Most of the time, Medicare helps pay for your care anywhere in the United States. It depends on the doctor you see and where you go for care.
Outside the United States, Medicare usually does not pay, except in a few special cases. A Medicare Advantage plan (also called Part C) or a Medicare Supplement plan (also called Medigap) may help you pay less.
Traveling in the United States
What does Medicare cover when you travel out of state?
If you travel to another state, what you pay depends on your plan. It also depends on whether the doctor or place you get care is in your plan’s network.
If you have Original Medicare: You can usually see any doctor or get care at any hospital in the U.S. that accepts Medicare — even in another state.
Learn more about Original Medicare
If you have a Medicare Advantage plan (HMO or PPO): Emergency and urgent care are covered at any hospital in the U.S. For regular care, your plan may only pay if you use in-network doctors. With a PPO, you may be able to use out-of-network doctors, but it may cost more.
Learn more about Aetna Medicare Advantage plans
If you have a Medicare Supplement insurance plan (Medigap): Medigap works with Original Medicare. You can still use doctors and hospitals anywhere in the U.S. that take Medicare. Medigap may help pay your share of the costs.
Learn more about Aetna® Medicare Supplement plans
What does Medicare cover when you travel in the U.S.?
Here’s a simple look at how coverage can work when you travel in the U.S.
| Travel coverage | Original Medicare (Parts A and B) | Medicare Advantage plans (HMO/PPO) | Medigap (Medicare Supplement) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Travel care in the U.S. | Works anywhere if the doctor takes Medicare | Often paid for, but rules can change by plan and place. | Works with Original Medicare anywhere in the U.S. |
| Routine care in another state | Yes, if the doctor takes Medicare | HMO plans have more rules; PPO plans may let you go to doctors not in the plan. | Yes, if Medicare pays for it |
| Emergency care in the U.S. | Paid for anywhere in the U.S. | Paid for anywhere in the U.S., even outside your plan area. | Paid for when Medicare says it is paid for |
| Medication when traveling (U.S.) | Not included (you need Part D) | Often included. You may be able to use pharmacies across the U.S. | Not included (you need Part D) |
| Care outside the U.S. | Usually not paid for (only special cases) | Many plans help pay for emergency care in other countries. | Some plans help pay a little for emergencies outside the U.S. |
| Good choice for: | People who only travel in the U.S. | People who travel a lot in the U.S. Some plans also help internationally in emergencies. | People who have Original Medicare. It helps pay for medical-related costs when you travel. |
Common questions about traveling in the U.S.
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PDP (Part D): A Part D plan is also called a prescription drug plan (PDP). PDPs can cover your prescriptions when you travel in the U.S. You usually need to use a pharmacy in your plan’s network. If you use a pharmacy that is not in network, you may pay more or the plan may not cover it. Learn more about our plans.
MAPD (Part C and Part D): This is a Medicare Advantage plan that often includes drug coverage. When you travel, your drug coverage usually works the same way — use an in-network pharmacy when you can. Learn more about our plans.
What to do when you travel:
- Use a pharmacy in your plan’s network (ask your plan for a list or use its pharmacy finder).
- Bring your plan ID card and a current list of your medications.
- If you can’t find an in-network pharmacy, call the number on your ID card to ask what to do.
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- Emergency: Call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room for serious problems (like chest pain or trouble breathing).
- Urgent care: Use urgent care for problems that need fast help but are not life-threatening (like a bad cut).
If you have a Medicare Advantage plan, emergency and urgent care are covered even when you are outside the plans service area. For regular care, check your plans rules.
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Usually, no. If you use an in-network pharmacy, the pharmacy bills your plan for you, and you pay your usual copay. You may need to send in a claim if you used an out-of-network pharmacy or if you paid the full price and want your plan to pay you back.
You might need to send in a claim if:
- You used a pharmacy that is out-of-network.
- You paid the full price and want to ask for your money back.
- The pharmacy could not bill your plan when you were there.
How to send in a claim:
- Keep your receipt.
- Ask your plan for a prescription claim form (online or by mail).
- Fill out the form and send it in with your receipt.
You usually do not need to send in a claim if:
- You used an in network pharmacy and paid your normal copay.
- The pharmacy billed your plan when you picked up your medication.
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- Pack your member ID card (and your Part D card, if you have one).
- Bring a list of medications and doctors.
- Refill medications before you leave, if you can.
- Know where the nearest hospital and urgent care are where you are going.
- If you have Medicare Advantage, check your network rules for routine care.
Traveling internationally
If you travel to another country, Medicare usually does not pay. But a Medicare Advantage plan or some Medigap plans may help if you have an emergency.
What does Medicare cover when you travel internationally?
Here’s a simple look at coverage when you travel internationally.
| Coverage Area | Original Medicare (Parts A and B) | Medicare Advantage (HMO/PPO) | Medigap (Medicare Supplement) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Care outside the United States | Usually not covered, with very limited exceptions | Many plans cover emergency and urgent care abroad. | Some plans include limited foreign emergency coverage. |
| Emergency care overseas | Usually not covered | Emergency and urgent care often covered (plan‑specific limits apply) | Limited emergency coverage, usually with lifetime caps. |
| Follow‑up or routine care overseas | Not covered | Usually not covered | Not covered |
| Medical evacuation or transport abroad | Not covered | Usually not covered | Usually not covered |
| How claims are handled internationally | Member pays full cost | Member often pays upfront and submits for reimbursement. | Member pays upfront and submits for reimbursement. |
| Good choice for: | U.S. travel | People who travel often and want some international emergency coverage. | U.S. travel and some international travel. |
Common questions about traveling internationally
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Get emergency help right away. Then call your plan as soon as you can.
- If you have Medicare Advantage, your plan may pay for emergency care abroad (up to plan limits).
- If you have Medigap, your plan may help pay for foreign emergency care (up to plan limits).
- What is usually not covered: regular checkups, routine care and most follow-up care outside the U.S.
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- You may have to pay the bill at the time you get care.
- Save all receipts and any doctor notes.
- Call your plan and ask how to send your paperwork in so you can get paid back.
Do you have Aetna Medicare and want to file a claim? Get the forms you need.
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Usually, Medicare doesn't pay to fly you home or move you to another country for care. Some plans may pay for emergency transportation. But it depends on the plan.
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- Call your plan and ask: “Do I have emergency coverage outside the U.S.?”
- Bring your member ID card and the phone number for your plan.
- Pack enough medication for the trip (plus a few extra days if you can).
- Know how to get emergency help where you are going.
Medicare is there for you when you travel
Medicare can help when you travel. But the rules can change based on where you go and what plan you have. In the U.S., you can usually get care, especially in an emergency. Outside the U.S., Medicare usually does not pay. But some plans may help in an emergency.
Before you leave:
- Call your plan.
- Know where to go for urgent care or emergencies.
- Save receipts if you get care or fill a prescription.
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Already a member?
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- Log in to your secure member website
- Check your plan details to see what help is included.
- Contact Member Services if you have questions about your benefits.
