What additional coverage options are available for international travelers?
Answered by 52 licensed agents
Original Medicare: Almost no international coverage.
Original Medicare only covers you in the U.S. and its territories (Puerto Rico, Guam, etc.) with very few exceptions — like emergencies on a cruise ship close to a U.S. port, or if a foreign hospital is closer than a U.S. one in an emergency near the border.
Your main options:
1. Medigap (Medicare Supplement)
Some Medigap plans include foreign travel emergency coverage. Plans C, D, G, M, and N cover 80% of emergency care abroad after a $250 deductible, up to a $50,000 lifetime limit. This is the most reliable Medicare-connected option for international travelers.
2. Medicare Advantage
Most MA plans follow Original Medicare rules — no international coverage. Some PPO plans may offer limited emergency coverage abroad, but it varies widely by plan. Don’t count on it.
3. Standalone Travel Insurance
The most comprehensive option. Policies can include:
• Emergency medical and evacuation (which can cost $50,000–$100,000+)
• Trip cancellation/interruption
• No lifetime dollar caps like Medigap
Recommended for anyone traveling internationally more than once or twice a year, or going to remote destinations.
4. Medical Evacuation Insurance (MedJet, etc.)
Specifically covers transport back to a U.S. hospital of your choice — not just the nearest facility. Often purchased separately or bundled with travel insurance.
First of all, it's important to understand that Medicare Parts A & B (A&B), by themselves, generally do not cover you outside of the United States (US). There are some rare exceptions, like if you're on a cruise ship that's within 6 hours of a US port, but I would just accept the fact that in probably 99% of cases, A&B will not cover your medical and prescription expenses outside of the US.
If you have a Medicare Advantage (MA) plan, you may have expanded coverage outside the US for emergencies and urgent care only. Also, you might have to pay for your care first, then when you return to the US, submit the paid invoices to your MA carrier, and if approved, be reimbursed.
If you have a Medicare Supplement plan, like Plan C, D, F, G, M, or N, you also have coverage outside the US for emergencies only. After a $250 deductible, your plan would cover the next 80% up to a lifetime maximum of $50,000.
The final option, which I recommend you consider, is getting travel insurance from a quality carrier who gives you access to a network of international doctors and hospitals. With travel insurance, you will have coverage for medical and prescription drugs, and you won't be limited to only being covered for emergencies or urgent care.
Medicare Supplement plans (Medigap) C, D, F, G, M, and N may offer coverage for services outside of the U.S. with up to $50,000 of lifetime coverage. Some Medicare Advantage plans may also provide some coverage, and travelers should check with their specific plan for details. Additionally, international travel plans can provide emergency medical evacuation, return of mortal remains, support for lost passports or luggage, trip cancellation protection, and even kidnap and ransom coverage for high-risk destinations.
For the most part, Medicare does not cover you outside the U.S. It is probably not sufficient to rely on if you travel for extended periods of time.
Most of the coverage for international travel consists of emergency care only. Medigap supplement plans, like "G" or "N", usually provide some coverage, but the accident or illness needs to occur within the first 60 days of your travel. You have to satisfy your deductible and there is a lifetime cap on the amount that is covered as well.
You may consider purchasing a stand-alone travel insurance policy that will help cover expenses incurred due to illness or injury. Be careful to make certain the policy is a medical plan and not a trip cancellation plan. You can purchase these through a licensed insurance agent if you want some help navigating your options.
Original Medicare generally does not cover care outside the United States, so international travelers often need additional protection. Some Medigap plans, such as Plans G and N, include limited foreign travel emergency coverage with lifetime and deductible limits. Certain Medicare Advantage plans may offer worldwide emergency or urgent care coverage, but benefits vary by plan. Many travelers also choose a standalone travel medical insurance policy for broader coverage, especially for longer trips or higher-risk travel.
International travel medical insurance, often purchased as part of a comprehensive travel insurance plan or as a standalone policy, provides coverage for medical expenses incurred while traveling abroad. This can include emergency medical, dental, and evacuation services, as well as trip cancellation, interruption, and baggage coverage.
Here's a more detailed look at the additional coverage options:
Medical Coverage:
Emergency Medical Expenses:
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Covers costs for doctor visits, hospitalization, surgery, and prescription medication for new illnesses or injuries that occur while traveling.
Emergency Evacuation and Repatriation:
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Covers the cost of transporting you to a medical facility or back to your home country in case of a serious medical emergency.
Pre-existing Condition Coverage:
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Some plans offer limited coverage for pre-existing conditions, although it's important to check policy details.
Trip Protection:
Trip Cancellation and Interruption: Reimburses prepaid travel expenses if your trip is canceled or interrupted due to a covered reason (e.g., illness, family emergency).
Baggage Coverage: Reimburses you for lost, damaged, or delayed luggage.
