International Travel & Medicare

[riverdees05 Platinum Contributor Find all posts View Profile Close riverdees05]

How do you handle health insurance when you are retired, 65+ and on medicare and are not in the USA? Does your supplemental insurance cover it or do you take out a separate policy just for your trips?

[x3skier Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close x3skier]

I have my work Health Insurance which I was lucky enough to have even after we were eligible for Medicare. That's the primary reason I keep it and pay the premiums. One thing to note is that most foreign hospitals and doctors require cash or at least a significant payment which you then get reimbursed for by your insurance. Since Medigap policies only suplement Medicare, I doubt they cover foreign travel but it is best to check with them

[bellesgirl Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close bellesgirl]

Some Medicare Advantage plans cover foreign travel, but it is not the norm. Regular Medicare does not.

American Express offers an international medical and evacuation policy for $15 pp per trip (up to 45 days). If you register your Amex card and pay for your flights with that card, the coverage automatically kicks in. They also have a monthly plan that you can enroll in as needed. I am not sure what the cost of that one is.

[Pstreet1 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Pstreet1]

Medicare definitely does not cover anything in a foreign country. Supplementary insurance may; call your insurance provider and discuss it with them. Mine, for example, covers emergency treatment at the closest hospital, but covers nothing that isn't an emergency. You can also book travel medical insurance from a variety of companies: google travel insurance and you'll find at least one site that compares the benefits of various plans and lists them by cost.

[GrayFal Silver Contributor and supermoderator Find all posts View Profile Close GrayFal]

I am taking my 65+ dad to Aruba with me for 2 weeks - if anyone has a particular company they used, please post the link.

[Pstreet1 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Pstreet1]

I've never had to use it (knock on wood), but I've heard good things about the plans offered by American Express: https://www.globaltravelshield.com/ControllerServlet

[GrayFal Silver Contributor and supermoderator Find all posts View Profile Close GrayFal]

I've never had to use it (knock on wood), but I've heard good things about the plans offered by American Express: https://www.globaltravelshield.com/ControllerServlet

Thank you...
I should have told u we do not have an AE card.

[Pstreet1 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Pstreet1]

You can still buy their travel insurance through Global Travel Shield

https://www.globaltravelshield.com/?..._source=Google

This link goes to the travel medical insurance for those who live in New York (click the pull down menu for medical only)
https://www.globaltravelshield.com/gts/GTS3004.jsp