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Traveling with Medicare: What You Need to Know Before You Go

Your Medicare doesn’t stop when you zip up your suitcase—but your coverage can look very different depending on where you’re going. Whether you’re visiting family in another state or crossing international borders on vacation, it’s important to understand how Medicare works when you travel.

In this blog, we’ll walk you through how Medicare applies during domestic and international travel, what kind of coverage to expect under different Medicare plans, and what steps you should take to prepare for your trip.

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Traveling Within the United States

If you’re staying within the U.S. or its territories, you’ll generally have good access to coverage—but the specifics depend on your plan.

Original Medicare (Parts A & B)

Good news: Original Medicare travels with you. Your coverage applies anywhere in the U.S. and its territories, including Puerto Rico, Guam, the U.S. Virgin Islands, American Samoa, and the Northern Mariana Islands.
There are no networks or referrals required—you can see any provider who accepts Medicare.

Medicare Advantage (Part C)

Traveling with a Medicare Advantage plan requires a little more planning. These plans often have network restrictions, and routine care may not be covered outside your service area.
Emergency care, however, is generally covered nationwide.
Before you travel, it’s a good idea to check with your plan to see what services are available in your destination.

Medigap (Medicare Supplement Plans)

If you have Original Medicare and a Medigap policy, you can see any provider in the U.S. who accepts Medicare—no matter where you are.
This flexibility makes Medigap a great choice for frequent domestic travelers.

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Traveling Internationally

Things get more complicated when you leave the U.S.—Medicare coverage is extremely limited abroad.

Original Medicare

In general, Medicare does not cover medical care outside the United States.
There are a few rare exceptions, such as:

• Being on a cruise ship within 6 hours of a U.S. port 
• Traveling through Canada on your way to Alaska
  But in most cases, you’ll be on your own for medical costs incurred abroad. 

Medigap with Foreign Travel Coverage

Some Medigap plans—specifically Plans C, D, E, F, G, H, I, J, M, and N—offer limited emergency coverage abroad:

• Covers 80% of billed charges (after a $257 annual deductible in 2025) 
• Has a $50,000 lifetime limit 
• Only applies to emergencies within 60 days of leaving the U.S. 

If you’re traveling internationally, this benefit can be a valuable safety net.

Medicare Advantage

Some Medicare Advantage plans offer limited emergency or urgent care coverage outside the U.S.
But this varies by plan, so it’s essential to review your plan documents or speak with your agent before you leave the country.

Consider Travel Insurance

If you’re heading overseas, it’s smart to consider travel insurance that includes:

• Emergency medical coverage 
• Medical evacuation 
• Trip cancellation or interruption benefits 

This can provide peace of mind and financial protection if something unexpected happens while you’re abroad.

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Prescriptions While Traveling

Part D (Prescription Drug Plans)

Part D plans only work at U.S.-based pharmacies in the plan’s network. If you’re traveling internationally, you should:

• Refill your prescriptions before your trip 
• Check if your plan allows for an extended-day supply or mail-order refills 

Medicare Advantage with Drug Coverage (MA-PD)

Similar rules apply: your coverage likely won’t extend to international pharmacies, and some plans may allow for early refills before extended travel.

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Tips Before You Travel

Before heading out, make sure you’re prepared:

• Contact your Medicare plan to confirm travel coverage details 
• Carry a list of your medications, allergies, and healthcare providers 
• Know the emergency numbers for your destination country 
• Make copies of your Medicare card and insurance documents
  

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How Life and Med Can Help

If you’re planning a trip—whether it’s a weekend getaway or international travel—Patricia Saint Louis, RN at Life and Med can help you make sure you’re fully prepared. Patricia can assist with:

• Review your current plan before you travel 
• Checking whether your plan covers you outside your home area 
• Exploring options for snowbirds and frequent travelers 
• Recommending travel insurance to fill in any gaps 

📍 Office: 216 N 3rd St, Suite B, Leesburg, FL
📞 Phone: 352-260-0202

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How the One Big Beautiful Bill Impacts your Medicare and Medicaid Eligibility

The “One Big Beautiful Bill” has quickly become one of the most significant and wide-reaching pieces of healthcare legislation in recent history. While it covers many sectors, some of the biggest questions revolve around how this bill affects Medicare and Medicaid — two programs millions of Americans rely on for their healthcare.
This blog will break down how the bill impacts coverage eligibility. If you’re enrolled in or nearing eligibility for Medicare or Medicaid, this is important information you won’t want to miss.

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 What Is the One Big Beautiful Bill?

The One Big Beautiful Bill (OBBB) is a federal statute passed in 2025. The bill’s goal was to cut federal spending, reduce fraud, and increase state control over healthcare programs — but in doing so, it introduced several complex changes to Medicare and Medicaid.
While some see it as a step toward streamlining the healthcare system, others have raised concerns about how these changes might limit access for vulnerable populations. No matter where you stand politically, understanding how the bill could affect you is crucial.

