International Travel Insurance for Medicare Recipients
Medicare provides very limited coverage outside the United States. A hospital stay in Europe can cost $10,000-$50,000. Emergency evacuation to the US can cost $25,000-$250,000. Medicare pays $0 in most cases. Any emergency care abroad is not covered, leaving US seniors responsible for high out-of-pocket costs. GlobeHopper Senior insurance starting at $2.8 per day is one of the best Medicare Supplement Travel Insurance for US seniors travelling overseas available on American Visitor Insurance which fills that gap.
Best International Travel Insurance Plans for Medicare Recipients in 2026
GlobeHopper Senior Travel Insurance by IMG - purpose-built for US citizens 65+ with Medicare Parts A & B. Available as a Single Trip plan (5-365 days) or an Annual Multi-Trip plan (30 days per trip, unlimited trips per year).
- Coverage: 5 days to 365 days
- Up to $1,000,000 coverage (under age 80)
- $100,000 coverage for age 80+
- $2,500 for sudden pre-existing recurrence
- $25,000 emergency medical evacuation
- Requires Medicare Parts A & B
- Coverage: 12 months, unlimited trips
- Up to 30 days per trip
- $100,000 maximum • $250 deductible
- $2,500 for sudden pre-existing recurrence
- $25,000 emergency medical evacuation
- Ideal for frequent international travelers
Does Medicare Cover International Travel?
Medicare provides very limited coverage outside the United States and only applies in a few specific and rare situations.
- Original Medicare: No, it usually does not cover you outside the U.S. (only in very rare emergencies)
- Medicare Advantage: Covers emergencies only, and benefits depend on the plan
- Medigap: May cover about 80% of emergency costs, but with limits
- Best option: Get travel medical insurance from American Visitor Insurance for full protection during your trip abroad
When Does Medicare Cover Medical Care Outside the U.S.?
Medicare may cover care outside the U.S. only in a few rare situations:
- You are in the U.S., but a foreign hospital is closer than a U.S. hospital
- You are traveling between Alaska and another U.S. state through Canada
- You are on a cruise ship within 6 hours of a U.S. port
- You have a serious emergency where waiting could risk your life
Medicare vs Travel Insurance
| Medicare | Travel Insurance |
|---|---|
| Limited coverage, usually only for emergencies and only in rare situations outside the U.S. | Covers hospital stays, doctor visits, emergency evacuation, and trip interruptions while traveling abroad |
Imagine you are traveling in Europe and suddenly fall sick:
| With Medicare | With Travel Insurance (from American Visitor Insurance) |
|---|---|
|
|
What Medicare Does NOT Cover Outside the U.S.?
- Routine doctor visits
- Prescription drugs purchased abroad
- Medical evacuation or repatriation
- Follow-up care after hospitalization
- Preventive care
What Happens Without Travel Insurance?
- Hospital stay in Europe: $10,000-$50,000
- Emergency evacuation to U.S.: $25,000-$250,000
- Medicare pays: $0 in most cases
Does Medicare Cover You Overseas?
Generally, Medicare does not cover international travel medical expenses outside the U.S., except in very limited situations. This means most travelers will not have coverage for healthcare abroad.
Medicare may provide coverage only in rare cases, such as:
- Emergencies while traveling between Alaska and the mainland U.S. through Canada
- If you live near the U.S. border and a foreign hospital is closer than a U.S. hospital
Does Medicare Cover You on a Cruise Ship?
Medicare may cover medical care on a cruise ship, but only under specific conditions:
- You are within U.S. territorial waters, or
- You are no more than 6 hours away from a U.S. port.
Outside of these limits, Medicare does not cover cruise travel medical expenses.
What is the Best Medicare Supplement Travel Insurance for US Seniors?
| Your Trip Type | GlobeHopper Plan to Choose | Key Reason |
|---|---|---|
| One-time trip abroad (5-365 days) | GlobeHopper Senior Single Trip | Flexible trip length, up to $1M coverage under age 80 |
| Frequent traveler (3+ trips/year) | GlobeHopper Senior Multi-Trip | One annual policy, unlimited trips up to 30 days each |
| Cruise (within eligible waters) | GlobeHopper Senior Single Trip | Covers emergency medical on qualifying cruises |
| Senior 65+ with Medicare | GlobeHopper Senior (either plan) | Purpose-built for Medicare Parts A & B holders |
How Much Does Medicare Travel Insurance for Seniors Cost in 2026?
Medicare Travel Insurance for Seniors Starting at $2.8/Day
The cost of medicare supplement travel insurance for seniors starts at $2.8/day depending on the age, policy maximum, deductible, and trip duration. Coverage may include emergency medical treatment, hospitalization, evacuation benefits, and protection for pre-existing conditions.
