Does My Domestic Health Insurance Cover International Travel?

Aetna is one of the largest and oldest health service providers in the U.S.

Established for 170 years, it provides health and life insurance, health services via the CVS pharmacy group, and Medicare support.

You may even remember Aetna’s 1980s slogan, “Aetna… I’m glad I met ya!”

While Aetna used to offer international plans for individuals, they have since phased out this coverage.

If you are an Aetna plan-holder looking to travel or move abroad, you should secure a plan elsewhere.

Does Aetna Cover International Travel?

Most Aetna plans provide little to no coverage for medical emergencies abroad.

However, depending on your policy, a few plans may include limited international emergency care, such as medical evacuation.

Check your policy or contact Aetna to see if this applies to you.

Allianz Partners US is a leading insurance company providing comprehensive coverage for travel, events, and personal protection within the United States.

They focus on offering reliable benefits for U.S. residents, ensuring access to quality care and support whenever needed.

Their policies are designed to help you handle medical emergencies and other covered situations across the country.


Does Allianz Partners US Cover International Travel?


No. Allianz Partners US primarily offers coverage for U.S. residents traveling within the country.

For international travel, you would need a plan from Allianz’s global or international divisions, such as Allianz Care or Allianz Global.

Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS) has been a private U.S. health insurer since 1929 and is one of the country’s most trusted providers.

About one in three private insurance policies in the U.S. is held through BCBS.

Does Blue Cross Blue Shield Cover Me Internationally?

If you are a BCBS member, you may have international coverage under your plan benefits through the Blue Cross Blue Shield Global Core program.

Many BCBS plans provide basic benefits for medical emergencies overseas, but coverage varies by plan and subsidiary, so it’s important to check your specific plan details.

For members needing more extensive international coverage, BCBS offers Blue Cross Blue Shield Global, also known as GeoBlue, which provides plans for expatriates, students, and travelers.

GeoBlue members can also use the BCBS Global Core app to locate providers and manage claims worldwide.

BCBS advises: “Though many Blue Cross Blue Shield plans cover international care in emergency situations, GeoBlue plans offer the most complete set of benefits and access to services like emergency medical evacuation, which might not be covered by your regular plan.”

Read More: GeoBlue Travel Insurance

Centene provides affordable care, including Medicare and Medicaid, and is one of the nation’s largest providers of managed care services for military families and veterans.

Its motto is: “Transforming the health of the communities we serve, one person at a time.”

Does Centene Cover International Travel?

Centene does not provide travel or international health insurance coverage.

Medicare and Medicaid products, including Ambetter, also do not cover overseas care or emergencies.

The only exception is Centene’s Medicare, which may provide international emergency coverage if you have purchased a Medigap plan.

If you need coverage for travel outside the U.S. or for relocating internationally, our agents can help you select a plan that suits your needs.

Cigna Healthcare provides medical benefits to U.S. employers, government employees, and individuals, with a strong international branch.

They offer in-U.S. plans in 14 states, as well as international coverage options for most U.S. citizens.

For international plans, Cigna provides policies with extensive worldwide benefits for short-term travelers, long-term expats, or employees through its Medical Benefits Abroad program.

Does Cigna Health Insurance Cover International Travel?

Cigna’s international plans provide coverage outside the U.S., but standard in-U.S. plans do not.

Some limited exceptions may be possible if you coordinate with your provider before traveling, but generally, separate international coverage is needed for full protection abroad.

Elevance Health, formerly Anthem, is the largest provider in the Blue Cross Blue Shield network, focusing on holistic care that connects multiple providers.

You may be insured through Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield, Empire Blue Cross Blue Shield, or their Medicare-focused branch, WellPoint.

Does Elevance Health Cover International Travel?

Coverage depends on your specific plan and whether you purchase an international plan.

Elevance Blue Cross Blue Shield plans may offer more overseas benefits than other BCBS plans.

WellPoint’s overseas coverage is limited to a Medigap plan if purchased.

Anthem BCBS offers GeoBlue for international health insurance, while Empire BCBS does not, so you may need a separate plan from another provider.

Check your plan details to understand what overseas benefits may be available.

GuideWell is a health insurance parent company serving Florida and Puerto Rico.

Its subsidiaries include Florida Blue, Capital Health Plan, and Florida Health Care Plans, which do not provide international coverage.

Does GuideWell/Florida Blue Cover International Travel?

Florida Blue plans provide limited overseas benefits through BlueCard Worldwide for foreign medical emergencies.

To use this, you must activate your BlueCard, pay for services upfront, and then arrange reimbursement through Florida Blue.

To expand your Florida Blue coverage overseas, you can purchase a GeoBlue plan for more comprehensive international health insurance.

Highmark is a nationwide U.S. health insurance provider, offering ACA/marketplace plans, employer/business coverage, and Medicare options.

