US Insurance Abroad: What You Need to Know Before Traveling

When you leave the US, your US insurance, the health coverage you have at home through employers or government programs like Medicare. Also known as domestic health insurance, it often stops working the moment you cross the border. Most US plans—whether from Blue Cross, Aetna, or even Medicare—don’t pay for care outside the country. That means if you get sick in Europe, break a bone in Thailand, or have a heart issue in Mexico, you could be stuck with bills that run into tens of thousands of dollars. This isn’t a hypothetical risk. Thousands of Americans get caught off guard every year because they assumed their insurance followed them abroad.

That’s where travel insurance, a short-term policy designed specifically for trips outside your home country. Also known as international travel medical insurance, it covers emergencies like hospital stays, evacuations, and urgent doctor visits. But not all travel insurance is the same. Some only cover accidents. Others skip pre-existing conditions. A few even exclude high-risk activities like hiking or scuba diving. If you’re planning a long trip, moving abroad, or just want peace of mind, you need to know what’s included and what’s not. The cheapest policy isn’t always the best one—if it doesn’t cover the thing you actually need, it’s useless.

Then there’s international health insurance, a longer-term plan for people living or working overseas for months or years. Also known as expat health insurance, it often includes routine care, prescriptions, and even dental. This isn’t just for retirees or digital nomads. More Americans are working remotely from other countries, studying abroad, or relocating for family reasons. If you’re staying longer than a few weeks, this kind of coverage makes more sense than buying a single-trip policy every time you leave.

You don’t need to be an expert to figure this out. But you do need to ask the right questions. Does your plan cover emergency evacuation? What’s the deductible? Can you see a doctor in your destination country, or do you have to pay upfront and get reimbursed later? These aren’t just fine print details—they’re the difference between walking away from a hospital bill and being buried under it.

The posts below cover real stories and practical advice from people who’ve dealt with this exact problem. You’ll find guides on how to pick the right plan, what to do if you’re denied coverage, which countries are safest for medical care, and how to handle emergencies when you’re far from home. No sales pitches. No fluff. Just what actually works when your US insurance stops working.