You did it! You have been working towards this your whole life. You get to travel the country and even the world in some cases! Now that you are finally here, you want to be sure you can enjoy traveling with the security of knowing should a health emergency arise, you are covered with your Medicare benefits.
Whether you are celebrating your new retirement status with a trip, living your retired life in two different states, or still tied down but taking well-earned trips throughout the year, we have you covered.
What if I travel out of state?
If you have Original Medicare with a Supplement or Medigap Plan, there is no network within the United States. Thus, you can seek medical care and services anywhere in the United States, and your coverage will work the same way. You do not need permission or referrals to see anyone you need to see. One of the glorious benefits of this type of coverage is this seamless movement and coverage. If you have an Advantage Plan, you are still covered out of your home state for emergency and urgent care anywhere you need care. You will pay the same in network copay anywhere in the country. Routine care is a bit trickier out of state with an Advantage Plan. More on navigating that below….
What if I travel out of the country?
Medicare, in general, does not cover medical care out of the United States. However, there is some coverage through the Supplement and Advantage Plans. The coverage gets a bit cloudy, so if you are traveling out of the United States, we recommend you dig into details in the Evidence of Coverage on your plan. This is a larger document with a lot finer details about all aspects of your coverage. Most Supplement Plans offer some limited coverage outside of the country, but so do many Advantage Plans. Let’s dive into more specifics on travel coverage between the two types of Medicare coverage.
Original Medicare with Supplement Plans
As stated above, if you are traveling anywhere within the United States, you are completely covered. As long as whatever medical care you are seeking is considered medically necessary, you can get it done anywhere. The coverage and costs are the same as being right at home. There is no network with this kind of coverage. However, there are some limitations if you go out of the country. Most Supplement Plans offer coverage out of the country for emergencies only and with a dollar limit. It also includes an additional deductible. The standard coverage among carriers is an additional $250 deductible and a limit on emergency services of $50,000 maximum for a lifetime! This really would only get you immediate care, but not cover any ongoing medical care that may be needed. You will want a way to get back to the US as quickly as possible to resume care.
Advantage Plans (or Part C Plans)
Also, as stated above, if you are traveling anywhere in the United States, emergencies are covered anywhere as if it were in network. This is with all plans. This is often misunderstood. You can go on trips and travel easily with an Advantage Plan because you would really only need coverage for emergencies. However, if you are traveling for a more extended period, as in the case of midwestern snowbirds, and need routine care and maintenance away from your home state, it is a bit more work. Many of the larger carriers have nationwide networks, and you can find an in network provider in another state. You can search online yourself or reach out to your local agent to find them for you. If you have a PPO plan, you can even see someone out of network without a referral but may just pay a higher copay. As for worldwide coverage, many plans have this type of coverage. But much like the Supplement Plans mentioned above, there are dollar limitations and it is for emergencies only. You will want to get back to the United States to seek additional care.
Third Party Travel Insurance
This is becoming a smart trend and a recommendation among insurance industry professionals. Adding third party travel insurance can get you additional coverage to get you back to the United States quickly after your emergent issue is stabilized but you may need more medical treatment. You will want to work through your travel agent or you can even get a policy through your insurance agent that has your homeowners and auto policies. Be sure to inquire about air ambulance transport coverage as air ambulance is extremely costly!
Pack Your Bags
No insurance coverage is perfect whether traveling the US or Worldwide. However, with basic emergency coverage offered on most Medicare plans and the recommended third-party travel insurance coverage, rest assured you are good to go. Enjoy what you have worked so hard for! Wheels UP!!
CDI can help you through this entire maze. We can meet in person or virtually. Reach out if you would like more information. Email carrie@cdi-cares.com or check out www.cdi-cares.com for a contact page and other helpful blogs.
“Traveling – it leaves you speechless, then turns you into a storyteller.”
– Ibn Batutta
“Oh, the places you’ll go.”
-- Dr. Seuss