Haris Ashley
Whether you're travelling for business or pleasure, it's important to know if your medical insurance covers you outside of the US. The short answer is that it depends on your insurance provider and your plan. While Medicare and Medicaid do not cover medical costs outside of the US, some US-based insurance companies do offer international coverage. However, the specific medical services covered vary by plan and company, and you may have to pay a significant portion of the bill yourself. It's recommended that you contact your insurance provider to understand the extent of your coverage and what constitutes an emergency, as well as to explore supplemental coverage options if you travel frequently.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Medicare coverage outside the US | Medicare usually doesn't cover healthcare outside the US, except in rare cases. Medicare Part B may pay for services on a ship within US territorial waters. Medicare may also pay for inpatient hospital, doctor, and ambulance services in a foreign country if it is closer than the nearest US hospital that can treat your condition. |
| Medicare drug coverage | Medicare Part D covers all vaccines recommended by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), including certain travel vaccines. |
| Medigap coverage | Medigap plans (Medicare Supplement Insurance) cover 80% of medically necessary emergency care outside the US after a $250 deductible. They have a $50,000 lifetime limit and only cover emergencies during the first 60 days of a trip. |
| Private insurance coverage | Some private insurance plans offer international coverage, but the specific services covered vary. It's important to contact your insurance provider to understand your coverage before travelling. |
| Credit card coverage | Some credit cards offer emergency medical evacuation and medical expense coverage when you pay for a portion of your trip with the card. |
| Routine care | Most insurance plans only cover emergency care and urgent medical issues when travelling internationally. Routine care and regular prescription medications are usually not covered. |
| Reimbursement | If your insurance plan covers international medical care, you may still need to pay a significant portion of the bill yourself before insurance reimbursement. International medical facilities are typically considered out-of-network, resulting in higher out-of-pocket costs. |
| Medical evacuation | Very few insurance companies cover the cost of medical evacuation back to the US. Consider buying separate medical evacuation insurance. |
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What You'll Learn
- Medicare and Medicaid do not cover you outside of the US
- Some Medigap plans cover emergencies abroad
- US health insurance plans may cover international care, but you may have to pay more
- Some credit cards offer emergency medical evacuation and medical expense coverage
- You may need to pay upfront for medical treatment abroad
Medicare and Medicaid do not cover you outside of the US
Medicare generally does not cover healthcare expenses incurred while travelling internationally. This means that if you require medical treatment during your travels, you may have to pay out of pocket for those services. However, there are a few rare exceptions where Medicare may provide some coverage outside the US. For example, if you experience a medical emergency while travelling through Canada between Alaska and another US state, and the Canadian hospital is closer than the nearest US hospital that can treat the emergency, Medicare may cover inpatient hospital, doctor, and ambulance services. Similarly, if you're in the US when a medical emergency occurs, and the nearest hospital that can treat your condition is in a foreign country, Medicare may cover the associated costs.
Medicare Part B, which covers emergency and non-emergency ambulance and doctor services, may also provide coverage in specific scenarios, such as on board a ship within the territorial waters adjoining the US. Additionally, Medicare Part D covers vaccines recommended by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), including those needed for travel to certain destinations outside the US, such as yellow fever, chikungunya, and Japanese encephalitis.
It's worth noting that Medicare supplement insurance (Medigap) policies may offer some coverage for emergency care when travelling outside the US. Medigap plans can help cover medically necessary emergency care, but they typically have a lifetime limit and only cover travel emergencies during the first 60 days of a trip.
To ensure you have adequate medical coverage while travelling internationally, it's recommended to purchase a travel insurance policy. A travel insurance agent or a travel agent can provide information about the cost and coverage options available. Additionally, it's always a good idea to carry your insurance card and a claim form if your policy covers you outside the US.
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Some Medigap plans cover emergencies abroad
If you're a US citizen with a Medigap plan, you may be covered for emergencies abroad. Medigap, also known as Medicare Supplement Insurance, is a set of private insurance plans that fill in the gaps of Original Medicare coverage. While Medicare usually doesn't cover healthcare outside the US, some Medigap plans do provide coverage for emergencies when travelling internationally.
Medigap plans that offer emergency coverage abroad include Plans C, D, E, F, G, H, I, J, M and N. These plans can cover up to 80% of medically necessary emergency care outside of the US after you reach a $250 deductible. However, there is a $50,000 lifetime limit on all Medigap travel plans, and coverage is limited to the first 60 days of a trip.
It's important to note that not all Medigap plans are available in every state, and some plans are no longer available to new buyers. For example, in Massachusetts, you can purchase the state's Supplement 1 and 1A plans for foreign-travel emergency healthcare coverage. In Minnesota, both the Basic and Extended Basic plans pay 80% of foreign-travel emergency costs. In Wisconsin, the core Medicare supplement plan doesn't include foreign-travel benefits, but insurers who sell Medigap plans can offer travel insurance as an additional benefit.
