You’re packed and ready—but does Medicare cover you abroad if something happens? Original Medicare has very limited benefits outside the U.S., which is why many seniors pair it with Medigap’s foreign travel emergency coverage or a dedicated international plan when they head overseas. Let’s walk through how these work together, so you can travel with confidence (and fewer surprises).
The Quick Answer: Does Medicare Cover You Abroad?
The short answer is: usually NO. Medicare Part A and Part B (Original Medicare) does not cover your health expenses outside the US -with a few exceptions. For Medicare, “outside the U.S.” means anywhere other than the 50 states, D.C. Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, and the Northern Mariana Islands.
Generally, if you get health care from a foreign provider outside the locations listed above and you have no other insurance beyond Original Medicare, you’ll pay the full cost yourself.
The good news? There are a few limited exceptions that might surprise you. And there are smart ways to protect yourself before you go on your next trip.
Cruises, Canada, and Border Trips: Special Medicare Rules You Should Know
There are three rare situations where Medicare may help cover care abroad:
- You’re in the U.S. during a medical emergency, and a foreign hospital is closer than any U.S. hospital that can treat you.
- You’re traveling through Canada (without unreasonable delay) between Alaska and another U.S. state, and a Canadian hospital is closer.
- You live in the U.S., and the closest hospital to your home is outside the U.S.—even if it’s not an emergency.
Coverage on a Cruise Ship
Medicare may cover services on a cruise ship only if:
- The doctor is allowed by law to provide services on the ship.
- The ship is in a U.S. port or within six hours of a U.S. port when you get the care.
If the ship is more than six hours from a U.S. port, Medicare won’t cover services.
💡 Medicare Claims Tips: foreign hospitals aren’t required to bill Medicare. If they won’t file the claim, you’ll pay upfront and submit Form CMS-1490S to request reimbursement. Coinsurance/deductibles apply just as they do at home.
Medigap’s Role: Foreign Travel Emergency (FT&E)
Since Medicare does not typically cover you when you are travelling abroad, this is where your Medicare Supplement policy can come into play. Most Medigap plans—C, D, F, G, M, and N (including high-deductible versions of F/G)—provide a Foreign Travel Emergency benefit.
However, this benefit has strict limits you must know before traveling:
- Coverage Window: The emergency must begin within the first 60 days of your trip.
- Payment: You pay a $250 annual deductible, then Medigap pays 80% of covered emergency charges.
- Lifetime Limit: The coverage has a strict $50,000 lifetime limit.
Get a Medigap Quote Enroll in Medigap
It’s a great safety net for typical vacations and cruises, but it’s not major medical. If you’re taking a long trip, going remote, or want medical evacuation/repatriation, add a separate travel medical plan for broader protection.
💡 Medigap Claims Tips: With Medigap Foreign Travel and Emergency, you usually have to pay upfront for your services and keep your receipts. You must file your international medical receipts with your Medigap insurance provider upon return. This process is no where near a smooth as U.S. based claims. Our clients tell us it’s a real pain to file foreign travel claims.
👉 If you’re looking for predictable costs at home and some emergency protection abroad, a Medigap plan is a must-have. Get an Instant Medigap Quote.
How International Insurance Works
Travel medical insurance is built for care outside the U.S. While Medigap Foreign Travel & Emergency (FT&E) focuses on emergencies with limits, travel plans can add:
- Emergency & non-emergency care plus 24/7 assistance (English-speaking doctors, pre-authorizations, coordination).
- Medical evacuation & repatriation (nearest appropriate facility or back home when medically necessary).
- Prescription drugs (purchased abroad), and options for longer stays or multi-trip coverage.
- Pre-existing condition handling (varies by plan and purchase timing).
These are especially useful for expats, snowbirds, and frequent travelers. Want international trip coverage pointers? Get an Instant IMG Quote here.
Choosing Your Strategy: Medigap Alone vs. Medigap + International Plan
Pick the path that fits your trip:
| Trip Scenario | Recommended Strategy | Why This Works | What to Double-Check |
|---|---|---|---|
| Short international trip; mostly cities; cruise within 6 hours of a U.S. port | Medigap alone may be enough | Emergency-only coverage with $250 deductible, 80% reimbursement, $50k lifetime max fits typical, short trips. | Confirm your trip stays within FT&E limits (emergency care only; care must begin within first 60 days). Cruises beyond 6 hours from a U.S. port aren’t covered by Medicare. |
| Standard international vacation (-60 days), farther from U.S. ports | Medigap FT&E + Travel Medical plan | Adds higher medical limits and emergency evacuation/repatriation; 24/7 assistance for hospitals and billing abroad. | Pick medical limits that match your comfort; verify pre-existing condition terms and evacuation caps. |
| Snowbirds, long stays, multiple international trips per year | Medigap FT&E + longer-duration travel plan | Protects extended stays and frequent trips; broader benefits than FT&E’s 60-day window and $50k lifetime limit. | Confirm trip length limits, multi-trip vs. single-trip options, and how pre-existing conditions are handled. |
💡A BIG WARNING: Some International Travel Insurance plans will want to pay secondary to Medigap. That can be a big headache. Check to make sure you can make your separate International Coverage the primary payer.
Q&A: Does Medicare cover you abroad?
Q: Will Part D cover travel vaccines?
A: Yes—ACIP-recommended vaccines (like yellow fever) are covered with no copay or deductible under Part D. Check your plan for specifics.
Q: Can I buy prescriptions abroad and submit to Part D?
A: No. Drugs purchased outside the U.S. aren’t covered by Part D.
Q: How does Medigap help internationally?
A: With FT&E on most plans (C, D, F, G, M, N): $250 deductible, then 80% coverage for emergency care abroad, $50,000 lifetime max, and the emergency must begin within 60 days of your trip (and only when Medicare doesn’t otherwise cover it). Get an Instant Medigap Quote Here.
Q: Do I need a separate international plan if I already have Medigap?
A: If you want higher limits, evacuation, longer-trip coverage, or non-emergency benefits, a travel medical policy is a smart add-on. Get an Instant IMG quote here.
Q: Who files the claim if I’m treated abroad?
A: Foreign hospitals may require upfront payment and might not bill Medicare. You can submit Form CMS-1490S for eligible services under the narrow exceptions. On cruise ships within the 6-hour rule, the ship’s doctor typically files the claim.
Q: Will Medicare cover my dialysis treatments while I travel?
A: No, unless it’s received during an inpatient hospital stay that qualifies under one of the three limited situations above.
Next Steps: Get Covered Before You Go
Don’t leave your health coverage to chance when traveling internationally. Since Medicare’s coverage is so limited, planning ahead is the only way to protect your savings. If you don’t yet have a Medigap plan that includes the foreign travel benefit, or if you know you need more comprehensive protection for a long trip, now is the time to act.
Call us today at 800-930-7956 or click here to get a free, no-obligation quote and ensure you’re covered for your next adventure!