Standard Medicare provides no coverage outside the United States. For American retirees travelling to the Indian Ocean islands, comprehensive travel insurance is not optional — it's the difference between a manageable inconvenience and a life-altering financial event.
Medicare Parts A and B provide coverage within the United States and, in limited circumstances, on a US ship in US waters. International travel is not covered. A medical evacuation from Rodrigues Island to the nearest major hospital in Mauritius — let alone repatriation to a home country — can cost $50,000 to $150,000 without insurance.
Medigap plans C, D, F, G, M and N provide a foreign travel emergency benefit, but with a $250 deductible, an 80/20 cost split and a $50,000 lifetime limit. On a remote island, that limit can be insufficient for a single serious emergency.
Every ElderRoam tour participant is required to hold comprehensive travel insurance with a minimum $500,000 medical coverage limit and emergency evacuation coverage. This is not a recommendation. It is a condition of participation.
These are the providers our travellers use most consistently. We have assessed each for Indian Ocean coverage, pre-existing condition handling and claim response times.
Consistently highest-rated for pre-existing condition coverage. The AllTrips Prime plan offers annual coverage — useful if you travel more than once a year. Clear claims process, 24/7 assistance line that answers.
Get a QuoteStrong evacuation coverage for remote destinations. The RoundTrip Elite plan covers medical evacuation to a facility of your choice rather than just the nearest hospital — relevant for Rodrigues Island specifically.
Get a QuoteTin Leg's Gold plan includes a 75% "cancel for any reason" benefit and strong medical coverage. Transparent comparison tools make it easy to understand what you're actually buying before you commit.
Get a QuoteIMG handles extended travel well — their iTravelInsured LX plan is built for trips over 30 days and handles the multi-destination complexity of the Mascarene Circuit without exclusions buried in footnotes.
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