In most situations, Medicare won’t pay for health care or supplies you get outside the U.S. The term “outside the U.S.” means anywhere other than the 50 states of the U.S., the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, and the Northern Mariana Islands. This fact sheet explains some of the exceptions that would allow you to get coverage outside the U.S. under Medicare Part A (Hospital Insurance) and/or Part B (Medical Insurance).
Full Answer
Can I get Medicare if I live outside of the US?
Medicare supplement insurance (Medigap) policies may cover emergency care when you travel outside the U.S. Because Medicare has limited travel medical coverage outside the U.S., you may choose to buy a travel insurance policy to get more coverage. An insurance agent or travel agent can give you more information about the cost of travel medical ...
Can I enroll in Medicare Parts A and B outside the US?
What if I have a Medicare Supplement Insurance (Medigap) policy? Your Medigap policy may offer additional coverage for health care services or supplies that you get outside the U.S.. Medigap plans C, D, E, F, G, H, I, J, M, and N provide foreign travel emergency health care coverage when you travel outside the U.S. Even though Plans E, H, I, and
Can I get health insurance outside the United States?
If you have moved outside the United States permanently, you should decide whether to keep Medicare Parts A and B. Remember, you can have Medicare while you live abroad, but it will usually not cover the care you receive.. Most people qualify for premium-free Part A, meaning you will pay nothing for coverage.If you must pay a premium for Part A, be aware of the high …
Does Medicare cover me if I move abroad?
In this situation, you have a difficult decision to make: Either pay monthly Medicare Part B premiums for coverage you can’t use outside the United States, or delay enrollment until you return to the U.S. and then become liable for permanent late penalties. There is one exception to this Catch-22 rule. Some people don’t qualify for Medicare ...

Can I use my Medicare in another country?
Can I cancel Medicare if I move to another country?
Is Medicare accepted in Canada?
Can I use Australian Medicare overseas?
What services does Medicare pay for?
Medicare will only pay for Medicare-covered services received in a foreign hospital in the 3 specific situations mentioned above. These Medicare-covered services include: 1 Part A – Inpatient hospital care 2 Part B – Emergency and non-emergency ambulance and doctor services rendered immediately before and during your covered inpatient hospital stay in a foreign hospital. However, if you get an ambulance and doctor services outside the hospital after your covered hospital stay ends, Medicare generally will not pay for those services. Also, if Medicare doesn’t cover your hospital stay, Medicare will not pay for the services rendered in a foreign hospital either. For example, Medicare will not cover health care services you get in Canada after your covered Canadian inpatient hospital stay is over.
Is Medicare Part D more flexible than Original Medicare?
Unfortunately, Medicare Part D drug plans are even less flexible than Original Medicare when it comes to providing coverage outside the U.S.
Does Medicare pay for ambulance services?
Also, if Medicare doesn’t cover your hospital stay, Medicare will not pay for the services rendered in a foreign hospital either. For example, Medicare will not cover health care services you get in Canada after your covered Canadian inpatient hospital stay is over.
Does Medicare cover foreign travel?
Medicare Part D does not cover the cost of drugs purchased outside the U.S. Some Medigap policies offer the benefit of foreign travel emergency benefits. Because of this, will pay 80% of the bill once the yearly deductible has been met. For expats, the easiest way to get Medicare coverage is to come back to the U.S. for medical services.
Is Medicare Part B free?
However, Medicare Part B is not free; it comes with a monthly premium. Unless you continued to pay Part B premiums while you were abroad, you will not be covered by Part B upon your return. In addition, you will face an enrollment penalty in which premiums increase by 10% for each year you were not enrolled in Part B.
Does Medicare cover expats?
If an expat chooses to return back to the U.S., Medicare Part A does cover them. This covers inpatient hospital care. Part A is “free” (citizens pay Social Security tax through their working life to receive this benefit during retirement). Anyone over 65+ who is eligible for Social Security can benefit from Part A.
Does Medicare cover Canadian hospital stays?
For example, Medicare will not cover health care services you get in Canada after your covered Canadian inpatient hospital stay is over. Remember, if you are only enrolled in Part A (and not Part B), Medicare will only pay for Part A Medicare-covered services in a foreign hospital. You will not have Part B coverage in a foreign hospital.
How much does Medicare cover in a foreign emergency?
