U.S. Insurance Abroad: What Covers You When You're Outside the U.S.

When you're traveling outside the U.S., your U.S. insurance, health coverage provided by American insurers like Medicare, Medicaid, or private plans. Also known as American health insurance, it rarely pays for care in other countries. Most plans, including Medicare, only cover emergencies under very limited conditions—if you're near the border and the closest hospital is overseas. Otherwise, you're on your own. That’s why travel health insurance, short-term coverage designed specifically for medical needs while traveling abroad isn’t just a good idea—it’s often essential.

If you're planning a trip to Canada, India, or anywhere else, don’t assume your U.S. card works. Medicare, the federal health program for Americans 65 and older doesn’t cover routine care overseas, and even emergency treatment abroad comes with strict rules. You might get reimbursed later, but you’ll pay upfront, sometimes thousands of dollars. That’s why people turning to medical tourism, traveling to another country for affordable, high-quality care often buy supplemental insurance. They know hospitals in Thailand, Mexico, or India can be cheaper, but without the right coverage, a single procedure could wipe out savings.

What about private plans? Most U.S. employer plans and Obamacare exchanges also leave you exposed. Some high-end travel policies include evacuation, emergency care, and even repatriation—but you have to buy them before you leave. And if you're living abroad long-term? U.S. insurance usually won’t cut it. You’ll need local coverage or an international plan. The key is knowing what’s missing before you step off the plane. The posts below show real cases: Americans in Canada paying out-of-pocket, travelers without coverage stuck with hospital bills, and people choosing surgery overseas because their U.S. insurance wouldn’t help. You don’t need to guess what works. You just need to know what doesn’t—and how to fix it.