Its plans are popular for individuals, families, and seniors, and are known for being user-friendly and accessible.

Does Highmark Cover International Travel?

Highmark’s ACA and individual/family marketplace plans do not provide coverage outside the U.S. and do not offer add-on international benefits.

Highmark Medicare plans provide emergency coverage overseas only if you have purchased a Medigap plan.

Some Medicare Advantage plans may offer limited emergency protection abroad.

For full international coverage, Highmark recommends purchasing a separate travel medical or international health insurance plan.

Humana makes Medicare accessible and manageable as a provider and administrator of Medicare plans under the Medicare program.

Does Humana Cover International Travel?

As with most other Medicare plans, Humana’s Medicare coverage only provides international emergency coverage if you have purchased a Medigap plan.

Medigap’s overseas reimbursement comes with a $50,000 lifetime limit, which is low by international insurance standards.

For full protection abroad, you would need to purchase a separate travel medical or global insurance plan.

Humana notes, “Original Medicare typically doesn’t cover services overseas, so if you plan on traveling out of the country, you might consider buying a supplemental insurance plan that will cover you in case of an emergency.”

Humana agents can also help you find a Medigap plan with moderate overseas coverage.

Kaiser Permanente is one of the largest not-for-profit health plans in the U.S.

Founded in California in 1945, it provides insurance throughout California and seven other states.

Kaiser Permanente is partnered with Cigna, so if you have a Kaiser policy, you can buy Cigna international coverage through your Kaiser account.

Does Kaiser Permanente Cover International Travel?

Some Kaiser Permanente plans offer limited coverage for medical emergencies outside the U.S., but routine care is generally not covered outside your Kaiser Permanente region.

Coverage depends on your specific plan.

Check your plan details to understand the available overseas benefits.

Medicaid may sound similar to Medicare, but it serves a different purpose.

It provides medical services to lower-income Americans and is the largest medical plan provider in the U.S., helping children, families, seniors, and people with disabilities.

Does Medicaid Cover International Travel?

No. U.S. Medicaid is not accepted in other countries because the U.S. does not have reciprocal health care agreements with them.

Traveling abroad may also put your Medicaid benefits at risk if you are outside the U.S. for more than 30 days.

Medicaid does not cover medical expenses outside the U.S., nor does it sell plans for overseas emergencies.

If you have Medicaid and travel internationally, you must pay 100% of your health care costs or purchase a separate travel or global health insurance plan.

Medicare is the U.S. public health insurance program for citizens 65 and older.

It covers nearly 19% of Americans and provides coverage for hospital care, doctor visits, and other medical services within the United States.

Many retirees keep Medicare even if they move abroad, often continuing to pay for Medicare Part B so they remain covered when visiting the U.S.

Beneficiaries can also purchase supplemental coverage, such as a Medigap plan (plans C, D, E, F, G, H, I, J, M, and N), which offers extra benefits beyond standard Medicare.

Does Medicare Cover Me Internationally?

Generally, no. Standard Medicare does not cover medical care or prescription drugs outside the U.S., with only rare exceptions.

It may cover treatment if you are in the U.S. but the nearest hospital is across an international border, or if you are on a cruise ship within 6 hours of a U.S. port.

Some Medigap plans include limited travel emergency benefits, typically 80% of emergency costs during the first 60 days of a trip, with a lifetime limit of $50,000.

Because these benefits are modest, Medicare recommends purchasing separate coverage for travel abroad.

Founded in 1868, MetLife is a historic American insurer offering a range of health coverage options.

In the U.S., they provide supplemental health insurance, and for companies and employees, they offer global health insurance.

Does MetLife Cover International Travel?

MetLife does not offer individual travel or health insurance for personal international coverage.

To be protected abroad, you need one of MetLife’s travel or global health policies, which cover emergency and urgent medical needs.

Employers can also purchase MetLife global plans for their employees, which offer both short-term and long-term coverage.

Molina Healthcare focuses on providing affordable care, including Medicaid, Medicare, and Molina Marketplace.

Offering plans in 19 states, they are strong in California and provide Medi-Cal for California residents.

Does Molina Healthcare Cover International Travel?

Molina Marketplace and Medi-Cal plans do not provide coverage outside the United States, except for limited emergency hospitalization in Canada or Mexico.

For travel or relocation to other countries, Molina does not offer international coverage, so you would need a separate plan to stay protected abroad.

UnitedHealth offers a range of coverage options, including individual and family plans, Medicare, Medicaid, extra health support, and short-term plans for self-employed individuals.

Does UnitedHealth Cover International Travel?

Standard UnitedHealth plans for U.S. coverage do not extend overseas.

For international travel, they recommend purchasing travel health insurance to cover emergencies abroad.

Medicare members may have international emergency coverage only through a Medigap plan.

For other plan types or long-term relocation, UnitedHealth can provide guidance on global plans to ensure adequate protection outside the U.S.