Medical Coverage Outside the United States
In general, health plans don't pay for health care or supplies you receive outside the U.S. in most situations. This includes anywhere other than the 50 states, D.C., Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, and the Northern Mariana Islands. You may be responsible for the full cost of medical care outside the U.S. In addition, health plans don't cover prescription drugs you buy outside of the U.S.
Speak with your insurance carrier for more information about coverage while traveling outside the U.S. Your health plan may offer additional coverage for health care services outside the U.S.
Foreign hospitals aren't required to file health care claims. If a hospital doesn't submit health care claims for you, you must submit an itemized bill to your insurance carrier.
While most health plans don't cover foreign emergency care while traveling outside the U.S., you can consider getting traveler's insurance.*
Coverage While on a Cruise
Your insurance carrier may cover medically necessary health care services you receive on a cruise ship when:
The doctor is allowed, under certain laws, to provide medical services on the cruise ship.
The ship is in a U.S. port or no more than six hours away from a U.S. port when you receive the services regardless of whether it's an emergency.
The doctor must submit the claim as usual if you received covered services on a cruise ship. However, you may also file a claim directly with your insurance carrier. You still pay the coinsurance or copayments and deductibles you would normally pay if you got these same services or supplies inside the U.S.*
*Travel insurance policies may be available to obtain as additional coverage. An insurance or travel agent can give you more information about buying travel insurance. Travel insurance doesn't necessarily include health insurance, so it's important to carefully read the conditions or restrictions.
