Some Medigap plans also help pay for medical care while traveling outside the U.S. But not all of them do.
There are advantages and disadvantages to both Medi-Share 65+ and Medigap approaches.
What Medicare Covers
To understand the foreign travel benefits of Medi-Share 65+, it’s helpful to know what Original Medicare itself covers and doesn’t cover.
Generally, Medicare by itself does not cover medical services received outside the U.S., except in a few specific situations:
- You are on a ship within six hours of a U.S. port,
- You live near Canada and get treated in a hospital closer to your residence than any U.S. hospital.
- You are traveling between the Lower 48 states and Alaska by the most direct route, without unreasonable delay, and you need emergency care during the trip.
That’s where Medi-Share 65+ can be an excellent but affordable solution.
About Medi-Share 65+
Medi-Share is an affordable non-insurance alternative to traditional Medicare supplement (Medigap) insurance.
It’s not a health insurance company. Instead Medi-Share is a non-profit Christian healthsharing ministry and mutual aid association with hundreds of thousands of members, each of whom agrees to help share other members’ medical expenses.
Medi-Share 65+ is the Medi-Share plan specifically designed for Medicare beneficiaries. If you are a member and you have a medical need that is covered but not paid for under Original Medicare (Parts A and B), your Medi-Share 65+ plan will kick in and help you pay 100% of the out-of-pocket costs, except for the first $500 per household per year.
And unlike Original Medicare, Medi-Share 65+ includes substantial sharing benefits for Americans traveling outside the United States.
Medi-Share 65+ Foreign Travel Benefits
The Medi-Share 65+ health share plan will pay for up to 80 percent of the cost of urgent care services that Medicare would have covered had you been in the U.S. when you received treatment.
| Medi-Share 65+ | Medigap | |
|---|---|---|
| Foreign Travel | Covers medically necessary care outside the U.S. | Only plans C, D, E, F, G, H, I, J, M or N. |
| Benefit cap | $150,000 maximum lifetime sharing benefit | $50,000 maximum lifetime benefit |
| Coinsurance | You pay 20% of covered charges. 100% over the capo. | You pay 20% of covered charges, and 100% over the cap. |
| Time limit | No time limit. | Only pays for care received during the first 60 days of your trip. |
| Max out-of-pocket exposure for benefits covered under Original Medicare. | Normally $500 per year per household | Plan G pays all expenses except for your annual Part B Deductible. |
ENROLL: MEDISHARE 65+
Lifetime Cap
Medi-Share 65+ has a maximum lifetime benefit of $150,000.
This is much higher than Medigap’s maximum lifetime cap of $50,000. In today’s high-cost environment, one major medical incident can easily exhaust your entire lifetime cap under Medigap.
With Medi-Share 65+ ‘s lifetime maximum foreign travel benefit being three times higher than the Medigap maximum lifetime benefit, you are much less likely to exhaust your entire benefit and face unexpected massive out-of-pocket costs for care received outside of the United States.
Time limits
While Medigap’s foreign travel coverage only lasts for the first 60 days of your trip, Medi-Share 65+ plan has no such limit.
This is one reason why the plan is popular among missionaries who spend many months abroad at a time.
Medi-Share 65+ may also be a good choice if you plan on spending a lot of time outside the United States in your retirement years.
Monthly Costs
Medi-Share 65+ features much lower monthly costs compared to comparable Medigap plans. Currently, Medi-Share 65+ costs just $99 per month for members aged 65 through 74, and $150 for everyone aged 75 and over.
Members enrolling between age 65 – 74 inclusive, currently qualify for guaranteed level pricing until they turn age 75.
This compares very favorably for Medigap Plan G, the most popular Medigap plan for new enrollees – especially in high cost-of-living markets.
Plan G premiums average around $150 nationwide. But in some markets a Plan G can cost more than $300 per month.
In contrast, Medi-Share 65+ costs are uniform throughout the United States.
What to Be Aware of
Like Medigap plans, Medi-Share 65+ does not provide prescription drug coverage. However, you can buy a standalone Medicare Part D plan alongside your Medi-Share 65+ healthsharing plan.
Medi-Share 65+ does have a powerful discount program for prescription drugs – especially for generics. You can also use prescription drug discount programs like GoodRx, or the Mark Cuban Cost Plus Drug Company.
If you have a significant need for higher-tier prescription drugs, however, you should consider purchasing a Part D plan.
Medi-Share 65+ also does not share costs related to:
- Suicide and suicide attempts
- Self injury and self-harm
- Alcohol and illegal drug -related overdoses and injuries
- Addictions treatment
- Mental health treatment
- Injuries related to reckless and risky behaviors and hobbies
- Injuries sustained due to drunk driving/driving while intoxicated – even as a passenger.
