How long can I stay abroad without losing my Medicare benefits?

Question

Jonathan Potter · Accepted Answer

You can stay abroad indefinitely without losing your Medicare eligibility or benefits. Medicare enrollment itself is not terminated by extended time outside the U.S., but coverage for health care services received abroad is extremely limited, and there are important considerations for maintaining your coverage.

Answered by Jonathan Potter on May 4, 2026

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Answered by Jonathan Potter Medicare Insurance Agent

William Gray · Answer

The answer is NO. 

But:

What do you mean by lose coverage? Medicare A&B are both benefits you have from working and are entitled to, so you have them as long as you want them. Part B premium will have to be paid. 

If you cancel part B, you will have to wait for the general enrollment period to reapply, and you will be given penalties for the period of time you did not have coverage. 

If you keep both A&B in force, generally speaking, there is no coverage abroad. 

William Gray
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Carly Cusack · Answer

Medicare.gov answers this question like this:
Original Medicare generally does not cover healthcare services outside the 50 states, DC, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, and the Northern Mariana Islands. It does not offer long-term or comprehensive coverage for residents abroad, except in rare emergencies, such as certain Canadian/Mexican hospitalizations.
Basically Medicare states that you don't have any coverage when you're outside of the country whether traveling or living.

Sandra Teel · Answer

As long as you continue to pay your Part B premium, you will not lose your Medicare benefits if you live outside of the United States for a period of time. However, Medicare will not cover you for health insurance while outside of the United States and U.S territories. Some Medicare Supplements and most Advantage plans will give you some foreign coverage while traveling.

Answered by Sandra Teel on May 4, 2026

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Rodney Turner · Answer

There is no time limit as to how long you can be outside the U.S The bigger issue is Medicare generally does not pay for care outside the U.S, except in very limited situations:

A medical emergency in the U.S. but the nearest hospital is across the border (e.g., Canada or Mexico)
You’re traveling between Alaska and another state and need emergency care in Canada
You live in the U.S. and a foreign hospital is closer than the nearest U.S. hospital.

Also If you have Part B, you must keep paying premiums to stay enrolled
If you stop paying, your coverage can be dropped—and restarting later may come with penalties.

Dean Chiapetto · Answer

You don't lose your benefits. As long as you are eligible for part A and pay for part B you can keep your Medicare. Medicare will not pay in foreign countries. 
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Bud Griffin · Answer

As long as you pay your premium for Medicare Part A (if you're not eligible for premium free Part A) & Part B you can keep it undefinitly, but Medicare will not usually cove your health services abroad. If you plan to return to the U.S., it is often advisable to keep Part B to avoid lifelong penalties, even though you cannot use it abroad.

Answered by Bud Griffin on May 4, 2026

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Answered by Bud Griffin Medicare Insurance Agent

Sherita Joseph · Answer

With Original Medicare, you can stay abroad as long as you want. With Medicare Advantage, most plans only allow about 6 months before they drop you.

How long can I stay abroad without losing my Medicare benefits?

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How long can I stay abroad without losing my Medicare benefits?

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