For many Illinois seniors, foreign travel is an exciting part of retirement. Will your Medicare Supplement provide coverage on your journey? Most plans do not provide coverage while traveling outside of the United States. However, some do.
Plans
For all travel outside of the U.S., coverage is provided by plans F, G, and Plan N.
Coverage
With any of the above plans, you have coverage that begins during the first 60 days. The plan will pay 80 percent of the billed charges for necessary services outside of the U.S. after you pay a $250 deductible. There is a lifetime limit of $50,000. Plans are available with no underwriting only during your Initial Enrollment period. If you may be traveling abroad during retirement, prepare ahead by choosing a plan that provides coverage.
In Rare Cases, Medicare Pays
Medicare may pay up to 80 percent for services covered even while you are out of the country. Foreign hospitals are not required to submit claims to Medicare. You will need to submit an itemized bill to be reimbursed.
Medicare Pays for Inpatient Care, Ambulance Services, and Dialysis Treatment
In the United States when a medical emergency occurs and a foreign hospital is closer than a U.S. hospital.
Traveling through Canada en route to Alaska and a Canadian hospital is closer than a U.S. hospital.
On a ship within territorial waters adjoining lands of the U.S. but within 6 hours of a U.S. port.
Live in the U.S. and have a medical emergency, but a foreign hospital is closer than a U.S. hospital.
References:
https://www.medicare.gov/supplement-other-insurance/medigap-and-travel/medigap-and-travel.html
https://www.medicare.gov/coverage/travel-need-health-care-outside-us.html
MUC52-2017-BCBS
