Traveling Abroad & Medicare

A commonly asked question is "How does Medicare work if I'm traveling outside the U.S.?".  Now that you have more time to start tackling your travel "Bucket List", it is important to understand how you will or will not be covered in the event of a medical emergency outside the United States.  

There is often a high level of confusion around how Medicare works when traveling abroad.  The good news is that a little proactive planning can ensure your potential healthcare needs are effectively addressed before you jump on a plane or hit the open road.

Medicare Coverage Outside The U.S.

In most cases, Medicare does not provide benefits while traveling outside of the United States. However, there are a few special exceptions where your care would be covered.

1. You are covered for emergency care in Canada if you are traveling directly to Alaska from the lower 48 states and the closest hospital is within Canada.  Note that this does not mean you are covered if your trip to Alaska includes an extended visit within Canada during the trip. You must be passing through Canada without unreasonable delay via the most direct route.
2. You may be covered for necessary medical treatment while aboard a cruise ship.  You must have boarded the ship within U.S. territorial waters and be within six (6) hours of a U.S. port.
3. If you live within the U.S. and the nearest hospital happens to be in a foreign country (i.e. Mexico or Canada), Medicare will generally cover care in those facilities whether it is an emergency or not.  Medicare will only cover normally approved services.

Benefits Under Medicare Supplement or Medicare Advantage Plans

Those who have selected Original Medicare likely purchased a Medicare Supplement
​(a.k.a. Medigap) plan as well.  Plans lettered C, D, F, G, M and N all offer foreign emergency benefits. However, the coverage is not comprehensive and tends to be fairly limited.  Coverage is available for the first sixty (60) days of your trip and the plan pays 80% of the necessary emergency care expenses.  You will pay a $250 deductible and then 20% of the approved costs, which are subject to a $50,000 lifetime maximum.  You will be fully responsible for any care that would not normally be covered under Medicare.  It's also important to note that this coverage does not apply to emergency medical evacuation, which can exceed $100,000 depending on location and severity of your health condition.

Individuals enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan may have foreign travel benefits included as part of their plan offering.  Benefits can vary by plan, so be sure to check with your insurance provider for coverage details.  Remember, you may not purchase a Medigap policy if you are enrolled in Medicare Advantage.

Alternative Solutions for Protection While Traveling

Regardless of how you receive your Medicare benefits, we can probably agree that it is not the "go-to" option for traveling abroad.  A serious medical emergency away from home can add more complexity and stress to an already difficult situation.  Fortunately, there are some great alternative solutions available to ensure your healthcare needs are met and well covered.

1. Credit Cards:  Chances are you already have a card with travel insurance benefits in your wallet.  Protection typically includes things like trip cancellation, lost baggage, trip interruption, car rental coverage and emergency assistance services.  You simply need to pay for the trip with the card to activate those benefits!  Note that emergency assistance generally does not pay for the medical and/or evacuation services.  The card issuer will assist in coordinating emergency services and directing you to appropriate care as necessary.
2. Separate Travel Policy:  Purchasing a separate travel policy for your trip tends to be the best option for ensuring coverage of medical emergencies.  Many top insurance companies offer a wide range of plans to fit your needs and budget.  A couple resources worth checking out are TravelInsurance.com, and SquareMouth.com where you can easily pull a quote from several insurance providers without giving out a lot of personal information up front.  You have the ability to buy a comprehensive plan or choose "a la carte" coverage for what you need.
3. Concierge Level Services:  Are you heading to very remote areas on a safari or expedition? Perhaps you have more complex health issues, which are manageable but may require additional planning.  Whatever the case, don't let that keep you from taking that dream trip. There are specialized concierge level services available that will handle every detail and offer peace of mind during your adventure.  One such company is Black Bag, founded by Dr. Chris Sidford.  He and his team can handle medical treatment coordination, second opinion research and even send you on your way with a pre-packed medical kit complete with prescription medications in the event of an emergency or illness.

Plan Wisely & Have Fun!

A trip to a foreign country often takes a lot of planning.  Don't overlook the important details of how you will handle an unexpected emergency.  While you may have some coverage as part of your Medicare benefits, they clearly are not sufficient in covering moderate to severe healthcare issues while outside the United States.  So, plan wisely and bon voyage!

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Disclosure:  Boomer Benefit Planning LLC is not affiliated with or compensated by the companies referenced in this article.  All content is provided for educational and informational purposes only.