Does Medicare Cover Me When Traveling Abroad? (2024)

Planning to travel during your retirement years? Whether you’re headed out of town, out of state or out of the country, make sure you're covered should you need healthcare away from home.

Does Medicare cover me while I travel?

Many older adults look forward to fulfilling their travel bucket list during retirement, but Medicare may not be along for the ride.

If you have Medicare coverage, you won’t be reimbursed for international medical bills. Healthcare services received beyond U.S. borders are not covered.

Medicare may cover inpatient hospital costs, ambulance services or dialysis for the following circ*mstances:

  1. You are in the U.S. when emergency treatment is needed and the closest hospital is in a foreign country (e.g., Canada or Mexico).
  2. You are traveling through Canada between Alaska and another state (via the most direct route) when an emergency situation occurs and the closest hospital is in Canada.
  3. You are a U.S. resident, but a foreign hospital is closer to your home than the nearest U.S. location that can treat your condition, regardless of whether it is an emergency.1

In any of these situations, the foreign hospital is not required to file a Medicare claim. Be prepared to submit an itemized bill to Medicare just in case.2

Your Medicare coverage follows you if you travel to:

  • Another state in the U.S
  • District of Columbia
  • Puerto Rico
  • U.S. Virgin Islands
  • Guam
  • Northern Mariana Islands
  • American Samoa

Explore Humana Medicare Advantage plans

Humana Medicare Advantage plans offer benefits beyond what Original Medicare covers. Explore all of the plans available in your area!

Going on a cruise?

While on a cruise in international waters, you may be covered for medically-necessary care if the ship is within 6 hours of a U.S. port.3 Most liners have medical personnel on staff, but check with the cruise company before departure if you’re concerned about available medical care.

Do Medicare Supplement plans offer coverage while traveling?

Some Medicare Supplement insurance policies (also known as Medigap) do offer coverage for emergencies when traveling out-of-country. Medicare Supplement plans C, D, F, G, M and N cover some travel-abroad emergency help.4 No other Medicare Supplement plans provide foreign travel emergency coverage. Medigap plans can only be combined with Original Medicare.

How can I make sure I’m covered while abroad or away?

Since Medicare coverage and international travel do not necessarily go hand in hand, people who plan to leave the country should check their private insurance plan to determine what kind of services they could receive abroad—and at what expense.

Travel health insurance (not simply a travel insurance policy, as many don’t include healthcare insurance) may be a worthwhile investment if you expect to be outside the U.S. often during your retirement years, especially if you have health conditions that could require continual care and services, specific medical supplies, prescription drugs or treatments.5

Sources

  1. “Medicare Coverage Outside the United States,” Medicare.gov, last accessed December 29, 2023, https://www.medicare.gov/Pubs/pdf/11037-Medicare-Coverage-Outside-United-States.pdf,PDF.
  2. “Medicare Coverage Outside the United States.”
  3. “Medicare & You: Traveling Abroad,” last accessed December 29, 2023, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yq2WbpPK-9c.
  4. “Medigap & Travel,” Medicare.gov, last accessed December 29, 2023, https://www.medicare.gov/supplements-other-insurance/medigap-travel.
  5. “Medicare Coverage Outside the United States.”

How can we help?

Call us

Licensed Humana sales agents are available Monday–Friday, 8a.m.–8p.m.

1-888-204-4062 (TTY: 711)

1-888-204-4062 (TTY: 711)

See plans in your area

Enter your ZIP code below to see plans with their premiums, copays, and participating doctors and pharmacies.

Request a call

Our licensed Humana sales agents are available to help you select the coverage that best meets your needs.

Does Medicare Cover Me When Traveling Abroad? (2024)

FAQs

Does Medicare Cover Me When Traveling Abroad? ›

Many older adults look forward to fulfilling their travel bucket list during retirement, but Medicare may not be along for the ride. If you have Medicare coverage, you won't be reimbursed for international medical bills. Healthcare services received beyond U.S. borders are not covered.

Am I covered by Medicare if I travel abroad? ›

In most situations, Medicare won't pay for health care or supplies you get outside the U.S. The term “outside the U.S.” means anywhere other than the 50 states of the U.S., the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, and the Northern Mariana Islands.

How long can you be out of the country on Medicare? ›

The lifetime maximum benefit is $50,000. These policies will not pay benefits if you live or travel outside the United States for longer than 60 days. If you have retiree coverage, check with your benefits administrator to find out if you have coverage outside the United States.

Do I need special health insurance when traveling abroad? ›

Purchasing health insurance for traveling abroad is a simple way to save money in an emergency, and anyone can benefit from the coverage. If you're traveling to a country in which your health insurance provider doesn't provide coverage, buying travel medical insurance is a must.

Should you take your Medicare card on vacation? ›

Unfortunately, accidents happen. And sometimes people get sick on vacation. Keep your Medicare card with you so it's handy and secure in case you need it. Also, leave a copy of your health care insurance with a loved one so they can send it to you if you lose yours.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Carlyn Walter

Last Updated:

Views: 5885

Rating: 5 / 5 (50 voted)

Reviews: 89% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Carlyn Walter

Birthday: 1996-01-03

Address: Suite 452 40815 Denyse Extensions, Sengermouth, OR 42374

Phone: +8501809515404

Job: Manufacturing Technician

Hobby: Table tennis, Archery, Vacation, Metal detecting, Yo-yoing, Crocheting, Creative writing

Introduction: My name is Carlyn Walter, I am a lively, glamorous, healthy, clean, powerful, calm, combative person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.