What Medicare says
Medicare.gov puts it plainly: Medicare drug plans don't cover prescription drugs you buy outside the U.S. That applies to standalone Part D plans and to Medicare Advantage plans with drug coverage. For medical care abroad, see Does Medicare cover me if I travel to Cuba, Latin America or the Caribbean?
For Medicare, the United States means the 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands and American Samoa. Anywhere else, including Mexico, Canada, Cuba, the Dominican Republic and the rest of Latin America, is outside the U.S.
Why it matters
- It doesn't count toward the cap. In 2027, what you pay for covered Part D drugs is capped at $2,400. What you pay at a pharmacy in another country isn't covered, so it doesn't count toward that cap.
- Travel vaccines can be covered. Part D covers the vaccines the CDC's advisory committee (ACIP) recommends, including some you may need before you travel, with no copay or deductible, when you get them in the U.S.
Florida's Canadian drug importation program
A Florida law (s. 381.02035, Florida Statutes) created the Canadian Prescription Drug Importation Program, run by the Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA). FDA authorized it on January 5, 2024. It's a program for the state to import drugs its own programs pay for, not a way for individuals to buy drugs in Canada, and it doesn't change Medicare's rule.
Ways to pay less without leaving the country
- Extra Help: lowers Part D premiums, deductibles and copays. See Extra Help in Florida.
- Medicare Prescription Payment Plan: spreads your costs into monthly payments. See how it works.
- Negotiated prices: 21 drugs have Medicare negotiated prices in 2027. See the list.
- Compare plans: Open Enrollment ends December 7, 2026. Enter your drugs on PlanMatch or Medicare.gov, or you can request a call from a licensed insurance agent.
Related questions
Which drugs have Medicare negotiated prices in 2027?
The 2027 list.
Is insulin capped for people with Medicare in Florida?
The monthly insulin limit.
Does Medicare cover weight-loss drugs in Florida?
Part D and the GLP-1 Bridge.
Sources
- Medicare.gov — Travel outside the U.S.
- Florida Statutes — s. 381.02035, Canadian Prescription Drug Importation Program
- FDA — FDA authorizes Florida's drug importation program (January 5, 2024)
- CMS — CY 2027 Rate Announcement (2027 Part D out-of-pocket threshold)
More questions in this guide
- Does Medicare cover weight-loss drugs like Wegovy or Zepbound in Florida?
- Is insulin capped for people with Medicare in Florida?
- Which drugs have Medicare negotiated prices in 2027?
Part of the guide: Medicare drug coverage in Florida: 25 drugs, plain English · All questions
Frequently asked questions
What if I get sick while traveling and a doctor there prescribes something?
Medicare generally doesn't cover care outside the U.S., except in rare cases, and Part D plans don't cover drugs you buy there. Some Medigap policies cover emergency care abroad; check yours before you travel.
Does my Part D plan work in Puerto Rico?
Puerto Rico counts as part of the United States for Medicare. But a Florida plan's service area is Florida, so ask your plan which network pharmacies you can use on the island.
Can I use Florida's Canadian drug importation program with Medicare?
No. It's a state program for drugs that state-paid programs buy; it doesn't let people with Medicare use Part D for drugs bought in another country.
Can I get extra medicine before a long trip?
Ask your plan before you leave. Each plan has its own rules about extra supplies and early refills.
Medicare in your Florida county
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