4-minute readPublished 03/28/2024Updated 06:39 PM EST, 11/03/2025
No, Medicare typically doesn’t cover health care for people traveling outside the U.S. In rare cases of eligibility, Medicare will only pay for services covered under Original Medicare .
If you plan to vacation outside of the U.S., here’s some helpful information about Medicare coverage while traveling.
Many older adults look forward to fulfilling their travel bucket list during retirement, but Medicare may not be along for the ride.
If you have Medicare coverage, you won’t be reimbursed for international medical bills. Healthcare services received beyond U.S. borders are not covered.
Medicare may cover inpatient hospital costs, ambulance services or dialysis for the following circumstances:
In any of these situations, the foreign hospital is not required to file a Medicare claim. Be prepared to submit an itemized bill to Medicare just in case.1
Medicare Advantage plans help expand your Medicare coverage beyond Original Medicare, often with extra benefits. Explore Humana’s Medicare Advantage plans in your area today!
4-minute readPublished 03/28/2024Updated 06:39 PM EST, 11/03/2025
While on a cruise in international waters, you may be covered for medically-necessary care if the ship is within 6 hours of a U.S. port.1 Most liners have medical personnel on staff, but check with the cruise company before departure if you’re concerned about available medical care.
If you have Original Medicare, you can go to any doctor or hospital that takes Medicare—anywhere in the United States. You don’t need special permission, and the costs do not go up. If you have a Medicare Advantage plan, you may need to visit doctors and hospitals that are part of your plan’s network, or you might have to pay extra money.
If you have Part A or Part B, you have coverage if you travel to:
Some Medicare Supplement insurance policies (also known as Medigap) do offer coverage for emergencies when traveling out-of-country. Medicare Supplement plans C, D, F, G, M and N cover some travel-abroad emergency help.2 No other Medicare Supplement plans provide foreign travel emergency coverage. Medigap plans can only be combined with Original Medicare.
Since Medicare coverage and international travel do not necessarily go hand in hand, people who plan to leave the country should check their private insurance plan to determine what kind of services they could receive abroad—and at what expense.
Travel health insurance (not simply a travel insurance policy, as many don’t include healthcare insurance) may be a worthwhile investment if you expect to be outside the U.S. often during your retirement years, especially if you have health conditions that could require continual care and services, specific medical supplies, prescription drugs or treatments.
We have over 120 articles about Medicare coverage, costs, enrollment and more. To learn more about Medicare, check out our Medicare resources .
Your Medicare enrollment won’t be affected if you continue to pay your monthly Part B premium. If you don’t pay your Part B premium, you could lose your coverage and face late enrollment penalties if you decide to re-enroll later.
You don’t need extra medical insurance, but you may want to buy travel insurance with medical coverage or an international health plan. These plans can help pay for emergency medical care, hospital stays, and other health needs if you are outside the U.S.
Medicare doesn’t cover medical care outside of the U.S., so you don’t usually need to carry your Medicare card.
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