Medicare and Medical Tourism: What's Covered Outside the US

Cost & Calculator Guides · 2 · November 6, 2025

Medicare does not cover healthcare services received outside the United States — with three narrow exceptions. For the 67 million Americans on Medicare, this policy creates a paradox: the population most likely to need medical care is the population least able to access affordable alternatives.

The Three Medicare Exceptions

Exception 1: Emergency care while in transit through Canada between Alaska and another US state. Exception 2: Emergency care in Canada when you live closer to a Canadian hospital than a US one (some border communities). Exception 3: Care on a cruise ship within 6 hours of a US port. That's it. Routine medical care, elective procedures, and even urgently needed non-emergency treatment abroad are excluded entirely.

Medicare Supplement (Medigap) Foreign Travel Emergency Coverage

Medigap Plans C, D, F, G, M, and N include a foreign travel emergency benefit: 80% coverage of emergency care abroad after a $250 deductible, up to a $50,000 lifetime limit. This covers genuine emergencies (heart attack, stroke, accident) but NOT planned procedures. If you travel for medical tourism and have a complication, Medigap may cover it as an emergency — but only if the complication requires emergency treatment, not planned follow-up.

Alternatives for Medicare Beneficiaries

Self-pay medical tourism is the primary option. The savings are particularly dramatic for dental care (Medicare covers almost nothing dental), hearing aids ($2,000-$7,000 in the US, $300-$800 in India), and elective orthopedic procedures that Medicare deems 'not medically necessary' (hip resurfacing vs replacement, certain spine procedures).

Medicare Advantage plans with international coverage are emerging — a few MA plans in border states now include limited coverage for treatment in Mexico and Canada. Check your specific MA plan's out-of-area coverage provisions. Some employers offering retiree health benefits are piloting medical tourism programs that supplement Medicare.

Key Takeaways

- Medicare does not cover healthcare abroad except for 3 narrow emergency scenarios

- Medigap Plans C/D/F/G/M/N cover foreign emergencies — 80% up to $50,000 lifetime

- Medicare dental coverage is nearly zero — making dental tourism especially valuable for seniors

- Some Medicare Advantage plans are beginning to include limited international coverage

Compare real-time pricing using our global cost calculator.