Traveling? Medicare Might Not Cover You

November 10, 2022 Carrie Schwab-Pomerantz
Three ways Medicare can fall short when traveling—and how to fill the gaps.

Dear Carrie,

My husband and I recently retired and plan to spend the next few years traveling, mostly abroad. We're both enrolled in Medicare, which we've heard won't cover us on international trips. Should we consider supplemental coverage?

Dear Reader,

I'm thrilled to hear you're taking full advantage of your early retirement years. One of the things I look forward to most when I retire is exploring new places and connecting with others around the world.

That said, you're wise to expect the unexpected. Apart from being unpleasant and a potential disruption to your travel plans, an accident or illness could lead to big out-of-pocket costs—even if you're covered by Medicare.

In fact, the amount of coverage you'll have depends not only on where you go but also on whether you have Original Medicare (Parts A and B) or a private Medicare Advantage plan. And in some cases, it can make sense to purchase additional travel insurance, regardless of the type of Medicare coverage you have.

Here's how you'll be covered depending on the type of plan you have—and what you can do if your coverage falls short.  

Original Medicare

When traveling in the U.S., rest assured that Original Medicare will cover you in all 50 states plus all U.S. territories, such as Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

However, what you've heard is true: Original Medicare doesn't pay for health expenses incurred outside the U.S.—unless:

  • You're traveling between Alaska and another U.S. state through Canada "without unreasonable delay," and a Canadian hospital is closer to you than the nearest U.S. hospital capable of treating your illness or injury. Medicare determines what qualifies as "without unreasonable delay" on a case-by-case basis.
  • You have a medical emergency while you're traveling in the U.S. and a foreign hospital is closer to you than the nearest U.S. hospital capable of treating your illness or injury.
  • You live in the U.S. and a foreign hospital is closer to your home than the nearest U.S. hospital capable of treating your medical condition, regardless of whether it's an emergency.

If you're on a cruise, be aware that you'll be covered only in U.S. waters. Once you're more than six hours away from a U.S. port, Medicare won't pay for medical care.

Medicare Advantage

All Medicare Advantage plans must cover, at a minimum, everything Original Medicare covers, including emergency and urgent care anywhere in the U.S. However, a Medicare Advantage plan may not provide standard coverage outside your service area—a significant drawback for those with a vacation home in another state or who otherwise frequent a different part of the country. Be sure to check with your plan provider to understand the limitations outside your standard coverage area—and consider adjusting your coverage or plan provider as necessary.

Be that as it may, some Medicare Advantage plans do offer at least some coverage for foreign travel, though there may be restrictions. For example, some plans may require you to pay out of pocket and then seek reimbursement, while others may cap their overseas travel benefits. Always research the details of your policy before you travel so you understand exactly what is and isn't covered.

As for cruises, Medicare Advantage's domestic rules apply when you're in U.S. waters, and foreign-travel rules apply when in international waters.

Filling the gaps

If you have Original Medicare, you might consider purchasing a supplemental Medigap policy, which is a private plan that helps fill the shortfalls in Medicare coverage, often including international travel. If you wind up needing your Medigap coverage abroad, you'll generally have a $250 annual deductible and a copay of 20%, with a lifetime limit of $50,000. Also, coverage is typically limited to the first 60 days of your trip.1

For both Medigap and Medicare Advantage plans that cover international travel, it's important to understand your provider's distinction between emergency care—for a condition or an injury that places your mental or physical health in serious jeopardy—and urgent care for less serious conditions, such as an ear infection, which may or may not be covered.

Given all of these restrictions on care, I advise that all international travelers look into purchasing additional travel insurance. In addition to covering things like nonrefundable trip costs and cancellations, most travel insurance policies cover emergency medical expenses—within certain limits. For example, some plans don't cover accidents that result from adventure activities or expenses related to preexisting conditions, so you may wish to purchase a more comprehensive policy.

As pricy as supplemental coverage can be—averaging between 5% and 6% of your total travel costs—the peace of mind it provides will allow you to enjoy yourself without the shadow of unexpected medical expenses looming over your trip. Safe travels!

Learn more about health care planning.

How Higher Income Can Affect Medicare Premiums

Medicare premiums can jump sharply if your retirement income rises above certain levels, but there are steps you can take to prepare and minimize the impact.

4 Steps to Smart Medicare Decisions

There's more to enrolling in Medicare than just turning 65. Make these Medicare decisions ahead of time—then celebrate.

Thinking Retirement? Consider Going "Old School"

Rapidly growing university-based retirement communities offer opportunities for seniors to stimulate their minds, but it's important to understand the upsides and downsides.

The information provided here is for general informational purposes only and should not be considered an individualized recommendation or personalized investment advice. The investment strategies mentioned here may not be suitable for everyone. Each investor needs to review an investment strategy for his or her own particular situation before making any investment decision.

All expressions of opinion are subject to change without notice in reaction to shifting market conditions. Data contained herein from third-party providers is obtained from what are considered reliable sources. However, its accuracy, completeness, or reliability cannot be guaranteed.

Examples provided are for illustrative purposes only and not intended to be reflective of results you can expect to achieve.

1122-21CN