Trip Delays and Missed Connections: Provides compensation for costs incurred due to delays or missed flights.
Cancel for Any Reason: Some plans offer the option to cancel your trip for any reason and still receive reimbursement for pre-paid expenses.
Other Considerations:
Foreign Travel Emergency Health Care:
If you have a Medigap policy, it may cover emergency care outside the U.S., though with limits.
Schengen Visa Insurance:
If you're traveling to countries in the Schengen area, you may need specific insurance that meets visa requirements.
U.S. Visitor Insurance:
If you're a foreign traveler visiting the U.S., you may need visitor insurance.
Medicare offers limited coverage when traveling abroad, usually around $50,000 maximum benefit, leaving members to pay the claim in advance and obtain a reimbursement when they come home. I have a carrier that provides international medical travel coverage, taking the worry away when traveling abroad. With up to 1 million in benefits, a service team to handle communication barriers, and the ability to pay the claim for members strengthens peace of mind when traveling. Travel medical coverage is trip-specific, taking into consideration the member and the time they are traveling, making it an affordable option.
Original Medicare normally does not cover health care while traveling outside of the US. There are instances where Medicare may cover medically necessary ambulance transportation with a Hospital admission, only for necessary covered inpatient hospital services. You will still pay for the 20% that Medicare does not cover. Some Medigap plans (F,G,M,N) will pay 20% of costs due to an emergency. When traveling internationally, I highly recommend travel medical insurance often available through your travel company or home owners insurance. Many Medicare Advantage plans have included international travel insurance. Look at the coverage limits and read any conditions carefully. Never assume imbedded coverage will meet your unique needs.
Original Medicare generally doesn’t cover you outside the U.S., but the good news is, you do have options! Some Medicare Supplement (Medigap) plans, like Plan G or Plan N, include limited foreign travel emergency coverage. That can help with emergency care while abroad, up to a lifetime limit. Also (this varies by plan but) some Medicare Advantage Plans MAY also cover some limited foreign travel emergency coverage. Another route is to look into travel insurance specifically designed for medical coverage. Especially if it's a longer trip or if you travel frequently, it can give you peace of mind.
If you have a Medicare Supplement, Plan G, you already have some limited coverage. With the current climate around the world, much depends on where you are going and the risks involved as to whether you may want additional coverage. Travel insurance can be a great help and plans differ according to your priorities.
Do you want to be able to go to a doctor in case you get sick, or just want emergency treatment?
Do you want protection in case your plans get canceled, you lose your luggage or your wallet stolen?
Are you going to a place where there is civil unrest or risk of natural disasters, and want to make sure that you can have an unscheduled exit from the country?
There are many types of plans with some combination of these elements and more. Whether you are an annual traveler, or a frequent flyer, there's a plan that can help you feel more confident when you travel. Your travel agent may have a plan or you can shop through us or other sources. Safe travels wherever you go!
International travelers can easily purchase international travel insurance. Since most Medicare supplements and MAPDs only have a reimbursement feature for emergencies, it is a good idea to add international health insurance for any extended trips. Also, Medicare does not cover repatriation if you need to be transported back to the United States. Some international plans have this feature available.
With Medicare Advantage plans you have worldwide emergency coverage. That is strictly emergency only.
With most Medigap plans you have $50,000 of foreign travel money to use. Basically, it is enough money to get stabilized if something were to happen and get you back to the United States for your Medicare coverage.
The first thing you should do is check your EOC (Evidence of Coverage) for either your Medicare Supplement or MAPD as most will offer some small amount of coverage for international travel.
Should medical air transportation "home" be needed, most companies will require you to pay for this service IN FULL prior to authorization. In situations such as this it's best to see if your Medical Health Insurance agent has access to a more comprehensive International Travel benefit package prior to leaving the country. Most plans are affordable and can be purchased prior to travel to cover you for the specific dates that you will be gone.
Medicare alone does not provide coverage outside the US. Generally, almost all Medicare Advantage plans provide coverage worldwide for both Emergency and Urgent Care for a very small copay. If you have a Medicare Supplement, it may pay up to a certain amount (i.e. $50K) and then a cost share for the remaining balance (i.e. 80/20).
Most Medicare supplemental/Medigap plans F, G, N, and a couple of others will cover 80% if Medicare is accepted. International travel medical insurance coverage plans can help cover the cost of emergency medical treatments, including broken bones, heart attacks, strokes, emergency dental procedures, and medical evacuations. Our special policies can be written for these types of events.
You will find international travel coverage for Medicare beneficiaries on Medicare plans such as C,D,F,G,M and N. For the most part these plan coverage is limited to emergency coverage and may have a life time maximum benefit for foreign travel. You should review this with an agent to be sure you know the details of your plans international coverage or may use this a a factor in your choice of plans. I would advised for long term stays or more comprehensive coverage to purchases separate travel medical insurance.
