Introduction

If you’re traveling abroad, there’s a lot to do before you leave. There are suitcases to pack, an itinerary to plan, and perhaps a passport to renew. We want you to have a fun, relaxing trip—so don’t forget to include health coverage on your to-do list.

If you have Original Medicare, Medicare covers your healthcare services and supplies when you’re in the U.S., which includes Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, and the Northern Mariana Islands. But, if you plan to travel overseas or outside the U.S. (including to Canada or Mexico), it’s important to know that in most cases, Medicare won’t pay for healthcare services or supplies you get outside the U.S. except in these rare cases. That doesn’t mean you have to travel without coverage. There are several ways you can get health coverage outside the United States. This may include the following scenarios.

• If you have a Medigap policy, check your policy to see if it includes coverage outside the U.S. If you are unsure, consult an independent agent to find out and learn more.
• If you get your healthcare from another Medicare health plan (rather than Original Medicare), check with your plan to see if they offer coverage outside the U.S.
• Purchase a travel insurance policy that includes healthcare coverage. Have an upcoming trip planned? Visit the request quote section and select travel insurance.

Good To Know

Check with your policy or plan before traveling and make sure you understand what’s covered outside the U.S. Taking the time to plan out healthcare coverage before you travel abroad will help you to have a more enjoyable and relaxing trip. For more information on how to stay healthy abroad, visit the Centers for Disease Control’s Traveler’s Health and watch the below video to learn more about foreign travel situations (like a cruise, dialysis, or prescription drugs).

Source:
Medicare.gov