Medicare Abroad: What's Actually Covered When You Leave the U.S.
Watch on YouTube Medicare generally does not cover care outside the United States. There are only three narrow exceptions (Canadian emergency on Alaska route, ship within 6 hours of a U.S. port, closer foreign hospital), and all require a true emergency. This video explains the Medigap foreign travel benefit (80% up to $50,000 — plans C, D, F, G, M, N), Medicare Advantage abroad rules, travel medical insurance options, and what happens to your Medicare if you retire abroad permanently. Check the playlist for the full Social Security series. Next video: How Social Security benefits get taxed.
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Medicare generally doesn't cover care outside the U.S. — period. Limited exceptions exist for emergencies in Canada on direct routes to Alaska, ships in U.S. waters, and a few narrow cases. Most travel medical coverage comes from Medigap's foreign-travel benefit or private travel insurance. This episode spells out the coverage gap.
Key Topics
- The general rule: Medicare is U.S.-only
- Narrow Medicare foreign exceptions (Canadian emergency, ships, etc.)
- Medigap foreign travel benefit (80% up to $50,000 lifetime)
- Which Medigap letter plans include foreign travel (C, D, F, G, M, N)
- Medicare Advantage foreign coverage (generally emergency-only, plan-dependent)
- Travel medical insurance gap-fills
- Living abroad permanently — Medicare stays, Part B premiums too