What should I look for in a Medicare plan if I travel frequently both domestically and internationally?

Question

Leslie Helene Sussman · Accepted Answer

If you travel within the US - reviewing plan choices that offer a Nationwide network is key. 


If you travel internationally - Travel insurance is available based on your dates of travel.


Review with a local Medicare Broker, contact me for specific questions.

Larry Dalton · Answer

You may wonder whether Medicare benefits are portable when traveling.  Traditional Medicare Part A and Part B coverage is portable within the borders of the USA, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, and the Northern Mariana Islands.  With traditional Medicare and a Medigap plan, you are covered with no network restrictions and can see any provider that accepts Medicare.  

Traveling with Medicare Advantage.  These plans are not the traditional Medicare, and insurance carriers underwrite them entirely.  Therefore, signing up under these carriers is not straightforward due to their network, which may not be available outside your state or within their standard geographic areas.  Some Medicare Advantage plans have state-to-state and nationwide pharmacy coverage within their extensive networks.   However, other Medicare Advantage plans may not cover outside their defined service area or impose higher cost-sharing or prior-authorization rules for out-of-network care.  When traveling, remember that if your Medicare Advantage plan requires a primary care provider (PCP) referral for specialist visits, you must do your homework; otherwise, you may have trouble finding a specialist when needed. 

However, rest assured that original Medicare and Medicare Advantage plans are required to cover emergency and urgent care anywhere in the United States without additional restrictions or out-of-pocket costs.

Norman Smith · Answer

Internationally, neither Medicare nor Medicare Advantage plans travel with you. 
But if you have certain Supplemental plans with your Original Medicare, for example a “G” plan, that has an 80% reimbursement for your overseas medical costs, with a maximum $50,000 lifetime repayment. Look into what plans your State has for you.

Richard Moreno · Answer

A Medicare advantage plan with Imited Healthcare would cover both domestically and internationally. However you must use a hospital emergency room or an urgent care to be covered internationally.

Marie Terhune · Answer

For travel within the United States, you would want to choose a Medicare Advantage plan that is a PPO (Preferred Provider Organization) not an HMO, as a PPO will allow you to go outside of network to access care which may be necessary depending on what state you are in.  You would also want to choose a company that had a large network of doctors all over the country, as this gives you more access to the doctors that work with that plan, both in and out of network.  

Regarding International travel - Medicare does not cover you while out of the country, except for limited coverage near the US border.  It is best to obtain travel insurance for care outside the country.

Joshua Cooper · Answer

If you travel frequently, I would strongly recommend going with a Medicare Supplement Plan G. This is the most comprehensive plan and allows you to avoid having a network you must go to.

Jim Neil · Answer

This can be very complicated. Out of network coverage is unique to each plan and carrier. Some plans say "go anywhere in our national network" and other plans can say "go anywhere Medicare works." It's best to ask us (or your broker) which plans have the best out-of-area coverage. In terms of international, most will cover for international emergency, but there can be limits. I always recommend my customers to get international travel coverage, which I help them with. It's very inexpensive and gives peace of mind should you have a problem while traveling abroad.

Answered by Jim Neil on April 7, 2025

Agent Licensed in MI, AL, AR & 31 other states

Answered by Jim Neil Medicare Insurance Agent

Amie Randall · Answer

Traveling domestically you will have full benefits meaning original Medicare will pick up and then your supplement. Traveling internationally, with a Medicare supplement you will have $50,000 in lifetime benefits from your Medicare supplement. It is always recommended to purchase travel insurance when traveling internationally. When traveling domestic and/or international and you have a Medicare advantage plan you will have to look at the plan benefits and if the plan is an HMO or PPO. Again it is highly recommended to purchase travel insurance.

Answered by Amie Randall on May 12, 2025

Broker Licensed in FL, AL, CA & 26 other states

Answered by Amie Randall Medicare Insurance Agent

Steven Bleicher · Answer

Since Medicare Supplements’ benefits are defined by the Center for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), one of the major rules of ALL Supps which appeal to travelers going all over the globe, is that if you incur an emergency within the first 60 days of an overseas trip, you will likely have to pre-pay but save the paid invoice, make a copy of it and send it to the claims department of the Supplement company whom you joined. They will mail you a reimbursement check in around 4-5 weeks.

Answered by Steven Bleicher on May 29, 2025

Broker Licensed in AZ

Answered by Steven Bleicher Medicare Insurance Agent

Timothy Brown · Answer

A plan that has foreign travel benefits which are usually found in Medicare Supplements plans. Medicare supplements also give you the freedom and flexibility to see any doctor or hospital in the US that accept Medicare. One final suggestion; I would highly recommend purchasing foreign travel health insurance if you’re going to be out of the country. It’s really inexpensive because it’s not a permanent policy. Ask your travel agent about available options.

Answered by Timothy Brown on April 19, 2025

Broker Licensed in PA, CT, DE & 15 other states

Answered by Timothy Brown Medicare Insurance Agent

Bill Wheeler · Answer

You will be able to access care through the emergency room with a HMO plan.But if you need to have doctor visits then you would need too look At a PPO plan.

Becki Jennings · Answer

If you are on Original Medicare, you can go to any provider that accepts Medicare. However, there are significant restrictions when traveling outside of the country. If you have a Medicare Advantage Plan, you have emergency coverage outside of your network. Consider a health plan specific to international travel outside of your Medicare coverage.

