I'm planning a long trip overseas. What happens if I need medical care while I'm away from the US?

Question

Steve Houchens · Accepted Answer

No, in most cases, Medicare does not cover medical care received outside the United States However there are some exceptions and some Medicare Supplements may cover some emergency coverage for travel abroad. It’s important to know what your plan offers.

Answered by Steve Houchens on April 10, 2025

Agent Licensed in KY & TN

Answered by Steve Houchens Medicare Insurance Agent

Charise Karjala · Answer

This answer is provided in a video format. Watch the agent's video response here: https://medicareagentshub.com/questions/medicare-coverage-overseas-travel-medical-care#charise-karjala

Marie Terhune · Answer

Medicare does not cover you out of the country except for limited coverage near the U.S. border.  It is a good idea to get Travel Medical Insurance.

Jillian Bellinger-Laing · Answer

Medicare will not cover you outside of the US, but if you have a Medicare Supplement you will have a Foreign Travel Emergency benefit. You would be responsible for a $250 Deductible, then the plan will pay 80% of your bill up to $50k. The $50k is a lifetime benefit. If you have a Medicare Advantage plan, you will want to call your provider to see if they will cover anything for you.

Answered by Jillian Bellinger-Laing on June 3, 2025

Broker Licensed in PA, DE, FL & 6 other states

Answered by Jillian Bellinger-Laing Medicare Insurance Agent

Steven Bleicher · Answer

One of the great benefits of a Medigap plan is that emergencies occurring in the first 60 days of your trip are covered, up to $50K lifetime. All you need to do is to pre-pay the bill, save a copy and send it to the claims department. Since my interpretation of the trip seems to be more than two months, taking out travel insurance is certainly indicated! What you may want to bring up is does this insurance cover a helicopter evacuation and is a Covid diagnosis also a benefit?

Answered by Steven Bleicher on May 31, 2025

Broker Licensed in AZ

Answered by Steven Bleicher Medicare Insurance Agent

Timothy Brown · Answer

My recommendation is to purchase international insurance since US plans are limited when you’re out of the country.

Dana Dane · Answer

Contact your agent. Otherwise, I would get the best travel insurance you can find. Get the highest coverage available which includes medical benefits as well as emergency transportation back home to the US and other benefits. You can find this coverage online. Look at online reviews.

Answered by Dana Dane on April 23, 2025

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

Answered by Dana Dane Medicare Insurance Agent

Gary Henderson · Answer

I recommend you get travel insurance. Medicare plans will typically cover 80% of the cost up to $50,000 in your lifetime, but it doesn't cover things like medical transportation should you need to be returned to the United States and are unable to do it as a healthy passenger 
These are typically offered through the airlines directly or you can purchase them online 
Make sure you get at least $100,000 of medical transport insurance

Vachik Chakhbazian · Answer

If you need medical care while traveling abroad, it's crucial to know that the U.S. government does not provide insurance coverage or pay for medical bills overseas. You are responsible for all costs. Before your trip, it's essential to purchase travel insurance and to know how to access healthcare abroad.

Answered by Vachik Chakhbazian on April 10, 2025

Agent Licensed in CA, AL, AR & 22 other states

Answered by Vachik Chakhbazian Medicare Insurance Agent

Ross Landon · Answer

Original Medicare does not generally cover you outside the United States. However, both the advantage plans and Medicare supplement plans.Do  have benefits  for foreign travel. 

The advantage plans usually will cover you for emergency and urgent care anywhere in the world. The Medicare supplement plans do too, but have a limited benefit and usually you pay $250 co-pay And pay 20% coinsurance up to a lifetime maximum benefit of $50,000.

Robert Baez · Answer

your insurance plan may cover emergency cases while out of the US. You should check with your insurance carrier or review your summary of benefits.

Tanja Roulhac · Answer

Medical Care Overseas with Medicare
Planning a trip abroad is exciting, but it's smart to know how Medicare handles healthcare needs outside the U.S. Here's a concise overview based on Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) guidelines:

Original Medicare Coverage (Parts A and B): Generally, it does not cover medical care outside the United States. This includes routine care, hospitalizations, or emergencies in most foreign countries.


Limited Exceptions:

Emergency Care in Canada: If you're traveling between Alaska and another U.S. state, Medicare might cover inpatient hospital care in a Canadian hospital if it's the closest facility.

U.S.-Border Hospitals: For those near the Mexican border, Medicare could cover care in a Mexican hospital if it's the nearest one and you're in the U.S. at the time of the emergency.

No Coverage for Other Travel: Even for cruises or trips to Europe, Asia, etc., you're typically on your own for costs.


Medicare Advantage (Part C): Some plans offer limited international coverage (e.g., up to a certain number of days or dollar amount for emergencies). Check your specific plan details, as this varies widely.


What This Means for You:

You could face high out-of-pocket costs for medical care abroad, which might not be reimbursed. For example, hospital stays, doctor visits, or medications could add up quickly without travel insurance.

Always carry your Medicare card and other ID, but don't rely on it for international care.


Recommendations to Prepare:

Get Travel Insurance: This is highly recommended to cover medical emergencies, evacuations, and other travel-related issues. Look for policies that include health coverage.

Plan Ahead: Before your trip, review your Medicare Summary Notice or contact your plan provider. Consider international health insurance options through private insurers.

Enroll in STEP: Register with the U.S. State Department's Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) for travel alerts and emergency assis

Robert Barco · Answer

Original Medicare does not cover your medical needs outside the United States. If you have a Medicare Advantage plan, the plan may offer emergency care outside the United States. Each plan is different when it comes to this coverage. If you have a Medicare Supplement or Medigap plan, it will have international coverage for emergencies. You will pay the first $250 provided the emergency happens during the first 60 days outside the USA. I recommend purchasing separate travel medical insurance to cover the exact time away.

Answered by Robert Barco on May 2, 2025

Broker Licensed in OH

Answered by Robert Barco Medicare Insurance Agent

Diana Pedersen · Answer

You will want to find out what your care options are with your plan. You might have virtual visits or you can get travel insurance. 
Many insurance providers include access to a 24-hour hotline that you can call for medical advice.
If you need to see a doctor while you’re traveling, you might be able to set up a virtual appointment with your primary care doctor.
Medicare doesn't cover outside of the US but there are a few plans that can cover this cost. You will want to talk to your Broker about those options.

Joley Hanson · Answer

Talk with a licensed agent to go over specifics when planning travel. Your agent can answer if your plan has any travel benefits. Some agents even sell plans for travel.

Alexis Pepple · Answer

Depending on the additional Medicare plan you have you may have some coverage.  Medicare Advantage Plans will typically cover ER, Ambulance and Urgent care abroad, while certain Medicare Supplements also have limited coverage abroad.

I recommend to my client to explore Travel Insurance, at www.PeppleInsurance.com you can set up an appointment with me to look at options on a trip by trip basis or even an annual basis if you have multiple trips planned.

Happy to help!

I'm planning a long trip overseas. What happens if I need medical care while I'm away from the US?

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I'm planning a long trip overseas. What happens if I need medical care while I'm away from the US?

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