Medicare usually doesn’t cover health care while you’re travelingoutside the U.S.There are some exceptions, including some cases where Medicare Part B (Medical Insurance) may pay for services that you get on board a ship within the territorial waters adjoining the land areas of the U.S.
Medicare may pay for inpatient hospital, doctor, andambulance servicesyou get in a foreign country in these rare cases:
- You're in the U.S. when a medical emergency occurs, and the foreign hospital is closer than the nearest U.S. hospital that can treat your medical condition.
- You're traveling through Canada without unreasonable delay by the most direct route between Alaska and another U.S state when a medical emergency occurs, and the Canadian hospital is closer than the nearest U.S. hospital that can treat the emergency.
- You live in the U.S. and the foreign hospital is closer to your home than the nearest U.S. hospital that can treat your medical condition, regardless of whether an emergency exists.
Medicare may cover medically necessary ambulance transportation to a foreign hospital only with admission for medically necessary covered inpatient hospital services.
Medicare drug coverage (Part D) covers all vaccines that the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommends, including certain vaccines you might need to get before you travel outside the U.S. (like yellow fever, chikungunya, and Japanese encephalitis). Your Part D plan won't charge you a copayment or apply a deductible for vaccines ACIP recommends. Contact your Medicare drug plan for details and talk to your provider about which ones are right for you.
Your costs in Original Medicare
You pay 100% of the costs, in most cases. In the situations described above, you pay the part of the charge you would normally pay for covered services. This includes any medically necessary doctor and ambulance services you get in a foreign country as a part of a covered inpatient hospital stay. You also pay the coinsurance, copayments, and deductibles you'd normally pay if got these same services or supplies inside the U.S.
In the situations above, Medicare pays only for services covered under Original Medicare: Medicare Part A (Hospital Insurance) covers hospital care (care you get when you've been formally admitted with a doctor's order to the foreign hospital as an inpatient).
- Part B covers emergency and non-emergency ambulance and doctor services you get immediately before and during your covered foreign inpatient hospital stay. Medicare generally won't pay for services (like return ambulance trips home) in either of these cases:
- Medicare didn't cover your hospital stay.
- You got ambulance and doctor services outside the hospital after your covered hospital stay ended.
Note
Foreign hospitals aren’t required to file Medicare claims for your travel medical costs. You need tosubmit an itemized billto Medicare for your doctor, inpatient, and ambulance services if both of these apply:
- You're admitted to a foreign hospital under one of the situations above
- The foreign hospital doesn't submit Medicare claims for you
Find out cost
To find out how much your test, item, or service will cost, talk to your doctor or health care provider. The specific amount you’ll owe may depend on several things, like:
- Other insurance you may have
- How much your doctor charges
- If your doctor accepts assignment
- The type of facility
- Where you get your test, item, or service
Things to know
The 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, and American Samoa are considered part of the U.S. Anywhere else is considered outside the U.S.
Medicare drug plans don't cover prescription drugs you buy outside the U.S.
Medicare supplement insurance (Medigap) policies may cover emergency carewhen you travel outside the U.S.
Note
Because Medicare has limited travel medical coverage outside the U.S., you may choose to buy a travel insurance policy to get more coverage. An insurance agent or travel agent can give you more information about the cost of travel medicalinsurance. Travel insurance doesn’t necessarily include health insurance, so it’s important to read the conditions or restrictions carefully.
Is my test, item, or service covered?
FAQs
Traveling abroad allows you to experience different cultures firsthand. It can help you gain a deeper understanding and appreciation of the world and the people in it. It can also help you become more open-minded, tolerant, and accepting of different ways of life, and you will return home practically a new person!
Do Americans travel outside of the USA? ›
How many Americans have traveled internationally? Roughly three-quarters of Americans (76%) have visited at least one other country, including 26% who have been to five or more.
Why do so few Americans travel abroad? ›
Many travel experts blame the low levels of international travel outside the United States on the fact that Americans become very acclimated to their own environments. The United States also has much geographic and cultural diversity inside its borders.
