Will my Medicare plan work when traveling to Europe?

Question

Clarence &quot;Mark&quot; Christiansen · Accepted Answer

This answer is provided in a video format. Watch the agent's video response here: https://medicareagentshub.com/questions/will-my-medicare-plan-work-when-traveling-to-europe#clarence-christiansen

Larry Dalton · Answer

Traditional Medicare with Parts A and B and a Medigap plan F or G, could cover up to 80% where Medicare is accepted. Medicare Advantage plans would need prior approval from the insurance company that is carrying the plan.

Answered by Larry Dalton on April 17, 2025

Broker Licensed in OK & TX

Answered by Larry Dalton Medicare Insurance Agent

Norman Smith · Answer

Original Medicare with a Supplement provides up to $50,000 in lifetime reimbursements, covering up to 80% of your International medical costs. Note that your Medicare will work in the territories of the US. Such places as the US Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, and Guam. There are a few places between the USA Northern border and Alaska that would also have coverage under Medicare. Europe is not a covered location. I would recommend taking Travel Insurance.

Answered by Norman Smith on April 9, 2025

Agent Licensed in FL & PA

Answered by Norman Smith Medicare Insurance Agent

Andrew Zurbuch, MBA · Answer

No. Medicare doesn't cover outside the U.S. except for limited coverage near the U.S. border.
Please see www.locatemedicareinsurance.com for other information.

Andrew J. Zurbuch, MBA
Licensed Broker
Integrated Financial
azurbuch@i-f-s-inc.com

Plans are insured or covered by a Medicare Advantage (HMO, PPO and PFFS) organization with a Medicare contract and/or a Medicare-approved Part D sponsor. Enrollment in the plan depends on the plan’s contract renewal with Medicare. We do not offer every plan available in your area. Any information we provide is limited to those plans we do offer in your area. Please contact Medicare.gov or 1-800-MEDICARE to get information on all of your options.

Kim Kirsch · Answer

Some Medicare Advantage plans, specifically PPOs will provide coverage outside of the US. There are limits though, like some are 80/20 plans, so check with the specific plan you are considering before making your choice.

Answered by Kim Kirsch on May 1, 2025

Broker Licensed in FL, AK, AL & 46 other states

Answered by Kim Kirsch Medicare Insurance Agent

Jon Kelderman · Answer

Some Medigap (Medicare Supplement) plans—specifically Plans C, D, F, G, M, and N—offer limited coverage for emergency medical care outside the U.S. My recommendation to my clients is to purchase a good travel health plan. They are relatively inexpensive and offer added protection.

Answered by Jon Kelderman on June 24, 2025

Broker Licensed in IA, AZ & TX

Answered by Jon Kelderman Medicare Insurance Agent

Joshua Cooper · Answer

Medicare supplement with the international care benefit. You should consult a broker to see about additional travel insurance.

David Moore · Answer

Any on whose plan you choose it can cover you so that you are in a position to return to the US a and be taken care of.

Steven Bleicher · Answer

Medicare Supplement rules state that if you have a health need while overseas, as long as your affliction took place in the first 60 days, you will have no pre- pay. But upon your return, make a copy of the paid receipt and send it to the claims department who will reimburse you within 3 weeks.

Answered by Steven Bleicher on June 16, 2025

Broker Licensed in AZ

Answered by Steven Bleicher Medicare Insurance Agent

Diana Garner · Answer

Medicare usually does not cover any health services, supplies, or prescriptions you receive outside the US.

Some Medicare Supplement plans may offer limited foreign travel emergency coverage, typically with a deductible, copay, and lifetime limit. 

Medicare Advantage plans are not required to provide coverage for international travel. Some plans may offer benefit coverage for emergency or urgent care while traveling abroad. 

Beneficiaries should review their specific plan's terms and conditions before traveling to understand the extent of coverage they may have.

Steven Lovell · Answer

Original medicare will not medical care in any other country other than united states and its territories.

Leslie Helene Sussman · Answer

Medicare does NOT typically cover Healthcare and Prescription drug coverage. May cover limited Emergency care. Do not travel abroad without Worldwide Travel Insurance. This is inexpensive and could be invaluable.

