Medicare & Travel

With traveling picking back up, MWG Direct has been getting this question more and more. Will Medicare cover me if I go out of the United States?

If you know someone that is planning on traveling in retirement, be sure to share this article with them. They will need to know that Original Medicare generally doesn't cover items or services outside of the country. If you or someone you know is in the U.S. Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, and the Northern Mariana Islands, Medicare coverage will kick in because all of these are considered the United States.

Medicare may pay for inpatient hospital stays, doctor visits, ambulance services, or dialysis in another country if you find yourself in these situations:

If you are in one of these situations, note that foreign hospitals are not required to file Medicare claims for you. You will need to submit an itemized bill to Medicare.?Lastly, Medicare Prescription Drug Plans will not cover prescription medications you buy outside the U.S..?

If you or someone you know will be traveling outside of the U.S. often, there are some Medicare Supplement plans that provide emergency coverage outside the U.S.. Please contact me if you would like to discuss or refer someone that needs travel insurance.

And as always, if you have any questions, please email me at?[email protected]?or call (877) 759-5762 ext. 1177.?