Quick answer: Usually, no. Original Medicare covers care outside the U.S. only in a few narrow situations, and Part D doesn’t cover drugs you buy abroad. If you have Medigap Plan C, D, F, G, M, or N, you get emergency coverage abroad: 80% after a $250 deductible, for emergencies that start in the first 60 days of a trip, up to $50,000 for life. Some Medicare Advantage plans add their own foreign coverage. Everything else is on you, unless you buy travel medical insurance.
60 days
first days of a trip
$250
annual Medigap deductible
$50,000
Medigap limit, for life
See what you’d pay for a hospital bill abroad →
Choosing a 2027 plan before December 7? Check this first →
- When Medicare pays
- Medigap abroad
- Advantage plans
- Cruises
- Canada & Mexico
- Prescriptions
- Filing a claim
- Travel medical insurance
What Would I Pay Abroad? Medicare, Medigap, and Medicare Advantage Calculator
Pick your coverage, enter a bill, and see an estimate. Don’t enter names, Medicare numbers, or health details.
What “Outside the U.S.” Means to Medicare
Medicare covers you in the U.S. and the U.S. territories; it doesn’t provide coverage in other locations. That means the 50 states, D.C., Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, and the Northern Mariana Islands count as inside. Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean islands that aren’t U.S. territories, and international waters count as outside.
When Original Medicare Does Pay Abroad
Original Medicare pays abroad only in rare cases, and only for services it already covers. Medicare’s own fact sheet says that in most situations it won’t pay for health care you get outside the U.S. There are three hospital situations, plus cruise ships.
Emergency in the U.S., foreign hospital is closer
You’re in the U.S. when an emergency happens, and a foreign hospital is closer than the nearest U.S. hospital that can treat it.
Driving through Canada between Alaska and another state
You’re traveling through Canada without unreasonable delay by the most direct route between Alaska and another state, an emergency occurs, and a Canadian hospital is closer than the nearest U.S. hospital that can treat it. Medicare decides case by case what counts as “without unreasonable delay.”
You live closer to a foreign hospital
You live in the U.S., and a foreign hospital is closer to your home than the nearest U.S. hospital that can treat you, emergency or not.
On a cruise ship
Medicare may cover medically necessary care on a ship if the doctor is allowed under certain laws to provide medical services on the ship, and the ship is in a U.S. port or no more than 6 hours from a U.S. port when you get the care, emergency or not. It doesn’t cover care when the ship is more than 6 hours away.
NOT COVERED: Medicare generally won’t pay for return ambulance trips home if it didn’t cover the hospital stay, or for services after a covered stay ended.
In these cases Medicare pays only for services Original Medicare covers. Part A covers hospital care if you’re formally admitted as an inpatient on a doctor’s order. Part B covers emergency and non-emergency ambulance and doctor services immediately before and during that covered stay. You pay the related deductibles and coinsurance (20% under Part B). If you only have Part A, Medicare covers only inpatient hospital care. Medicare doesn’t cover dialysis during foreign travel outside these situations.
Medigap Foreign Travel Emergency Coverage
Standard Medigap Plans C, D, F, G, M, and N pay 80% of billed charges for certain emergency care abroad, after a $250 annual deductible, up to $50,000 for life.
PARTLY COVERED: The care must be medically necessary emergency care that begins during the first 60 days of a trip.
Medigap’s $50,000 is for your lifetime, not per trip.
| Plan letter | Foreign travel emergency? | Who can buy it |
|---|---|---|
| C, F | Yes | Only people eligible for Medicare before January 1, 2020 |
| D, G, M, N | Yes | Generally available |
| A, B, K, L | No | — |
| E, H, I, J | Discontinued | No longer sold. You may keep one bought before June 1, 2010; they still cover foreign travel emergencies |
| Line | Amount |
|---|---|
| Annual deductible | $250 |
| 80% × ($12,000 − $250) | $9,400 paid by Medigap |
| You pay | $2,600 |
| Lifetime benefit remaining | $40,600 |
Three more rules: Medigap pays for foreign emergency care only if Medicare doesn’t otherwise cover it. If you have high-deductible Plan F or G, you must also meet that plan’s own annual deductible before the travel benefit starts. Massachusetts, Minnesota, and Wisconsin have their own Medigap systems, so ask your insurer how the benefit works in your state.
A Medigap travel claim goes to your Medigap company, not to Medicare.
Medicare Advantage and International Travel
Advantage plans must cover what Original Medicare covers, including the rare foreign exceptions; some add foreign emergency coverage with limits that vary by plan.
Look in your plan’s Evidence of Coverage for the “outside the U.S.” section: what’s covered, the cap, and how claims work. Compare plans in our guides to Medicare Advantage plans and how to compare them.