Before travelling internationally, it's crucial to understand what medical services your health insurance will cover overseas. Contact your insurance company to ask about your specific plan's global benefits and reimbursement rates for international care. Most insurance companies only cover issues that require immediate medical attention while travelling internationally, and you may have to pay a significant portion of the bill yourself before insurance starts paying. Additionally, keep in mind that you will likely need to pay upfront for any medical care received in another country.
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US health insurance plans may cover international care, but you may have to pay more
Whether your US health insurance plan covers international care depends on your specific plan and insurance company. Some US-based health insurance companies cover care when you travel internationally, but not all do, and the specific medical services covered vary by health plan and provider.
Medicare, for example, usually doesn't cover healthcare while travelling outside the US, except in some cases where Medicare Part B may pay for services received on a ship within the territorial waters adjoining the US, or where you are in the US when a medical emergency occurs and the closest hospital is in a foreign country. Medicare Supplement Insurance (Medigap) policies may also cover emergency care when you travel outside the US. However, Medicare drug plans don't cover prescription drugs bought outside the US.
If your health insurance plan does cover international medical care, you may still have to pay a significant portion of the bill yourself before insurance starts paying, as international medical facilities are typically considered out of network. Some insurance companies will pay for "customary and reasonable" hospital costs abroad, but it's important to understand exactly what your insurance coverage will pay for before travelling. You may need to pay upfront for any medical care you receive in another country, and the claims process for emergency medical care abroad may differ from that in the US.
If your insurance plan does not cover international care, you may want to consider purchasing a travel insurance policy to increase your coverage.
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Some credit cards offer emergency medical evacuation and medical expense coverage
It is important to understand the terms and conditions of your medical insurance plan before travelling outside the US. While some US health insurance companies cover emergency care internationally, most plans do not offer comprehensive international coverage. Medicare, for example, does not cover medical care outside the US, except in rare cases. Therefore, it is advisable to buy a travel insurance policy for more coverage.
It is important to note that credit card coverage may have specific requirements, such as being a minimum distance from your place of residence, and there may be exclusions for pre-existing conditions or injuries resulting from certain activities. Additionally, some cards have country exclusions. Evacuation does not always include repatriation, and you will likely be taken to the nearest medical facility capable of providing proper care. In most cases, you will need to call the benefits administrator before requesting a medical evacuation, and expenses you incur on your own may not be reimbursed.
While credit card coverage can provide valuable protection, it is not a substitute for comprehensive medical insurance. It is designed to supplement your existing coverage and may have limitations. Therefore, it is essential to understand the scope of your credit card's coverage and ensure that you have adequate primary medical insurance when travelling internationally.
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You may need to pay upfront for medical treatment abroad
If you are a UK citizen, you can apply for a free UK Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) before leaving the UK. This card can help you get essential state healthcare on the same basis as a resident in the country you’re visiting. If you already have a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC), it will still be valid as long as it is in date. However, it is important to note that these cards do not cover you if you go abroad for planned medical treatment. They are meant for necessary healthcare that becomes medically necessary during your stay, and you cannot reasonably wait until you're back in the UK to get it.
If you are a US citizen, Medicare usually doesn’t cover healthcare while you’re traveling outside the U.S. There are some exceptions, including some cases where Medicare Part B (Medical Insurance) may pay for services that you get on board a ship within the territorial waters adjoining the land areas of the U.S. Medicare may also pay for inpatient hospital, doctor, and ambulance services you get in a foreign country in rare cases, such as if 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 condition.
Even if your health insurance covers international medical care, you may still need to pay upfront for your treatment abroad. This is because international medical facilities are typically considered out of network, and you might have to pay a significant portion of the bill yourself before insurance starts paying. You will then need to claim eligible costs from your insurance company when you return. To do this, you will need to provide itemized medical bills, medical records, proof of payment, and proof of travel.
It is important to understand what medical services your health insurance will cover overseas before traveling. Ask your health insurance company what global benefits you have when you’re planning a trip abroad, as specific medical services covered vary by health plan and health insurance company. Most insurance companies only cover issues that require immediate medical attention, so it is important to be prepared for any routine care or prescription medications you may need.
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Frequently asked questions
It depends on your insurance provider and your plan. Contact your insurance company to ask about global benefits and what kind of emergencies are included or excluded from your plan.
Medicare and Medicaid do not cover medical care outside of the US. Medicare supplement insurance (Medigap) policies may cover emergency care outside the US.
Bring your passport and your health insurance information with you. You will probably have to pay upfront for any treatment and may have to pay a large portion of the bill yourself.
Check with the foreign embassy of the country you are visiting to make sure your medications are permitted and to find out if you need any import licenses or permits.
