Does Medicare Cover Medical Care in Europe?

Medicare is the federal health insurance program for individuals aged 65 or older and certain younger people with disabilities. Many beneficiaries planning international travel often inquire about Medicare’s reach beyond U.S. borders. This article clarifies Medicare’s international policies and outlines supplemental options for travelers to ensure adequate medical protection while abroad.

Medicare’s Approach to International Healthcare

Medicare generally does not cover healthcare services received outside the United States and its territories, including all countries in Europe. The term “outside the U.S.” encompasses any location other than the 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, and the Northern Mariana Islands.

This limitation means that if you experience a medical emergency or require routine care while traveling in Europe, your Original Medicare (Parts A and B) will typically not pay for those services. You would be responsible for the full cost of any medical treatment received.

Specific Situations Where Medicare May Cover

While the general rule limits Medicare coverage abroad, there are specific exceptions where Original Medicare (Parts A and B) might provide coverage for services in a foreign hospital. These exceptions are narrowly defined and do not typically apply to planned travel in Europe. In these limited scenarios, Medicare would cover its share of medically necessary services, with beneficiaries still responsible for deductibles, coinsurance, and copayments as they would in the U.S.

One exception occurs if you are in the U.S. when a medical emergency arises, and a foreign hospital is closer and better equipped to treat your condition than the nearest U.S. hospital. Another situation involves traveling through Canada without unreasonable delay on the most direct route between Alaska and another U.S. state. If a medical emergency occurs during this transit, and a Canadian hospital is closer than the nearest U.S. hospital that can provide treatment, Medicare may cover the services. Medicare determines what constitutes “without unreasonable delay” on a case-by-case basis.

A third specific instance is if you reside in the U.S. and a foreign hospital is closer to your home than the nearest U.S. hospital that can treat your medical condition, regardless of whether it is an emergency. Medicare Part B may also cover emergency and non-emergency ambulance and doctor services received immediately before and during a covered foreign inpatient hospital stay. However, Medicare generally does not cover return ambulance trips home or doctor services received outside the hospital after a covered foreign hospital stay ends.

Supplementing Your Coverage for European Travel

Given Medicare’s limited international coverage, travelers to Europe should consider supplemental options to ensure adequate medical protection. Travel insurance is a primary means to cover unforeseen medical expenses abroad. These policies can include coverage for emergency medical treatment, emergency medical evacuation, and even repatriation of remains. Comprehensive travel insurance often covers hospital stays, doctor visits, prescription medications, and ambulance services. For those requiring a Schengen visa, travel insurance with a minimum of €30,000 in medical coverage, valid across all Schengen countries for the duration of the stay, is typically mandatory.

Certain Medicare Supplement Insurance plans, known as Medigap, offer limited foreign travel emergency coverage. Plans C, D, F, G, M, and N provide this benefit. These plans typically cover 80% of billed charges for medically necessary emergency care outside the U.S., after a $250 annual deductible is met. This coverage has a lifetime limit of $50,000 and applies if the emergency care begins within the first 60 days of the trip. It is important to note that Medigap does not cover routine care or pre-existing conditions while abroad.

Some Medicare Advantage Plans (Part C) may offer limited emergency coverage outside the U.S. The extent of this coverage varies significantly by plan. Beneficiaries should contact their plan provider to understand what, if any, international emergency benefits are included. Some employer or union health plans may also provide international coverage, so check with the plan administrator before traveling.

Practical Steps Before Traveling

Before embarking on a trip to Europe, taking proactive steps regarding health and medical needs can alleviate potential concerns. Begin by contacting your current health insurance provider, including Medicare, Medigap, or Medicare Advantage plans, to confirm any existing international coverage. This step clarifies what benefits, if any, you might have while abroad.

When purchasing travel insurance, carefully review the policy details. Look for coverage that includes medical evacuation, which transports you to the nearest appropriate medical facility or back home, and ensure it covers any pre-existing conditions you may have, if desired. Sufficient coverage limits are also important, with recommendations for at least $50,000 in emergency medical coverage.

Prepare essential medical information to carry with you. This should include a list of all medications, dosages, medical conditions, and allergies, along with your doctor’s contact information. Carrying copies of your prescriptions can be beneficial. Have emergency contact information readily available and be aware of the European emergency number, 112, which connects to police, ambulance, and fire services across the European Union. Check travel health advisories and ensure all necessary immunizations are up-to-date for your destination.