Traveling with Medicare: Important Things to Know Before You Go
Medicare is designed to help seniors with their medical expenses, but what happens if you’re traveling and need medical care? Does Medicare still cover you? Many seniors are unsure of what the requirements are when they’re traveling–whether they have coverage at all times, where they can find emergency medical care abroad, and if their doctor accepts foreign insurance. Here’s what you need to know about Medicare coverage when you’re on the road.
Flexible Spending Amount Definition
Medicare is a great way to protect yourself from high out-of-pocket costs when traveling in the United States. Original Medicare covers emergencies, such as an injury or sudden illness so it’s always worth taking advantage of this benefit with its vast network coverage across America.
When traveling within the United States, most doctors and hospitals will take Original Medicare. If you have this type of healthcare coverage, it’s possible to use your card anywhere within the US as long as there are no travel restrictions set by provider networks or health insurance plans that accept/deny specific cards based on where they were issued from.
In some cases, people might find themselves needing emergency care which usually falls under Part B, but not always – so just remember about buying extra supplemental policies when necessary.
In addition, Medicare Advantage is a good option for those seeking treatment for an emergency within the U.S. as it can help avoid high out-of-pocket costs with its low-cost services and more affordable prices than most general hospitals.
Medicare Advantage (Part C) is a great option for getting quick care when you need it. The only downside? Maybe that there are so few providers in each plan’s network, which means they might not cover out-of-network services and could end up costing more–so make sure to check with your specific options.
Traveling within the United States
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Traveling outside the United States
Medicare usually does not cover medical care you receive when traveling outside the U.S., and its territories – so be sure to check with your insurance provider before leaving on vacation.
There are a few special circumstances in which Medicare may cover the cost of your inpatient hospital care and/or ambulance services when you need them outside of America – with certain limitations (you must have been eligible before going out).
These special circumstances are:
- If you’re in an emergency situation and need medical attention that can only be found at a U.S hospital, then Medicare may cover the cost for inpatient hospital services or doctor visits out-of-country when they are closer than your nearest domestic provider that is able to treat you.
- If you find yourself in a medical emergency and can’t get to an American hospital, the Canadian one may be able to take care of your needs. Medicare will pay for services when traveling through Canada without unreasonable delay via the most direct route between Alaska with another state if it’s closer than any U.S. hospitals available at time of need.
- Medicare may pay for inpatient hospital services provided by an out-of-country medical institution that is closer to your home than a U.S. hospital (that can treat your condition) – even if an emergency exists.
For the special circumstances mentioned, you will need to pay 20% of the approved amount while Part B deductible applies.
Medicare Part A will cover hospital care when you’ve been admitted to a foreign hospital with a doctor’s approval. In addition, Medicare Part B will cover doctor services as well as both emergency and non-emergency ambulance use before and during your Medicare-covered inpatient stay at a foreign hospital.
Reimbursements will only go toward approved service providers who offer their services within our country’s borders; they do not help offset expenses incurred while traveling abroad such as prescription medication purchases.
To find out about the expenses, it is best to talk to your health care provider. The costs will depend on several factors such as the amount the doctor charges, facility type, whether the doctor will accept the assignment, other insurance you have, and where you get your service.
Medicare is not always the most straightforward when you’re traveling abroad. If you want to know where to find emergency medical care, which doctors will accept foreign insurance, and what countries require a visa for Americans with Medicare coverage, it’s time to talk with us.
Our team of experts at The Medicare Research Institute can help answer these questions and more so that you’ll be able to confidently travel within the country or around the world with peace of mind knowing your healthcare needs are met. Ready to get started? Contact one of our advisors today!
