There's no doubt that traveling as a senior can be an exciting and relaxing time, especially if you are early into retirement. However, any time you are traveling as a senior, it's important to ensure that you are protected financially in the event that you become ill or injured during your trip.
Unfortunately for Medicare recipients, Medicare doesn't usually cover you when you leave the United States. That doesn't need to prevent you from enjoying a trip abroad.
Purchasing travel health insurance will not only provide you with coverage in case of an accident or illness, but it'll also give you peace of mind while you venture somewhere new.
Does Medicare Cover International Travel?
The simple answer is: rarely. In most travel situations, Medicare won't cover you for healthcare or for medical supplies you get outside of the United States. However, this video explains some ways in which Medicare will cover you.
Medicare coverage does extend throughout the 50 United States, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, and the Northern Mariana Islands. However, once you step beyond these boundaries, your Medicare benefits generally stop.
What Is International Health Insurance for Seniors on Medicare?
International health insurance for seniors on Medicare is temporary medical insurance that can provide coverage for eligible medical expenses incurred while traveling outside of the United States. This specialized travel health insurance helps bridge the gap left by Medicare during international trips.
What Should I Look for in a Good Travel Medical Plan for Seniors?
When selecting travel medical insurance for seniors, focus on these key features:
- High medical coverage limits (at least $100,000)
- Substantial emergency evacuation coverage ($500,000+)
- Coverage for acute onset of pre-existing conditions
- 24/7 multilingual assistance services
- Direct payment to hospitals when possible
- Coverage in all countries on your itinerary
- Appropriate deductible options
- Repatriation benefits if needed
Without this coverage, seniors would need to pay out-of-pocket for any medical care received abroad, potentially leading to thousands of dollars in unexpected expenses.
Does Medicare Cover You on a Cruise Ship?
For seniors taking cruises, Medicare may cover you if there is a doctor onboard who's allowed to provide medical services under specific laws.
You can also use Medicare for medical coverage if the ship is within 6 hours of a U.S. port. If the ship happens to be any further away than 6 hours, then Medicare health cover will not cover you. In this instance, travel insurance can help.
How Travel Insurance for Seniors on Medicare Can Help
When you're traveling outside of the country, the last thing you want to worry about is whether or not you'd be covered in the event of an emergency. If a situation were to arise in which you have to visit a doctor or a hospital and you don't have travel medical insurance, you'd have to pay those bills out of pocket.
Keep in mind that medical treatment may be more expensive in a foreign county, and healthcare systems can often be confusing to navigate because of any applicable language barrier. A travel medical insurance policy will assist you in finding a doctor or hospital, and will also provide coverage for any financial burden that could be incurred.
For seniors especially, there are a number of additional benefits that travel medical insurance provides:
Medical Evacuation
One of the most valuable components of travel health insurance is emergency evacuation coverage. If you experience a serious medical issue in a location with inadequate healthcare facilities, evacuation to the nearest appropriate medical center becomes necessary. These evacuations can cost upwards of $50,000 without insurance coverage.
Emergency evacuation may also be required during natural disasters, political unrest, or other dangerous situations. Having senior travel insurance with this benefit could help you save money, time, and even your life.
Coverage Against Theft
Unfortunately, senior citizens can be more vulnerable targets for theft, especially if you're traveling to specific spots. Seniors traveling to Mexico, for example, might find themselves in more dangerous situations than if they were to visit Canada, for example.
Likewise, senior group travel can often attract negative attention from those wishing to try and steal wallets or passports.In the case of theft, a travel insurance policy can assist you with passport and/or currency replacement.
Holiday insurance for the elderly often includes coverage to help replace stolen passports, credit cards, and other essential items. Some policies may even cover emergency cash transfers if you lose access to your funds.
Protection Against Medical Emergencies
Should an accident or emergency occur while you are traveling abroad, your travel insurance policy will provide adequate coverage for any potential treatment that is required.
This can be a lifesaver if you have a medical emergency that requires hospitalization or a doctor's visit abroad.
