Does Medicare Cover Me When I Travel Overseas?
Understanding why Medicare doesn’t travel with you and how to fill the coverage gap.
🧭 Overview
If you’re planning an international trip and rely on Medicare for health coverage, it’s important to know this:
Original Medicare does not cover medical expenses outside the United States.
Whether you’re vacationing in Europe, cruising the Caribbean, or visiting family abroad, you could be fully responsible for emergency medical bills and evacuation costs unless you have travel insurance designed for international coverage.
🚫 What Medicare Doesn't Cover Overseas
Here’s a quick breakdown of what Original Medicare (Part A and B) does not cover when you leave U.S. soil:
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Emergency doctor or hospital visits abroad
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Ambulance transport in a foreign country
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Medical evacuation (such as airlift back to the U.S.)
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Outpatient care or prescriptions outside the U.S.
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Care provided on cruise ships outside U.S. territorial waters
Even if you have a Medicare Supplement (Medigap) plan, most only offer limited emergency coverage for foreign travel—often with a $50,000 lifetime cap and a 20% coinsurance after deductible.
🌍 Why You Need Travel Insurance
A travel insurance plan with international medical coverage can step in where Medicare does not, offering:
| Feature | Benefit |
|---|---|
| Emergency medical coverage | Covers injuries or illnesses during your trip abroad |
| Emergency evacuation | Pays for air transport to the nearest qualified facility or back home |
| Repatriation of remains | Covers return of remains in the event of death |
| 24/7 emergency assistance | Helps coordinate care and communicate with foreign providers |
Many plans also offer pre-trip support, Telemedicine access, and coverage for trip cancellation, lost luggage, and more.
💬 Example
You’re on a river cruise in Europe and fall, fracturing your hip. Original Medicare will not pay for your hospital stay, surgery, or the emergency air evacuation to the U.S. Travel insurance can cover tens of thousands of dollars in unexpected expenses.
✅ Bottom Line
Don’t assume your Medicare plan will protect you outside the U.S.—it won’t.
Whether you're over 65 or traveling with older loved ones, adding a travel insurance plan is the smart (and responsible) choice.
❓Need Help?
Our licensed advisors specialize in helping Medicare-aged travelers select appropriate coverage for international trips.
📞 (800) 576-2674
✉️ support@insuranceconsultantsintl.com
⚖️ Disclaimer
This article is for general informational purposes only and does not guarantee coverage or benefit eligibility. Plans vary by provider, and all benefits are subject to policy terms and exclusions.
Please note: Insurance Consultants International is not the claims department and does not determine claim outcomes. All decisions regarding coverage and reimbursement are made by the licensed claims administrator named in your plan documents.
It is the insured’s responsibility to review their full policy documents to understand what is and is not covered.