Does Medicare cover emergency care if I'm traveling in a U.S. territory like Puerto Rico?

Question

Diane Andree · Accepted Answer

Yes(Si), you have coverage anywhere in the US and its territiories with Medicare and Medicare Plans, including Puerto Rico.

Norman Smith · Answer

Medicare works the same in all 50 states and the U.S. territories. You will have no issues. If you travel outside of those areas Medicare itself has no coverage, but with a Supplement you will find a $50,000 lifetime travel reimbursement attachment that will cover 80% of the costs for your needs.

Answered by Norman Smith on May 31, 2025

Agent Licensed in FL & PA

Answered by Norman Smith Medicare Insurance Agent

William Gray · Answer

Puerto Rico is a US territory so there would be coverage. If you are travelling outside the country  to a non terrritory then no. 

Some Medigap plans (C, D, F, G, M, and N) offer foreign travel emergency coverage, but these plans often have limitations, such as a $250 deductible, a 80% coverage rate, and a lifetime maximum benefit of $50,000.

Robert Moore · Answer

Yes, if you have Original Medicare (Part A and Part B), it generally covers emergency care when you're traveling in U.S. territories like Puerto Rico. This is because U.S. territories are considered part of the U.S. for Medicare coverage purposes.

Answered by Robert Moore on May 24, 2025

Broker Licensed in IN, AL, IL & 11 other states

Answered by Robert Moore Medicare Insurance Agent

Steven Bleicher · Answer

Any territories like Puerto Rico, Guam, the US Virgin Islands, etc. is considered to be in the US, according to the rules of Medicare. So anything that occurs there as an emergency IS covered!

Dana Dane · Answer

Yes, Puerto Rico is a U.S. territory. I would recommend travel/trip insurance, especially outside of the continental U.S. Get the best plan available which would include medical services as well as emergency air travel for you and your traveling partner to bring you back home. The cost is relatively inexpensive as it covers you for the duration of your trip only.

Answered by Dana Dane on April 4, 2025

Agent Licensed in OR, AZ, CA & 6 other states

Answered by Dana Dane Medicare Insurance Agent

Satoshi Aoki · Answer

Yes, Puerto Rico is covered. 

In most situations, Medicare won’t pay for health care or supplies you get outside the
U.S. The term “outside the U.S.” means anywhere other than the 50 states of the U.S.,
the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa,
and the Northern Mariana Islands. There are some limited exceptions that would allow
you to get coverage outside the U.S. under Medicare Part A (Hospital Insurance) and
or Part B (Medical Insurance).

Michael Braden · Answer

Yes, both Original Medicare and most Medicare Advantage plans will cover you visit to an Urgent Care facility. Typically, if you have Original Medicare with a Plan F, Plan G or PLan N, you will hve Emergency coverage up to 50K - 75K.

Answered by Michael Braden on May 3, 2025

Broker Licensed in AZ, FL, IA & 8 other states

Answered by Michael Braden Medicare Insurance Agent

Vachik Chakhbazian · Answer

Yes, Medicare covers emergency care in U.S. territories like Puerto Rico. This includes both Original Medicare and Medicare Advantage plans.

Steve Brauer · Answer

Medicare covers people in Puerto Rico just like it would in the other 50 states, there is no difference, which makes some Americans relocate to places like Puerto Rico when they retire for a lower cost of living.

Answered by Steve Brauer on April 14, 2025

Broker Licensed in AZ & CA

Answered by Steve Brauer Medicare Insurance Agent

Marcie Barnes · Answer

Medicare plans have coverage for worldwide emergency and urgent care.  Refer to your evidence of coverage before traveling.

Larry Pereiro · Answer

Yes it does, travelling worldwide and dependent on which carrier you are enrolled either and the type of product (HMO or PPO)

Robert Simm · Answer

Puerto Rico would be a covered country since it is underneath the United States but if you were to travel to Mexico and then I would highly recommend a worldwide emergency room coverage plan that the insurance companies are offering. Unfortunately there's only a few carriers that offer this type of coverage.

Answered by Robert Simm on April 7, 2025

Broker Licensed in NC, AL, AR & 15 other states

Answered by Robert Simm Medicare Insurance Agent

Judi Norton · Answer

Yes, but emergency only. Emergency care with Medicare Advantage Plans says "Emergency Care Worldwide." Medicare Supplements have a $250 co payment and you must pay 20% and anything over the lifetime maximum of $50,000 out of the country. Travel Insurance is always a good idea if you are traveling outside the U.S.

Answered by Judi Norton on April 14, 2025

Agent Licensed in NM

Answered by Judi Norton Medicare Insurance Agent

Leisha Stevens · Answer

Yes, Medicare does cover emergency care in U.S. territories like Puerto Rico. Medicare covers emergency care anywhere in the U.S., including its territories, according to the National Council on Aging (NCOA). Original Medicare, which is Parts A and B, covers emergency care, and Medicare Advantage plans also cover emergency care when traveling in the U.S.

Answered by Leisha Stevens on April 16, 2025

Broker Licensed in OH, CA, FL & NC

Answered by Leisha Stevens Medicare Insurance Agent

Kirsten Love · Answer

Yes, Original Medicare does cover emergency care in all US Territories. If you have a Medicare Advantage Plan you should take into consideration whether the hospital is an in-network hospital or out of network hospital, as the costs associated with an out of network hospital may be more.

Answered by Kirsten Love on June 17, 2025

Broker Licensed in MT

Answered by Kirsten Love Medicare Insurance Agent

Cynthia Allen · Answer

Yes, Medicare generally covers emergency care for individuals traveling in Puerto Rico, as it is considered a U.S. territory. Original Medicare (Part A and Part B) provides coverage for services like hospital care and doctor visits in all 50 states and U.S. territories. 
Here's a more detailed explanation:
Original Medicare (Part A and Part B):
.
If you have Original Medicare, you are covered for emergency care and other necessary medical services when traveling in Puerto Rico, just as you would be in any other part of the United States. 
Medicare Advantage:
.
If you have a Medicare Advantage plan, it's crucial to check with your specific plan regarding their coverage for emergency care in Puerto Rico. Some plans may offer additional benefits for emergency and urgent care services during foreign travel, but it's best to verify the details with your plan provider. 
Foreign Travel Emergencies:
.
While Medicare generally doesn't cover care received outside the U.S. (except in specific, limited circumstances like being closer to a foreign hospital in a medical emergency than the nearest U.S. hospital), Puerto Rico, as a U.S. territory, is an exception. 
Medigap:
.
Some Medigap plans (like C, D, F, G, M, and N) may offer some coverage for foreign travel emergencies, but they often come with deductibles and co-insurance requirements.

Does Medicare cover emergency care if I'm traveling in a U.S. territory like Puerto Rico?

Agents: Share Your Expertise

Seniors: Ask a Question of Your Own

Related Questions

Agent Locator

Medicare Agents Hub
A non-government resource website

Does Medicare cover emergency care if I'm traveling in a U.S. territory like Puerto Rico?

Agents: Share Your Expertise

Seniors: Ask a Question of Your Own

Related Questions

Agent Locator

Medicare Agents HubA non-government resource website

Medicare Agents Hub
A non-government resource website