Moving from the United States
Medicare does not pay overseas
Original Medicare does not pay for health care or supplies outside the United States, except three narrow foreign-hospital cases. Outside means anywhere other than the 50 states, D.C., Puerto Rico, the US Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, and the Northern Mariana Islands. Moving does not cancel the enrollment: Part B can keep billing while it pays nothing where you live.
Information only, not insurance, tax, or benefits advice. Official rules and your plan documents take precedence. Checked 4 October 2026.
The three exceptions
- You are in the US, have a medical emergency, and the foreign hospital is closer than the nearest US hospital that can treat you.
- You are traveling through Canada without unreasonable delay between Alaska and another state, have an emergency, and the Canadian hospital is closer.
- You live in the US and a foreign hospital is closer than any US hospital that can treat you, whether or not it is an emergency.
In those cases Part A can pay the inpatient stay, and Part B the related doctor and ambulance bills, only while you are an inpatient. Dialysis abroad is not covered unless it happens during one of those stays.
The Part B decision
Keeping Part B means paying the premium, USD 202.90 a month at the standard rate in 2026, usually deducted from Social Security, for cover you cannot use abroad. Dropping it stops the bill. Taking it back later can add a permanent late-enrollment penalty. Medigap foreign-travel emergency on plans C, D, F, G, M, and N is a 60-day trip benefit with a USD 50,000 lifetime cap. Part D pays nothing at a foreign pharmacy. A Medicare Advantage plan can include some emergency care abroad and can disenroll you after a long stay outside its service area.
Common questions
- Does Medicare cover me if I live abroad?
- No, except three narrow foreign-hospital cases. Original Medicare does not pay routine care, doctor visits, or dialysis outside the United States.
- Do I still pay Part B if I move?
- Yes, unless you formally drop it. In 2026 the standard Part B premium is USD 202.90 a month. Dropping it and re-enrolling later can add a late-enrollment penalty of 10% for each full 12-month period you were eligible but not enrolled, for as long as you have Part B.
- Does Medigap cover a move abroad?
- Plans C, D, F, G, M, and N include a foreign-travel emergency benefit: 80% after a USD 250 deductible, up to USD 50,000 lifetime, in the first 60 days of a trip. It is trip cover, not a policy you live on, and it does not pay evacuation.