Medicare protection exception

In the October ’08 Discerning Traveler column, Dr. Wagenaar wrote, “Medicare provides no protection outside the US…” I’ve read this elsewhere, but there are two exceptions.

In the government’s guidebook “Medicare and You — 2008,”* on page 25 it says, “Travel… limited to medical services provided in Canada when you travel the most direct route through Canada between Alaska and another state.” It also says, “Medicare also covers hospital, ambulance and doctor services if you are in the US but the nearest hospital that can treat you isn’t in the US…”

We are particularly aware of these exceptions because we’ve gone to Alaska twice by Toyota and once by Cessna, using the Alaska (Alcan) Highway, and because a friend in northern Maine has his dialysis done in a nearby Canadian hospital.

However, questions on the fine points persist. What’s the “most direct route” from Maine to Anchorage, and is there any Mexican hospital that could qualify as “nearest?”

DICK DRESELLY

Brunswick ME

*The 2009 “Medicare and You” guidebook is available online at www.medicare.gov/publications. The passage cited is on page 39 in the new guidebook.

ITN sent a copy of the above letter to Dr. Wagenaar, who replied, “Mr. Dreselly is entirely correct. Medicare does not cover anything outside the US. This is a general statement. Of course, there are the exceptions mentioned by Mr. Dreselly, listed in the Medicare book ‘Medicare and You, 2009.’ The exceptions pertain only to Part-B covered services. Finding it somewhat strange that Part A services (hospitalization) would not be covered, I called Medicare and was informed that the exceptions also pertain to Part A. However, since this was a verbal communication, which has no legal value, it would behoove anyone who has to make use of these services to get clarification in writing.”