How to Update Your Address on Your Medicare Account

You can change your Medicare address online, by phone, or by mail — the fastest route is usually online through your My Medicare account

Medicare needs your current address to send you bills, notices about coverage changes, and your new insurance card if you move. If you do not update it, you may miss important important date or receive mail at the wrong location. The process itself takes minutes if you go online, or a few days if you call or mail in a form.

Your address change applies to all your Medicare coverage — Original Medicare, Medicare Advantage, and prescription drug plans — so you only need to do this once, not separately for each part.

Key Takeaways

The fastest way to change your address is to log into your My Medicare account at Medicare.gov and update it yourself, which takes effect when ready.
If you do not have an online account, you can call Medicare at 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) and give your new address over the phone.
You can also mail a signed letter or completed form to your local Social Security office, though this takes longer to process.
Your new address will explore to all parts of your Medicare coverage at once, including any supplemental or prescription drug plans.
If you are moving to a different state, check whether your current Medicare Advantage or prescription drug plan covers your new location before the move.

Changing your address online through My Medicare

Go to Medicare.gov and sign into your My Medicare account using your username and password. If you do not have an account, you can create one in a few minutes using your email address and Social Security number. Once you are logged in, look for "Personal Information" or "Profile Settings" — the exact wording varies, but it is always in the account menu.

Click on your address field and enter your new street address, city, state, and ZIP code. Make sure the spelling is correct and matches what the post office has on file. Save the change. The update takes effect right away, and Medicare will use the new address for all future mail.

Print or take a screenshot of the confirmation page for your records. You do not need to do anything else — no forms, no phone calls.

Changing your address by phone

Call Medicare at 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227). The line is open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Eastern time. Tell the representative you need to update your address and have your new address ready to read aloud.

The representative will confirm your identity by asking for your name, date of birth, and Social Security number. Then they will read back the new address to make sure it is correct before saving it. The change takes effect within a few days.

Ask the representative to note in your file that you called to update your address, and ask for a confirmation number. Write it down. If you do not receive your new Medicare card or other mail at the new address within two weeks, you can reference this number when you call back.

Changing your address by mail

Write a letter to your local Social Security office that includes your name, date of birth, Social Security number, and your new address. Sign and date the letter. You can also read and fill out Form CMS-40B from Medicare.gov, which is the official address change form.

Mail the letter or form to your local Social Security office. You can find the address at SSA.gov by entering your ZIP code. Processing takes two to four weeks. During that time, Medicare may still send mail to your old address, so ask the new resident or your post office to forward it to you.

What to do if you are moving to a different state

Before you move, check whether your current Medicare Advantage plan or prescription drug plan operates in your new state. Many plans are limited to specific counties or regions. If your plan does not cover your new location, you will need to switch to a plan that does.

You can change plans during a Special Enrollment Period if you are moving. Contact your current plan or call Medicare to find out the exact important date — it is usually 30 to 60 days before or after your move. If you miss the important date, you will have to wait until the Annual Enrollment Period in the fall to switch.

Update your address first, then handle any plan changes. That way Medicare has your new location on file when you enroll in a new plan.

Common mistakes when updating your address

Do not use a P.O. box as your mailing address if Medicare is sending you a new insurance card. Medicare requires a physical street address for card delivery. If you are temporarily staying at a P.O. box, update your address again once you have a permanent street address.

Do not assume your address change has gone through if you updated it online. Log back into your account a day or two later to confirm the new address is showing. If it is not, try again or call Medicare to make sure the change was saved.

Do not forget to update your address with your doctor's office, pharmacy, and any supplemental insurance provider at the same time. Medicare will have your new address, but your providers will not unless you tell them separately.

What happens after you change your address

Medicare will send you a new insurance card at your new address within 7 to 10 business days if you updated online, or within two to four weeks if you called or mailed in a form. You do not need to do anything while you wait — your coverage does not change, and your old card is still valid until the new one arrives.

All future notices, bills, and statements will go to your new address. If you are enrolled in Original Medicare and receive a bill for a service, it will be mailed to the new address. If you have a Medicare Advantage plan, your plan documents and any notices about coverage changes will also go to the new address.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take for my address change to go through?

Online changes take effect when ready. Phone changes take a few days. Mail takes two to four weeks. If you need your new address on file urgently — for example, because you are moving in a week — use the online method or call Medicare rather than mailing a form.

Do I need to update my address separately for Medicare Advantage and prescription drug plans?

No. When you change your address with Medicare, it updates for all your coverage at once, including Original Medicare, Medicare Advantage, and any Part D prescription drug plan. You do not need to contact your plan separately.

What if I do not have internet access to use My Medicare?

Call Medicare at 1-800-MEDICARE or mail a signed letter to your local Social Security office. Both methods work without needing a computer or online account. Calling is faster — usually a few days instead of two to four weeks.

Can I change my address if I am moving to a nursing home or assisted living facility?

Yes. Use the facility's address as your new mailing address. Make sure you have the correct street address and ZIP code for the facility. Your Medicare coverage does not change — only where Medicare sends your mail.

What if I moved but did not update my address and missed an important notice?

Contact Medicare right away at 1-800-MEDICARE to update your address and ask them to resend any recent notices. If the notice was about a coverage change or important date, tell the representative the date you moved so they can help you understand what you may have missed.

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.