Medi-Share also requires members to agree to adhere to a Biblically-sound lifestyle and to live in accordance with Christian values.
Who Should Consider Medi-Share 65+
Medi-Share 65+ is a good choice if you want to experience the benefits of healthsharing, you can afford the monthly sharing obligation, and you want to limit your exposure to substantial out-of-pocket Medicare Part A and B deductibles, co-pays, and coinsurance costs.
It’s an especially good solution if you plan to spend significant amounts of time outside the United States.
Get a Free Medicare Supplement Quote
How to Enroll in Medi-Share 65+
It’s easy!
First, gather your Medicare enrollment letter or your Medicare card. You’ll need your Medicare card number from these documents.
Then, once you’ve got them in hand, come back to the computer, and follow these steps:
- Click the enrollment link here, and answer some basic contact information.
- Click “I’m not a robot,” and submit.
- On the next page, click the date on which you want your Medi-Share 65+ membership to become effective. You have a choice of three dates across the top.
- Enter your state of residence, zip code, marital status, and date of birth of the oldest person enrolling on your application.
- Enter the number of people applying in your household.
- Click “See Pricing.” If the birthday you entered puts you or the oldest applicant at age 65 or older, the next page will give you pricing for the Medi-Share 65+ plan.
- Click “Select.”
- Enter the primary applicant’s identifying information.
- Click “Onward.”
- Enter your address information.
- Click “Save and Continue.”
- The next page will ask you if you are enrolled in a Medicare Advantage or Medigap plan, or if you plan to be when your Medi-Share plan becomes effective.
- To join Medi-Share 65+, you must click “No.” You only need one of these plans. You cannot join Medi-Share 65+ at the same time you’re enrolled in either Medicare Advantage or Medigap. If you’re transitioning from either plan to Medi-Share 65+, you must cancel your old plan when your Medi-Share 65+ plan becomes effective.
- Enter your 11-digit Medicare number from your Medicare card or benefits verification letter.
- Enter your Medicare Part B start date, using the drop-down menu.
- Enter your Medicare
- Click “Continue.”
- Answer the remaining questions as prompted.
- Select a payment method.
- Cancel other Medicare Advantage or Medigap insurance as of your Medi-Share 65 Plus effective date.
If you have any questions or hit a glitch on your application, call us at MediGap Advisors, or make an appointment with a Personal Benefits Manager.
Any questions? Need help choosing between Medi-Share 65+, Medigap, and Medicare Insurance? Or would you rather sign up over the phone? Just click here to make an appointment with one of our expert Personal Benefits Managers, and all your questions will be answered!
Frequently Asked Questions About Medicare Foreign Travel Benefits and Medi-Share 65+
Is Medi-Share 65+ considered insurance?
No, Medi-Share 65+ is not insurance. It is a cost-sharing program that operates under a religious exemption from insurance regulation. Members share each other’s medical expenses according to the program guidelines.
What kind of medical expenses are eligible for sharing under Medishare 65?
Eligible medical expenses for sharing under Medi-Share 65+ include treatments or services normally covered under Original Medicare (Parts A and B), but for which the government doesn’t pay. These include your Part A and B deductibles, co-pays, and coinsurance in excess of $500 per year per household.
However, if you need care abroad, under Medi-Share 65+ you’ll still be responsible for 20% of the billed charges.
Under Medi-Share 65+ there’s a $150,000 cap on benefits over the member’s lifetime.
Are there any enrollment restrictions for Medi-Share 65+?
Yes, Medi-Share 65+ has certain eligibility requirements for enrollment, including being 65 years or older, being a Christian, and agreeing to adhere to the program’s biblical principles.
Members must also live a healthy lifestyle and meet certain medical and financial requirements.
How does Medi-Share 65+ compare to traditional Medicare coverage?
Medi-Share 65+ is not a replacement for traditional Medicare coverage, but it can be used in conjunction with Medicare.
Members are still responsible for paying their Medicare Part B premium, and Medi-Share 65+ can help cover some of the out-of-pocket expenses not covered by Medicare.
However, unlike traditional Medicare, Medi-Share 65+ has certain limitations and exclusions for pre-existing conditions and lifestyle-related health issues. It’s important to carefully evaluate the pros and cons of both options before making a decision.
Mike Montes is a Personal Benefits Manager at MediGap Advisors. Mike has a passion for bringing clarity to those confused about Medicare. He is an authority on Medicare, Medicare supplement plans, Medicare Advantage plans, and Part D prescription drug plans. Read more about Mike on his Bio page.