How to Update Your Address and Contact Information With Medicare

Medicare tracks your address and phone number to send you bills, notices, and important documents

Your Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) contact on file — what Medicare calls your "COB" or coordination of benefits information — includes your mailing address, phone number, and details about other insurance you have. When you move, change your phone number, or get new coverage, you need to tell Medicare so your statements and notices reach you and so the program knows what other insurance is paying claims alongside Medicare.

You can update this information three ways: online through your Medicare account, by phone with Medicare directly, or by mail. The online method is fastest and takes about 10 minutes. Phone and mail routes take longer but work just as well if you prefer not to use a computer.

Key Takeaways

You can update your address, phone number, and other insurance information online at Medicare.gov, by calling 1-800-MEDICARE, or by mailing a form to your local Social Security office.
Changes made online usually take effect within one business day, while phone and mail updates may take one to two weeks.
If you have a Medicare Advantage plan or a Part D prescription drug plan, you may also need to contact your plan directly to update your address.
Updating your information prevents missed bills, late notices, and delays in processing claims when you have other insurance.

Update your information online through your Medicare account

Go to Medicare.gov and sign in with your username and password. If you do not have an account, you can create one using your email address and Social Security number. Once you are logged in, look for "Personal Information" or "Profile Settings" — the exact label varies depending on which device you are using.

Click on the section that lets you edit your address and phone number. Enter your new information exactly as you want it to appear on Medicare documents. If you have other insurance — such as coverage from a current or former employer, TRICARE, or a Veterans Affairs plan — you can also update that information in the same section. When you are finished, click "Save" and you will see a confirmation message on screen.

Medicare processes online changes within one business day. You do not need to call or mail anything after you update online. If you do not receive a confirmation email within 24 hours, log back in and check that your changes were saved.

Update by phone with Medicare customer service

Call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227). Have your Medicare card handy. Tell the representative that you need to update your address, phone number, or other insurance information. The representative will ask you to confirm your identity by providing your name, date of birth, and Social Security number.

Read your new information aloud slowly and clearly so the representative can enter it correctly. Ask the representative to repeat it back to you before ending the call. Phone lines are busiest early in the morning and on Mondays, so calling mid-afternoon on a Wednesday or Thursday may mean a shorter wait.

Changes made by phone usually take one to two weeks to appear in Medicare's system. You will not receive a written confirmation in the mail, but you can call back after two weeks to verify the change went through.

Update by mail using the official form

Request the CMS-40B form (process to Enroll or Change Enrollment in a Medicare Health Plan) from your local Social Security office, or read it from Medicare.gov. Fill in your new address and phone number in the spaces provided. If you have other insurance, list it in the "Other Coverage" section.

Sign and date the form. Mail it to your local Social Security office — the address will be on the form itself. Include a copy of a document that shows your new address, such as a utility bill, lease, or bank statement dated within the last 60 days.

Mail updates take two to four weeks to process. Keep a copy of what you mailed for your records. If you do not see the change reflected after four weeks, call 1-800-MEDICARE to check the status.

Update your plan directly if you have Medicare Advantage or Part D

If you are enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan (Part C) or a Part D prescription drug plan, you should also contact your plan directly to update your address and phone number. Even though Medicare has your new information, your plan may maintain its own records and needs to know where to send you plan-specific documents and bills.

Find your plan's customer service number on your plan card or on the plan's website. Tell them you have a new address or phone number and provide the same information you gave Medicare. Plans usually update their records within one to three business days.

What happens if you do not update your information

If Medicare does not have your current address, important documents will go to your old address. This includes your annual Medicare Summary Notice (which shows what Medicare paid on your behalf), notices about changes to your coverage, and bills if you owe money. You may miss important date for making changes to your coverage because you did not receive the notice in time.

If you have other insurance and Medicare does not know about it, claims may be processed incorrectly. Medicare is supposed to be the secondary payer when you have employer coverage or TRICARE, but without that information on file, Medicare may pay first and you could end up with unexpected bills.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take for Medicare to update my address?

Online updates take about one business day. Phone updates take one to two weeks. Mail updates take two to four weeks. You can verify the change by logging into your Medicare account or calling 1-800-MEDICARE.

Do I need to update my address with Social Security too?

If you updated your address with Medicare online, the change may automatically sync to Social Security if your accounts are linked. If you used phone or mail, contact Social Security separately at 1-800-772-1213 to update your address there as well.

What if I have Medicare and Medicaid?

Update your address with Medicare using the methods above. You also need to contact your state Medicaid office separately to update your address there, because Medicare and Medicaid keep separate records. Your state Medicaid office number is on your Medicaid card.

Can I update my information if I do not have internet access?

Yes. Call 1-800-MEDICARE or mail the CMS-40B form to your local Social Security office. Both methods work without a computer. If you need help filling out the form, your local Area Agency on Aging can information you for free.

What if I moved to a different state?

Update your address with Medicare using any of the three methods above. If you have a Medicare Advantage or Part D plan, check whether your plan operates in your new state. Some plans do not cover all states, and you may need to switch to a different plan during the next enrollment period.

This guide is for general information only and is not medical, financial, legal, or other professional advice. For decisions specific to your situation, consult a qualified professional. See our Editorial Policy.