Does Medicare cover me when I travel outside of the United States?
Summer is in full swing and for many seniors, this can be a great time for traveling. As we age, we experience what is known as the big what if… factor. “What if my health becomes an issue when I’m taking that dream trip to Europe?” Or, “What if, while on our tropical vacation, I end up in a hospital for some reason or another?” These are legitimate concerns at any age, so the next question to ask is how does Medicare play into all this?
Medicare will pay for inpatient medical costs in foreign hospitals in extremely rare situations.
For example, if you’re traveling to Alaska, driving through Canada, and you find yourself in need of a hospital. If the nearest hospital happens to be Canada, Medicare will pay the approved Medicare amount that it would in the states. In most other cases, if you travel, you’re on your own when it comes to Original Medicare.
Don’t rethink that dream vacation just yet- There are some Medigap Insurance Plans that do indeed cover foreign travel emergency. You can use Medigap policies C, D, F, M, and N to cover expenses incurred in an emergency situation in a country outside the United States. This is how Medigap gets it’s name, these insurance polies fill the gaps to Medicare to supplement the benefits you already receive with senior health care. This gives you the freedom to travel without fear of paying high out of pocket costs if something were to happen.
Now go explore the world because remember,
“…all you touch and all you see is all your life will ever be.”
-Pink Floyd
To get more information about Medicare Supplement Insurance plans, talk to one of our Medigap plan representatives today or use our instant quote below.
