‘Tis the season, and while celebrating, your Medicare coverage might need some extra cheer if you’re traveling abroad. Medicare’s definition of “outside the U.S.” excludes various territories and states. Knowing what’s covered and what to do during these festive times is key.

Original Medicare Limitations

For specific situations, Medicare Parts A & B might pitch in for healthcare outside the U.S.:

1. If a medical emergency strikes while you’re in the U.S. but a nearby foreign hospital can treat you faster.
2. Traveling through Canada between Alaska and another state during a medical emergency, and the Canadian hospital is closer.
3. Living in the U.S. but a foreign hospital is closer than the nearest U.S. one for your medical condition.

In these cases, expect to cover coinsurance, copayment, and deductibles. If the foreign hospital doesn’t handle the claims, foot the bill and later submit it to Medicare for reimbursement.

Medicare Advantage Plans

All Medicare Advantage plans come with emergency coverage worldwide, urgent services, and emergency transportation benefits. Pay upfront for emergency healthcare, then submit for reimbursement minus copays, coinsurance, and deductibles.

Medicare Supplements

Your Medigap policy might offer more coverage for emergency healthcare services outside the U.S. Plans C, D, E, F, G, H, I, J, M, or N include this through various state-specific riders. If you’re covered, within the first 60 days of your trip and if Medicare doesn’t cover it, after a $250 yearly deductible, it’ll pay 80% of the charges up to a lifetime maximum of $50,000.

Remember to keep copies of bills and paperwork from foreign healthcare providers. For extra coverage, consider a travel medical policy while journeying beyond the U.S. shores during this merry season.