Medicare has limited coverage for international travel, you can explore additional options like Medicare supplement plans and travel insurance policies. Medicare supplement plans can provide some coverage for emergency care outside the U.S., while travel insurance offers broader coverage for medical expenses and other travel-related needs. Some Medicare Advantage plans offer limited coverage for international travel.
Some Medicare Advantage plans cover worldwide emergency and urgent services, which are subject to a $50,000 maximum plan coverage with a $140 co-pay, on average. The co-pay is not waived if admitted to the hospital for worldwide needed services.
For folks on Medicare who travel outside the country, a travel plan specific to international travel is definitely recommended. These plans cover only outside the US. Benefits and premiums can vary. The coverage cost can also be affected by length of time outside the US, age of client, etc. A travel medical plan is not the same as travel insurance to cover your trip in case of a cancelation.
Most Medigap/Medicare Supplement plans offer emergency coverage of medical expenses while traveling outside of the US and US Territories. Likewise, many Medicare Advantage policies also offer Emergency and urgent care coverage outside of the United States.
Travel insurance is what is needed abroad as most health insurance and Medicare Advantage do not give you coverage beyond US border and it's territories. Original Medicare and supplemental plans will have limitations on coverage and is only health coverage. If you are looking for lost baggage, trip interruption or flying home severely injured that would be covered by TI. I always tell people, know before you go, check your plan exclusions and talk to customer service if it is not clear. It's not the cost that is key, it's the what if your car has you missing a flight or boat?
Original Medicare offers very limited coverage outside the U.S., but international travelers can expand protection through certain Medigap plans, select Medicare Advantage plans, or standalone travel medical insurance.
Depending on your additional coverage (i.e. your Advantage Plan or Medigap) on top of having Medicare, you might have coverage during your international travels. It is important to ask your Agent/Broker for details or calling your Insurance Company Customer Service #.
There is also an option to purchase additional coverage know as Travel Insurance or International Medical Insurance that could be good additional options and to cover scenarios not covered by your Medicare Plans.
Travel medical insurance for the specific dates you are traveling or to cover you for multiple trips in a year. Rates are VERY reasonable and have deductibles of $0 up to $500 and coverage up to $1million.
It depends on the plan. Traditional Medicare has some coverage for emergencies. Some advantage plans have extra coverage up to $25,000 for international emergencies.
Some options in Medicare include overseas travel. For instance, with a Medicare Supplement (a.k.a., Medigap), the 1st 60 days of any trip is covered with any health ailment affected by a natural cause or by a serious accident.
Medigap plans may cover emergency medical care for international travelers. Some Medicare Advantage plans offer travel benefits. These options typically occur when you are traveling and in need of medical attention during a medical emergency.
There are no options for international travel with Medicare. Medicare covers up to $50,000 lifetime. You pay the bill and submit your medical bills for reimbursement. Some MA plans may cover emergencies. You may want to purchase an International health plan separately.
Medigap Plan G offers travel benefits, but another great option is just to get Travel Medical Insurance. Sometimes your travel agent offers this, but as a licensed Insurance agent, I offer short term travel plans with high coverage that are very afforable.. These work whether covered by Medigap, Medicare Advantage, or even an employer health plan.
For international travelers I strongly recommend looking in to some measure of travelers insurance. While most plans will cover an ER visit worldwide, it may be wise to have a travelers insurance plan specific to your scenario.
Some medicare supplements offer foreign travel emergency. There are international travel policies that can be purchased. Lastly, some Medicare Advantage plans offer additional travel benefits for international travelers.
Depending on which plan you decide on, there may be up to $50,000 in lifetime travel reimbursement for any International coverage. But surprisingly enough to some folks, the plans they take wouldn't even cover them out of their local county!!! This is why you should speak to an Agent who specializes in Medicare in your state and locality. Hope this helped!
Emergency care in a hospital will normally be covered. There is no major hospital coverage with Medicare. Therefore it is advisable to purchase a policy for traveling outside of the USA.
There are some Medicare Advantage plans that offer international coverage in case of emergency. I would double check with your agent to make sure you have the plan you are needing to get the coverage you are wanting.
There are world wide travel plans that offer coverage outside of the country. These plans are relatively inexpensive and offer peace of mind while vacationing.
You would just want to purchase travel insurance as any other traveler would. There’s a little bit of health insurance coverage on supplement plans. I no longer sell Advantage plans anymore because I called them disadvantage plans. If you’d like to see rates for supplements just reach out to me via this platform.
Generally, U.S. health insurance plans do not cover medical care received outside the United States. This means you may need to pay out-of-pocket for medical services or file for reimbursement upon returning home
There are several options for travelers such as PPO plan options. Many plans will allow you to travel and still be able to have coverage wherever you are.
There are many services and program available through companies that are both public and private . Finding the right help is not limited to an online search.
