Quick answer
Before you travel abroad, check what your health plan covers outside the U.S. Many plans cover little or nothing, and Original Medicare generally doesn’t cover care abroad. Travel medical insurance fills the gap for emergencies, and medical evacuation coverage pays to get you to proper care, which the State Department says can cost $20,000 to $200,000 by air ambulance.
Key takeaways
- Call your insurer before you go and ask what it covers abroad.
- Foreign hospitals often want payment upfront, even if you have coverage.
- Travel medical insurance covers emergencies; medical evacuation coverage gets you to proper care.
- Trip cancellation and interruption coverage protects what you’ve paid for the trip.
- Pack your insurance card, claim forms and a list of your medications.
On this page
Does your health plan cover you abroad?
ACA plans must cover 10 essential health benefits, but federal rules don’t require them to cover care in other countries. What you get depends on your plan type:
| Plan type | Typical coverage abroad |
|---|---|
| HMO | Often nothing, or emergencies only |
| EPO | Often nothing, or emergencies only |
| PPO | Sometimes emergencies and urgent care, paid at out-of-network rates |
| POS | Varies; check your plan |
Countries with public health systems don’t treat American visitors for free, either. The U.S. doesn’t have agreements that give visitors free care in other countries’ public systems, and countries like the United Kingdom, France and Australia generally charge visitors, sometimes more than residents pay.
If you have Medicare, Original Medicare generally doesn’t cover care outside the U.S. Several Medigap plans pay 80% of emergency care abroad after a $250 deductible, up to a $50,000 lifetime limit, and some Medicare Advantage plans include worldwide emergency coverage.
Types of travel insurance
| Coverage | What it pays for |
|---|---|
| Travel medical | Emergency medical care abroad, sometimes with a 24-hour assistance line |
| Medical evacuation and repatriation | Transport to a hospital that can treat you, or home |
| Trip cancellation and interruption | Nonrefundable trip costs if you must cancel or come home early for a covered reason |
| Comprehensive travel insurance | A bundle of the above, plus lost baggage and delays |
Trip cancellation coverage usually pays when you cancel for reasons like illness, injury or a death in the family. Pre-existing conditions may be excluded unless you buy soon after booking.
What to check before you go
- Your health plan’s coverage abroad. Ask whether it covers emergencies, urgent care and hospital stays, and how to file a claim.
- Medicare. Original Medicare generally doesn’t cover care abroad; some Medigap and Medicare Advantage plans cover emergencies.
- Medical evacuation. Almost no regular health plan pays for it.
- Prescriptions. Bring enough medication, in original containers, plus copies of prescriptions.
- Vaccines and health advice. Check your destination’s recommendations well before you leave.
Paying for care abroad
Care abroad can be cheaper or more expensive than at home, just as prices vary widely from city to city in the U.S.. Either way, hospitals often ask for payment upfront. Keep itemized bills and receipts to file a claim with your travel or health insurer.
Choosing a travel insurer
Look for high medical limits, evacuation coverage, a 24-hour assistance line and good reviews for paying claims. Compare several companies; your health insurer may also sell or recommend travel coverage. See the best health insurance companies. For longer stays, see health insurance for expats.
Need a U.S. plan before you travel? Compare quotes by ZIP code. For low-cost options, see the cheapest ways to get health insurance.
Frequently asked questions
Does my health insurance cover me in another country?
Maybe, usually only for emergencies. Call your insurer before you go.
Do I need travel insurance for a short trip?
If your plan doesn’t cover care abroad, travel medical insurance is worth considering even for short trips, especially for emergency and evacuation costs.
Does Medicare cover me when I travel abroad?
Original Medicare generally doesn’t. Some Medigap and Medicare Advantage plans cover emergency care abroad.
Does Obamacare cover international travel?
Federal rules don’t require ACA plans to cover care outside the U.S. Some plans, usually PPOs, cover emergencies abroad at out-of-network rates, while many HMO and EPO plans cover nothing. Check your plan documents before you go.
Sources
This article is general information, not insurance advice. Last reviewed September 2026.