Traveling is one of the best things you can do during your hard-earned retirement. Depending on what type of Medicare coverage you are enrolled in, your insurance may cover you differently while you are away from home. Whether you’re headed out of town or across the world, it’s important to know your coverage and how, or where, it works! This allows you to focus on what really matters on your trip: time well spent!
If you’re enrolled in Original Medicare, you are covered across the entire United States, including external territories like Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands, at healthcare providers that accept Medicare. Medicare Supplement Plans, also known as Medigap plans, exist to fill gaps in Original Medicare coverage. Most Medicare Supplements (AKA Medigap) can be used alongside Original Medicare anywhere in the US that Medicare is accepted. However, some Medigap policies pay for services not covered by Original Medicare, so where you have the ability to use those benefits can depend on the plan.
Medicare Advantage Plans offer varying amounts of coverage depending on the plan. Some plans have local provider networks and others have nationwide provider networks. Most have a national pharmacy network that allows you to pick up your prescriptions across the US. Whether or not you can use your coverage out-of-network depends on the type of plan you have (HMO or PPO).
Original Medicare does not cover most healthcare needs while traveling outside the US. There are very rare cases where Original Medicare will make an exception to cover health services across the US border, but generally there is no coverage while traveling internationally under Original Medicare.
However, most Medicare Supplement policies will cover up to 80% of Medicare-approved emergency care while traveling abroad, up to $50,000 over the lifetime of the planholder. Services such as emergency air evacuation, routine medical care, prescription drugs and tours over 60 days are not covered. However, there are specific travel medical insurance plans that may offer greater coverage for medical evacuations and ambulance rides outside the US.
Most Medicare Advantage plans also offer emergency coverage internationally.
If you have any questions about your existing Medicare coverage for travel, don’t hesitate to give us a call. For more information about all your coverage options, we represent over 50 Medicare plan carriers across the United States – we’re happy to help!
1-800-627-2768
Not affiliated with or endorsed by any government agency. This is a solicitation for insurance, by responding to this ad, you may be contacted by a licensed agent to discuss Medicare Supplement Plans, Medicare Advantage Plans, and Prescription Drug Plans.