Answered by Becki Jennings on June 4, 2025

Agent Licensed in MO

Answered by Becki Jennings Medicare Insurance Agent

Maurice Ellis · Answer

Some Medicare Advantage plans include travel benefits for when you need care away from home. These travel benefits usually cover more than just emergency and urgent care and help ensure you have coverage no matter where you are. However, not all plans have the same rules and limitations – it’s important to ask questions when shopping for the right Medicare Advantage plan.

Important questions to ask include:

What emergency or routine health care services are covered if I vacation in the U.S. or out of the country?

Do I have to seek services with specific providers?

How long can I be away from home and receive coverage?

Will this plan cover both domestic and international travel?

Steve Brauer · Answer

If someone travels extensively throughout the year, it usually makes the most sense for them to be in a MediGap plan, or sometimes called a Medicare Supplement plan. With a MediGap plan, the person can see any doctor in the United States, as long as they accept Medicare patients. With International travel I ALWAYS recommend a "travel medical" policy.

Answered by Steve Brauer on April 8, 2025

Broker Licensed in AZ & CA

Answered by Steve Brauer Medicare Insurance Agent

Gary Henderson · Answer

Medicare supplement plans provide the best coverage available. Medicare advantage plans work similar to traditional plants you would get at work, but you have many, many higher out-of-pocket costs when you start to get seriously ill 
As far as traveling goes, Medicare advantage and medigap plans cover you domestically 
Medigap plans will cover you up to $50,000 and 80% of the cost 
You should get a travel plan because the biggest expensive travel in the event you becomes seriously ill is transportation back to the United States from outside the country. There are many companies that provide medical coverage in addition to all the other traditional things like lost luggage, delayed flights, etc

Vachik Chakhbazian · Answer

Carefully review the specifics of any Medicare plan you're considering, particularly its coverage for travel. A licensed insurance agent, specially me, can help you compare plans and choose the one that best suits your travel habits and healthcare needs.

Answered by Vachik Chakhbazian on June 13, 2025

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

Answered by Vachik Chakhbazian Medicare Insurance Agent

Andy Kelly · Answer

You should seek out a plan that hits the "sweet spot" between monthly premium and potential "out of pocket liability."

Adam Ashby · Answer

If you travel a lot there are a couple things to consider. First of all, why do you go to the Doctor? If you only go to the Doctor in an emergency situation, your Medicare plan should protect you with no issues. If you go to the Doctor for a check up or for a cold - you will want to make sure the plan you choose has the proper network for where you are going. If you are looking at International travel, review Medicare's limitations - you may want to look into stand alone travel plans.

Answered by Adam Ashby on June 9, 2025

Broker Licensed in CO, NE, UT, WA & WY

Answered by Adam Ashby Medicare Insurance Agent

Adriana De la Cruz · Answer

Okay, here's your answer:
As a Medicare specialist, I can help you understand the different parts of Medicare and how they work. I can also help you compare different Medicare plans and find one that fits your needs and budget. Additionally, I can help you enroll in Medicare and answer any questions you may have about the process.

Debra Weber · Answer

Medicare Supplements or Medicare advantage plans do not normally cover anything internationally.  You would be best advised to pick up travel insurance

Calvin Fritz · Answer

1. Nationwide Coverage
Choose a plan that allows you to get care anywhere in the U.S.

Original Medicare (Part A & B):

You can see any doctor or hospital that accepts Medicare—nationwide.

Great for domestic travel.

Medicare Advantage (Part C):

Many plans have networks (HMOs or PPOs).

Look for:

PPO plans (more flexibility to see out-of-network providers)

Plans with nationwide networks or travel benefits

Confirm how coverage works outside your home area.

2. International Travel Coverage
Original Medicare typically does NOT cover care outside the U.S., except in very limited situations. To get global coverage:

Option 1: Medigap (Medicare Supplement)

Plans F, G, and N offer some foreign travel emergency coverage:

Covers 80% of emergency care abroad (up to plan limits)

Limited to the first 60 days of a trip

$250 annual deductible; $50,000 lifetime limit

Donald Baker · Answer

The answer is pretty clear. Check with your insurance coverage to verify under what circumstance your coverage travels with you.

Joseph Smith · Answer

If you plan to travel frequently, you are going to want to look for a Medicare Supplement as opposed to a Medicare Advantage Plan. Medicare Supplements offer coverage anywhere in the US and even a limited amount of international coverage.

Answered by Joseph Smith on May 22, 2025

Agent Licensed in SC, MD & NC

Answered by Joseph Smith Medicare Insurance Agent

Raquel Weir · Answer

Look for a Medicare Advantage or Medigap plan that offers nationwide provider access and includes emergency coverage abroad. Also, ensure the plan has strong out-of-network benefits and minimal restrictions on seeing specialists without referrals.

Answered by Raquel Weir on April 22, 2025

Broker Licensed in TX & LA

Answered by Raquel Weir Medicare Insurance Agent

Debra Hartman · Answer

Ask for a plan that covers all of the US, very limited coverage is available when you go out of the country, I always advise to purchase travel insurance for cruises, out of the country vacations too.

What should I look for in a Medicare plan if I travel frequently both domestically and internationally?

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