June 25, 2025
Are you planning a trip and wondering how Medicare and travel coverage work together? Whether you’re heading across the country or overseas, understanding your Medicare travel benefits is essential for a worry-free journey. This guide will help you navigate Medicare travel coverage, explain what’s included and excluded, and show you how to stay protected wherever your adventures take you.
To deepen your understanding of Medicare basics and important facts, check out our previous blog, What You May Not Know About Medicare: 5 Important Facts.
Original Medicare covers you nationwide, including in all 50 states and U.S. territories such as Puerto Rico, Guam, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.This means you can access healthcare services almost anywhere in the country. However, if you have a Medicare Advantage plan, your plan usually limits routine care to its network, which is based on your permanent address. Emergency and urgent care are typically covered anywhere in the United States.
When it comes to international travel, Medicare coverage is extremely limited. Original Medicare generally does not cover healthcare services outside the United States, except in rare cases:
Some Medigap plans cover emergency care abroad, typically reimbursing 80% of eligible expenses after a $250 deductible, up to a $50,000 lifetime limit, and usually only for the first 60 days of travel.
Some plans offer emergency care abroad, but you will likely need to pay upfront and seek reimbursement. Coverage limits and country specific exclusions may apply.
Some Medicare Advantage plans include international travel coverage for emergencies. However, this coverage varies by plan and may require you to pay upfront and submit a claim for reimbursement. There may also be coverage limits and country-specific exclusions. If you’re traveling by cruise, care is often only covered if the ship is within six hours of a U.S. port.
Tip: Review your plan documents and contact your provider before you travel to confirm your Medicare travel coverage. For official information and resources about Medicare, visit Medicare.gov.
Many Medicare and Medigap plans only cover emergencies abroad. If Medicare denies your claim, you may have to pay the full cost of your care.
Medicare Part D does not cover prescriptions filled outside the United States. If you take regular medications, bring extra and talk to your doctor about a 90-day supply for longer trips. This will help you avoid interruptions in your medication routine while traveling.
If your Medicare plan does not offer international coverage, consider travel insurance. Travel insurance policies often cover emergency medical treatment, hospital stays, medical evacuation, and even non-medical events like trip cancellations.
Not all travel insurance offers the same coverage. Some policies exclude pre-existing conditions or limit coverage by country. For longer trips or more comprehensive care, international health insurance may fit your needs better.
Many Medicare plans serve people who stay close to home. If you travel frequently or for long periods, make sure your health coverage matches your lifestyle.
At GHP Investment Advisors, we help clients review their Medicare plans, identify gaps in coverage, and coordinate with insurance providers. We can also help you decide if travel insurance makes sense for your next trip.
A little preparation now can save you from frustration and unexpected medical bills later. If you have questions about Medicare and travel coverage, we are here to help.
Contact GHP Investment Advisors today to review your Medicare plan and travel needs. Let’s make sure your health coverage is ready for your next adventure!
Top Row L to R: Brad Engle, Mike Sullivan, Sebrina Ivey, Christian Lewton, Jason Kitner
Bottom Row L to R: Carin Wagner, Angela Kennedy Lee, Jenny Merges, Brian Friedman, Deirdre Mcguire, Barbara Terrazas, Reed McCoy