Does Medicare provide coverage outside of the United States?

No. Medicare does not generally cover travelers outside of the U.S. However, there are a few exceptions. Medicare does cover travelers in Canada who are traveling directly between Alaska and U.S. Additionally U.S. travelers who are in the U.S. but near the border with a medical emergency and the nearest hospital is in Canada or in Mexico may receive coverage.

What if travelers are on a cruise?

Medicare may cover medically necessary services if the ship is within six hours from a U.S. port.

Are Medigap supplemental insurance policies sufficient in case of a health emergency?

Some Medigap plans offer Foreign Emergency Travel coverage. Medigap Emergency Foreign Travel coverage applies to the first 60 days of travel and pays 80% after a $250 deductible with a $50,000 lifetime limit. The Emergency Foreign Travel portion does not cover emergency airlift. This would be at the expense of the traveler.

Do Medicare Advantage Plans cover health emergencies outside of the U.S?

Emergency and urgent care situations are generally covered, with annual limits.

What other insurance options can help ensure any health emergency will be taken care of while abroad?

Travel insurance is often a good option for health coverage outside of the U.S.

Researching the health services policy of the foreign country where you are traveling is important as well. Some countries, regardless of insurance coverage, will require payment upfront. Some countries will require the beneficiary to file claims and others will handle this on behalf of the beneficiary.

The key to peace of mind while traveling abroad is to be prepared. For more information, please contact our health insurance experts at Council on Aging Silicon Valley, (408) 350-3200, option 2.

Now imagine, as a caregiver, you can assess your loved one’s normal activity, which can lead to quick alerts if something is out of the ordinary. If both caregiver and care recipient agree, health information, such as blood pressure, weight, and medication reminders can be monitored.

Additionally, a trusted caregiver can monitor door openings, eating schedules, wake up times, and movement to ensure his or her loved one is eating regularly, moving on a regular schedule, and waking up normally.

Now a reality, these sophisticated sensor systems are available on the market. As technologies improve and advance, the cost of such technology will decline, making these options more available to families in need. The integrated sensors can detect anything from a door opening, and vital signs, to failure to take prescribed medication.

This technology gives seniors the tools and support needed to continue to remain safe and secure in their own homes. Caregivers and seniors have the comfort of knowing that if something does happen, a family member will be informed.

Technology can keep us independent longer and while there will never be a substitute for in-person caregiving, the more we develop these new ideas and grow our knowledge, the more tools we will have to support and assist caregivers.

If you have any questions on technology that assists seniors and caregivers, call Council on Aging Silicon Valley at (408) 350-3200, option 1.

The holidays serve as a reminder to extend a greeting to those whom you do not speak to or see often. Consider reaching out to friends, neighbors, and relatives to include them in your holiday plans. You can make sure the seniors in your life are involved by having them assist in preparing meals or setting up decorations, and of course making sure they take part in the festivities too.

The holidays can also provoke strong memories in older adults. Memory recollection can be an important part of aging, and even seniors with memory impairments are often able to share stories and recollections of the past. Stories of times past can be enriching and entertaining for everyone, especially young children curious to know what things were like for their parents or grandparents when they were young. Old photos, family albums, and even songs or movies from times past can be a strong stimulant to encourage memory recollection.

Making new memories is important, too. Activities as simple as driving around to look at holiday lights or decorations can be a memorable experience. Window shopping at the mall or taking a stroll down a festively decorated street can be enjoyable, and the activities you enjoy now may become the traditions or memories that will be relived in the years to come.

Possibly the most important aspect of the holidays is being together with friends and family. More than gifts or other sentiments, what many seniors often want most for the holidays is simply to spend time with their friends and family.

Council on Aging Silicon Valley wishes you and your family a joyous holiday season. If you have any questions on services available for seniors and caregivers in Santa Clara County, please call our Information & Assistance specialists at (408) 350-3200, option 1.

Now imagine, as a caregiver, you can assess your loved one’s normal activity, which can lead to quick alerts if something is out of the ordinary. If both caregiver and care recipient agree, health information, such as blood pressure, weight, and medication reminders can be monitored.

