Medicare coverage overseas?

[FirstTeacher]

Could someone please explain about whether our Medicare insurance would cover us while in Europe? I've seen 2 posts on CC that mentioned it as an aside, with no explanation. If that's the case, does trip insurance offer health coverage?

[Essiesmom]

Medicare will not cover at all outside the US and her possessions. This includes onboard a ship. Perhaps they would cover if you were docked in a US port. EM

Edited February 17, 2015 by Essiesmom

[DonnasMom&Dad]

Could someone please explain about whether our Medicare insurance would cover us while in Europe? I've seen 2 posts on CC that mentioned it as an aside, with no explanation. If that's the case, does trip insurance offer health coverage?

 

You don't mention which country you're from, USA, Canada or what!! :confused:

 

Cato :)

[FirstTeacher]

Sorry! I assumed Medicare was a strictly U.S. Program. That's where I'm from.

[Philob]

Trip insurance does offer medical coverage, how much to buy is up to you.

 

Note that most trip medical coverage is "secondary". Simply how that works is you need to pay your medical bill first. Submit a claim to the trip insurance company and Medicare. The trip insurance will eventually pay whatever Medicare doesn't. If you can get "primary" coverage you skip the part where you submit a claim to Medicare.

[TedC]

Best IDEA is do not get sick or injured! Eat healthily and don't fall, use the railings etc!

[FirstTeacher]

Best IDEA is do not get sick or injured! Eat healthily and don't fall, use the railings etc!

 

Thanks! I'll definitely work on that! :)

[paul929207]

Some of the Medicare supplements do cover you outside the US. You would need to check your policy.

[Flatbush Flyer]

In general, Medicare covers nothing outside of the U.S. If you have purchased (or have as a retirement benefit) a Medicare Supplement policy, it may or may not include coverage out of the U.S. (consult with the insurer).

Do not confuse the term "travel insurance." It can mean trip, health or a combo of the two. Also, your credit card may have some "trip" insurance benefits.

Do your homework and you may end up buying some combo policy from folks like Travelex.

Note too that, while your TA or cruise line may have a Travelex policy option, it's probably their own version of Travelex (with watered down benefits compared to what you can buy direct.

Hopefully, you know that insurance is one area where you must definitely "read the fine print" and ask many many questions.

[griffy116]

I ALWAYS buy a good trip insurance policy, even though I have Medicare and coverage that goes beyond Medicare. Medicare doesn't cover you outside the U.S., whether on a cruise ship or land vacation. I have a good travel agent who helps me get exactly what I need, just in case I forget to hold the railing. :eek:

[jamessemaj]

Unfortunately, buying insurance for anything isn't all that definite. You will never know for sure what they will pay until you file a claim. That's the nature of the industry and the basis for their incredible profit.

[NMLady]

Could someone please explain about whether our Medicare insurance would cover us while in Europe? I've seen 2 posts on CC that mentioned it as an aside, with no explanation. If that's the case, does trip insurance offer health coverage?

 

Medicare does not cover outside USA.

I'd suggest you go to insuremytrip.com and take a look at some of the policies offered there, or call them and tell them your needs. They are brokers of many different companies,

 

Yes, trip insurance can cover medical and evacuation in addition to trip delay and trip cancellation. Most trip insurance policies do, but read the details.

 

Also, if you want it to cover pre-existing for cruisers and their immediate family you usually must pay the premium within 7-14 days of booking cruise.

[6rugrats]

You don't mention which country you're from' date=' USA, Canada or what!! :confused:

 

Cato :)[/quote']

 

Medicare only would cover OP if she was from the US. It's a US program.

Edited February 17, 2015 by 6rugrats

[Treven]

I would also suggest you looking into MedJet Assist. This is a medical evacuation policy that would fly you home (to the hospital of your choice). The caveats are that you have to be in a "foreign" hospital, and that you are at least (I believe) 75 miles from home. They offer a policy for a single person or a family, also for either a single trip, or for an annual time period.

I never leave home without it.:)

[jamessemaj]

Medicare only would cover OP if she was from the US. It's a US program.

 

If I'm not mistaken, everybody in Canada is covered by a Medicare type health coverage. I wonder what Canadian coverage is while out of the country?

[FirstTeacher]

Thank you all for your prompt replies. We have a Medicare supplement so I'm going to look into its coverage.

[jamessemaj]

Thank you all for your prompt replies. We have a Medicare supplement so I'm going to look into its coverage.

Please come back to tell what you find.

[FirstTeacher]

Please come back to tell what you find.

 

Will do!

[Flatbush Flyer]

Please come back to tell what you find.

 

 

Your gap insurance and his may not be the same. So don't rely on what he finds.

[paul929207]

My Medicare supplement covers us while we are out of the US. It becomes primary then, with the drip insurance being secondary

[sail7seas]

I would also suggest you looking into MedJet Assist. This is a medical evacuation policy that would fly you home (to the hospital of your choice). The caveats are that you have to be in a "foreign" hospital, and that you are at least (I believe) 75 miles from home. They offer a policy for a single person or a family, also for either a single trip, or for an annual time period.

I never leave home without it.:)

 

 

 

........... have to be at least 150 miles from home.

 

Seeing OP is on Medicare, they likely are over 65 and if member of AARP there is a discount worth asking for.

 

[cbo]

If I'm not mistaken, everybody in Canada is covered by a Medicare type health coverage. I wonder what Canadian coverage is while out of the country?

We can do a claim to our provincial program and they will reimbourse whatever would be paid here... in my province, no more than 20$ for a walk-in visit, at best a couple hundred dollars per day if hospitalized. A canadian getting sick in the USA without an extra private insurance will be bankrupted in a week or two! ;-)

[t923347]

If I'm not mistaken, everybody in Canada is covered by a Medicare type health coverage. I wonder what Canadian coverage is while out of the country?

 

Although we have a full health care system in Canada it does not cover us outside the country and, in fact, we are encouraged to purchase additional insurance when travelling to other provinces as not all provincial plans are the same. This means that something covered in BC may not be in Quebec, as an example.

[Treven]

........... have to be at least 150 miles from home.

 

Seeing OP is on Medicare, they likely are over 65 and if member of AARP there is a discount worth asking for.

 

Thanks. I've had trouble remembering the distance. Also, is it 150 miles "from home", or that distance from the US? Plus every time I've gotten a policy from them I've forgotten to bring up my AARP coverage.

Edited February 18, 2015 by Treven

[sail7seas]

It is 150 mi from home and why not call them and ask for AARP credit? The worst that happens is they say No.