Compare rates for one-time international trips
Annual coverage for frequent travelers
What is the Best International Travel Insurance for Seniors on Medicare?
International travel insurance for seniors on Medicare is a type of travel medical insurance that covers your healthcare costs when you travel outside the United States.
Since Medicare does not usually cover medical expenses abroad, this insurance becomes very important for seniors traveling internationally.
What Does It Cover?
A good travel insurance plan for seniors with Medicare can cover:
- Hospital stays and surgeries
- Doctor visits and emergency medical treatment
- Prescription medications (in many plans)
- Emergency medical services while traveling abroad
Why Do Seniors on Medicare Need Travel Insurance?
- Medicare has very limited international coverage
- Most hospitals overseas do not accept Medicare
- Medical care abroad can be very expensive.
This is why international travel medical insurance for seniors acts as a safety net, protecting you from high medical bills.
Emergency Medical Evacuation Coverage
Many plans also include:
- Emergency medical evacuation to the nearest hospital
- Transportation back to the U.S. if needed
This is especially important because Medicare does not cover medical evacuation, which can cost thousands of dollars.
How It Works with Medicare
- Travel insurance works as secondary coverage or supplement insurance
- It fills the gaps where Medicare does not provide coverage, especially outside the U.S.
Travel Insurance for US Seniors With Medicare Coverage
Does Medicare cover medical costs for U.S. citizens visiting the USA?
- US citizens should realise that Medicare and its supplements provide very little coverage outside US borders.
- There is a travel health insurance plan specifically designed for older American travelers.
- Indianapolis based International Medical Group (IMG) offers GlobeHopper Senior - an affordable overseas travel medical insurance option for US citizens and US permanent residents 65 years and older.
The GlobeHopper Senior plan is available either as
Key benefits includes:
- check_circle Provides $1 million coverage up to the age of 79 years
- check_circle Provides $100,000 coverage for travelers 80 years and older
- check_circle Includes $2,500 cover for sudden unexpected recurrence of a pre-existing condition
- check_circle Includes $25,000 coverage for emergency medical evacuation
- Read More
I'm a U.S. citizen traveling abroad. Can I renew my GlobeHopper Senior travel insurance plan if it has already expired?
Unfortunately, plans cannot be renewed after their expiration date. To stay protected, travelers should renew or extend coverage before the plan expires. If your policy has already lapsed, you'll need to purchase a new plan for your next trip.
Why is Travel Insurance Essential for Seniors Traveling Abroad?
Traveling abroad is exciting, but seniors should be prepared for unexpected situations. Travel insurance for seniors is essential because it protects you from high medical costs and travel emergencies.
- Medicare does not usually cover healthcare outside the U.S.
- Foreign hospitals may require payment upfront
- Medical emergencies abroad can be very expensive
With international travel insurance for seniors on Medicare, you get coverage for hospital stays, doctor visits, and emergency services while traveling.
What Countries Accept U.S. Medicare for Seniors?
U.S. Medicare is generally not accepted outside the United States. However, there are a few exceptions:
Where Medicare May Be Accepted
-
U.S. Territories:
Medicare is accepted in:- Puerto Rico
- Guam
- U.S. Virgin Islands
- American Samoa
- Northern Mariana Islands
-
Canada & Mexico (Limited Situations):
Medicare may cover care only in rare cases, such as:- During an emergency while traveling between Alaska and another U.S. state through Canada
- If a foreign hospital is closer than the nearest U.S. hospital
Outside of these situations, Medicare coverage abroad is extremely limited.
International Travel Insurance for Seniors with Medicare
Since Medicare has limited international coverage, seniors should understand the risks of traveling without additional insurance.
- Medicare is a U.S. federal health insurance program for people age 65+
- It usually does not cover medical care outside the U.S.
- Coverage may apply only in very specific situations
Can U.S. seniors with Medicare buy Globe Hopper Senior Insurance?
I’m a U.S. senior with Medicare, and I’m planning to travel outside the country soon. I heard about the Globe Hopper Senior insurance plan and wanted to know if I’m eligible to buy it. Also, will this plan work alongside my existing Medicare coverage, or do I need anything extra?
Thank you,
Michael Dear Michael,
Thank you for contacting American Visitor Insurance with your inquiry! IMG offers a plan called Globe Hopper Senior which is available for persons 65 and older if they have Medicare Parts A and B and a supplement for travel outside the US.You can purchase Globe Hopper with a maximum of $50,000, $100,000, $500,000 or $1 million coverage.Note that, to get upper amounts of coverage, you must have at least a $250 deductible.
This plan will cost about $134 for you and your partner for your 8 day trip with a $100,000 maximum and a $250 deductible.
