An extended trip can be one of the best parts of retirement, whether it means spending a month exploring Europe, visiting family across the country, or taking a long-awaited cruise. But before you book that flight or pack a suitcase, health coverage deserves a spot near the top of the checklist.
Understanding how Medicare coverage works while traveling, reviewing resources, and looking at travel insurance can help prevent an unexpected medical bill from becoming part of the vacation.
Start With Your Health Coverage
Before you take off, find out exactly what your current Medicare coverage does and does not cover at your destination.
Original Medicare generally does not cover medical care outside the United States and its territories, although there are limited exceptions. Some Medigap policies provide coverage for certain foreign travel emergencies, while some Medicare Advantage plans may offer limited emergency or urgent care coverage abroad.
For travelers who are deciding between coverage options, a Boomer Benefits Medicare Advantage and Medigap comparison can help explain how these two types of Medicare coverage differ. The important thing is to look beyond the monthly premium and consider how each type of coverage fits with your lifestyle and the way you actually use healthcare, especially when you travel.
Check Your Plan’s Travel Rules
Do not assume that coverage works the same way at home and on the road.
If you have Medicare Advantage, check your plan documents for information about emergency and urgent care while traveling. Some plans offer benefits for care outside the United States, but these benefits vary by plan.
Medigap works differently. Certain Medigap plans can cover foreign travel emergency care, subject to the policy’s limits and requirements. Not every Medigap plan includes this benefit though, so check the specific policy before your departure.
This is especially important for an extended trip. What you determine works well for a two-week vacation may not provide everything you need for several months away.
Look Into Travel Medical Insurance
Medicare coverage and travel insurance are not the same thing.
Travel insurance can include several different types of protection, including trip cancellation, travel health coverage and medical evacuation. It is recommended for travelers to consider their insurance needs before leaving, particularly when traveling internationally or for an extended period.
If you do decide to get a policy, read it carefully. Look for information about emergency medical care, hospital stays, medical evacuation and transportation home if you become seriously ill or injured.
Also check the rules surrounding preexisting conditions. Some travel insurance policies have exclusions or specific requirements for coverage related to conditions you already have.
Think About Prescriptions
An extended trip requires more medication planning than a typical vacation.
Make sure you have enough medication for the entire trip, plus extra in case of travel delays. It’s also best to keep medications in their original containers and pack them in your carry-on luggage when flying.
If you are traveling internationally, check whether any of your medications have restrictions in the countries you plan to visit.
It is also smart to carry a current medication list that includes the names and dosages of your prescriptions.
Plan For An Emergency
Nobody likes to think about getting sick or injured while on vacation, but having a plan in place makes a stressful situation easier to handle.
Before leaving, save your insurance company’s emergency contact information in your phone and keep a printed copy with your travel documents. Find out how your insurer handles emergency care and whether you need to pay for services upfront and seek reimbursement later.
If you are traveling to a remote location, pay particular attention to medical evacuation coverage. A serious medical emergency far from a major hospital can involve transportation costs that standard health coverage may not handle.
Consider The Length And Location Of Your Trip
A weekend in Canada, a three-month European adventure, and a winter spent abroad are three very different travel situations.
The longer you are away, the more important it becomes to understand how you will handle prescriptions, routine medical care, and unexpected health problems. Your destination matters, too. Access to medical care can vary significantly between major cities, rural areas, islands, and remote destinations.
Think thoroughly about what you would do if you needed medical care halfway through the trip. If the answer is “I have no idea,” that is something to solve before you leave.
Have All Your Ducks in a Row
Before takeoff, gather your insurance information, list of prescriptions, medical history, doctor’s contact information, emergency contacts, and travel insurance documents into one place. Also keep a digital copy somewhere secure.
The goal is not to plan for every possible thing that could go wrong. It is to make sure that if something does go wrong, you are not trying to solve a complicated insurance or medical issue while sitting in an airport, hotel room or hospital in another country.
These trips should be something to look forward to, not a source of anxiety. A little preparation before you leave just means you get to spend less time worrying about what could go wrong and more time enjoying where you are going.