Additionally, a trusted caregiver can monitor door openings, eating schedules, wake up times, and movement to ensure his or her loved one is eating regularly, moving on a regular schedule, and waking up normally.

Now a reality, these sophisticated sensor systems are available on the market. As technologies improve and advance, the cost of such technology will decline, making these options more available to families in need. The integrated sensors can detect anything from a door opening, and vital signs, to failure to take prescribed medication.

This technology gives seniors the tools and support needed to continue to remain safe and secure in their own homes. Caregivers and seniors have the comfort of knowing that if something does happen, a family member will be informed.

Technology can keep us independent longer and while there will never be a substitute for in-person caregiving, the more we develop these new ideas and grow our knowledge, the more tools we will have to support and assist caregivers.

If you have any questions on technology that assists seniors and caregivers, call Council on Aging Silicon Valley at (408) 350-3200, option 1.

Elizabeth attended Ithaca College and earned a bachelor’s degree in writing with a concentration in feature writing, an aspect of journalism that focuses on the community and cultural impact of local and national issues. At Ithaca, she interned at a local newspaper and served as the web editor and the primary nonfiction editor for the school’s online literary magazine.

One of her favorite projects combined course work and grant writing for a local nonprofit agency. Elizabeth’s efforts were a key component in the success of securing funding to create a community resource center where individuals could learn about reducing their environmental footprint.

Her love of writing and sincere interest in helping people has proven to be a winning combination for COASV, for Information & Assistance, and, most importantly, for the communities we serve in Silicon Valley.

“Elizabeth has been instrumental in improving the way we offer customer service by advancing our ability to better understand and provide resources to individuals, especially to those whom we work with over a longer period of time. What’s more, she’s a pleasure to work with every day,” said Director of Information & Assistance, Crystal Shafiabady.

Aside from assisting individuals everyday with their eldercare concerns, Elizabeth is also the Project Leader of Messaging and Resource Development. Her responsibilities include developing and editing the content of all published and online works and managing community resources within our Online Resource Directory.

Elizabeth also oversees our quarterly newsletter, Voice of Ages, as the editor and project leader. “It feels rewarding to make a difference in people’s lives, like I have played a role, no matter how small, in keeping older adults, especially isolated older adults, informed of current and long term care issues. I am pleased that I am able to put my writing experience to good use here at COASV. ”

To list your organization as a resource for the community and to connect to Information & Assistance specialists, please call (408) 350-3200, and press option 1.

Are you planning to travel outside of the country this holiday season? If you are planning a flight or cruise outside of the U.S., it is important to understand how medical coverage works abroad.

Does Medicare provide coverage outside of the United States?

No. Medicare does not generally cover travelers outside of the U.S. However, there are a few exceptions. Medicare does cover travelers in Canada who are traveling directly between Alaska and U.S. Additionally U.S. travelers who are in the U.S. but near the border with a medical emergency and the nearest hospital is in Canada or in Mexico may receive coverage.

What if travelers are on a cruise?

Medicare may cover medically necessary services if the ship is within six hours from a U.S. port.

Are Medigap supplemental insurance policies sufficient in case of a health emergency?

Some Medigap plans offer Foreign Emergency Travel coverage. Medigap Emergency Foreign Travel coverage applies to the first 60 days of travel and pays 80% after a $250 deductible with a $50,000 lifetime limit. The Emergency Foreign Travel portion does not cover emergency airlift. This would be at the expense of the traveler.

Do Medicare Advantage Plans cover health emergencies outside of the U.S?

Emergency and urgent care situations are generally covered, with annual limits.

What other insurance options can help ensure any health emergency will be taken care of while abroad?

Travel insurance is often a good option for health coverage outside of the U.S.

Researching the health services policy of the foreign country where you are traveling is important as well. Some countries, regardless of insurance coverage, will require payment upfront. Some countries will require the beneficiary to file claims and others will handle this on behalf of the beneficiary.

The key to peace of mind while traveling abroad is to be prepared. For more information, please contact our health insurance experts at Council on Aging Silicon Valley, (408) 350-3200, option 2.