Introduction
If you have Medicare and are planning to travel outside the United States, it’s important to understand how your Medicare coverage works alongside travel insurance.
Many travelers assume that Medicare will pay for medical treatment if they become sick or injured abroad. In reality, Original Medicare generally does not cover healthcare outside the United States, except in a few limited circumstances.
Travel insurance can help fill some of these gaps by providing benefits such as emergency medical expenses, medical evacuation, trip cancellation, trip interruption and baggage protection, depending on the policy.
However, travel insurance is not automatically a replacement for Medicare. The two serve different purposes, and the exact interaction depends on your Medicare plan and the travel insurance policy you purchase.
Does Medicare Cover You When You Travel Abroad?
Usually, no. Original Medicare provides very limited coverage for medical care outside the United States.
Medicare may cover healthcare in a foreign country only in specific, rare situations. For example, coverage may apply when a medical emergency occurs in the U.S. and a foreign hospital is closer than the nearest appropriate U.S. hospital. There are also limited rules involving travel through Canada and certain situations for people living near a foreign hospital.
Because of these limitations, Medicare advises that travelers may consider purchasing travel insurance to obtain additional protection abroad.
Does Original Medicare Cover Medical Care Abroad?
Original Medicare consists primarily of Medicare Part A and Part B.
When traveling outside the U.S., Original Medicare generally does not pay for medical services you receive abroad.
There are limited exceptions, but they are unusual. In most situations, if you receive medical treatment in another country, you should expect to pay the provider yourself unless another form of insurance covers the expense.
Foreign hospitals are also not required to submit Medicare claims. In the rare circumstances where Medicare does cover a foreign medical service, you may need to pay the provider and submit an itemized claim yourself.
This is one reason travel medical insurance can be particularly important for Medicare beneficiaries traveling internationally.
What Does Travel Insurance Cover That Medicare May Not?
A comprehensive travel insurance policy can provide benefits that are generally outside the scope of Medicare’s international coverage.
Depending on the policy, these can include:
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- Emergency medical treatment
- Hospital expenses
- Emergency dental treatment
- Emergency medical evacuation
- Repatriation
- Trip cancellation
- Trip interruption
- Travel delays
- Lost or stolen baggage
- Personal belongings
- Certain emergency transportation expenses
The exact benefits, limits and exclusions depend on the policy.
It’s also important to remember that travel insurance does not necessarily include medical insurance. Medicare specifically recommends checking the conditions and restrictions of a travel insurance policy before purchasing it.
How Does Travel Insurance Work With Medicare?
Think of Medicare and travel insurance as two separate layers of protection.
Medicare
Medicare is your primary health insurance program and generally covers eligible healthcare within the United States.
Travel Insurance
Travel insurance can provide additional protection for eligible events associated with your trip, including certain medical emergencies outside the U.S.
If you’re traveling internationally, your travel insurance may become particularly important because Medicare’s international medical coverage is very limited.
For example, suppose you travel to Europe and unexpectedly require hospitalization.
If the treatment is outside the circumstances in which Medicare provides foreign coverage, Medicare may not pay the medical bill. Your travel insurance could potentially cover eligible emergency medical expenses according to its terms.
What About Medicare Advantage Plans?
Medicare Advantage plans, also known as Medicare Part C, are offered by private insurers approved by Medicare.
Their international coverage can differ from Original Medicare.
Some Medicare Advantage plans may provide emergency or urgent-care benefits outside the United States, but travelers should check the specific plan before leaving the country. Medicare notes that Medicare Advantage plans generally don’t cover medical care outside the U.S., although some plans may offer additional emergency or urgently needed coverage.
Therefore, don’t assume that having Medicare Advantage means you automatically have comprehensive international medical coverage.
Before traveling, check:
-
- Whether emergency treatment abroad is covered
- Whether urgent care is covered
- Which countries are included
- Whether there is a coverage limit
- Whether you must contact the plan before receiving treatment
- Whether medical evacuation is included
If the coverage is limited, travel insurance may provide additional protection.
