Page 18 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 9, 2026 SPORTS | FROM PAGE 17 Malden and Everett, each with just one league loss. The game featured virtuoso performances by future NFLer Dan Ross, who later played tight end for the Cincinnati Bengals, and Golden Tornado Hall of Fame quarterback John Stanasek for Malden High, whose last-second pass was knocked down on the last play of the game, similar to the 2005 finish. The late Ross, who passed away at age 49 in 2006, was honored posthumously at homecoming in 2014 in Everett. “Two Thanksgiving Games” The late former Malden Head Coach Paul Finn, the longest serving football coach in Malden sports history, went 1411-1 against Everett in a 26year career that spanned 19731998. Coach Finn was the only Malden coach who led the Tornados for over five years to have a winning record against Everett. Having also played against Everett wearing the Blue and Gold of Malden in the mid1960s, Coach Finn always cherished the annual Malden-Everett game. He would tell his players every year during “Malden-Everett Week,” “Malden High football is lucky. We get to play two Thanksgiving games, the second one is against Medford on Thanksgiving morning, but the first one’s against Everett… the Medford game’s for the fans… but the Everett game’s for the players.” Everett High is led by a mix of experience and youth this year. The offense is led by freshman quarterback Michael Walsh and running backs Tyler Freni and ~ LEGAL NOTICE ~ City of Malden 215 Pleasant Street, Room 330 Malden, MA 02148 Malden Licensing Board 781-397-7000 x2030 PUBLIC NOTICE CITY OF MALDEN LICENSING BOARD A Public Hearing will be held before the Licensing Board for the City of Malden at City Hall, 215 Pleasant Street, Room 108, Malden, MA 02148 on October 20, 2026 at 6:00 p.m. regarding the application of The Joseph Leon Mottolo, Post 4524, Veterans of Foreign Wars of The United States, Inc., located at 14 Webster Court, Malden, MA For a Transfer of License to sell All Alcohol Beverages as a Club to be consumed on premises. Kevin Molis, Chairman Andrew Zeiberg, Member Denise Balboni-Cowie, Member Gia Finocchiaro, Clerk Dated: October 09, 2026 Dan Ross, Class of 1976, was probably the greatest Everett High player ever, who set records at both Northeastern University and later, as a tight end for the Cincinnati Bengals, setting a receptions record in his team’s 26-21 loss to the Joe Montana-led 49ers in 1982. (Courtesy Photo) Steve Thomas. Jamauri Dulin and Jeremiah Johnson are a pair of sure-handed receivers. Malden is battling at 2-2 overall and has been slowed by nagging player injuries this season. The Golden Tornados are led by senior quarterbacks James Powers and Josh Dionne and junior running back Jayden McGuffie, who will go down in Greater Boston League history as one of the GBL’s greatest ever, already having surpassed the 4,000-yard career rushing yards plateau, to go along with 43 touchdowns and 26 twopoint conversions. Sam Aliberte Award presentation to Malden’s SPORTS | SEE PAGE 21
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