Medicare coverage while traveling depends on whether you have Original Medicare, Medicare Advantage, Medigap, or prescription coverage. Check the rules before leaving, especially for international travel.
Travel within the United States
Original Medicare generally lets you use any doctor or hospital that accepts Medicare. Medicare Advantage plans may have networks and plan-specific rules for routine care outside the service area, although emergency and urgent care are generally handled differently.
Travel outside the United States
Original Medicare coverage outside the U.S. is limited and usually does not cover routine medical care abroad. Some Medigap policies cover certain foreign travel emergency care, subject to plan limits. Some Medicare Advantage plans may offer emergency or urgently needed foreign travel benefits, but those benefits vary.
Before you leave
- Carry your Medicare, plan, and medication information.
- Ask your plan how it handles emergencies, urgent care, and prior authorization.
- Check whether your Medigap policy includes foreign travel emergency coverage.
- Consider travel medical insurance for gaps Medicare will not cover.
- Do not assume Part D will pay for prescriptions purchased outside the U.S.
Review current rules at Medicare.gov. This article is educational information, not a travel coverage guarantee.