Anyone who turns 65 while living abroad, with plans to return to the U.S., should familiarize themselves with the rules that apply to Medicare enrollment.
Roughly 70% percent of individuals age 65 or older have now received their first Covid shot, and 43% are fully vaccinated, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. As more of the population becomes inoculated against the virus, travel is again on the minds of people who have hunkered down for the last year.
Here s what to know about the differences in Medicare coverage away from home.
The nitty gritty
Basic, or original, Medicare consists of Part A (hospital coverage) and Part B (outpatient care). Individuals who choose to stick with that coverage instead of going with an Advantage Plan typically pair it with a stand-alone prescription-drug plan (Part D).