If you are planning to travel outside the U.S.A. it is important to know that Medicare does not cover medical care you get outside the United States except if:

• You are traveling in Canada on a direct route between Alaska and another U.S. state and you need emergency services;

• You are traveling on a cruise ship, and
1. The ship is registered in the U.S. (very few cruise ships are registered in the U.S.A.), and;
2. The ship's doctor is registered with the Coast Guard, and;
3. You receive care while the ship is in U.S. territorial waters (the ship is in a U.S. port or within six hours of arrival at or departure from a U.S. port).

Some Medicare supplemental insurance policies (MediGap policies), provide coverage for foreign travel. Medigap plans C through J cover 80 percent of the cost of emergency care abroad during the first two months of a trip. You will generally  have to pay the cost of care and submit receipts for reimbursement.

If you are in a Medicare private health plan, call your plan administrator to find out if your plan will cover any kind of medical care abroad.

If you will be traveling to a foreign country and want health coverage, talk to your travel agent about purchasing a short-term health insurance policy designed specifically to cover travel. You may be able to find a policy that pays medical providers directly. Also ask whether available policies cover ambulances and emergency flights home.