What About Medigap and Travel Insurance?
Medigap is Medicare Supplement Insurance designed to help cover certain costs that Original Medicare doesn’t fully pay.
Some Medigap policies provide foreign travel emergency healthcare benefits.
According to Medicare, certain Medigap policies can cover emergency medical care outside the U.S. For eligible plans, foreign travel emergency coverage can begin during the first 60 days of a trip, with specific deductible, reimbursement and lifetime-limit rules.
This can provide useful protection, but it doesn’t necessarily mean you don’t need travel insurance.
For example, a Medigap policy may focus on emergency medical expenses, while travel insurance can also provide benefits relating to:
-
- Trip cancellation
- Trip interruption
- Travel delays
- Baggage
- Medical evacuation
- Other travel-related problems
The CDC recommends that Medicare beneficiaries examine their coverage carefully and supplement it with additional travel health insurance when appropriate.
Does Medicare Cover Medical Evacuation Abroad?
Generally, Medicare does not provide broad medical evacuation coverage when you’re traveling internationally.
Medicare does have limited rules for certain ambulance services associated with covered foreign inpatient care, but these are exceptions rather than comprehensive international evacuation protection.
This is important because medical evacuation can be extremely expensive.
If you’re seriously injured or become critically ill in a location without appropriate medical facilities, you may need transportation to another hospital or, in some circumstances, back to the United States.
Travel insurance policies may include emergency medical evacuation or repatriation benefits, subject to the policy’s terms and limits.
Does Medicare Cover Prescription Medication Abroad?
Medicare prescription drug plans generally don’t cover prescription drugs purchased outside the United States.
If you take regular medication, it’s therefore important to plan ahead before international travel.
Consider:
-
- Taking an adequate supply of medication
- Keeping medication in its original packaging
- Carrying a copy of your prescription
- Checking the medication rules of your destination country
- Understanding what your travel insurance does and doesn’t cover
Travel insurance should not automatically be assumed to cover routine prescription medication purchases abroad. Coverage depends on the specific policy and circumstances.
Does Travel Insurance Replace Medicare?
No. Travel insurance generally should not be viewed as a replacement for Medicare.
Medicare remains your health coverage under the Medicare system, while travel insurance is designed to provide protection associated with your trip.
Travel insurance can be particularly valuable for international travel because Medicare’s coverage outside the U.S. is limited.
For this reason, travelers should consider both types of coverage rather than assuming one automatically replaces the other.
What Should Medicare Beneficiaries Look for in Travel Insurance?
If you’re traveling internationally and have Medicare, pay particular attention to the medical sections of a travel insurance policy.
Emergency Medical Coverage
Look for a policy with an appropriate limit for emergency medical treatment.
The right amount depends partly on where you’re traveling. Healthcare costs can vary significantly between countries.
Medical Evacuation
Check whether emergency medical transportation is included and what the policy’s maximum benefit is.
Also determine whether the insurer must approve an evacuation before it takes place.
Repatriation
Some policies provide transportation back home when medically necessary.
Check the policy wording to understand when repatriation applies and who makes the medical decision.
Pre-Existing Medical Conditions
If you have a medical condition, carefully review the policy’s definition of a pre-existing condition and any declaration or eligibility requirements.
Never assume that Medicare coverage automatically means your condition will be covered under travel insurance.
Trip Cancellation and Interruption
Medical benefits aren’t the only consideration.
A comprehensive travel insurance policy may also protect eligible prepaid, non-refundable travel expenses if you need to cancel or interrupt your trip because of a covered event.
Policy Exclusions
Always review exclusions involving:
-
- Pre-existing medical conditions
- Alcohol-related incidents
- Adventure activities
- Unattended baggage
- Travel against medical advice
- Certain destinations
- Known events or circumstances
The cheapest policy may not provide the protection you actually need.
