US retirees moving abroad need to know: Medicare has almost no coverage outside the US, and you can't simply cancel it.
If you're a US citizen retiring abroad, Medicare will not cover you once you leave the country. Original Medicare (Parts A and B) stops working the moment you cross the border. Medicare Advantage and Part D prescription drug coverage also end. This catches many retirees by surprise.
You can keep Medicare Part A (hospital insurance) if you return to the US for part of the year, but you'll need to arrange private international health insurance for your time abroad. Many expat retirees buy expat health plans or use the local healthcare system in their destination country. Some countries—Portugal, Spain, Mexico—offer affordable, high-quality care; others require private insurance or out-of-pocket payment.
Medicare stops at the border—plan for international health insurance before you move.
Before you retire abroad, research healthcare costs and coverage in your destination. Get quotes for expat health insurance. If you're under 65 and not yet eligible for Medicare, you'll need private coverage from day one. Talk to a healthcare broker who specializes in expat coverage; the cost varies wildly depending on age, location, and pre-existing conditions.
Source: original report ↗
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