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

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

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.

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.

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

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

Steven Lovell · Answer

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

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.

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.

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

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.

https://www.geobluetravelinsurance.com/product_overview.cfm?link_id=259441&personalized=y&header=y

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.