Medicare International Coverage: Where U.S. Medicare Works Abroad

When you're Medicare international coverage, the extent to which U.S. Medicare pays for healthcare services outside the United States. It's not a global health plan—it's limited, confusing, and often misunderstood. Most people assume Medicare follows them wherever they travel, but that’s not true. Only in rare cases does it cover care outside the U.S., and even then, it’s usually emergency-only. If you're planning a trip, retirement abroad, or medical tourism, you need to know exactly what’s covered—and what’s not.

There are a few places where Medicare might help, like U.S. territories (Puerto Rico, Guam), but for most countries, you’re on your own. Medical tourism, the practice of traveling to another country for affordable, high-quality medical care. It's growing fast, especially among seniors looking for lower-cost surgeries or long-term care. Countries like Mexico, Thailand, and India offer world-class hospitals at a fraction of U.S. prices. But Medicare won’t pay for it. You’ll need private insurance, a health savings account, or cash. Some travelers use Medicare coverage overseas, the limited exceptions where Medicare pays for care in foreign countries. These include emergencies on a cruise ship near U.S. waters or if you're in Canada and the nearest hospital is closer than any U.S. one.

Don’t confuse Medicare with private travel insurance or supplemental plans. Many seniors buy Medigap or international travel insurance to fill the gaps. But even then, coverage varies. If you’re thinking about getting a hip replacement in Costa Rica or a heart procedure in India, you’ll need to plan ahead—Medicare won’t handle the billing. You’ll pay out of pocket and then try to get reimbursed, if at all. And forget about routine care, prescriptions, or follow-ups. Medicare doesn’t cover those abroad, period.

That’s why knowing your options matters. The posts below cover real situations: which countries actually accept U.S. Medicare for seniors, what kind of care you can get, and how to avoid costly mistakes. You’ll find guides on medication passports for safe travel, how to compare costs in places like Mississippi for medical tourism, and what to do if your insurance denies coverage for a drug like Ozempic. You’ll also see how older adults manage heart surgery, diabetes meds, and recovery abroad—without relying on Medicare to foot the bill. These aren’t theoretical tips. They’re from people who’ve been there.