Traveling for More Than 90 Days? What to Do About Your Medicare Medications

Planning an extended vacation, visiting family out of state, or heading overseas for a few months? If you're on a Medicare Advantage or Part D prescription drug plan, there are important rules you need to know about getting your medications while you're away — especially if you'll be gone for more than 90 days. Here’s what to expect and how to plan ahead to avoid running out of critical prescriptions.

 Why 90 Days Is a Key Limit

Most Medicare drug plans (Part D and MAPD) limit refills to:

• 30-day or 90-day supplies
• Must be filled at network pharmacies
• May restrict mailing medications out of state or country

Once you're out of your plan’s service area for more than 90 consecutive days, you may be considered “out of the network” — and at risk of losing drug coverage for the time you're away.

 What You Can Do Before You Travel

1. Request a 90-Day Supply at a Preferred Pharmacy

Most plans allow a 3-month fill of maintenance medications if you use:

• A preferred retail pharmacy
• A preferred mail-order pharmacy

 Tip: Do this before you leave to avoid delays.

2. Use Mail-Order Pharmacy Services (If Available)

Some Medicare drug plans offer mail delivery — but not all will:

• Ship to temporary addresses
• Ship out of state or overseas

 Check your plan’s mail-order rules before relying on this option.

3. Contact Your Plan to Request a Vacation Supply

If you’ll be gone longer than 90 days, some plans allow a "vacation override" or temporary supply extension. You’ll need:

• Travel dates
• A request from your pharmacy or doctor
• Sometimes written documentation

 Ask your agent or plan for a “Vacation Supply Exception” form.

4. Switch to a National or Nationwide Plan (if allowed)

If you’re traveling within the U.S. for long periods, consider a Medicare Advantage PPO or a Part D plan with national pharmacy networks. Some carriers have:

• Retail chains with nationwide access
• Partner pharmacies in multiple states

 This is especially important for snowbirds or clients with homes in two states.

 What If I’m Traveling Outside the U.S.?

Unfortunately:

• Medicare Part D drug plans do not cover medications outside the U.S.
• MAPD plans also do not ship prescriptions internationally

If you're going overseas:

• Fill all refills in advance
• Ask your doctor about safely traveling with medications
• Carry a written list of prescriptions + doses
• Bring a doctor’s note for customs clearance

And consider travel insurance that includes emergency prescription benefits.

 FAQs: Medicare Drug Access During Travel

1. Can I refill my medication while I’m out of state?

Only if your plan has a national pharmacy network or you’re in a PPO plan. HMO plans often restrict out-of-network fills.

2. What if I run out while I’m away?

Contact your plan ASAP. You may be able to get a temporary supply — but only at in-network or partner pharmacies.

3. Can my pharmacy mail my meds to another address?

Maybe. Some plans allow temporary mailing within the U.S., but not internationally.

 Peace & Grace Can Help You Travel Worry-Free

Whether you're leaving for 3 weeks or 3 months, we can help you:

• Request 90-day refills or vacation overrides
• Find plans with nationwide pharmacy access
• Make sure your prescriptions travel with you — safely and legally

 Call/Text: 209-812-4026  Email: CSinsurepng@icloud.com  Proudly serving all counties in California -----------------------------

 What to Do If You Lose Your Medications on Medicare

Whether you're at home, on the road, or traveling abroad, losing your medications can be scary — especially if you depend on them daily. If you’re on Medicare Part D or have a Medicare Advantage plan with drug coverage (MAPD), here’s what you need to know to act quickly, stay covered, and avoid running out.

 First, Don’t Panic — You Have Options

Your plan won’t automatically replace lost medication, but you may be eligible for an emergency or early refill under specific circumstances. The sooner you act, the better.

 Step-by-Step: What to Do If You Lost Your Prescriptions

1. Contact Your Pharmacy Immediately

Let your local or mail-order pharmacy know what happened. They may:

• Check if a refill is available
• Contact your plan for an early refill override
• Transfer the prescription to another pharmacy (if you’re out of town)

2. Call Your Medicare Drug Plan

Ask for a “Lost Medication Override” or “Emergency Refill”. You’ll need:

• Your member ID
• Prescription name and dosage
• Details of what happened (lost, stolen, damaged)

 Plans don’t have to approve, but many will in cases of:

• Theft or robbery (a police report may be requested)
• Travel disruptions or natural disasters
• Hospital discharge with lost meds

3. Ask Your Doctor to Call in a New Prescription

If your pharmacy can’t refill it, your doctor can send in a new prescription. This is especially helpful if:

• You’re out of refills
• Your plan requires a new authorization
• You're out of town and need a local pharmacy to fill it

4. Traveling? Use a Nationwide Pharmacy or Urgent Care

If you're away from home:

• Use a pharmacy with national presence (like CVS, Walgreens, or Walmart)
• Visit a walk-in clinic or urgent care for a quick prescription re-issue
• Ask your plan if the pharmacy is in-network to avoid high costs

 If you have a MAPD PPO plan, you may be able to fill out-of-network with higher copays. If you’re on an HMO, you’ll need a network pharmacy or plan approval.

 What Medicare Drug Plans Don’t Cover

• Lost or stolen medications are not guaranteed to be replaced
• International pharmacies are not covered under Medicare Part D
• Controlled substances (like pain meds or anxiety medications) may have strict limits

 FAQs: Lost Medicare Prescriptions

1. Will Medicare pay to replace my lost medication?

Maybe. Most plans will review emergency refill requests case by case. A one-time override may be granted.

2. What if I’m traveling abroad?

Medicare drug coverage does not apply outside the U.S.. Bring enough medication for your trip, and consider travel insurance that covers emergency prescriptions.

3. Can I get a 90-day supply to avoid this?

Yes! We often recommend 90-day refills for travelers, snowbirds, or anyone with maintenance medications.

 We Can Help You Replace Medications Quickly

At Peace & Grace Insurance Services, we:

• Help you call your plan to request an override
• Work with your doctor or pharmacy to get replacements
• Find plans with better pharmacy access or refill options if this happens often

 Call/Text: 209-812-4026  Email: CSinsurepng@icloud.com  Proudly serving all counties in California