How do I let the state department know I am traveling? ›
Please enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive alerts and be located in an emergency. Please call 1 (888) 407-4747 (U.S. and Canada) or 1 (202) 501-4444 (overseas) or contact the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate.
What are the benefits of travelling abroad? ›
Top 6 reasons to travel abroad while you are young:
- You'll Get Out of Your Comfort Zone. ...
- Traveling Builds Confidence. ...
- You Will Develop Cultural Sensitivity. ...
- You Can Adapt to Globalization. ...
- Be Immersed in a Second (or Third) Language. ...
- Infinite Opportunities to Network.
A passport is required for overseas travel. It is recommended to make a copy of your passport and put it in a separate place. Carry your passport - do not pack it in your checked luggage. You must present it to the Customs and Border Protection officer upon arrival in the United States.
Where can U.S. citizens not travel? ›
Learn about your destination
| Advisory | Level | Date Updated |
|---|
| Iran Travel Advisory | Level 4: Do Not Travel | January 11, 2024 |
| Iraq Travel Advisory | Level 4: Do Not Travel | April 24, 2024 |
| Italy Travel Advisory | Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution | July 26, 2023 |
| Jamaica Travel Advisory | Level 3: Reconsider Travel | January 23, 2024 |
143 more rowsAccording to the National Travel and Tourism Office at the U.S. Department of Commerce, Mexico and Canada were by far the most popular destinations for U.S. resident travelers in 2019.
Is it safe to travel outside the US? ›
There is some risk in any international travel. Conditions in other countries may differ from those in the United States and may change at any time. Be aware of heightened risks to safety and security. The Department of State provides additional advice for travelers in these areas in the Travel Advisory.
How many Americans don't take vacation? ›
More than 4 in 10 U.S. workers don't take all their paid time off.
Reportedly, 40% of Americans have never left the United States. 11% of Americans have never even traveled outside of the state where they were born. Over half of Americans have never even owned a passport. (For years U.S. citizens did not need one to travel to Mexico or Canada).
What country travels the most? ›
Finland is the most well-travelled country in the world, with the average Finn making 7.5 trips a year, including stays at home and abroad. The US has the largest domestic travel market in the world, with national holidays bumping up the average person's number of trips to 6.7 a year.
How long can U.S. citizens stay in other countries? ›
US citizens can live outside the country for as long as they wish — even for the rest of their lives — without a problem. A US citizen cannot be prevented from re-entering the US. You can stay out of the USA for as long as you'd like. You can renew passport as needed at the local US embassy or consulate.
Can a US citizen enter the US without a passport? ›
You are not allowed to enter on your foreign passport, because U.S. law requires all U.S. citizens to enter and depart the U.S. on a valid U.S. passport.
What not to bring when traveling internationally? ›
- Excessive Valuables: Leave expensive jewelry and unnecessary valuables at home.
- Unnecessary Gadgets: Think twice before packing items you rarely use.
- Too Many Clothes: Overpacking can make your luggage heavy, make travel difficult and limit space for souvenirs.
Advantages: Temporary escape, vacation. Disadvantages: Stress, lack of support, unexpected situations, language barriers. Travel can reveal personal limitations and potentially disrupt mental health.
Why do you want to go abroad? ›
Going abroad is an exciting challenge and a great opportunity to escape your comfort zones. You'll have the opportunity to pick up new skills you may not have had the chance to whilst studying at home, including navigating a new city, communicating in a different language, and budgeting with an unfamiliar currency.
How do people benefit from international travel? ›
After experiencing international travel, you'll have learned how to budget, navigate a new city and communicate in a foreign language. You will know how to work with a group, and your decision-making and problem-solving skills will have improved.
Why do we travel overseas? ›
People like to travel abroad for a variety of reasons. For some, it's the opportunity to experience different cultures and explore new places. For others, it's the chance to escape their everyday lives and immerse themselves in something completely different.
