Travel Plans? Don't Forget to Check Your Medicare Health Coverage!
Summer is around the corner and vacations and getaways are being planned. You’re putting great thought into the itinerary, hotel accommodations and transportation, passports and have even found an awesome pet sitter for Sparky.
But, are you also thinking about your health? Does your Medicare plan cover you when you are traveling in or out of the country? Do you have enough coverage?
If you have Original Medicare, your health care services and supplies are covered when you’re in the U.S. (which includes Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, and the Northern Mariana Islands).
But, when you are traveling outside the U.S. (including to Canada or Mexico) or overseas, it’s important to know that in most cases, Medicare won’t pay for health care services or supplies you get outside the U.S. (except in these rare cases).
Don’t worry if you think that means traveling without coverage. There are several ways you can get health coverage outside the U.S.:
- If you have a Medigap policy, check your policy to see if it includes coverage outside the U.S.
- If you get your health care from another Medicare health plan (rather than Original Medicare), check with your plan to see if they offer coverage outside the U.S.
- Purchase a travel insurance policy that includes health coverage.
Be sure to check your policy or plan before traveling. It’s very important that you understand what is covered outside the U.S. If you are cruising, have a special need for obtaining prescription drugs or require dialysis or other specific health care requirement, watch this video.
Including your health care coverage into your travel plans could be the difference between an incredible vacation experience or a health and financial disaster. Also, visit the Centers for Disease Control’s Traveler’s Health page for more information on how to stay healthy abroad.
Finding a reputable and trusted partner to assist you with your financial & insurance needs is of vital importance. I will work hard to find the best programs, coverage and rates that fit your budget and your needs. Contact me at 949-216-8459 or ccolley@coliday.com.
Source Information: https://blog.medicare.gov/2017/06/12/travel-abroad-2/ and materials are provided for general information and educational purposes based upon publicly available information from sources believed to be reliable—we cannot assure the accuracy or completeness of these materials. The information in these materials may change at any time and without notice. The above information is not intended to provide, and should not be relied on for, tax, legal, or accounting advice. Coliday and Craig Colley are not affiliated, employed or endorsed by the SSA, Medicare.gov. or any other government agency