The great thing is, there are six Medicare supplement plans available that cover up to 80 percent of expenses in the case of a foreign emergency, with a lifetime limit of $50,000. The emergency must occur within 60 days of you leaving the United States, so it’s not a benefit that was intended for long-term travel.
Can Medicare travel abroad?
Medicare will travel with you as you travel abroad, but not as comprehensively as you would count on it to do at home. It is best to have a supplemental option in addition to Medicare as well as a short-term travel policy.
What states have Medigap?
In all states, except Massachusetts, Minnesota, and Wisconsin, a Medigap policy must be one of 12 standardized policies so you can compare them easily. Medigap Plans C, D, E, F, G, H, I, and J provide Foreign Travel Emergency health care coverage when you travel outside the U.S. These policies pay for 80% of the billed charges ...
How to get more information about Medigap?
To learn more about Medigap policies, visit www.medicare.gov on the web and view a copy of "Choosing a Medigap Policy: Guide to Health Insurance for People with Medicare", or call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) for more information. TTY users should call 1-877-486-2048.
What is a Medigap policy?
A Medigap policy is health insurance sold by private insurance companies to fill "gaps" in the Original Medicare Plan coverage.
How long does a travel emergency last with Medigap?
This care must begin during the first 60 days of each trip, after you meet a $250 deductible each year. Foreign Travel Emergency coverage with Medigap policies has a lifetime limit of $50,000. Before you travel outside the U.S., talk with your Medigap company or insurance agent to get more information about your Medigap coverage while traveling.
Does Medicare cover ambulances?
Medicare will only cover ambulance services for the trip to the hospital if you're admitted as an inpatient. Return trips aren't covered. Medicare only pays for its share of the costs for services covered in the Original Medicare Plan. If you only have Part A, Medicare only covers inpatient hospital care.
Does Medicare pay for emergency care in Canada?
If a foreign hospital is closer or easier to get to than the nearest U.S. hospital that can treat your emergency, Medicare may pay for the services. You're crossing through Canada without delay between Alaska and another state, and you have a medical emergency.
Does Medicare pay for medical care on a ship?
Medicare also may pay for health care services that you get from a ship's doctor if you are admitted to a U.S. or foreign hospital for a Medicare-covered emergency stay. To be covered in this situation, the ship's doctor must give you emergency services while the ship is in waters outside the U.S. and on that same day you are admitted to a U.S. or foreign hospital.
What is Medicare Advantage?
Unlike Medigap coverage, Medicare Advantage (or Part C) plans are a government-approved alternative to Medicare offered by private health insurance companies. These plans differ in which added benefits they provide. Check with your Medicare Advantage provider to see if your plan includes health insurance for foreign travel (they typically don’t).
Can you cancel a trip because of illness?
Make sure to find a plan that covers medical emergencies, including medical-team “medevac” evacuations, and not just “ trip protection” cancellations because of illness. Also, be aware of policy exclusions, such as preexisting conditions and penalties for cancellations in the event your trip is postponed or put off altogether.
Does Medicare cover Puerto Rico?
Medicare covers your health care in the 50 states and all U.S. territories — including Puerto Rico, Guam, American Samoa, the U.S. Virgin Islands and the Northern Mariana Islands. Elsewhere, you’ll need supplemental insurance since Medicare will cover emergencies only in some very limited circumstances. Those include emergency services in Canada ...
Does Medicare Advantage cover travel?
If your Medicare Advantage plan does have travel insurance, make sure that it explicitly covers health issues — such as preexisting conditions or medically necessary emergencies. Be mindful that Part C plans may not cover travel in every country or may even be limited in covering domestic travel emergencies.
Can you be disenrolled from Medicare Advantage if you live away from your plan?
If your Medicare Advantage plan becomes aware that you’ve lived away from your plan’s service area for 6 months or more, you may be automatically disenrolled.
Does Medicare cover foreign hospitals?
Medicare may pay for services at a foreign hospital if it is closer to your home than an American hospital. That circumstance could apply to Americans living on the Canadian or Mexican borders. The program will also cover you if you suffer a medical emergency while traveling in the U.S. and treatment at a foreign hospital is closest.
Does travel insurance cover travel to a foreign country?
Carriers generally offer travel health insurance for trips of up to a year in length. There are also health insurance options for Americans who visit foreign countries for longer periods. For extended stays abroad, you’ll want to seek out long-term expatriate health insurance.