Answered by Leslie Helene Sussman on April 21, 2025

Broker Licensed in NJ, FL & PA

Answered by Leslie Helene Sussman Medicare Insurance Agent

Barbara Barnes, CMIP® · Answer

It might, depending on the plan you’ve chosen. Medicare Supplement Plan G will provide up to $50,000 of emergency benefits outside of the US. Many Medicare Advantage plans provide Worldwide emergency coverage. But the keyword is ‘emergency’. What if it’s not an emergency but you need to receive care? Are you willing to pay out-of-pocket or interrupt your trip and return to the US? Can you pay upfront and wait until you get home to submit your claim for reimbursement? If you can afford to travel outside of the US and you have Medicare, I STRONGLY recommend buying an International Health Plan for your trip. Hopefully, you will never need to use it. If you do need to use it, an International Health Plan will provide benefits to help you with translation, to help you find and get to a western trained facility, to pay upfront for the care that you need, and to help get you home in the event that you need a special flight for repatriation.

Answered by Barbara Barnes, CMIP® on June 8, 2025

Agent Licensed in PA

Answered by Barbara Barnes, CMIP® Medicare Insurance Agent

Becki Jennings · Answer

That depends. If you have original Medicare with a supplement and are traveling outside the country, your coverage is very limited. Most likely, you will not be covered. Many Medicare Advantage Plans will pay. However, you may have to settle the bill with the provider, then submit to the insurance company for reimbursement. I always suggest the purchase a medical travel plan beyond your trip protection plan.

Answered by Becki Jennings on June 11, 2025

Agent Licensed in MO

Answered by Becki Jennings Medicare Insurance Agent

Michele Vina · Answer

Generally speaking, Medicare coverage is only in the US. However, your Medicare supplement or Advantage plan will provide emergency medical coverage overseas if necessary.

Fred Manas · Answer

No, Original Medicare generally does not cover health care services you receive while traveling in Europe or any other location outside the United States and its territories. 
However, there are limited exceptions where Medicare may provide some coverage for services in a foreign hospital, such as for certain emergencies if a foreign hospital is closer than a U.S. hospital, or for non-emergency care in a foreign hospital closer to your home in the U.S.. 
Important Considerations for Europe Travel:
You will likely be responsible for all healthcare costs.
Medicare Part D does not cover prescription drugs purchased outside the U.S.
Purchasing travel insurance with health coverage is recommended. 
Medigap and Medicare Advantage:
Certain Medigap plans may offer coverage for foreign travel emergencies under specific conditions and with limitations.
Coverage for international travel varies among Medicare Advantage plans; check with your provider. 
Before your trip, it is crucial to:
Contact your Medicare plan provider about international coverage.
Consider purchasing travel health insurance.

Steve Brauer · Answer

Your Medicare plan will only work NEAR the US border, and only in some circumstances. I always advise people that are traveling outside of the US to purchase a Travel Medical plan. They are fairly inexpensive and very robust in their coverage. They don't cover travel to some countries where there is unrest.

Answered by Steve Brauer on April 16, 2025

Broker Licensed in AZ & CA

Answered by Steve Brauer Medicare Insurance Agent

Glenn Alterman · Answer

This is directly from Medicare 
“Medicare usually doesn’t cover health care while you’re traveling outside the U.S. There are some exceptions, including some cases where Medicare Part B (Medical Insurance) may pay for services that you get on board a ship within the territorial waters adjoining the land areas of the U.S. 

Medicare may pay for inpatient hospital, doctor, and ambulance services you get in a foreign country in these rare cases:

You're in the U.S. when a medical emergency occurs, and the foreign hospital is closer than the nearest U.S. hospital that can treat your medical condition.
You're traveling through Canada without unreasonable delay by the most direct route between Alaska and another U.S state when a medical emergency occurs, and the Canadian hospital is closer than the nearest U.S. hospital that can treat the emergency.
You live in the U.S. and the foreign hospital is closer to your home than the nearest U.S. hospital that can treat your medical condition, regardless of whether an emergency exists.
Medicare may cover medically necessary ambulance transportation to a foreign hospital only with admission for medically necessary covered inpatient hospital services.”

