If they are over 65 except for Universal they can forget Health Ins. here! Even a short flight to Miami or San Juan is too far in an emergency. Ask me I know. Medicare will not cover them outside the USA, except if they have an emergency an the Mexican or Canadian hospital is closer than the nearest US hospital, that does not mean they can live outside the US, and use Mexican or Canadian hospitals in lieu of US hospitals. I am assuming that they are 65 or over if they are questioning Medicare.
Basic Medicare Facts for Americans Abroad :: American Citizens Abroad (ACA)
Basic Medicare Facts for Americans Abroad
NOTE: Information below only touches on a few points of this very complex subject. The Medicare website (Medicare.gov: the official U.S. government site for Medicare) is a rich source of information and personalized advice.
If you already live abroad, you should consult with the Federal Benefits Unit of the American embassy in the country where you reside for personalized advice. They have direct access to the Social Security files, and have experience with problems specific to people residing outside the US. Website links to American embassies worldwide can be found at Home | USEmbassy.gov.
The single most basic fact is that you are not covered by Medicare while living abroad (with very rare exceptions). That said, you may still need to consider enrolling in one or more parts of Medicare.
Basic rules on qualifying for coverage
Workers (and spouses of workers) who have contributed at least 40 quarters (10 years) to Social Security are eligible for Medicare coverage at age 65 even if Social Security "full retirement age" is more than 65 years.
Individuals who are eligible for railroad retirement benefits, or who have worked long enough in a federal, state, or local government jobs can also qualify for coverage.
Certain other categories of individuals (such as those on Social Security disability) may qualify for one or more parts of Medicare earlier than 65 or under certain conditions.
For greater detail on qualifying for Medicare, see: http://ssa-custhelp.ssa.gov/app/answers/detail/a_id/400/~/how-to-qualify-for-medicare
Basic rules on non-coverage abroad
In most cases, Medicare won't pay for health care or supplies you get outside the US.
There are a few narrow exceptions to this rule:
? When a foreign hospital is nearer than the nearest US hospital to:
o The place in the US where you have a medical emergency, or
o Your home, for treatment of your medical condition (regardless of whether it is an emergency)
? You are traveling through Canada between Alaska and another state when a medical emergency occurs, and a Canadian hospital is closer than the nearest US hospital that can treat your illness/injury.
? Medically-necessary health care services on a cruise ship which is no more than 6 hours away from a US port.
For greater detail on these exceptions, see: http://www.medicare.gov/Publications/pubs/pdf/11037.pdf
Basic Medicare Facts for Americans Abroad :: American Citizens Abroad (ACA)
Basic Medicare Facts for Americans Abroad
NOTE: Information below only touches on a few points of this very complex subject. The Medicare website (Medicare.gov: the official U.S. government site for Medicare) is a rich source of information and personalized advice.
If you already live abroad, you should consult with the Federal Benefits Unit of the American embassy in the country where you reside for personalized advice. They have direct access to the Social Security files, and have experience with problems specific to people residing outside the US. Website links to American embassies worldwide can be found at Home | USEmbassy.gov.
The single most basic fact is that you are not covered by Medicare while living abroad (with very rare exceptions). That said, you may still need to consider enrolling in one or more parts of Medicare.
Basic rules on qualifying for coverage
Workers (and spouses of workers) who have contributed at least 40 quarters (10 years) to Social Security are eligible for Medicare coverage at age 65 even if Social Security "full retirement age" is more than 65 years.
Individuals who are eligible for railroad retirement benefits, or who have worked long enough in a federal, state, or local government jobs can also qualify for coverage.
Certain other categories of individuals (such as those on Social Security disability) may qualify for one or more parts of Medicare earlier than 65 or under certain conditions.
For greater detail on qualifying for Medicare, see: http://ssa-custhelp.ssa.gov/app/answers/detail/a_id/400/~/how-to-qualify-for-medicare
Basic rules on non-coverage abroad
In most cases, Medicare won't pay for health care or supplies you get outside the US.
There are a few narrow exceptions to this rule:
? When a foreign hospital is nearer than the nearest US hospital to:
o The place in the US where you have a medical emergency, or
o Your home, for treatment of your medical condition (regardless of whether it is an emergency)
? You are traveling through Canada between Alaska and another state when a medical emergency occurs, and a Canadian hospital is closer than the nearest US hospital that can treat your illness/injury.
? Medically-necessary health care services on a cruise ship which is no more than 6 hours away from a US port.
For greater detail on these exceptions, see: http://www.medicare.gov/Publications/pubs/pdf/11037.pdf
In fact they don't even speak English.
