This post contains a lesson and a question:We are just retired and will be spending 4-6 months on the road starting March of '17. We are just now eligible for Medicare and have decided to buy a Medicare Advantage plan to supplement basic Medicare. Obviously, we want to pick a plan that we can use when we are several states away from home. The first plan we looked at was with United Health Care (AARP's "partner"). Since they are the one of the largest and oldest providers and advertised that they had a "Passport" program for travelers I figured that was the solution. Their booklet proudly showed that the coverage was good in about 35 states. However, California wasn't one of them (we plan to spend at least a month there). Also, in most of the states they cover only a few counties are included. For instance, in Washington, only Spokane county is included, and it's over 300 miles from the coastal area where most tourists go. In Texas only 9 out of 254 counties are included. And only one major city is in those 9 counties! So the lesson is, if you need coverage on the road be sure you read the fine print about exactly where the coverage exists, not just by state!The question is, has anyone found a Medicare Advantage plan (aka part C) with good national coverage? We live in Florida, BTW.Thanks for any replies!Riley

We are in Tennessee, and our policy has a "Point of service" option which costs us a bit more than the regular policy. Covers at any facility that accepts Medicare. Available insurance policies varies by state, and many times, different areas in the state.Also, check on any time limits on how long you can be out of your coverage area. Some policies have some limits there also.

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.

"Advantage" or so called free..zero cost plans are always regional to some extent. They also will/may have lists of pre-approved hospitals for non-emergency use.If you want true all states, choose your own everything, you need Original Medicare and Plan F Supplement. A few dollars more BUT health care providers treat you like GOLD. Show the cards and everything is covered, no paperwork, everywhere. DW was even hauled out of Yellowstone by ambulance late at night once to Jackson (90 miles) which I truly expected to pay something...all covered!!!

I am on Medicare and have a supplemental insurance plan from Humana and get coverage across the entire US from any physician or hospital we choose. The supplemental also covers 80% of health costs during international travel. We bought the high deductible plan and I think it is about $52 per month.

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:)

Medicare coverage while travelling | Good Sam Community

24 Replies

RckyMtnVia
Explorer
Dec 06, 2016
I am on Medicare and have a supplemental insurance plan from Humana and get coverage across the entire US from any physician or hospital we choose. The supplemental also covers 80% of health costs during international travel. We bought the high deductible plan and I think it is about $52 per month.
Twomed
Explorer
Dec 06, 2016
"Advantage" or so called free..zero cost plans are always regional to some extent. They also will/may have lists of pre-approved hospitals for non-emergency use.

If you want true all states, choose your own everything, you need Original Medicare and Plan F Supplement. A few dollars more BUT health care providers treat you like GOLD. Show the cards and everything is covered, no paperwork, everywhere.

DW was even hauled out of Yellowstone by ambulance late at night once to Jackson (90 miles) which I truly expected to pay something...all covered!!!
avan
Explorer
Dec 06, 2016
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.
Johno02
Explorer
Dec 06, 2016
We are in Tennessee, and our policy has a "Point of service" option which costs us a bit more than the regular policy. Covers at any facility that accepts Medicare. Available insurance policies varies by state, and many times, different areas in the state.
Also, check on any time limits on how long you can be out of your coverage area. Some policies have some limits there also.

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Medicare coverage while travelling

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