Does Medicare Cover Medical Coverage If I’m Out of the Country?
Written by Bonnie Dobbs, Senior Health Benefits Consultant
One of the things seniors enjoy is traveling. And one of the questions I am often asked is, does Medicare cover me when I’m out of the country?
If you only have original Medicare, which is Part A and Part B as shown on your Medicare card, the answer is no. However, most people also have a supplement and drug plan or a Medicare Advantage plan.
Let’s break down how each of these address travel. If you have a supplement plan, most have a foreign travel benefit built right in. You can find this information in the benefits package that your agent provided you when you enrolled. There is a $240 annual calendar year deductible. Then you pay 20% of the cost and with a lifetime maximum benefit of $50,000.
If you have a Medicare Advantage plan, there usually is a definitive dollar amount for the deductible. Some plans have a cap of $250,000 for out of the country emergency medical expenses. Medicare Advantage plans are for emergency care only. I want to make that clear. Please understand you cannot call a doctor, make an appointment, or schedule a medical procedure with Medicare Advantage plans outside your service area. It is for emergency treatment only. Please check your plan before leaving the country because not all Medicare Advantage plans cover those medical expenses.
Once you determine if coverage is offered by your plan, you may decide you need travel health coverage.
We can help you obtain additional travel health coverage. Contact us at 770-373-7541 for more information.
Bonnie Dobbs is a highly sought-after author, panelist, and speaker on Medicare, teaching thousands online, in print, and in person! The Founder of Insurance and Other Red Tape, Bonnie is a broker contracted with multiple insurance carriers and has a team of agents licensed in Georgia and many other states. Their services are always free. www.insuranceandotherredtape.com
If you or an aging loved one is considering moving to an Assisted Living Facility for Elder Care Services in Smyrna GA, please get in touch with the caring staff at Woodland Ridge today. 770-431-7055
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