Medicare doesn’t usually cover health care when traveling outside of the U.S., however there are some exceptions. In some cases, Medicare Part B (Medical Insurance) may pay for services you get on board a ship within the territorial waters adjoining the land areas of the U.S., however, Medicare will not pay for health care services you get when a ship is more than 6 hours away from a U.S. port.
Medicare may pay for inpatient hospital, doctor, and ambulant 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.
So what is another option? Medigap!
Your Medigap policy may offer additional coverage for emergency health care services or supplies that you get outside of the U.S. Standard Medigap Plans C, D, F, G, M, and N provide foreign travel emergency health coverage when you travel outside the U.S.
If you have a Medigap Plan C, D, E, F, G, H, I J, M, or N, your plan:
- Covers foreign travel emergency care if it begins during the first 60 days of your trip, and if Medicare doesn’t otherwise cover the care.
- Pays 80% of the billed charges for certain medically necessary emergency care outside the U.S. after you meet a $250 yearly deductible.
Foreign travel emergency coverage with Medigap policies has a lifetime limit of $50,000.
Are you traveling outside of the U.S. and not sure how Medicare works with your plan? Give us a call! Our expert agents are ready and waiting to discuss your coverage and options you have while traveling.
For more information or to speak directly with a Medicare Specialist, please email Michelle Tunis at foryourhealthmk@gmail.com or call (561) 665-7752.
