Health Insurance Abroad: What Works, What Doesn’t, and How to Stay Covered

When you travel outside your home country, health insurance abroad, coverage that protects you from unexpected medical costs while traveling internationally. Also known as international health coverage, it’s not the same as your regular plan. Most American health insurance policies don’t cover care outside the U.S.—not even in nearby countries like Canada or Mexico. If you get sick or hurt overseas, you could be stuck with bills that run into tens of thousands of dollars. This isn’t a hypothetical risk. People get emergency care for broken bones, heart issues, or severe infections while traveling—and without proper coverage, they pay out of pocket.

That’s where travel health insurance, a short-term policy designed specifically for medical care during international trips comes in. It’s not optional if you’re flying overseas. It covers ER visits, hospital stays, even emergency evacuation. But not all plans are equal. Some exclude pre-existing conditions. Others cap payouts at $50,000—far below what a serious accident might cost. And many don’t cover routine care, dental emergencies, or mental health services. You need to read the fine print. A policy that works in Europe might not cover you in Asia. And if you’re planning long-term travel or medical tourism, you might need something more permanent than a tourist plan.

US insurance abroad, the common assumption that your domestic plan follows you overseas is a dangerous myth. Medicare doesn’t work outside the U.S. Most employer plans don’t either. Even high-end private insurers like UnitedHealth or Cigna often limit international coverage to emergencies only—and even then, you might have to pay first and file for reimbursement later. That’s not helpful when you’re in a foreign country, don’t speak the language, and need care now.

People who travel often for work, retirement, or medical treatment know this. They buy dedicated international plans. Others wait until they’re already in a hospital abroad—and by then, it’s too late. The difference between having coverage and not can mean the difference between a minor setback and financial ruin. You don’t need to overpay for luxury plans. You just need the right basics: emergency care, hospitalization, and evacuation. Some plans even include coverage for lost prescriptions or repatriation of remains. It sounds extreme, but it’s real.

And it’s not just about Europe. The same rules apply in Thailand, Mexico, India, or anywhere else. If you’re going for a cheaper procedure—like dental work or knee replacement—you’re assuming the risk. Without insurance, you’re paying for everything: the surgery, the hotel, the follow-up, the flight home. And if something goes wrong? You’re on your own. That’s why many people who pursue medical tourism Europe, traveling to European countries for lower-cost, high-quality medical care still buy supplemental travel insurance. They know the system works better there, but they still need protection.

What you’ll find below are real stories, real costs, and real advice from people who’ve been there. From why your credit card’s travel insurance won’t save you, to which countries actually accept U.S. insurance (hint: almost none), to how to find affordable plans that actually cover what you need. No fluff. No marketing speak. Just what works, what doesn’t, and how to make sure you’re never caught off guard.