Wintering in another U.S. state? Most plans disenroll members who are outside the service area continuously for more than six months. Some offer travel or visitor programs. Ask your plan.
Medicare and Cruises
Medicare may cover care on a cruise only while the ship is in a U.S. port or no more than 6 hours from one, and only if the ship’s doctor is allowed under certain laws to provide medical services on board. After a port call abroad, or once you’re more than 6 hours out, Original Medicare doesn’t pay. Check your Medigap or Advantage plan, or a travel medical policy. If care on a ship was covered, the doctor must submit the Medicare claim; you may also file directly.
NOT COVERED: Care when the ship is more than 6 hours from a U.S. port, under Original Medicare.
Does Medicare Cover You in Canada and Mexico?
Only in the same narrow situations: a closer foreign hospital in an emergency, the Alaska route through Canada, or living closer to a foreign hospital. A planned trip to Mexico or Canada for care isn’t one of them under Original Medicare. Check your plan.
Prescriptions Abroad: Medicare Part D
Part D doesn’t cover drugs you buy outside the U.S.
Part D doesn’t cover prescriptions you buy abroad — pack enough. Bring the whole trip plus extra.
Part D does cover ACIP-recommended vaccines, including some needed before travel, when you get them in the U.S. Your Part D plan won’t charge a copayment or apply a deductible for them.
Medical Transport Home
Original Medicare generally doesn’t cover medical transport home. Check your Medigap or Advantage plan documents. Travel medical and evacuation policies may cover it; read the exclusions.
How to File a Medicare, Medigap, or Advantage Claim After Care Abroad
There are two separate claim routes; which one applies depends on who pays.
| Situation | Who pays | File with | What to send |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rare Original Medicare exception | Medicare | Medicare, if the hospital doesn’t file (Form CMS-1490S, version 01/18) | Itemized bill and medical records |
| Medigap foreign travel emergency | Your Medigap insurer | The Medigap insurer | Whatever your insurer requires; ask before you travel |
| Advantage foreign benefit | Your plan | The plan | Per your Evidence of Coverage |
Form CMS-1490S is Medicare’s “Patient’s Request for Medical Payment.” Send it with an itemized bill to the Medicare contractor named in its instructions, and explain why you’re filing. Get the form and instructions at Medicare.gov or call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227; TTY 1-877-486-2048). Allow at least 60 days for processing. Foreign hospitals aren’t required to file Medicare claims. Ask for an itemized bill and records, in English if possible, and keep payment receipts. File promptly.
Paying a foreign bill by card? See pay in dollars or local currency.
When You Need Travel Medical Insurance
Consider a travel medical policy if you take long trips, go to remote places, cruise, or want medical transport covered. Read the exclusions, including pre-existing conditions. Medicare notes that travel insurance doesn’t necessarily include health coverage, so read the conditions and restrictions carefully.
Pays abroad: rare exceptions only. Limits: Part B deductible + 20%. Claim: Medicare.
Pays 80% after $250. Limits: 60 days, $50,000 for life. Claim: Medigap insurer.
Nothing abroad for emergencies. Claim: n/a.
Varies by plan. Limits: per Evidence of Coverage. Claim: your plan.
Varies by policy. Read exclusions. Claim: the policy’s insurer.
| Coverage | What it pays abroad | Limits | Claim from |
|---|---|---|---|
| Original Medicare | Rare exceptions only | Part B deductible + 20% | Medicare |
| Medigap with travel benefit | 80% after $250 | 60 days; $50,000 for life | Medigap insurer |
| Medigap without | Nothing for foreign emergencies | — | — |
| Medicare Advantage | Varies by plan | Per Evidence of Coverage | Your plan |
| Travel medical policy | Varies by policy | Read exclusions | The policy’s insurer |
See our travel insurance guide and hidden credit card benefits. This article is about Americans going abroad; visitors to the U.S. should read health insurance for tourists in the USA.
TRICARE For Life Overseas
If you’re a military retiree with TRICARE For Life, TRICARE is the primary payer overseas, because Medicare doesn’t cover you outside the U.S. and its territories. You pay TRICARE’s annual deductible and cost-shares, and you must keep Part B to stay eligible. Overseas claims go through the TRICARE overseas contractor; see tricare.mil.
Choosing a 2027 Plan? Check This for Travel
Open Enrollment runs October 15 – December 7, 2026, for 2027 coverage. If you’re already in Medicare Advantage, a separate period runs January 1 – March 31. Medigap isn’t part of annual open enrollment.
- Does the Advantage plan you’re considering cover foreign emergencies? Up to what cap?
