Medigap can give you valuable emergency protection when you are traveling outside the US — but it does not replace full travel medical insurance. Below, this Medicare Supplement provider in Boone Grove, Indiana is going to explain how Medigap works when you are overseas.

Are you still covered by Medicare when you travel abroad?

Original Medicare almost never covers medical care outside the US. While there are some narrow exceptions, they are rare and limited. For example, Medicare may cover some hospital or ambulance services if you are traveling through Canada without unreasonable delay on the most direct route between Alaska and another US state. This is if the Canadian hospital is closer than a US hospital that can treat you.

But outside of these highly specific circumstances, Medicare does not give you any protection when you are abroad. In most travel situations, you would be financially responsible for all care you receive while overseas.

Does Medigap give you any emergency coverage overseas?

Some Medigap plans include coverage for emergency medical care when you are outside the US If you have one of those plans, it can give you some financial protection if you need urgent care abroad.

This foreign-travel emergency benefit works as a cost-sharing arrangement under eligible Medigap plans. After you meet the plan’s deductible, the policy pays 80% of billed charges for medically necessary emergency care you receive outside the US. This benefit has a lifetime maximum of $50,000 and the emergency care must start within the first 60 days of your trip.

Because many foreign hospitals ask for payment upfront, this Medigap benefit generally works on a reimbursement basis. You may need to pay out-of-pocket at the time of service and then submit an itemized bill to your insurance company once you return home.

This foreign-travel emergency coverage is limited. Therefore, it is recommended to combine Medigap with a separate international travel-health or travel-medical insurance plan to get broader protection when traveling.

An experienced Medicare Supplement provider in Boone Grove, Indiana can help you understand how this works and what your plan includes.

Which medical costs overseas are not covered by Medigap?

Medigap does not cover routine or non-urgent care outside the US.  This includes non-emergency doctor visits, regular checkups, ongoing treatments or elective procedures. Prescription medications purchased in another country are also not covered by Medicare Part D. Because Medigap only supplements Medicare, it does not extend drug coverage overseas either.

Another big limitation is medical evacuation. While some Medigap plans offer emergency benefits abroad, those apply only to medical care during the first 60 days of your trip. And they do not include emergency transportation or evacuation services.

Because of these gaps, many travelers buy a separate international travel medical policy to reduce their financial risk. A licensed Medicare Supplement provider in Boone Grove, Indiana can help you plan for these needs.

What should you check before traveling outside the US?

Make sure your Medigap plan includes the foreign-travel emergency benefit. If it does, contact your insurance company and ask for the details. Ask about the deductible, the lifetime maximum benefit, and the process for submitting and getting reimbursed for overseas claims.

You must also remember that Medicare Part D does not cover prescription medications purchased abroad. If you take regular medications, bring enough to last your entire trip along with copies of your prescriptions.

If you will be outside the country for more than 60 days, why not buy a separate international or travel medical insurance policy? The Medigap abroad benefit only applies to emergencies that start within the first 60 days of your trip. And for most plans, it has a $50,000 lifetime limit.

Looking for a Medicare Supplement provider in Boone Grove, Indiana?

If you want someone to review your travel coverage or help you find the best Medigap plan for your travel plans, now is the time to talk to an experienced Medicare Supplement provider in Boone Grove, Indiana — like Senior Care Insurance Services. Our licensed agents can explain exactly what your plan will cover overseas to help you be best prepared for your trip. Contact us today to schedule an appointment.