If you’re a senior gearing up for international travel, it is important to consider purchasing a travel medical insurance plan to cover you while abroad. While visiting a new country is exciting, it can also be risky for those who are older in age.
If you are a senior in the U.S. on Medicare, it is crucial to know that Medicare typically won’t cover you for any medical treatment received outside of the United States. That means you could be left uncovered when traveling abroad, which can be of great concern in the event that you need to visit a hospital or doctor during your travels.
Purchasing an international health insurance plan as a senior on Medicare will give you the peace of mind you deserve during your travels so you can enjoy your trip worry-free! And if you are injured or become ill while in a new country, you’ll be able to seek medical treatment without the worry of excessive financial burden.
Does Medicare Cover Treatment Internationally?
If you are currently on Medicare for your medical coverage in the United States, in most travel situations Medicare will not cover you abroad. However, it does cover you for domestic travel which includes all 50 states in addition to the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, or the Northern Mariana Islands. However, any country outside of the U.S. and its territories will not apply.
Related: https://www.path2usa.com/us-visas/can-immigrants-get-medicare-in-the-us
Does Medicare Cover Medical Care on Cruises?
For cruises, medical coverage can vary. If you are a senior taking a cruise, Medicare may cover you if there is a doctor aboard that can provide services under certain laws. Additionally, Medicare should cover you if the cruise ship is within 6 hours of a U.S. port. Otherwise, for cruises such as international cruises, you will not be covered under Medicare. This is why having a secondary international health insurance policy is important when traveling outside of the United States, especially for seniors.
What Can International Health Insurance Cover?
When purchasing an international health insurance plan, you’ll want to consider the many different coverage options and benefits that you have to choose from. Here are some benefits that international health insurance can cover:
- Emergency room visits
- Urgent care visits
- Prescriptions/medications
- Emergency medical evacuation
- COVID-19 related care
- Border entry protection
- Emergency dental coverage
These are just a handful of some of the benefits you can expect to receive from an international health insurance plan. While not all plans will offer all of these benefits, you can compare plan options and choose one that best suits your needs and wants.
Best International Health Insurance Plans for Seniors
If you are a senior planning an international trip in the near future, we recommend the following travel medical insurance plans:
GlobeHopper Senior
Comprehensive Coverage Plan
The GlobeHopper Senior plan is a travel medical insurance plan specifically designed for U.S. citizens or permanent residents who are over 65 years of age and currently qualify and are enrolled in a Medicare plan.
Plan Highlights
- Offers immediate access to care and reimbursement for eligible medical expenses
- Allows the option to select a hospital or doctor of your choice
- Provides reimbursement for emergency and non-emergency care expenses
- Provides 24/7 emergency medical and travel assistance anywhere in the world
- Emergency room services
- Prescription medications
- Emergency medical evacuation
- Return of mortal remains
- Trip interruption
- Emergency dental care
Is International Health Insurance Necessary?
When considering whether or not to purchase a travel medical insurance plan for an international trip, it is important to weigh the pros and cons. Especially traveling as a senior, there are definitely certain risks associated with traveling far from home and in a new place. Truly, the only con to purchasing a travel medical insurance plan is the cost. However, there are plan options for all budgets available. A small investment now can save you thousands of dollars in the event of an illness or injury. The pros are endless, including medical coverage in the event of the unexpected and having the peace of mind during your travels that you’ll be covered if you need to seek emergency care.
Where to Purchase International Health Insurance for Seniors
To purchase an international health insurance plan for seniors, visit VisitorsCoverage for more information and to purchase your plan online today!