Gary Haft · Answer

Your Medicare Supplement will work anywhere in the world, but it us usually for an emergency situation. If you are just not feeling well and it is not life threatening, you are likely not going to get the claim paid. Remember that you have a $250 deductible to meet before your Supplement would pay, therefore if you are not feeling well and you go see a doctor, and your cost is less than $250, then it is all out of your pocket. It is always recommended that when traveling outside the USA - to consider taking out international insurance that covers your health and medical expenses. Just be aware that these plans do have limitations and restrictions.

Answered by Gary Haft on May 26, 2025

Agent Licensed in FL, AL, DC & 9 other states

Answered by Gary Haft Medicare Insurance Agent

Robert Vitale · Answer

Original Medicare offers very limited coverage for healthcare services received while traveling in Europe. To ensure adequate protection, consider Medigap policies with foreign travel benefits, check your Medicare Advantage plan's coverage, and consider purchasing travel insurance.

Answered by Robert Vitale on May 21, 2025

Agent Licensed in FL & OH

Answered by Robert Vitale Medicare Insurance Agent

Philip Santucci · Answer

Medicare plans are mainly US service based however there are plans that will have some international coverage. Most of the plans with coverage are Medicare supplements.

Abigail Turner · Answer

This is going to vary and be dependent on what plan you have. Original Medicare is not an international health insurance program so the coverage available internationally will be based on your Medicare plan. 

Several Medicare Supplement (Medigap) plans (specifically Plans C, D, F, G, M, and N) offer 80% "foreign travel emergency" coverage, subject to plan limits. 

Many Medicare Advantage plan companies also offer some international coverage. In general, Emergency Room and Urgent Care is covered by some companies and may or may not have a copay associated. At least one other company also covers ground ambulance transportation internationally for a copay. 

Checking with your broker/agent or going through your plan's full Explanation of Benefits documentation will give you the coverage available with your specific plan.

Vernon Pate · Answer

Except for certain circumstances, Original Medicare does not cover you while you are outside the US and its territories. Please review your statement of benefits for Medicare Advantage and Medicare Supplement plans to determine what is covered when traveling outside the US. I always recommend health travel insurance when traveling abroad. GeoBlue or HTH.

Answered by Vernon Pate on May 27, 2025

Broker Licensed in AR, MO & OK

Answered by Vernon Pate Medicare Insurance Agent

Barbara Klie · Answer

Original Medicare (Part A & Part B): has limited coverage for healthcare outside the US including Europe. If you have an emergency in Europe, you may have to pay out of pocket and Medicare will not reimburse you for those costs.

Medicare Advantage (Part C): varies by plan. Some Medicare Advantage (MA) may offer coverage for emergency or urgent care needs while traveling abroad, but it varies by plan. It is essential to ask your agent for the details of coverage. 

Medicare Supplement (Medigap): Some Medigap plans (specifically Plans C, D, F, G, M, and N) offer limited coverage for emergency care received outside the US. This typically includes 80% of the billed charges for medically necessary emergency care, after a deductible, up to a lifetime of $50,000. It is important to note that Medigap plans may require you to pay the provider upfront and then you would file a claim to your provider for reimbursement.

Consider travel insurance: If you plan to travel abroad, it may be wise to purchase travel insurance that includes health coverage. This can provide additional peace of mind and financial protection in case of medical emergencies while you are abroad.

Caretta Carrington · Answer

Unfortunately, Medicare does not cover services provided outside the US. Since Europe is outside the US, you will be required to pay for 100% of your care.

Alicia Benton · Answer

It depends on the circumstances. You have worldwide coverage for emergency and with the supplement and Medicare advantage you will encounter co-pays.

Will my Medicare plan work when traveling to Europe?

Agents: Share Your Expertise

Seniors: Ask a Question of Your Own

Related Questions

Agent Locator

Medicare Agents Hub
A non-government resource website

Will my Medicare plan work when traveling to Europe?

Agents: Share Your Expertise

Seniors: Ask a Question of Your Own

Related Questions

Agent Locator

Medicare Agents HubA non-government resource website

Medicare Agents Hub
A non-government resource website