Many senior adults use their retirement years to fulfill their dreams of traveling abroad. With the summer approaching, you may be ready to book your next adventure abroad. However, if you rely on Medicare for health insurance, you may wonder how it works when you are outside the USA. In some cases, Medicare could cover ambulance services or inpatient hospital costs. It is important to ensure you are covered with the best insurance when traveling out of the country, protecting you should an unexpected illness or accident occur.
Traveling Outside of the Country with Medicare
If you have Medicare and are planning a trip to another country, there are some points about your coverage you should know. If you travel to Puerto Rico, Guam, American Samoa, or the Northern Mariana Islands, these locations are considered part of the U.S., and your Medicare coverage will follow you. If you are enjoying a cruise in international waters and you are within six hours of a United States port, any medical attention you receive may be covered. It would be a good idea to check if the cruise company has medical personnel aboard before you depart. All larger cruise lines have doctors aboard, but not specialists that may be needed in a more serious health problem.
Some Medicare Supplement insurance policies, which are known as Medigap, offer the coverage you could need for medical emergencies while you are traveling abroad. Medicare Supplement plans C, D, F, G, M, and N all offer some coverage in the event of a medical emergency.
Here are some additional steps you should consider so you can have peace of mind during your travels:
- Speak with your insurance agent about your Medicare or Medicare Advantage plan to find out what is offered in medical care and treatment when traveling abroad.
- If you need additional coverage for your own health and safety, get help in finding the most appropriate policies.
- Get the facts about travel health insurance, which is particularly important for those who have chronic health conditions.
Purchasing travel health insurance is very affordable and is worth the investment, especially if you have health concerns with a chance that a medical emergency could arise while traveling. The last thing you want is to find that you lack the right medical coverage when a health problem arises that requires medical attention, transportation by ambulance, or any type of medical care.
Plan your Trip with Confidence and Peace of Mind.
If you are planning a trip abroad this summer and have Medicare, you might want to look into either buying supplemental coverage or travel health insurance, depending on your individual situation. If you are unsure what you should add before traveling outside of the country, our experienced insurance agents can review your options with you and advise you on the best policy for your unique circumstances. We understand the importance of feeling secure no matter where your travels take you and will help you find the plan that brings you peace of mind. Connect with one of our insurance agents today to discuss your options, so you are prepared – and hopefully, your trip will be wonderful and problem free.