Summertime Blues

Although the warmer weather is months away, most of us have already begun planning our summer vacations. In that planning, however, getting sick isn’t something we like to consider, but must.

Are you aware of the options available should you become ill on your travels?

What about foreign travel?

Did you know that when it comes to foreign travel:

Original Medicare will only consider paying under the following circumstances:

• You’re in the U.S. when you have a medical emergency, and the foreign hospital is closer than the nearest U.S. hospital that can treat your illness or injury.

• You’re 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 your illness or injury. Medicare determines what qualifies as “without unreasonable delay” on a case-by-case basis.

• You live in the U.S. and the foreign hospital is closer to your home than the nearest U.S. hospital that can treat your medical condition, regardless of whether it’s an emergency.

(Remember, in these situations, Medicare will pay only for the Medicare-covered services you get in a foreign hospital.)

What if you become ill while on a cruise ship?

Medicare may cover medically necessary health care services you get on a cruise ship in these situations:

• The doctor is allowed under certain laws to provide medical services on the cruise ship.

• The ship is in a U.S. port or no more than 6 hours away from a U.S. port when you get the services, regardless of whether it’s an emergency. Medicare doesn’t cover health care services you get when the ship is more than 6 hours away from a U.S. port.

There are several options available to ease the brunt of bills incurred during a surprise illness.

Do you have the right coverage?

We’re here to help you get all of the information you need, so you can make the right decision for you. Give us a call, or shoot us an email.