arizona to Oregon to enjoy a more relaxed lifestyle. He had been covered under a private health insurance plan through his former employer. Concerned about potential changes in coverage and network providers, Mike took the opportunity to reevaluate his insurance options.

By researching private health insurance plans in Oregon, comparing premiums, deductibles, and network coverage, Mike was able to switch to a plan that better suited his needs and budget, ensuring seamless healthcare coverage during his move.

Case Study 6: Lisa’s Spousal Coverage Extension

Lisa, a 39-year-old married individual, moved from Illinois to Nevada when her spouse accepted a new job opportunity. Lisa had been covered under her spouse’s employer-sponsored health insurance plan, and she was anxious about losing coverage during the transition. However, Lisa’s spouse’s employer had a provision allowing coverage extension for spouses who move out of the plan’s service area.

By notifying the employer and submitting the required documentation, Lisa was able to continue her health insurance coverage without interruption, providing peace of mind during the relocation process.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it possible to keep my health insurance when moving to another state?

Yes, it is possible to keep your health insurance when moving to another state. Healthcare reform laws in 2014 made it mandatory for all insurance companies to accept applicants regardless of preexisting conditions.

What should I do if I have a preexisting condition and need to move to another state?

If you have a preexisting condition and need to move to another state before 2014, it can be difficult to find health insurance coverage. You may have to settle for government-sponsored Medicaid or look for a health insurance provider that offers coverage nationwide.

What are high-risk insurance pools, and can they help me if I have a preexisting condition?

High-risk insurance pools are available in some states to help those who cannot get health insurance through traditional methods. Contact the department of insurance in the state you are planning to move to and ask them about high-risk coverage for your situation.

How can I find a health insurance provider that offers coverage nationwide?

If you are going to be moving around frequently, it may be in your best interest to find a health insurance provider that offers coverage nationwide. Contact insurance companies to find out if they offer nationwide coverage.

What is Medicaid, and can it help me if I can’t afford health insurance?

Medicaid is a federal health insurance program designed to help those who cannot afford regular health insurance. If you cannot afford health insurance, you may be eligible for Medicaid. However, if your income is too high, Medicaid may not be able to help you.

Are there waiting periods to get coverage through high-risk insurance pools?

In some cases, the initial waiting period for high-risk coverage can be shortened or negated if you are moving from a place where you had health insurance and qualify for the high-risk pool.

When will all health insurance companies be required to accept applicants without regard to past or current medical conditions?

All health insurance companies are required by law to accept applicants without regard to past or current medical conditions since 2014.

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Merriya Valleri

Insurance and Finance Writer

Merriya Valleri is a skilled insurance writer with over a decade of professional writing experience. Merriya has a strong desire to make understanding insurance an easy task while providing readers with accurate and up-to-date information. Merriya has written articles focusing on health, life, and auto insurance. She enjoys working in the insurance field, and is constantly learning in order to ...

Insurance and Finance Writer

Tim Bain

Licensed Insurance Agent

Tim Bain is a licensed life insurance agent with 23 years of experience helping people protect their families and businesses with term life insurance.  His insurance expertise has been featured in several publications, including Investopedia and eFinancial. He also does digital marking and analysis for KPS/3, a communications and marking firm located in Nevada. 

Licensed Insurance Agent

Editorial Guidelines: We are a free online resource for anyone interested in learning more about insurance. Our goal is to be an objective, third-party resource for everything insurance related. We update our site regularly, and all content is reviewed by insurance experts.

Free Insurance Comparison

Compare quotes from the top insurance companies and save!

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