Medicare vs Travel Insurance for International Travel
| Coverage | Medicare | Travel Insurance |
| Routine medical care in the U.S. | Yes, subject to Medicare rules | Usually not the purpose |
| Emergency medical care abroad | Very limited | Often available |
| Hospital treatment abroad | Very limited | Often available, subject to terms |
| Medical evacuation | Very limited | Often available |
| Repatriation | Generally not comprehensive | May be included |
| Trip cancellation | No | Often available |
| Trip interruption | No | Often available |
| Baggage protection | No | Often available |
| Travel delay | No | May be available |
The exact benefits depend on your Medicare plan and travel insurance policy.
Can You Have Medicare and Travel Insurance at the Same Time?
Yes.
Having Medicare does not generally prevent you from purchasing travel insurance.
In fact, Medicare itself recognizes that people traveling outside the U.S. may choose to purchase travel insurance because of Medicare’s limited international coverage.
The important point is understanding what each policy covers.
Before your trip, review both your Medicare plan and travel insurance policy so you know which insurer to contact if something goes wrong.
What Happens If You Need Medical Treatment Abroad?
If you become ill or injured while traveling internationally, follow the procedures provided by your travel insurance company.
Depending on the circumstances, you may need to:
- Seek appropriate emergency medical treatment.
- Contact your travel insurer as soon as reasonably possible.
- Follow the insurer’s instructions regarding treatment and payment.
- Keep medical reports and receipts.
- Keep copies of prescriptions and invoices.
- Submit the required claim documentation.
If you’re in a genuine emergency, don’t delay necessary medical treatment simply because you’re trying to contact your insurer first.
The policy will determine the exact claims procedure.
Tips for Medicare Travelers Going Abroad
Before leaving the United States:
Check Your Medicare Plan
Determine whether you have Original Medicare, Medicare Advantage or a Medigap policy and understand its international benefits.
Check Your Travel Insurance
Confirm that the policy includes emergency medical coverage and, if important to you, medical evacuation and repatriation.
Check Your Destination
Make sure your policy covers every country you intend to visit, including countries where you may only be transiting.
Carry Important Documents
Keep your Medicare information, travel insurance details, emergency contact numbers and medical information accessible while traveling.
Keep Receipts
If you need medical treatment, keep itemized bills, receipts, medical reports and other documentation required for a claim.
Understand Your Medical Coverage
If you have a pre-existing condition, verify whether it needs to be declared and whether the policy provides coverage under specific conditions.
Conclusion
Medicare provides important healthcare coverage, but international medical coverage is very limited. Original Medicare generally does not cover healthcare outside the United States except in specific circumstances.
For travelers with Medicare, travel insurance can provide an additional layer of protection for eligible emergency medical expenses, medical evacuation, trip cancellation, interruption and other travel-related risks.
Medicare Advantage and Medigap policies may provide some additional international benefits, but the amount and conditions vary.
Before traveling abroad, review your Medicare coverage and travel insurance policy carefully. The goal is to make sure you know what is covered, what isn’t, how much you could have to pay, and who to contact during an emergency.
FAQs: Medicare and Travel Insurance
Does Medicare cover medical emergencies abroad?
Original Medicare generally does not cover medical emergencies outside the U.S., although there are a few very limited exceptions. Most foreign medical expenses are the traveler’s responsibility unless another insurance policy provides coverage.
Do I need travel insurance if I have Medicare?
You may want travel insurance when traveling internationally because Medicare has limited coverage outside the U.S. Travel insurance can potentially provide emergency medical, evacuation and other travel-related benefits that Medicare generally does not provide abroad.
Does Medicare Advantage cover international travel?
Some Medicare Advantage plans may provide emergency or urgently needed medical benefits outside the U.S., but coverage varies by plan. Check your specific plan before traveling.
Does Medigap cover medical care abroad?
Some Medigap policies provide foreign travel emergency coverage. The benefits can include specific emergency medical expenses subject to deductibles, limits and eligibility conditions. Check your individual Medigap policy before traveling.
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