For all information about the Globe Hopper Senior single trip insurance , go here:
GlobeHopper Senior Single Trip
For frequent travelers, there is also an annual multi-trip version of this plan. It has a $100,000 maximum and a $250 deductible for trips up to 30 days in duration (no limit on number of trips).
For all information about the Globe Hopper Senior Multi-Trip insurance , go here:
GlobeHopper Senior Multi-Trip insurance
Let us know if you have any further questions or would like some different options.
Sincerely,www.americanvisitorinsurance.com
Customer care
(877) 340 7910
Travel insurance for US senior citizens
Get the right coverage designed for seniors traveling from the U.S., with protection for medical emergencies and peace of mind during your trip.
When Medicare May Cover International Medical Expenses?
Medicare (Part B) may pay for care abroad only if:
- You are admitted to a foreign hospital closer than a U.S. hospital
- You need emergency care while traveling through Canada between Alaska and another state
- You are in a serious emergency where the nearest hospital is outside the U.S.
- You are on a cruise ship within 6 hours of a U.S. port
These situations are rare, and coverage is very limited.
Why Travel Insurance is the Best Option?
With travel medical insurance for seniors on Medicare, you can get:
- Coverage for hospital stays and doctor visits
- Emergency medical evacuation (not covered by Medicare)
- Ambulance and urgent care services
- Peace of mind while traveling abroad
International Travel Insurance for Seniors with Medicare
If you are a U.S. senior traveling abroad, it’s important to understand how Medicare coverage outside the U.S. works.
In most cases, Medicare does not cover healthcare services outside the United States. For example, if you are on a cruise ship and it is more than 6 hours away from a U.S. port, Medicare will not pay for medical care. Similarly, Medicare prescription drug plans (Part D) do not cover medications purchased in foreign countries.
Medicare is generally accepted only within the United States and its territories, including:
- All 50 U.S. states
- District of Columbia
- Puerto Rico
- U.S. Virgin Islands
- Guam
- Northern Mariana Islands
- American Samoa
Outside of these locations, Medicare international coverage is extremely limited.
This means that popular travel destinations for Americans—such as Canada, Mexico, Europe, the Caribbean, South America, Australia, and Asia—are not covered by regular Medicare plans.
Because of these limitations, many travelers choose to buy international travel medical insurance for U.S. citizens. A good travel insurance plan can help cover:
- Hospital stays and doctor visits
- Emergency medical treatment
- Prescription medications abroad
- Emergency medical evacuation
Having the right travel health insurance for seniors on Medicare ensures you are protected from unexpected medical expenses while traveling overseas.
Europe Long Stay Travel Insurance for Over 65 Years
US citizens do not need Schengen Visa for visiting Europe for up to 90 days. However if they wish to live, work, study or do business in Europe for a long duration then they need to apply for resident visa or national visa of that European country. One of the necessary documents that they need while applying for long term Europe residence permit is long stay Europe travel insurance with a minimum of 30,000 Euros medical coverage, evacuation and repatriation coverage which must be valid though out the entire duration of stay in Europe.
Get quote »Cruise Travel Medical Insurance for Senior Citizens
Medicare Coverage International Travel Insurance - FAQ's
No, Medicare usually does not cover medical care in Europe or India, except in very rare emergency situations.
Yes, you should get travel insurance because Medicare does not cover most medical costs outside the U.S.
No, Medicare does not cover emergency evacuation (like air ambulance back to the U.S.).
Some Medicare Advantage plans may cover emergency care abroad, but coverage is limited and depends on your specific plan.
While not legally required, having travel medical insurance is highly recommended for seniors on Medicare to avoid potentially high out-of-pocket costs in case of a medical emergency.
Medicare Travel Insurance for Medical Evacuation
GlobeHopper Senior includes $25,000 Emergency Medical Evacuation coverage in both the Single Trip and Multi-Trip plans - no separate evacuation policy needed.
Includes $25,000 Emergency Medical Evacuation coverage with trip lengths from 5 to 365 days.
Includes $25,000 Emergency Medical Evacuation coverage with 12 months of coverage and unlimited trips up to 30 days each.
Why Choose IMG GlobeHopper Senior for Medicare Recipients?
GlobeHopper Senior from International Medical Group (IMG) is specifically designed for U.S. citizens and permanent residents aged 65 and older who are enrolled in Medicare Parts A and B. The plan provides international travel medical coverage that Medicare generally does not offer outside the United States.
Available as both a Single Trip and Annual Multi-Trip plan, GlobeHopper Senior helps protect Medicare recipients against unexpected medical expenses, hospitalization, emergency medical evacuation, and sudden unexpected recurrence of pre-existing conditions while traveling abroad.