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Changes to Medicare Eligibility

Under the OBBB, the criteria for qualifying for Medicare have been tightened, especially for certain immigrant populations.

The bill removes Medicare eligibility for undocumented immigrants and narrows access to only a few specific groups:

• Lawful Permanent Residents (Green Card holders)
  
• Certain Cuban and Haitian entrants
• Individuals living in the U.S. under Compacts of Free Association (COFA)

 

For many individuals who previously qualified based on lawful presence and work history, this change could result in the loss of access to Medicare coverage. If you or someone you know is in this category, it’s essential to speak with a Medicare specialist to understand your options moving forward.

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Changes to Medicaid Work and Activity Requirements

The OBBB also introduces new work-related requirements for Medicaid eligibility in several states. These rules are designed to encourage employment and personal responsibility — but critics argue they put certain groups at serious risk.

To maintain Medicaid coverage under the new law, most adults must now: Work, volunteer, go to school, or engage in job training for at least 80 hours per month

 

If you’re unable to meet these requirements — even if you’re actively trying — you may lose your benefits. This could disproportionately affect:

• People with chronic illness or mental health conditions 
• Those with disabilities not severe enough to qualify for SSI or SSDI 
• Individuals caring for aging family members and/or children.

 

If you’re unable to meet these requirements — even if you’re actively trying — you may lose your benefits. This could disproportionately affect:
People with chronic illness or mental health conditions

Those with disabilities not severe enough to qualify for SSI or SSDI

Individuals caring for aging family members and/or children.

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What You Can Do

If you’re currently enrolled in or plan to enroll in Medicare or Medicaid, now is the time to take action:
✅ Review your eligibility and coverage — don’t assume your current benefits will stay the same.
✅ Consult a licensed professional — particularly if you’re unsure about your status or exemptions.
✅ Reach out to local officials or advocacy organizations to voice your concerns and stay informed about future policy changes.

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 How Life and Med Can Help

Healthcare policy is more confusing than ever — but you don’t have to navigate it alone. At Life and Med, we specialize in helping individuals and families make sense of their healthcare options, especially during times of change.

Patricia Saint Louis, RN–Health Insurance Broker offers expert guidance in:

• Reviewing and comparing Medicare Advantage and Supplement Plan 
• Identifying eligibility for Medicare Savings Programs or Extra Help 
• Helping you respond to policy changes and stay covered 

📍 Office: 216 N 3rd St, Suite B, Leesburg, FL
📞 Phone: 352-260-0202

Don’t wait until your coverage is at risk — contact us today and let’s make sure you’re protected, informed, and empowered.

 

Is the Medicare Annual Wellness Visit Mandatory?

If you’re on Medicare, you may have heard about the Annual Wellness Visit — but is it something you have to do?

The short answer: No, it’s not mandatory.
However, it is completely covered by Medicare and is a great opportunity to check in on your health and work with your doctor on a personalized prevention plan — at no cost to you.

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What Is the Medicare Annual Wellness Visit?

This visit is not the same as a full physical exam you may have had under previous insurance. Instead, it’s a preventive check-in with your primary care provider to review your current health, assess potential risks, and create a customized wellness plan just for you.

You qualify for this visit once every 12 months if you’ve had Medicare Part B for over a year.

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What Happens During the Visit?

During your Annual Wellness Visit, your doctor will:

• Check your height, weight, and blood pressure

• Review your medical and family history

• Go over your current medications

• Ask questions about your ability to manage daily activities

• Screen for memory issues, depression, or hearing loss

• Help you identify health risks and set up a plan to stay healthy

Your doctor might also schedule you for other preventive screenings like mammograms, diabetes checks, or vaccinations.

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How Is This Different from a Physical?

A physical exam is more in-depth and often includes lab work and a full-body checkup. Medicare does not cover a traditional physical, but it does cover the Annual Wellness Visit at 100% — as long as your provider accepts Medicare.

If, during the wellness visit, your doctor addresses a new issue or ongoing condition, that part may be billed separately as a diagnostic service and could require coinsurance or deductibles.

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Medicare Advantage and the Wellness Visit

If you’re enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan, your visit is still covered at no cost. Some Advantage plans may even offer more thorough physical exams — check your plan details to find out.

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Tips for Your Appointment

Before your visit, prepare by:

• Filling out any forms your doctor sends in advance

• Bringing a list of medications, including over-the-counter supplements

• Writing down your top health concerns or questions

• Bringing a trusted friend or family member if needed

Make sure to ask your doctor’s office to schedule the visit specifically as a “Medicare Annual Wellness Visit” to avoid billing mistakes.

