A friend of mine heard while traveling with others that medicare does not pay for hospitalization out of the coutry with exception of perhaps Mexica and Canada. This woman had a heart attack in a Central American country and the local hospital refused treatment until $10,000 was wired to the hospital. An additional $5,000 was billed when the travelers returned home. Apprarently Medicare declined payment of these expenses because it was out of the country. Does anyone know about Medicare payments out of the country? Does supplemental insurance typically cover such events? Is trip insurance sold by travel agenices, etc. good for this situation?

If you are already covered by Medicare then I would check with them directly (or whatever insurance carrier you use).
You can certainly get supplemental insurance which covers medical admissions and even evacuation costs back to the US but if you do that then read the fine print, particularly the exclusions and "pre-existing conditions" sections.
Seriously, if you are relying on information about your insurance from folks here who will give you their honest opiniosn, at best, I think you are doing yourself a disservice.

Hi TT,

You should, of course, contact Medicare. However, at this site, the State of Texas warns it retirees that Medicare does not cover expenses outside the US.
www.ers.state.tx.us/Retirees/PDFs/OutsideTx.pdf

Unfortunately, Ira, you are incorrect...the site says specifically that costs will be covered but a claim must be filed in the case of outpatient care...and this is all the more reason why your advice to contact Medicare directly is so important.

Hi Two - when we went with Mom overseas last year, we investigated - nothing covered her, not Medicare nor her supplemental. We bought travelers insurance for her with all sorts of coverage for $10 a day. We didn't need it, but it was good to know it was there. Not all insurers cover travelers over age 70, so be sure to read the fine print.

I always assumed Medicare would not cover but what is scarier is if you have to be "evacuated" home. A friend of mine got a blood clot in her leg while in Italy and it cost her $15,000 for special arrangements home. I can't remember that I asked about her hospital insurance - she was hospitalized there for a week. She is still limping badly after 9 months. Trip insurance is an inexpensive investment to me considering what might happen.

Medicare does not cover hospitalization overseas. However, Medigap Plan C thru J (supplimental insurance)covers 80% of medically necessary emergency care in a foreign country, after a $250 deductible

Dear JonJon,

Please reread the page. It refers to how to file a claim with the supplemental carrier.

The last line specifically states that Medicare doesn't pay for care outside the US.

From CMS website: http://cms.hhs.gov/medicare/

The Original Medicare Plan does not cover health care when you travel outside the United States, except for some emergency situations in Mexico and Canada. In rare cases, Medicare can pay for inpatient hospital services that you get in Canada or Mexico. Medicare can pay only if:

You are in the United States when a medical emergency occurs and the Canadian or Mexican hospital is closer than the nearest U.S. hospital that can treat the emergency.

You are traveling through Canada without unreasonable delay by the most direct route between Alaska and another state when a medical emergency occurs and the Canadian hospital is closer than the nearest U.S. hospital that can treat the emergency.

You live in the United States and the Canadian or Mexican hospital is closer to your home than the nearest U.S. hospital that can treat your medical condition, regardless of whether an emergency exists.

Some Medicare managed care plans may provide worldwide coverage benefits for health care needs when you travel outside the United States. You should check with your Medicare managed care plan prior to traveling outside of the United States regarding worldwide coverage benefits.

Medigap policies C, D, E, F, G, H, I, and J provide Foreign Travel Emergency health care coverage when you travel outside the United States. Under these plans, Medigap policies pay for 80% of the cost of emergency care during the first 60 days of each trip after you pay the $250 deductible. Foreign Travel Emergency coverage with Medigap policies have a lifetime limit of $50,000. Check with your plan or insurance regarding your coverage before you travel outside the country.

Rufus
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