Page 10 Savvy Senior by Jim Miller Medicare and Moving: What You Need to Know Dear Savvy Senior, I’m planning to move later this year to be closer to my youngest son and his family. I’ve lived in the same state for decades, so I’m a little nervous about how this might affect my Medicare coverage. Will I need to change plans or take any special steps to avoid gaps? --Relocating Rita Dear Rita, Great question. A move like this is exciting, but it’s smart to think ahead about how it could affect your coverage. Whether your Medicare is impacted – and what you’ll need to do – depends on the type of plan you have. Here’s what to expect and steps to take before and after your move. Original Medicare If you’re enrolled in original Medicare (Part A and Part B), you’re in the simplest situation. Your coverage will go with you anywhere in the United States, so you won’t need to change your plan when you move. That said, you do need to update your address so you don’t miss important notices like your Medicare Summary Notice or billing statements. The easiest way to do that is online through your “my Social Security” account at ssa. gov/myaccount using the “My Profile” tab. If you don’t already have an account, you can set one up in just a few minutes. Or, you can call Social Security at 800-7721213 and have them update it for you. Part D drug coverage If you have original Medicare along with a stand-alone Part D drug plan, your move may require a change. Drug plans are based on where you live, so you’ll need to contact your current plan to see if it operates in your new state. If it doesn’t, you’ll need to choose a new plan that does. You’re given a special enrollment window to make this switch – starting the month before your move and lasting up to two full months afterward. If you miss that window, you may have to wait until the next open enrollment period (Oct. 15 to Dec. 7), and you could face a late enrollment penalty if you go without qualifying drug coverage. Advantage plans Medicare Advantage plans are also location-based, so a move almost always means you’ll need to take action. Check with your plan to see if it serves your new area. If it doesn’t, you’ll need to enroll in a new Advantage plan or switch to original Medicare. Like Part D, you’ll have a special enrollment period that begins the month before you move and continues for two months after. If you move outside your plan’s service area and don’t pick a new plan, your current plan will eventually disenroll you, and you’ll be placed back into original Medicare. To compare plans available in your new location, visit medicare. gov/plan-compare, which lets you review both Advantage and Part D options side by side. Medigap If you have original Medicare and a Medigap policy, you generally won’t need to switch plans when you move. These policies are standardized nationwide, meaning a Plan G in one state offers the same basic benefits in another. Still, you should notify your insurer of your new address. And keep in mind that while your coverage stays the same, your premium might change depending on your new ZIP code. One exception to be aware of is Medicare Select, a type of Medigap plan that uses provider networks. If you have one of these (they’re not very common), you may need to switch plans when you relocate. A move doesn’t have to disrupt your Medicare, but it pays to plan ahead. Update your address, and if you have a Part D or Medicare Advantage plan, review your coverage and make any needed changes on time. Send your questions or comments to questions@ savvysenior.org, or to Savvy Senior, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070. THE MALDEN ADVOCATE–Friday, October 2, 2026 BASEBALL | FROM PAGE 9 pionship and completing the historic four-peat. Ostalaza, Cambriello and Schuman were among the Dolphins who contributed hits in the championship game. When the final out was recorded, the Dolphins had completed an extraordinary run: four consecutive City Championships, a first in the history of Malden Major Division baseball. The 2026 Dolphins roster: Nick Cook-Tran, Gio Cambriello, Logan Salie, Gianna Ferreira, Ramon Ostalaza, Jaxon Nickerson, Chris Faria, James Melendez, Nick Faria, Anthony “Junior” Cambriello and CJ Schuman. Six Dolphins players — Cook-Tran, Cambriello, Salie, Ferreira, Ostalaza and Nickerson — were selected to the league’s AllStar team. The historic Dolphins team was managed by Ken Mazonson, who has managed the Dolphins for all 50 seasons of the team’s existence. He was assisted by Jay Nickerson, who has served as an assistant coach for the Dolphins for the past six seasons. Mystic Valley Regional Charter School Offers Meals at No Cost for Students Mystic Valley Regional Charter School participates in the National School Lunch Program and the School Breakfast Program. As part of this program, all schools offer healthy meals every school day at NO COST to the students due to the implementation of the Community Eligibility Provision for school year 2026-2027. Students receive breakfast and lunch at school without having to pay a fee or submit a household application. Non-Discrimination Statement: In accordance with federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex (including gender identity and sexual orientation), disability, age, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity. Program information may be made available in languages other than English. Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication to obtain program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language), should contact the responsible state or local agency that administers the program or USDA’s TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TTY) or contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339. To file a program discrimination complaint, a Complainant should complete a Form AD-3027, USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form which can be obtained online at: https:// www.usda.gov/sites/default/files/documents/USDA-OASCR%20P-Complaint-Form0508-0002-508-11-28-17Fax2Mail.pdf, from any USDA office, by calling (866) 632-9992, or by writing a letter addressed to USDA. The letter must contain the complainant’s name, address, telephone number, and a written description of the alleged discriminatory action in sufficient detail to inform the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights (ASCR) about the nature and date of an alleged civil rights violation. The completed AD-3027 form or letter must be submitted to USDA by: 1. mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights 1400 Independence Avenue, SW Washington, D.C. 20250-9410; or 2. fax: 3. email: (833) 256-1665 or (202) 690-7442; or program.intake@usda.gov This institution is an equal opportunity provider.
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