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Need Help Navigating Medicare Preventive Services?

Understanding what Medicare covers can feel confusing. That’s where we come in.

Patricia Saint Louis, RN, is a licensed health insurance broker who can walk you through your Medicare benefits, help you schedule preventive care, and make sure you’re not missing out on services that keep you healthy — all at no cost to you.

📍 Visit: 216 N 3rd St, Suite B, Leesburg, FL 34748
📞 Call: 352-260-0202

You don’t have to figure this out alone — let us help you get the care and peace of mind you deserve.

Did you know that more than 100 million Americans are obese, and more than 22 million Americans are severely obese. Being obese is expensive, as Obese people spend nearly $2,000 more in annual medical costs than people who are considered to be of a healthy weight, and people who are severely obese spend about $3,000 more than people who are deemed to be of a healthy weight. People are obese for many different reasons, whether it be conditions like diabetes, unhealthy eating habits, etc., and one way that we see people curb this issue is with the use of weight loss drugs like Ozempic. 

 

Knowing these facts on obesity, those who are obese or severely obese must understand their insurance coverage due to some of these financial setbacks caused by obesity and the heavy costs of some of these weight loss drugs. A big question that may come up for seniors who are obese or severely obese is whether or not Medicare will cover these weight-loss drugs for them. 

 

The key component in understanding whether or not Medicare will cover these drugs is understanding the different parts of Medicare, alongside which plan you have. Below is a quick summary of the parts of Medicare

 

• Part A: Medicare Part A, also known as hospital insurance, primarily covers inpatient care. This includes stays in a hospital where you are formally admitted, care in a skilled nursing facility following a qualifying hospital stay, hospice care for individuals with a terminal illness, and some limited home health care services. It is intended to help with services related to serious health events that require a stay in a medical facility or specialized end-of-life care.
• Part B: Medicare Part B covers outpatient medical services and preventive care. It includes doctor visits, outpatient procedures, lab work, diagnostic tests, imaging services like X-rays or MRIs, and certain types of home health care. Preventive services such as flu shots, annual wellness visits, and screenings for conditions like cancer and diabetes are also included. In addition, Part B provides coverage for mental health services, durable medical equipment (like walkers or wheelchairs), and ambulance transportation when medically necessary.
• Part C: Medicare Part C, commonly referred to as Medicare Advantage, is an alternative to Original Medicare (Parts A and B). These plans are offered by private insurance companies approved by Medicare. While they are required to provide at least the same coverage as Original Medicare, many Medicare Advantage plans include additional benefits not typically covered, such as prescription drugs, dental, vision, hearing, wellness programs, and gym memberships. These plans often use network-based models like HMOs or PPOs, which means members may need to use providers within the plan’s network.
• Part D: Medicare Part D provides coverage for prescription drugs. This part of Medicare is also offered through private insurance companies and helps to cover the cost of medications prescribed by a healthcare provider. Each Part D plan has a formulary, or list of covered drugs, which is organized in tiers that determine how much you pay for each medication. Coverage typically includes drugs for common conditions such as high blood pressure, diabetes, and high cholesterol, along with certain vaccines and specialty medications. Plans also include rules like prior authorization or step therapy for specific drugs.

 

Now that we know all the different parts of Medicare, it is important to understand that although weight loss surgery and behavior counseling would fall under Parts A and B, weight loss drugs wouldn’t, however, they could fall under Parts C and D. Knowing all of this is important as well so you can make the right decision when it comes to choosing your Medicare Plan. 

 

The question now is, will Parts C and D cover your weight loss drugs, and the answer is maybe. Medicare covers FDA-approved medications for those with diabetes, heart conditions, or other conditions affecting weight gain. These include Mounjaro, Ozempic, Rybelsus, Victoza, and Trulicity, which are good for those who qualify. Some notable drugs not covered include Saxenda, Wegovy, and Zepbound. Any drug prescribed only for obesity or weight loss is excluded from Medicare coverage under current law. This puts those who aren’t diabetic, as well as weight loss drugs that are classified as cosmetic, in a tough spot. 

 

While for some learning that they won’t be able to use Medicare to cover purchase of weight loss drugs may be a massive letdown, hopefully there can be some comfort taken in some alternatives that may be covered by Medicare, like weight loss surgery, behavioral counseling for obesity, diabetes management programs, and nutrition programs.

 

Another option for those struggling with the costs of weight loss drugs is the many different drug discount programs, like AARP, GoodRx,  and WellRx. Seniors can also look into different drug manufacturer coupons to help them curb costs.

 

Ultimately, if and when you have questions, it is always best to look at your drug plan to see what benefits you have associated with your plan. If you have further questions, it is recommended that you speak to a doctor or a trusted Medicare advisor, such as Patricia Saint Louis, at 352-260-0202