Medicare coverage while travelling

avan wrote:
Just to keep Medicare terminology correct, a Medicare Advantage Plan is NOT a supplement to basic Medicare. It is a substitute (private) for Original Medicare (public) which is also known as Parts A&B. Supplements to Original Medicare are often called Medigap policies. Not aware of anything called 'basic medicare' though Original Medicare probably comes closest.

In our nearly 15yrs of active travel full timing, with 22 major surgeries in 16 different states and hospitalization in over 30 states, we found nothing came close to the universal acceptance of Original Medicare and using a Plan C Medigap, there were no copays or deductibles for us.

The private so called Medicare Advantage, as you've discovered, can be written anyway the private insurer wants excluding whatever they want. IMO, unless you are an expert in reading the fine print of insurance coverage and have the legal skills to advocate for yourself in the event of a dispute, the MA coverage is a risk to the traveler.

Just to be clear. Medicare advantage plans are paid by the same government agency that provides basic medicare. IOW, the Gov pays the provider of the medicare advantage plan for the expensive stuff, the provider company adds a little bit more coverage in exchange for a fee that you pay. No insurance company in their right mind would ever cover anyone over age 65, the odds of a catastrophic expense to the insurance company are just too high. ...and insurance companies are very good a playing the odds:)