Basic rules on non-coverage abroad
In most cases, Medicare won't pay for health care or supplies you get outside the US.
There are a few narrow exceptions to this rule:
• When a foreign hospital is nearer than the nearest US hospital to:
o The place in the US where you have a medical emergency, or
o Your home, for treatment of your medical condition (regardless of whether it is an emergency)
• You are traveling through Canada between Alaska and another state when a medical emergency occurs, and a Canadian hospital is closer than the nearest US hospital that can treat your illness/injury.
• Medically-necessary health care services on a cruise ship which is no more than 6 hours away from a US port.
For greater detail on these exceptions, see:
In most cases, Medicare won't pay for health care or supplies you get outside the US.
There are a few narrow exceptions to this rule:
• When a foreign hospital is nearer than the nearest US hospital to:
o The place in the US where you have a medical emergency, or
o Your home, for treatment of your medical condition (regardless of whether it is an emergency)
• You are traveling through Canada between Alaska and another state when a medical emergency occurs, and a Canadian hospital is closer than the nearest US hospital that can treat your illness/injury.
• Medically-necessary health care services on a cruise ship which is no more than 6 hours away from a US port.
For greater detail on these exceptions, see: