Medicare for snowbirds — done right.
If you split time between two states, your Medicare Advantage plan probably leaves you exposed in one of them. We specialize in two-state Medicare planning — Original Medicare + Medigap + Part D usually wins, but the right Medigap carrier varies by your home state and your snowbird state. Free comparison; same-day callback.
Why most Medicare Advantage plans fail for snowbirds.
Medicare Advantage (HMO/PPO)
MA plans have geographic service areas — typically your county of residence. Outside that area, MA usually only covers emergency and urgent care.
- Routine doctor visits in your second state? Not covered.
- Specialist care, lab work, scheduled procedures? Not covered out-of-area.
- Spending more than 6 months out of your home county? The plan may drop you entirely.
- Some PPO MA plans have national networks but at much higher cost-sharing
- Your $0 premium plan might end up costing $5,000+ in out-of-pocket charges if you need real care while snowbirding
Original Medicare + Medigap + Part D
Original Medicare is national — any provider that accepts Medicare anywhere in the U.S. accepts you. Medigap fills the gaps. Part D plans have national pharmacy networks.
- See your home-state cardiologist in October and your Florida primary care doctor in January with no network worries
- Predictable costs: Medigap Plan G covers virtually all out-of-pocket after the small Part B deductible
- Medigap Plan G includes 80% foreign travel emergency (useful for cruises)
- Total cost: $150–$360/month vs. $0–$30 for MA — but the math almost always favors Medigap once you factor a single uncovered out-of-area incident
- Same plan works for 30+ years; no annual switching unless rates rise
State pairs we see most often.
Each state's Medigap rates differ — your home-state address determines pricing. We compare both directions.
What to bring to your free consultation.
- Both addresses. Your legal residence (driver's license / voter registration) and your snowbird location. Address of record affects Medigap pricing significantly.
- Months in each state. Approximate split (e.g., May–October NY, November–April FL). Helps us assess whether MA or Medigap is a fit.
- Doctors in each state. Your home-state PCP, cardiologist, etc., AND any docs you see while snowbirding. We verify both lists are accessible.
- Current medications. List of prescriptions for Part D plan comparison — formularies are national but tier placement varies.
- Existing Medicare situation. Are you already on a plan? Turning 65 soon? Already on Medigap? Already on MA and want to switch? We start from where you are.
- Income for the next 2 tax years. Used to project IRMAA exposure and time any Roth conversions or RMDs to minimize Medicare premium adjustments.
Talk to a snowbird Medicare specialist.
A licensed advisor walks through both your home and snowbird states, projects costs across all options, and recommends the right plan structure. No obligation, no cost, same-business-day callback.