Moving States

This checklist can help you organize a move to a new state when mental health treatment stability is a priority.

What is important to consider when moving state-to-state with SMI? 

The structure of the mental health treatment system varies a lot from state to state. Understanding how treatment laws and services are structured in the new state can help smooth the transition when moving to a new home. Many federal benefit programs (not just those relating to health) have specific timelines for notification of a new address, so it is a good idea to prioritize updating your records with each to ensure that there is no disruption for benefits, coverage, or services.  

Below is a starter checklist that includes a few general topic areas. 

Considering a move? 

• Make a list of current and/or desired services and specialists and research options for those services and specialists in a new location. 
• If clozapine has been recommended or prescribed, CureSZ provides an interactive map listing providers willing to prescribe this medication. 
• Update the Mental Health History form, so it’s ready to share with any new providers. 

Getting ready for a scheduled move? 

• Provide your new address to current service providers and ask if they can offer any referrals in the new location.  
• Ask providers for relevant releases of information (ROIs) to be signed, so medical records can most easily transfer to new providers. Requesting printed medical records to hand carry or otherwise deliver may be appropriate in some situations.  
• Ask current providers for prescription refills to span any possible gaps in treatment. You might also ask about options for telehealth during any potential gap in treatment access. 

Insurance-related considerations: 

• If privately insured, inform the insurance agency about the upcoming move and ask for a provider list for the new location.  
• If insured through Medicaid and/or Medicare, contact the provider agency in the current state to alert them about the move and ask for information about how to apply for state insurance in the new location. On the federal website, Medicaid.gov, you can look up a state to find contact information. Prepare to ask for support to limit gaps in care.  
• Ask the insurance carrier (public or private) if case management is available to help with a provider search.  

Considerations related to public benefits: 

• Contact Social Security and provide dates of the move and a new address, when available. If there is a state-assigned representative payee, seek help to establish a new payee.  
• For the new state, contact the department in charge of human services. It might be called Health and Human Services or something similar. Find out: 
  • The name for the state’s Medicaid program and the application process, eligibility requirements, and timelines (some states require residency before a Medicaid application can be processed). 
  • If there are Medicaid waiver programs for people with disabilities who may be eligible for in-home care or other assistance. If the state offers relevant waiver programs, ask if there are waiting lists and how long the wait time might be. 
• Read TAC’s article about social security for additional information about federal and state benefits.  

Considerations for caregivers: 

• If there is a guardian/conservator, research relevant laws in the new state and seek legal guidance about how to transfer the personal representative role into the new state.
• Research involuntary treatment laws in the new state: TAC provides a U.S. map, and you can click on a state to look up relevant statutes and resources.  
• Find out what crisis options are available in the new community. TAC’s article about emergency planning can help.