- Thinking of moving from Advantage to Original Medicare + Medigap? Can you buy Medigap without health questions in your state? Read this first.
- Keeping Medigap? Does your letter include foreign travel coverage?
Leaving Medicare Advantage for Medigap may require health questions.
Free help: your State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) counselor (shiphelp.org, 1-877-839-2675), or 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227).
Before You Travel: Medicare Checklist
- 1. Know your coverage type: Original only, Medigap (which letter?), or Medicare Advantage.
- 2. Medigap: confirm your letter includes foreign travel, and ask how to file from abroad.
- 3. Advantage: read the “outside the U.S.” section of your Evidence of Coverage.
- 4. Medicines: bring enough for the whole trip plus extra.
- 5. Decide about travel medical insurance. Read the exclusions.
- 6. Pack plan cards, your plan’s international phone number, a medication list, and doctor contacts.
- 7. If you need care: get an itemized bill and records; keep receipts.
- 8. At home: file with the right party, promptly.
Medicare and International Travel: FAQ
Does Medicare cover international travel?
Usually not. Original Medicare covers care abroad only in rare situations. Check your Medigap or Advantage plan for more.
Which Medigap plans cover foreign travel?
Standard Plans C, D, F, G, M, and N. Plans A, B, K, and L don’t.
How does the $50,000 lifetime limit work?
It’s the most Medigap will pay for foreign travel emergencies across your lifetime, not per trip.
What happens after day 60 of my trip?
Medigap’s foreign travel benefit applies to care that begins in the first 60 days. After that, check other coverage.
Does Medicare Advantage cover international travel?
Some plans add foreign emergency coverage. Limits are plan-specific; read your Evidence of Coverage.
Do I have to pay upfront?
Often, yes. Foreign hospitals aren’t required to file Medicare claims, so keep itemized bills and receipts.
Does Medicare cover me in Canada?
Only in the same rare situations: a closer Canadian hospital in an emergency, or traveling through Canada between Alaska and another state. Check your plan for more.
Does Medicare cover emergencies in Mexico?
Only if the emergency happens while you’re in the U.S. and a Mexican hospital is closer than the nearest U.S. hospital that can treat you, or you live closer to a Mexican hospital. Medigap or Advantage plans may add coverage.
Does Medicare cover me on a cruise?
Medicare may cover care on a ship in a U.S. port or no more than 6 hours from one, if the doctor is allowed to provide medical services on board. It won’t cover care when the ship is more than 6 hours away.
Will Part D pay for prescriptions I buy abroad?
No. Part D doesn’t cover drugs you buy outside the U.S. Pack enough for the whole trip.
Does Medicare cover medical evacuation?
Original Medicare generally doesn’t pay for return trips home. Check your Medigap or Advantage plan documents, and read travel medical policy exclusions.
Will a foreign hospital bill Medicare?
Foreign hospitals aren’t required to file Medicare claims. If one doesn’t, and your care falls under a rare covered exception, you submit the claim yourself.
How do I file a Medigap foreign travel claim?
File with your Medigap insurer, not Medicare. Ask them before you travel which documents they need, usually an itemized bill and medical records.
What is Form CMS-1490S for?
It’s Medicare’s Patient’s Request for Medical Payment. Use it for Medicare-covered foreign care when the hospital doesn’t file, and attach an itemized bill.
Do I need travel insurance if I have Medigap?
Many people consider it. Medigap pays 80% after $250, only for emergencies in the first 60 days, up to $50,000 for life, and it may not pay for medical transport home.
Does my credit card’s travel insurance cover medical care?
Some cards include travel medical or evacuation benefits, but terms vary. See hidden credit card benefits and read your card’s guide.
Can I switch to Medigap during Open Enrollment?
You can leave Medicare Advantage during Open Enrollment, but buying Medigap may require health questions outside guaranteed-issue situations. Read this first.
Where can I get free, unbiased help?
Your SHIP counselor (free, federally funded, unbiased; shiphelp.org, 1-877-839-2675) or 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227).
This article is general information, not medical, insurance, or legal advice. Coverage depends on your specific plan documents. Rules verified from Medicare.gov on October 26, 2026. Contact your plan, your SHIP, or 1-800-MEDICARE before you travel.
Daniel Hayes is the founder and sole researcher at AdvoraHQ. He covers U.S. personal finance, insurance, and consumer law — working directly from IRS publications, federal and state statutes, court opinions, and SEC filings rather than secondary summaries. His focus is the gap between what readers think they know and what the source documents actually say. Daniel is not a licensed attorney, CPA, or financial advisor; his articles are educational and not personalized advice. Reach him at Daniel.Hayes@advorahq.com.
