Medicare Travel Guide
Evaluate domestic and international travel needs across Original Medicare, Medigap, and Medicare Advantage.
Domestic care depends on the coverage structure
With Original Medicare you can generally use a doctor or hospital that accepts Medicare; Medicare Advantage plans may have a service area and network, with emergency and urgent-care exceptions. Verify a destination provider and the applicable plan rules before a long trip.
Official source: Medicare: Original versus Advantage ↗ · Medicare: Provider network fact sheet ↗
International coverage is limited
Original Medicare generally does not cover health care outside the United States, subject to narrow exceptions. Certain Medigap letters include limited foreign-travel emergency benefits; the chart specifies the letters and the policy sets limits. That is not general travel protection.
Official source: Medicare: Travel outside the U.S. ↗ · Medicare: Medigap plan benefits ↗
Compare separate travel contracts on their terms
For a separate travel medical product, ask about emergency treatment, evacuation, pre-existing-condition rules, destinations, maximum benefits, time limits and claim documentation. Medicare’s international-coverage page establishes the Medicare gap; the separate policy alone establishes its promised benefits.
Official source: Medicare: Travel outside the U.S. ↗
Keep documents accessible
Carry your Medicare card, plan card and a medication list, and confirm whom to call in an emergency. Check the actual Advantage Evidence of Coverage or travel contract for reimbursement procedures rather than presuming an out-of-network bill will be paid.
Official source: Medicare: Evidence of Coverage ↗ · Medicare: Travel outside the U.S. ↗