​​Planning an international trip or cruise is exciting, but understanding how your healthcare works abroad can be confusing. Many travelers are surprised to learn that their domestic health coverage does not follow them overseas. Below, we have answered the most common questions about Medicare, Medigap, and how comprehensive travel insurance can protect your health and finances while you explore the world.

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Q: Does Original Medicare cover medical care outside the United States?

 

Generally, Original Medicare does not cover health care while you are traveling outside the U.S.. The U.S. is strictly defined as the 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, and American Samoa. There are very rare exceptions, such as receiving services on board a ship within the territorial waters adjoining the land areas of the U.S.. Because this coverage is so limited, Medicare explicitly states that you may choose to buy a travel insurance policy to get more coverage abroad.

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Q: Will travel insurance cover my pre-existing medical conditions?

 

Yes, but coverage depends entirely on the policy and when you purchase it. Under an Allianz policy, a Pre-Existing Medical Condition Exclusion Waiver can cover your conditions if you meet several requirements, including: you purchase the policy within 14 days of your first non-refundable trip deposit, you insure the full non-refundable cost of your trip, and you are medically able to travel on the day you buy the policy.

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Alternatively, the Atlas Travel Medical plan provides coverage for an "Acute Onset of Pre-Existing Condition". This covers a sudden, unexpected outbreak or recurrence that is rapidly progressive and requires urgent care, provided you seek treatment within 24 hours of the symptoms starting.

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Q: What happens if I have to cancel my trip due to a medical emergency or COVID-19?

 

Travel insurance with trip cancellation coverage can reimburse your non-refundable trip payments if you have to cancel for a covered reason. For example, the Allianz policy covers cancellations if you, a traveling companion, or a family member who is not traveling with you becomes seriously ill or injured. This specifically includes being diagnosed with an epidemic or pandemic, such as COVID-19. To qualify for the reimbursement, a doctor must examine you or your traveling companion and advise you to cancel the trip.

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Q: Are my expenses covered if my travel carrier delays my trip?

 

Yes, travel delay coverage can reimburse you for unexpected out-of-pocket costs. Allianz policies offer Travel Delay Coverage to reimburse lost prepaid trip expenses and additional costs for meals, accommodation, communication, and transportation if you are delayed by a covered reason (such as a travel carrier delay, natural disaster, or quarantine).

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The Atlas plan offers reimbursement for reasonable accommodations and meals (up to $100 a day for a maximum of 2 days) if your travel is delayed by 12 hours or more, requiring an unplanned overnight stay. Covered reasons for this delay include a common carrier delay, an organized labor strike, or stolen passports.

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Q: How do I file a travel insurance claim if something goes wrong?

 

The process is straightforward, but deadlines matter.

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• For an Atlas (WorldTrips) policy: You must submit your proof of claim within 60 days of the last day of your certificate period. You can file online through their Member Portal or via postal mail.

• For an Allianz policy: You should notify them of your claim within 90 days of the date of loss. You can file online at www.AgentMaxOnline.com/customer or call their toll-free number. You will need to provide your policy number, a summary of the incident, and documentation of your loss, such as receipts.

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Q: Will my Medicare Part D plan cover my prescription drugs if I run out or lose them while traveling abroad?

 

No, Medicare drug plans do not cover prescription drugs you buy outside the U.S.. Because of this, travel insurance can be an essential tool if you lose your medication. For instance, Allianz travel assistance provides a "Prescription Replacement" service, where they will refer you to a physician and a pharmacy to assist you in refilling a necessary prescription while traveling. The Atlas Travel plan covers drugs requiring a prescription by a physician for the treatment of a covered injury or illness, but it explicitly does not cover the replacement of lost, stolen, or damaged drugs.

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Q: Does Medicare cover emergency medical evacuations back to the United States?

 

Medicare generally will not pay for services like return ambulance trips home if you get hurt in a foreign country. Since medical evacuations can be incredibly expensive, securing travel insurance is highly recommended. The Atlas Travel plan covers emergency medical evacuation up to a $1,000,000 lifetime maximum (which is not subject to a deductible). The Allianz policy includes Emergency Evacuation to the closest appropriate available hospital, and Medical Repatriation to transport you back to a medical facility near your primary residence once you are medically stable.

Q: Will a Medigap (Medicare Supplement) policy cover me outside the United States? Some Medigap policies do offer coverage for emergency medical care when you travel outside the U.S. (often called foreign travel emergency care). However, these Medigap plans generally have strict lifetime limits and coverage rules. Because Medicare has limited coverage of health care services outside the U.S., Medicare.gov states that you can choose to buy a dedicated travel insurance policy to get more comprehensive coverage for your trip.

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Q: I am planning to do some adventurous activities on my trip. Am I covered if I get hurt?

 

Travel insurance generally covers injuries resulting from participation in amateur or recreational sports, provided you wear appropriate safety equipment (like helmets or life jackets). However, almost all plans exclude extreme, high-risk activities. The Allianz policy excludes coverage for injuries from skydiving, BASE jumping, hang gliding, parachuting, bungee jumping, caving, rappelling, spelunking, free climbing, high-altitude activities, and scuba diving at a depth greater than 60 feet or without a dive master. Similarly, the Atlas policy excludes coverage for big game hunting, cave diving, heli-skiing, kite-surfing, and exploring remote or inaccessible areas like Antarctica.

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Q: Will travel insurance cover my bags if they are lost or stolen?

 

Yes. If your baggage is lost, damaged, or stolen on your trip, the Allianz Baggage Coverage will pay the lesser of the cost to repair the baggage, or the cost to replace the baggage with the same or similar item (reduced by 10% for each full year since the original purchase date, up to a maximum 50% reduction). You must take reasonable steps to keep the baggage safe, recover it, and file a report with the appropriate local authorities or travel carrier within 24 hours of discovering the loss. Similarly, the Atlas Travel plan covers the replacement of clothes and personal hygiene items (up to $50 per item) for lost checked luggage. Your luggage must have been checked on a regularly scheduled commercial airline or cruise line, and you must file a formal claim with the transportation provider.

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Disclaimer: The information provided in this FAQ section is intended for general informational and educational purposes only and does not constitute professional insurance, financial, or legal advice. While we strive to keep this information accurate and up-to-date based on current Medicare guidelines and our carrier partners (including Allianz, Atlas, and Cigna), plan details and government regulations are subject to change. The summaries provided here are not exhaustive and do not guarantee coverage. All claims and coverage determinations are strictly governed by the specific terms, conditions, limitations, and exclusions of your individual policy documents. For complete, legally binding details regarding your coverage, please refer directly to your official plan documents or visit Medicare.gov. If you have specific questions regarding your personal travel insurance needs, please contact the licensed brokers at Healthy Florida Travel.