Does Medicare cover medical expenses when you live abroad?
Although Medicare does not typically cover medical costs you receive when you live abroad, you still need to choose whether to enroll in Medicare when you become eligible or to turn down enrollment. This requires considering: Whether you plan to return to the U.S.
Can you go without Medicare if you are abroad?
If you fail to pay for Part B while abroad, when you move back to the U.S. you may go months without health coverage.
Which states accept Medicare?
All the 50 US states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, and American Samoa are considered part of the U.S and accept US Medicare.
What is Worldmed insurance?
Worldmed Insurance. Worldmed Insurance from Travel Insure is an renewable long term international travel health insurance for US citizens. It offers coverage for medical and evacuation expenses. It is renewable up to 3 years.
What is Globehopper insurance?
Globehopper insurance offered by International Medical Group (IMG) is a travel health insurance is avaiable for US citizens and US permanent residents 65 years and older Qualified for Medicare, actively enrolled in Medicare Parts A & B and enrolled in a Medigap Plan or Medicare Advantage Plan, This plan is secondary to Medicare, a Medigap and/or a Medicare Advantage Plan and provides coverage for medical expenses outside the U.S. only.. The GlobeHopper Senior plan is available either as the GlobeHopper Single-Trip plan for single trips with coverage from 5 days to 365 days, or as the GlobeHopper Multi-trip plan which covers a period of 12 months with a maximum of 30 days for each overseas trip. The GlobeHopper Senior plan is very popular as it provides coverage up to $1 million for travelers less than 79 years and $100,000 for travelers more than 80 years old. The plan includes $2,500 cover for sudden unexpected recurrence of an existing medical ailment and $25,000 for emergency medical evacuation.
Does Medicare cover seniors?
As Medicare is an US federal health insurance program for senior citizens over 65 years, it will not offer medical coverage outside the US except when they are on cruise with the waters connecting the US states. This is offered by the Medicare Part B (medical insurance) plan.
Can seniors travel overseas?
Senior US citizens traveling overseas and Medicare Coverage. Older US citizens have been amongst the first to receive the Covid19 vaccination in the United States. This has provided them with the opportunity to finally travel after having been forced to stay within safe bubble environments for all of 2020.
Does Medicare pay for travel insurance?
International travel insurance for US citizens enrolled in Medicare. When you are on a ship and need coverage, Medicare will not pay for health care services when the ship is more than 6 hours away from the US port.

The 3 Situations Medicare May Pay For Health Care Outside of The U.S.
The Medical Services Covered in Foreign Hospitals
- Medicare will only pay for Medicare-covered services received in a foreign hospital in the 3 specific situations mentioned above. These Medicare-covered services include: 1. Part A– Inpatient hospital care 2. Part B– Emergency and non-emergency ambulance and doctor services rendered immediately before and during your covered inpatient hospital stay in a foreign hospita…
Part D’s Coverage of Prescription Drugs Outside The U.S.
- Unfortunately, Medicare Part D drug plans are even less flexible than Original Medicare when it comes to providing coverage outside the U.S. Part D plans will not cover any prescription drugs that purchased outside of the U.S. You must live in the U.S. in order to qualify for Part D. You must also live in your Part D plan’s area in order to receive service.
Medicare Supplement Coverage Outside The U.S.
- Your Medicare Supplement plan may cover health care services rendered outside of the U.S. Medicare Supplement plans C, D, F, G, M, and N have foreign travel emergency benefits. These plans will pay 80% of the billed charges for certain medically necessary emergency care outside the U.S. after you meet the yearly deductible. Consult with your Mediga...
Returning to The U.S.
- More and more Americans are choosing to retire outside of the U.S. to stretch their retirement savings. There are options expats should consider want Medicare coverage at some point. If an expat chooses to return back to the U.S., Medicare Part A does cover them. This covers inpatient hospital care. Part A is “free” (citizens pay Social Security tax through their working life to receiv…
Key Takeaways
- Medicare does not cover medical services outside of the U.S., except for in 3 specific situations. Medicare Part D does not cover the cost of drugs purchased outside the U.S. Some Medigap policies offer the benefit of foreign travel emergency benefits. Because of this, will pay 80% of the bill once the yearly deductible has been met. For expats, the easiest way to get Medicare covera…