After a quarantined 2020, I know that so many of us are ready to start traveling again this year. So, I understand the importance of knowing that your healthcare needs will be covered whether you’re traveling within the United States or abroad.
In this blog post, I want to be clear about what Medicare covers when you travel.
Now, if you have Original Medicare with a supplement plan and a Medicare Part D plan, you can use those plans at any U.S. state or any territory from a doctor that accepts Original Medicare.
It’s important to note that Medicare Advantage can be a little bit tricky. Medicare Advantage plans must cover medical emergencies both in the U.S. and its territories, but other care may or may not be covered by Medicare. For example, if you were going to Puerto Rico, you can only see, depending on the situation, doctors who accept that Medicare Advantage Plan. And usually, benefits are very state-specific, so you would likely have some out-of-pocket expenses.
When traveling overseas, if you have a medical emergency, Medicare will cover it. So if you’re in a car accident, and you have to go to the hospital from a car accident to stop the bleeding, and you get “formally admitted” as an inpatient, Medicare Part A will cover that. Medicare Part B would cover the services leading up to that inpatient hospital. However, if your health care does not result in an inpatient hospital stay, you are responsible for those costs.
This is where travel insurance can come in and be helpful.
It’s really up to you and where you’re traveling, and what your risk appetite is. But sometimes travel insurance can be helpful once you start traveling.
Many companies offer travel health insurance plans, and below are some of the companies we have reviewed and seen used more frequently. When you look at the details of their benefits, it includes the emergency care already picked up by Medicare. So, I recommend that you focus on the services not covered by Medicare when you’re comparing plans.
Allianz: https://www.allianztravelinsurance.com/travel/medical/medical-travel-insurance-benefits.htm
GeoBlue which is through BCBS: https://www.geobluetravelinsurance.com/product_overview.cfm
Seven Corners: https://www.sevencorners.com/travel-medical-insurance/liaison-travel-medical#/quote
Lastly, it’s essential to know that Medicare will not cover medications out of the U.S. So if you’re in France, and you have forgotten your lisinopril, you’ll have to pay for that out of your pocket. So please be aware of that.
I hope that clears up what Medicare will cover when traveling.
