Medicare coverage on cruises?

[PennyAgain]

I can't get decent information on this question. We will be traveling in a family group with 3 people who have Medicare.

 

What does Medicare pay for if they need medical care while on the cruise?

 

Thank you.

[justhanging]

If you are not in the US medicare pays nothing.

[Amy from Delaware]

It depends on which Medicare coverage they have. There is the "Original Medicare Plan" and there are "Medicare Advantage Plans".

 

http://www.medicare.gov/Choices/Overview.asp

 

I suggest contacting their insurance carrier(s) directly and get something in writing as to what is covered or not.

[RHefley228]

If you are not in the US medicare pays nothing.

 

Not completely true. According to Medicare and You 2007 (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Publication CMS-10050-38, page 19), "In some cases, Medicare may pay for services that you get while on board a ship within the territorial waters adjoining the land areas of the United States." And remember, (also quoting from p. 19) the "United States" means the 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, and American Samoa.

 

That's for Traditional Medicare; some Medicare Advantage plans will cover emergency care during travel outside the U.S., as will most of the Medigap policies sold by private insurers to supplement Traditional Medicare.

 

Your biggest worry (and expense) will be evacuating an ill or injured person back to the U.S. To protect yourself against that expense, you're going to need a separate medical evacuation policy. Several of these have been discussed elsewhere on these boards.

[dforeigner]

In addition, Medicare may or may not cover any medical related expenses on board the ship. Their standard practice is probably to deny the claim and one may have to re-submit.

 

If feasible, I would recommend additional coverage. Visit www.insuremytrip.com to compare different plans and see what is available. One does not need to purchase the insurance through this WEB site. One can call the specific insurance company directly. Good luck.

[cusyl]

We always buy the travel insurance so it will include medical evacuation from the ship.

[Andee]

Most perople enrolled in Medicare have a supplemental policy (sometimes referred to as Medigap) in additional to Medicare, and many of those policies offer a foreign travel rider at very modest cost.

[newmexicoNita]

Most perople enrolled in Medicare have a supplemental policy (sometimes referred to as Medigap) in additional to Medicare, and many of those policies offer a foreign travel rider at very modest cost.

I was about to say the same thing: we have an HMO for seniors, very similar to Medigap, when I had a leg injury on our last cruise we did have to pay the ship doctor at the time, but were re-embursed for part of the cost when we submitted the bill after we returned. It wasn't the entire amount but it helped. Of course carrying travel insurance will also cover some or the expenses.

 

Nita

[cusyl]

My supplement only pays if Medicare pays...

[PennyAgain]

Thanks to all who responded. Our seniors believe that Medicare pays for everything everywhere and don't want to buy travel medical insurance. We will be going well outside any US territory (Baltic cruise). I need this information to try to convince them that Medicare is not the golden goose.

[wraithe]

Thanks to all who responded. Our seniors believe that Medicare pays for everything everywhere and don't want to buy travel medical insurance. We will be going well outside any US territory (Baltic cruise). I need this information to try to convince them that Medicare is not the golden goose.

 

Even if it did pay anything, it wouldn't likely pay the full amount that the ship wants and the ship has no agreement to accept Medicare's allowed charge. The ship would charge the patient up front and let the patient deal with Medicare, so the patient will pay any and all additional charge above whatever insurance you carry (except Cruisecare for instance on RCL).

[cherylandtk]

Penny,

 

You might want to show them this link: http://travel.state.gov/travel/tips/health/health_1185.html

 

and scroll down to the highlighted words:

THE SOCIAL SECURITY MEDICARE PROGRAM DOES NOT PROVIDE COVERAGE FOR HOSPITAL OR MEDICAL COSTS OUTSIDE THE U.S.A

[CHIPMUNKSMOM]

I just read in the AARP newspaper that arrived today something about being within 6 hours from the US ?? Not sure how this would work.it says go to medicare .gov and look up PUB 11037.

:)

[kitty9]

Penny, take it from me. Mom is 80, only has Medicare, and broke her hip on Millennium. Medicare didn't pay for anything on the ship, and only picked up her expenses once she was med evac'd off the ship to Ft Lauderdale for surgery and rehab. The 1/2 hour plane ride was $9000. They need trip insurance, for sure.

[RHefley228]

we have an HMO for seniors, very similar to Medigap

 

An HMO would be a Medicare Advantage (Part C) plan (there are also PPO and PFFS plans), which is not at all the same as a Medigap policy combined with Traditional Parts A & B. The Medicare Advantage plans are cheaper, and there's a reason for that.

[justhanging]

Your supplemental plan or HMO may have coverage outside of the US but Medicare itself does not pay anything outside of the US period.

[cherylandtk]

I just read in the AARP newspaper that arrived today something about being within 6 hours from the US ?? Not sure how this would work.it says go to medicare .gov and look up PUB 11037.

:)

Perhaps that is the reference to still being in US territorial waters? I somehow think the physical location is more important in determining coverage than the amount of time it takes to get back.

[physicianusa]

In this case I think Medicare should make some change to their terms so that the individual can take all the benefits. Otherwise I have a great experience with Medicare. The company is so willing to provide you with benefits and that they are willing to cater to your every need no matter what it is and I really appreciate it.

[Krazy Kruizers]

In this case I think Medicare should make some change to their terms so that the individual can take all the benefits. Otherwise I have a great experience with Medicare. The company is so willing to provide you with benefits and that they are willing to cater to your every need no matter what it is and I really appreciate it.

 

 

Note -- this is nearly an 11 year old thread.

[klfrodo]

Thanks to all who responded. Our seniors believe that Medicare pays for everything everywhere and don't want to buy travel medical insurance. We will be going well outside any US territory (Baltic cruise). I need this information to try to convince them that Medicare is not the golden goose.

 

They also need to know that neither the ships doctor nor the foreign hospital is going to accept their Medicare card and begin treatment and the Dr. or hospital direct bill medicare.

These people are going to have to pay all expenses for medical care out of their own pocket,,, then,,, they submit all bills to medicare for reimbursement,,,,,, which will then be denied.

[dkjretired]

Thanks to all who responded. Our seniors believe that Medicare pays for everything everywhere and don't want to buy travel medical insurance. We will be going well outside any US territory (Baltic cruise). I need this information to try to convince them that Medicare is not the golden goose.

 

Medicare does not pay out of country, if they have plain Medicare, they will have no insurance. Simple as that

[LHT28]

People this thread is 11 yrs old

[Hlitner]

In this case I think Medicare should make some change to their terms so that the individual can take all the benefits. Otherwise I have a great experience with Medicare. The company is so willing to provide you with benefits and that they are willing to cater to your every need no matter what it is and I really appreciate it.

 

You are responding to a post from 2007! We note this is your first post and your name makes one think you might be a physician. You should be aware that Medicare does not give any coverage outside the USA (or its territories) except under two very limited exceptions (we will not go into details). The truth is that the company IS NOT "willing to provide you with benefits when on a cruise or out of the country. And even within the USA there are parts of our country where certain specialists (such as Neurosurgeons) can be difficult to find for those dependent on Medicare. The reality is that not all physicians accept Medicare.

 

Hank

[SRF]

One thing I have found, if you only need the medical and med evac coverage, and do not want to cover the trip cost, you can by a policy with a $0 trip cost.

 

I did this for a recent trip for the med evac and rental car coverage. Those limits stay the same. It cost $50 for 12 days.

[navybankerteacher]

People this thread is 11 yrs old

 

So what?

 

Do you throw out a wine when it gets to be 11 years old?

 

Age of this topic is only relevant if there are significant changes in Medicare's approach to out-of-country coverage.