An AARP Journal article reflects that: "There is no demographic sector more active in travel than those over 50. Older Americans place travel at the very top of their list of postcareer aspirations." With more baby boomers traveling, some will inevitalby have Medicare insurance, and some of those will have travel plans interrupted by health situations abroad.
So, the question arises, "Can I use my Medicare insurance when travelling both in and outside the USA?"
Some answers can be found at medicare.gov and also medicareinteractive.org.
Basically, if you have Original Medicare, you have coverage anywhere in the U.S. adn its territories.
With a Medicare Advantage Plan, you should check and see what prior authorizations would be needed when you are outside of your network when travelling within the U.S.A.
Medicare generally does not cover medical care in foreign countries with some exceptions. Again, according to medicareinteractive.org:
- "Medicare will pay for emergency services in Canada if you are traveling a direct route, without unreasonable delay, between Alaska and another state and the closest hospital that can treat you is in Canada.
- Medicare will pay for medical care you get on a cruise ship if you get the care while the ship is in U.S. territorial waters. This means the ship is in a U.S. port or within six hours of arrival at or departure from a U.S. port.
- Medicare may pay for non-emergency in-patient services in a foreign hospital (and connected physician and ambulance costs). It is covered if it is closer to your residence than the nearest U.S. hospital that is available and equipped to treat your medical condition. This may happen if, for example, you live near the border of Mexico or Canada."
Planning ahead and having information for possible health events can help consumers feel more in control when situations arise.
For more information, we suggest you check directly with your Medicare representatives, or visit medicareinteractive.org, or the medicare.gov websites.
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