What Medicare Covers When Traveling

With many people finally able to start planning for travel again after Covid-19, it's essential to consider your health insurance coverage while you're away. While there's nothing like exploring new places, being prepared for any unexpected costs is necessary to ensure you're not left significantly out of pocket on your vacation. 

Where you're traveling, and the type of Medicare policy you have can impact your coverage while you're away. It can also be a good idea to purchase additional insurance depending on your coverage. If you have any questions, a local health insurance agent can help you decide on the right policy for you, so you can rest assured and enjoy your trip.

Coverage while in the U.S.

If you're thinking about doing some travel within the U.S., your level of coverage in other states typically depends on the type of Medicare coverage you have. 

Original Medicare

Original Medicare allows you to see any physician or visit any hospital that accepts Medicare patients, which is usually most hospitals. This rule applies throughout all 50 states and territories, including the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico.

Medicare Advantage

Some Medicare Advantage plans only offer coverage where you live, so you must check your policy for details before assuming you're covered. However, all plans cover emergency and urgent care as standard, so if you need medical help in an emergency, you'll have coverage no matter which state you're visiting. 

If your plan does offer coverage in another state, it's still important to check what providers are 'in network' for those states. Seeing a provider outside your plan provider's network could result in out-of-pocket costs for you. 

Does Medicare cover international travel?

Depending on your plan, you may be eligible for some coverage if traveling outside the U.S. But it’s important to check before you leave to ensure you're covered.

Original Medicare

Apart from very few exceptions, Original Medicare doesn't provide coverage for any health-related expenses once you travel outside the U.S. 

If you have Original Medicare, purchasing a Medigap policy can be an excellent option, as most (although not all) provide coverage for emergency services while you're overseas. In addition to paying for the Medical policy, you'll also typically have a deductible of $250. It's a good option for shorter trips, as coverage is limited to the first 60 days of your trip. There's also a standard co-pay of 20%, and most plans usually have a lifetime limit of only $50,000. 

Medicare Advantage

A Medicare Advantage plan typically includes some coverage for international travel, but there can be restrictions. Check your plan's policy to find out the details so you can understand your coverage.

Coverage if you're traveling to Canada

If you're traveling near the Canadian border or into Canada itself, there are a few instances where you are eligible to receive emergency treatment. These include:

• If you're in the U.S. and need emergency treatment, if the closest hospital is in Canada, you're eligible to receive emergency care. 

• If you have a medical emergency when traveling through Canada (as your most direct route between Alaska and another state), you can seek emergency care from a Canadian hospital if it's closer than the nearest hospital in the U.S.

Coverage if you're on a cruise

It's important to consider coverage when you're on a cruise traveling in overseas waters. If you're cruising on a ship in U.S. waters or are no more than six hours away from a U.S. port, you'll have coverage as standard. However, if your ship is further away, Medicare won't pay for any medical services you need while on the cruise ship. 

Our tips for ensuring you're covered when traveling

Here are some recommendations if you plan to travel in the coming months:

Check definitions on your policy

Whether you're purchasing a Medigap plan or already have a Medicare Advantage plan, understanding what your plan provider means when they say 'emergency' and 'urgent' care is essential. The definition of emergency care is when there's an injury or condition that will place you in serious jeopardy, either physically or mentally. In comparison, urgent care usually refers to less severe conditions and may not be covered as part of your plan. 

Purchase additional insurance

If an existing plan does not cover you, talk to an experienced and local health insurance broker to get you the right level of coverage for when you're traveling. Our professional team can check definitions, risks, and exclusions to ensure you're fully covered for your trip. 

Sort out your Covid vaccination and tests

If you're traveling overseas, you may need to show proof of vaccination and undertake a Covid-19 test depending on the country or countries you're visiting. Check the CDC website for more information, or check with your airline for more details.

List your medications and allergies

When traveling, we always recommend carrying extra medication and a digital copy of all your prescriptions in an emergency. Also, if you have any serious allergies, keep a list of this information on you, to be safe.

Carry your health insurance information

While you don't need to print out your entire policy, having your policy numbers and contact information if you need to make a claim or check anything while you're away is essential. You can keep this digitally or print it out with your other travel information so it's easily accessible. 

Need help deciding on health insurance?

If you have any questions about Medicare when traveling or Medicare travel coverage, our locally based team of experts is here to help. We specialize in helping North Carolina residents get the right level of insurance for their needs. Along with offering international travel insurance, we can help you buy Medicare Advantage plans with travel coverage or check what Medigap plans are available for your Medicare travel insurance. Contact us today to find out more.