Trip Interruption Benefits
Quality travel insurance for seniors typically includes trip interruption coverage, which reimburses you for the unused portion of your trip if you must return home early due to a covered reason, such as a medical emergency or family illness. This benefit can also cover the additional costs of arranging last-minute transportation home, potentially saving thousands of dollars in unexpected expenses.
Lost Luggage Coverage
Lost, stolen, or damaged luggage can create significant stress during travel. Many senior travel insurance policies include coverage to replace essential items if your baggage is delayed or lost. This benefit gives you the resources to purchase necessary clothing, medications, and personal items while your luggage situation is resolved, allowing you to continue enjoying your trip with minimal disruption.
Assistance Services
Quality travel insurance for older people includes 24/7 assistance services that help you:
- Locate appropriate medical facilities
- Overcome language barriers when seeking treatment
- Coordinate communication with healthcare providers at home
- Arrange for medical transportation if needed
- Replace lost prescriptions
- Handle medical billing and payment issues
The Importance of Comprehensive Travel Medical Insurance
When choosing medical travel insurance for seniors, understanding the difference between limited and comprehensive plans is crucial:
Limited Coverage Plans
These plans define specific benefit amounts for each type of service, such as $100 per doctor visit or $1,000 per hospital day. While these plans generally have lower premiums, they may leave you with significant out-of-pocket expenses for costly medical situations.
Comprehensive Coverage Plans
Comprehensive travel medical insurance works more like traditional health insurance, covering a percentage of costs after you meet your deductible. These plans provide more extensive coverage and greater financial protection, making them the preferred option for seniors taking trips abroad looking for solid travel insurance coverage.
For seniors with pre-existing conditions or those planning extended international trips, comprehensive plans offer the robust protection needed for peace of mind.
GlobeHopper Senior: Best Travel Insurance For Seniors on Medicare
If you're a senior on Medicare, there is one travel insurance policy that is ideal for you: GlobeHopper Senior. This plan is available for any U.S. citizen or resident, above the age of 65, who's enrolled into Medicare and Medicare Advantage Plans, and will be traveling anywhere outside of the United States.
One highlight of this plan is that it can provide coverage from 5-365 days, meaning that it's perfect for short trips abroad along with long stints outside of the United States. If, for example, you wanted to live in Costa Rica for a couple months at a time, this plan would provide comprehensive coverage while you're away from the U.S.
Best Travel Medical Insurance for Seniors
If you are a senior visiting the U.S. looking for the best travel health insurance for seniors, these are some plans we recommend:
Travel Insurance is a Necessity for Seniors Traveling Abroad
When it comes to traveling abroad as a senior, you want to make sure you're prepared for the unexpected in case anything goes wrong. The affordability of travel health insurance compared to the potential costs and high risks of uninsured medical emergencies and subsequent medical care makes this protection a crucial part of any international travel planning for seniors.
By purchasing international health insurance for seniors on Medicare, you'll have the peace of mind knowing that you're covered in the event of an emergency. This way, you can be stress-free and fully savor every moment of your trip.
- Medicare typically does not offer medical coverage for emergencies outside of the United States.
- International health insurance for seniors on Medicare can provide coverage for illnesses and injuries abroad.
- Comprehensive travel medical insurance plans offer better protection for seniors compared to other coverage options.
- Travel medical insurance for seniors can cover expenses like hospitalization, emergency evacuation, prescription medication, and more.
- Senior travel insurance can cover gaps that other insurance options leave and allows you to fully enjoy your international adventures at an affordable price.
Frequently Asked Questions About Senior Travel Insurance (FAQs)
Will my Medicare or supplemental plan cover me outside the U.S.?
Standard Medicare rarely covers medical care abroad. Some Medicare Supplement (Medigap) Plans C, D, F, G, M, and N provide limited foreign travel emergency coverage with a $250 deductible, 80% coverage, and a lifetime limit of $50,000. Some Medicare Advantage plans include basic emergency coverage outside the U.S., but with significant limitations.
