Tips for Traveling with Medicare

If you’re ready to travel your backyard or the world, the options are limited only by your pocketbook, your imagination, and your what-ifs. What if you get sick or injured while you’re away? Are you covered by your Medicare plan? The short answer is: Maybe. It depends on a few things, like:

Where you're going
How long you’ll be away
What insurance you have
What medical services you need

If you live in Boise, you won’t be able to count on the same coverage while visiting Baltimore or Barcelona. But with some research and planning, you can get adequate health care coverage through a combination of insurance options. These tips can help you know what Medicare may or may not cover as you plan your travels.

Where are you headed?

Your travel itinerary makes a big difference in the amount and type of Medicare coverage available.

Domestic: If you stay within United States borders, Original Medicare provides the same coverage as if you were at home. Medicare defines U.S. borders as all 50 states, the District of Columbia and U.S. territories (American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands). Similarly, if you have a Medigap plan, you’ll likely be covered while traveling domestically. If you have a Medicare Advantage plan, your coverage may depend on the plan’s provider network. Call the member service number on the back of your Medicare Advantage ID card for details on coverage.
International: If you travel outside the United States, Original Medicare doesn’t automatically cover you for most health care services. Notable exception for Canada: If you have a medical emergency and the closest hospital is in Canada, Medicare may cover some costs for inpatient hospital, doctor and ambulance services you receive there. Also note that Original Medicare doesn’t cover you on a cruise ship that’s more than six hours away from a U.S. port.

But there’s good news: certain Medigap plans (C, D, F, G, M, N) provide emergency coverage at 80% while traveling internationally. And many Medicare Advantage plans also provide some degree of emergency coverage for members traveling abroad. Some plans offer limited coverage in Canada and Mexico.

How long will you be away?

The length of your stay may impact your coverage.

Domestic: No matter how long you’ll be traveling (overnight or for several months), Original Medicare and most Medigap plans cover health care services received within the U.S. Some Medicare Advantage plans are tailored specifically for snowbirds, though you may need to notify the insurance company in advance whenever you relocate from one home to another. If your Medicare Advantage plan has a provider network, be sure to check in advance to see which local providers are in-network by calling the member service number on the back of your Medicare Advantage ID card.
International: If you’re on vacation in a foreign country, a Medigap plan only covers emergency services for the first 60 days. For extended foreign trips, including visits to a second home overseas, you may be able to purchase foreign-based coverage that’s similar to what local citizens have. Some insurance companies offer plans designed specifically for expatriates . Travel insurance is always an option. An important rule of thumb: Always read the fine print for insurance you already have and especially for any new coverage you’re considering purchasing.

Pre-travel checklist for your health care needs

In addition to any travel documents (passport, driver’s license, airline tickets), bring these health care-related items with you, and keep them easily accessible:

All your medications, including extra doses, in their original containers
A list of all medications you use regularly, including dosages
Copies of any prescriptions in case you need more
A list of all medical conditions you’re currently being treated for
A list of all current vaccinations you’ve received. For COVID-19, bring your vaccination card and/or most current test results. Though COVID-19 is no longer considered a health emergency in the United States, some countries still require them.
Insurance ID cards
Emergency contact info, including for loved ones and doctors
Alight contact information

Should you buy travel insurance?

For many people, travel insurance can be a good strategy. Depending on specifics, it can reduce many of the health-related and other risks of travel. It’s available in several varieties, including:

Travel medical insurance: Covers you if there’s an acute medical need. Be aware that some policies may exclude pre-existing conditions.
Trip cancellation insurance: Covers you if you must cancel a trip for a medical reason — even if it involves a family member not traveling with you.
Emergency medical insurance: Covers your health care costs in case of illness or injury away from home and may also cover transportation to a hospital or even return to your home country. If you have a Medicare Advantage plan, it may already include elements of this coverage.

Premiums for travel insurance depend on many factors, including the type of insurance you need, your age and medical condition, your destination(s), the cost of medical care locally, any coverage options you choose to add, and other elements. Travel insurance can cost as much as seven percent or more of the total cost of the trip.

General tips for retirees before hitting the road

Some of the allure of travel is that it’s so exciting. But it also leaves you more vulnerable than if you stayed home. Consider adding these suggestions to your to-do list before you leave home:

Leave your own contact information, including a detailed itinerary, with loved ones.
Be sure you can access your insurance and medical records online if needed, in addition to printed copies you bring with you.
If traveling with a companion, swap medical details so you can both assist health professionals in an emergency.
Consider enrolling in the U.S. State Department’s Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive travel advisories and alerts.
Consider taking a course in basic first aid and CPR before you leave.
Bring a health travel kit — just in case.

Whether you travel by plane, train or automobile, you can count on Alight to help you understand what your health plan covers for wherever your travels make take you.