Does Medicare cover health care services on a cruise ship?
Answered by 12 licensed agents
Once you cross into International waters, your Medicare will not cover you. There are very specialized situations while traveling abroad where it does. Always take the travel insurance.
However, adding a proper supplemental plan to your original Medicare can provide a $50,000 lifetime reimbursement benefit to augment your billing.
You are covered as long as traditional Medicare is received and you have a Medicare supplemental/Medigap. Medicare Advantage plans may vary based on your plan type, as the advantage plans are geared toward PPO and HMO networks.
a medicare supplement will but a medicare advantage plan would only help with emergency care and you would need to pay for that care up front then seek reimbursement from your health insurance provider
This is a great question! Traditional Medicare and Medicare Supplements should be accepted anywhere in the U.S. that takes Medicare, but if the cruise ship is in international waters, coverage might not be afforded.
Additionally, some other parts of Medicare might extend to the emergency services or travel home from an emergency, like a Medicare Supplement or Medicare Advantage (MA) plan. Just keep in mind, if you do have a MA plan (specifically), it probably has a network you must stay within, so there’s not as much flexibility with your healthcare, when you’re on one of these types of plans.
So if you travel frequently or have questions about an upcoming trip, make sure you call our office so we can help you walk through your specific plans and needs.
Good question! Yes and no. More than likely your cruise ship will not accept your Medicare plan card, or your original Medicare ID card. You will have to pay up front and then submit the bill to your plan for reimbursement once you are home. This will more than likely fall under an “urgently needed services” category.
Medicare works in the United States. If it is an emergency, they will treat you but we do suggest travel insurance if you will be outside of the US border.
Medicare generally provides coverage for medically necessary care received on a cruise ship if the ship is in a U.S. port or within six hours of arrival or departure from a U.S. port, and the healthcare provider is authorized to provide medical services on the cruise.
Medicare Advantage and Medicare Supplement plans have worldwide emergency coverage. Cruise ships out in the ocean have their own medical team. I believe you have to purchase medical coverage when on a cruise ship.
Medicare may cover medically necessary health care services on a cruise ship if (1) the doctor is allowed under certain laws to provide Medicare services, (2) the ship is in a U.S. port or no more than six hours away from a U.S. port when services are provided. However, Medicare does not cover health care services when the ship is more than six hours away from a U.S. port.