Surprise has grown quickly, and much of that growth is people arriving at or near Medicare age. Sun City Grand and the surrounding active-adult communities have made the northwest valley one of the most Medicare-dense corners of Arizona.
New to Arizona?
A large share of the people we meet in Surprise moved here from somewhere else — often the Midwest or the Pacific Northwest. Two things surprise them:
- Moving states triggers a Special Enrolment Period. If you relocate out of your old plan's service area, you get a window to choose a new plan. You are not stuck waiting for the autumn.
- Your old plan almost certainly does not work here. Medicare Advantage plans are county-based. A plan that served you well in Illinois has no network in Maricopa County.
If you still spend part of the year in your former state, mention it before anything else — that single fact often decides between Advantage and Medigap.
Maricopa County choice
Surprise shares the Maricopa plan menu, which is among the most competitive in the country. The abundance is real, and so is the difficulty of choosing. We compare on your doctors and your prescriptions rather than on premium, because at $0 premium the premium tells you almost nothing.
We are nearby
Our Sun City office on Bell Road is a short drive from most of Surprise. No cost, no obligation, and appointments are recommended.
Maricopa County · ZIP codes: 85374, 85378, 85379, 85387, 85388
Comparing plans costs you nothing
We are an independent agency with offices in Mesa and Sun City. Bring your doctor list and your prescription list and we will check them against what is actually offered in Maricopa County — at no cost, with no obligation. You can also compare every plan available in your area yourself at Medicare.gov or by calling 1-800-MEDICARE (TTY 1-877-486-2048), 24 hours a day.
Common questions
I just moved to Surprise from another state. When can I change plans?
Moving out of your previous plan's service area triggers a Special Enrolment Period, so you do not have to wait for the Annual Enrolment Period in the autumn. Timing rules apply depending on when you notify the plan, so it is worth getting this right promptly after you move.
Will my old Medicare Advantage plan work in Arizona?
Almost certainly not. Medicare Advantage plans are built around county-level networks. A plan from another state will have no contracted providers in Maricopa County. Original Medicare and Medigap travel; Advantage plans generally do not.
