After 40-plus years of hard work, nothing sounds better than traveling the world and enjoying every drop of your free time. However, that dream can turn sour quickly if a medical emergency occurs during your trip abroad. Since Medicare does not cover medical expenses outside of the U.S. (except in these three rare cases), you can rack up large amounts of medical debt that can be detrimental if you only live off your retirement nest egg.
Luckily, there are Medigap plans that do offer coverage for foreign travel emergencies, but not all plans include this benefit. Continue reading to discover how Medigap will give you peace of mind and coverage as you embark on your next trip.
What is Covered by Medigap Plans for Foreign Travel?
According to Medicare, “Your Medigap policy may cover services that Original Medicare doesn’t cover, like emergency medical care that you get outside the U.S.” Specifically, Medigap Plans C, D, F, G, M, and N offer foreign travel coverage.
This coverage includes:
-Emergency medical care, but only during the first 60 days of travel.
-80% of emergency costs after you’ve met a $250 deductible.
-A lifetime limit of $50,000 for foreign travel emergencies, which means you may struggle if you require extensive treatments.
One important thing to note is that this coverage only applies to emergencies. You will not be covered for routine care, pre-existing conditions, or medical evacuations. Due to these gaps in coverage, you should check for additional travel insurance options. And, of course, this offers no coverage for trip cancellations and other things that do not pertain to emergency medical interventions.
How to Prepare for International Travel with Medigap?
Now, just because you get a Medigap plan doesn’t mean you should just run off to another country without a care in the world. There are a few things you do before you head to the airport.
Review Your Policy. The most important thing you want to do is ensure that your Medigap plan includes foreign travel emergency benefits.
Carry Important Documentation. Along with your ID, passport, and plane tickets, ensure you bring your Medigap ID card and Medicare information.
Research Medical Facilities. While finding the ideal dinner spot is a key step to a successful trip, you need to know where to seek care in your destination country.
Keep Emergency Contacts Handy. Just in case you do suffer a medical emergency, you want to ensure that you have the numbers of your insurer, the U.S. embassy, and the local emergency services nearby.
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