Blog - Summer Travel

Coverage Within the United States

If you are traveling within the 50 states, the District of Columbia, or U.S. territories like Puerto Rico and Guam, your coverage is generally reliable:

Original Medicare (Part A and Part B): You have excellent portability. You can see any doctor or visit any hospital in the U.S. that accepts Medicare. As long as the provider participates in the program, you are covered.

Medicare Advantage Plans: These plans often operate within specific provider networks. While emergency and urgent care are required to be covered nationwide, routine care might be limited or cost more if you see out-of-network providers. It is wise to check your plan’s "visitor" or "travel" benefits before you leave, as some PPO plans allow you to see participating providers across state lines at in-network rates.

Traveling Internationally

The rules change significantly once you cross international borders. Original Medicare does not provide coverage for medical care received outside of the U.S., with very few rare exceptions (such as emergency care on a cruise ship within U.S. waters or specific border-proximity scenarios).

If you are planning an international getaway:

Check Your Plan: Some Medicare Advantage or Medigap policies offer limited coverage for foreign travel emergencies.

Consider Supplemental Insurance: Many travelers opt to purchase a dedicated travel medical insurance policy for the duration of their trip, which can provide coverage for emergency evacuations and medical bills that Medicare misses.

Before you finalize your itinerary, call your plan provider to confirm your benefits. Taking these precautions now will ensure that your biggest surprise this summer is a pleasant one.