For comprehensive protection during international travel, dedicated senior travel insurance is strongly recommended to fill the gaps in your Medicare coverage.
Does travel insurance cover pre-existing conditions?
Many standard travel insurance plans don't inherently cover pre-existing conditions, but there are two important options to consider:
- Acute onset coverage: Most quality medical travel insurance for seniors plans cover the "acute onset" of pre-existing conditions. This isn't traditional pre-existing condition coverage but provides protection if an otherwise stable condition unexpectedly flares up during your trip.
- Specialized pre-existing condition plans: Several insurance providers offer specialized travel health insurance plans specifically designed for seniors with ongoing medical conditions. These plans typically cost more but provide more comprehensive coverage for existing health concerns.
What happens if I get sick or injured abroad?
If you become ill or injured while traveling internationally with proper medical travel insurance for seniors:
- Contact your insurance provider's 24/7 emergency assistance line immediately
- The assistance team will help locate appropriate medical facilities and may arrange direct payment
- They can coordinate communication with local healthcare providers, overcoming language barriers
- If necessary, they'll arrange medical evacuation to adequate facilities or repatriation home
- Follow your provider's specific documentation requirements for any claims
Without travel medical insurance for seniors, you'd need to navigate foreign healthcare systems alone and pay all expenses out-of-pocket, which can quickly become financially devastating.
Are there age limits or higher premiums because I'm over 70/80?
Yes, age affects both availability and cost of travel insurance for seniors. While many standard travel policies have upper age limits, specialized senior travel insurance have higher limits or none at all. Premiums typically increase significantly after age 70 and again after 80. For travelers in their 80s, expect to pay 2-3 times more than travelers in their 60s for similar coverage.
Despite higher costs, the financial protection remains valuable considering the higher coverage limits with insurance policies, increased health risks, and potential medical expenses for older travelers.
If my travel companion gets sick, am I covered to cancel too?
Most comprehensive travel insurance for seniors plans cover trip cancellation if your travel companion becomes ill or injured and cannot travel, even if you remain healthy. This coverage typically applies if you would be traveling alone as a result of their cancellation. However, this benefit is generally found in broader travel insurance plans, not always in medical travel insurance for seniors. Be sure to verify this specific benefit when purchasing your policy, as coverage can vary between providers and plans.
What's the difference between travel insurance and travel medical insurance?
Travel insurance is a broader plan that typically includes trip cancellation/interruption, baggage loss/delay, travel delays, and some medical coverage. It primarily protects your trip investment.
Travel medical insurance for seniors on Medicare focuses specifically on healthcare coverage while traveling, including high coverage limits, emergency medical treatment, hospital stays, evacuation, and some trip cancellation and lost luggage coverage.
For international travel, seniors on Medicare should prioritize adequate medical coverage, whether through comprehensive travel insurance for seniors or a standalone medical travel insurance for seniors policy, since Medicare rarely covers care abroad.
Do I need to buy insurance from the airline, my credit card, or a third party?
Third-party insurance specialists typically offer the most comprehensive travel medical insurance for seniors with higher coverage limits and better benefits than airline or credit card policies. While some premium credit cards provide basic travel protection, their medical coverage is often limited. Airline-offered insurance tends to focus on trip cancellation rather than medical coverage.
For seniors on Medicare traveling internationally, specialized third-party senior travel insurance providers offer plans specifically designed to fill the gaps in Medicare coverage and address the unique healthcare needs of older travelers.
Will someone help me if I'm hospitalized abroad?
Yes, quality international travel medical insurance for seniors includes 24/7 assistance services that provide crucial support if you're hospitalized abroad:
- They can arrange direct payment to the hospital (eliminating large out-of-pocket expenses)
- Provide translation services to communicate with medical staff
- Monitor your treatment and ensure quality care
- Coordinate communication with your doctors at home
- Arrange medical evacuation if necessary
- Help family members reach you if needed
- Assist with returning home once you're medically stable
This comprehensive support system is one of the most valuable aspects of travel health insurance, particularly for seniors traveling internationally without Medicare coverage.
