Medicare Travel Check
Identify coverage questions before domestic and international travel. Especially important for Medicare Advantage enrollees — your coverage is network-based and does not automatically follow you everywhere.
Medicare Advantage — Domestic travel
Confirm your destination is in your plan's service area or has in-network providers.
Medicare Advantage plans are network-based. Out-of-area coverage is typically limited to emergencies.
Confirm your plan covers emergency care anywhere in the U.S.
Federal law requires MA plans to cover emergency care nationwide, but the definition of "emergency" matters.
Check whether urgent care (non-emergency) is covered out of network.
Many MA plans cover urgent care out of area, but cost-sharing may differ from in-network.
Confirm your Part D drug coverage works at pharmacies in your destination.
Most Part D plans use national pharmacy networks. Check your plan's pharmacy locator.
Check whether any planned procedures or specialist visits require prior authorization.
Prior auth requirements do not pause while you travel.
Save your plan's member services number and the number on the back of your card.
You may need to call for pre-authorization or to locate in-network providers.
Original Medicare — Domestic travel
Confirm: Original Medicare (Parts A and B) works with any Medicare-accepting provider in the U.S.
No network restrictions. You can see any provider who accepts Medicare assignment.
If you have a Medigap policy, confirm it covers cost-sharing for out-of-state care.
Most Medigap plans follow you anywhere in the U.S. Check your plan documents.
Confirm your Part D drug coverage works at pharmacies in your destination.
Most Part D plans use national pharmacy networks. Check your plan's pharmacy locator.
Save your Medicare card and Medigap/Part D card.
You may need them at any provider or pharmacy.
International travel — all plan types
Understand: Original Medicare generally does NOT cover care outside the U.S.
There are very limited exceptions for care on a ship within 6 hours of a U.S. port, or in Canada between Alaska and another state.
Understand: Medicare Advantage plans generally do NOT cover international care except emergencies — and only some plans include this.
Check your plan's Evidence of Coverage (EOC) for the exact international emergency benefit.
If you have a Medigap Plan C, D, F, G, M, or N, confirm whether it includes the foreign travel emergency benefit.
These plans cover 80% of emergency care costs outside the U.S. after a $250 deductible, up to a $50,000 lifetime limit.
Consider a separate travel health insurance policy for international trips.
Travel health insurance can fill the gap that Medicare leaves. Look for policies that include medical evacuation.
Understand: Part D drug coverage does not apply outside the U.S.
Bring enough medication for your trip. Ask your doctor about a vacation override if needed.
If cruising, check whether your ship's medical facility accepts your coverage.
Cruise ship medical facilities are private — they do not accept Medicare. Travel insurance is strongly recommended.
How to find out: Look at your Medicare card. If it says "Medicare Advantage" or shows a plan name (like Humana or UnitedHealthcare), you have Medicare Advantage. If it's the standard red, white, and blue Medicare card, you have Original Medicare.
You can also call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) to confirm your coverage type.
Save your checklist and ask Fern follow-up questions
Members can save this checklist to their Medicare record, export a PDF, and ask Fern specific questions about their plan's travel coverage — before they leave.
Learn about membership →This tool organizes general Medicare coverage principles for travel planning. Coverage details vary by plan. Always confirm your specific plan's travel coverage in your Evidence of Coverage (EOC) or by calling your plan's member services number before traveling. Last reviewed: July 2026. Review date: January 2027.