Did you know that Original Medicare doesn’t usually cover you when you are outside the U.S. (including cruises!)? This is where a Medigap plan can help out!

Does Medigap’s Foreign Emergency Care benefit cover cruises?

This is one of the most important questions for seniors who love to travel. About 10% of baby boomers and 19% of seniors (72 and older) go on cruises each year, making it a top travel activity (Source). Most of us don’t realize that when we leave Miami or San Francisco, we’ll spend a lot of time in international waters—and Original Medicare generally won’t cover you there. Medicare only helps in very limited situations:

  1. A medical emergency occurs while you’re in the U.S., and the closest foreign hospital is nearer than the nearest U.S. hospital that can treat you.
  2. You’re traveling through Canada without unreasonable delay between Alaska and another state, and a medical emergency occurs.
  3. You live in the U.S., and a foreign hospital is closer to your home than the nearest U.S. hospital that can treat you.

Some Medigap plans, on the other hand, does cover emergencies on cruises and during travel abroad, making it the smart choice if cruising or international travel is important to you (and yes, Canada and Mexico count too!).

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💡 Plan ahead and travel with peace of mind: If you want full peace of mind while traveling, we recommend getting a quote for international travel coverage through IMG and make sure you’re fully protected on your next adventure: Check out IMG’s travel insurance options.

Which Medigap Plans offer Foreign Emergency Care?

With so many Medicare beneficiaries traveling each year, it’s important to find out which plans offer the benefit of foreign emergency healthcare. The following are the current available plans with Foreign Emergency Care:

Foreign Emergency Healthcare Medigap plans: Qualified before 2020

For those who became Medicare Part B-eligible before January 1, 2020, you can enroll in ALL the above plans plus the following (both cover the Original Medicare Part B deductible):

Medigap Foreign Travel Coverage Rules

Medigap foreign emergency travel rules are pretty straightforward. Unlike many traditional stand-alone travel insurance plans that require health approval when you purchase the plan and right before you travel.

Medigap Foreign Travel Healthcare doesn’t care if you’re sick before you get on that plane. You’re still covered! Once you’re enrolled in your plan, you’re all set. Just follow the simple rules and off you go!

Medigap Foreign Healthcare rules breakdown:

  • $250 foreign travel deductible
  • You pay 20% of your medical costs
  • Medigap covers up to $50k over a lifetime
  • Emergency must happen within first 60 days of your trip
  • Could have a Medigap 6-month waiting period on preexisting conditions. This applies if you did not have creditable health coverage in the past 6 months (varies by company)

Public Service Announcement: Maybe don’t travel while when you’re sick.

What else does Medigap cover?

Emergency travel is just one benefit of Medigap. These plans may also cover your Medicare Part A & B deductibles, coinsurance and excess charges.

If you’re enrolled after 2020, you’ll see that Plan G covers more benefits than any other lettered plan. Medigap Plan G can save you thousands, by limiting your financial exposure. With that said, Plan G may not be financially viable for some people. Do not let that discourage you! Medigap Plan N and Medigap High Deductible G are both very similar to Plan G, with lower monthly premiums. Go ahead and compare Medigap plans to ensure you have picked the best plan for you.

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What if I Missed my Initial Enrollment for Medigap but want Foreign Coverage?

You have two and a half options.

  • Apply for Medigap: Preexisting conditions could raise your rate or even cause a denial of coverage. If you’re approved, then you can travel with your plan without any further medical exams. Use our IA Medigap Underwriting Checker to explore your options, or call us for free assistance.
  • Blue Shield California Medigap Underwriting Holiday: Allows almost every Medicare beneficiary in California to join Medigap Plan G for a limited period of time. (This is the 1/2 option because it only applies to Californians who are not currently enrolled in Blue Shield)
  • Enroll in Travel Insurance: Go through a private company that offers travel insurance such as the International Medical Group (IMG) Here you can purchase coverage for extended stays and evacuations/repatriation to the US.

What to do now:

If you have a question or are ready to enroll in a Medigap plan call 800-930-7956 or contact Senior65.com.

Our licensed agents can NEVER charge you a fee for a quote or enrollment.