Does Medicare cover you outside the United States?

Original Medicare generally does not pay for care outside the U.S. Limited exceptions exist. Some Medigap letters include a foreign-travel emergency benefit. Advantage coverage abroad, if any, is plan-specific.

By Alan Blackwell, Licensed Medicare Insurance Agent 0M71640. Published September 15, 2026. Updated September 19, 2026.

Original Medicare’s usual rule

Care in another country is generally not covered. Medicare.gov describes limited exceptions — for example certain situations in Canada or Mexico when a foreign hospital is closer in an emergency, or when a U.S. hospital is not available. Those exceptions are narrow. Confirm on Medicare.gov before you travel. This is not travel insurance.

Medigap foreign-travel emergency

Some standardized letters (including Plan G and Plan N) include a foreign-travel emergency benefit with limits, a deductible, and a lifetime cap. Read the outline of coverage. It is not worldwide health insurance.

Medicare Advantage

Networks are usually local. Emergency and urgent coverage outside the service area, including abroad, varies by plan. Do not assume last year’s extra benefit still exists. Read this year’s Evidence of Coverage.

Common questions

Does this site sell travel insurance?

No. This page is Medicare education. Confirm foreign-care rules on Medicare.gov and with your outline of coverage.

My Medicare Checkup

Answer a few questions about your ZIP code, what matters about cost and doctors, and where you get care. The list shows the questions and items those answers raise. Confirm each one on Medicare.gov, with the plan, and with the doctor’s office.

You will get a list of questions to ask the office and items to confirm on Medicare.gov. You can also talk it through with Alan.

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