Does Medicare Cover Hotels and Travel Expenses?

Cancer. It’s the diagnosis no one wants to hear. And yet, a recent study from the American Cancer Society states that 1 in 2 American males and 1 in 3 American females will receive a cancer diagnosis at some point in their lifetimes.  

A cancer diagnosis means a lot more than just illness. For many, it means having to travel for chemotherapy and other cancer treatments. Travel and all the other things that go along with it cost money.

How are you going to pay for hotels and travel expenses, and does Medicare help with any of it?

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What are non-medical cancer costs?

Non-medical cancer costs are anything that is not deemed medically necessary. This can be a significant amount and often include costs that you wouldn’t think about being an issue until you’re faced with the bill.

Non-medical cancer costs include things like:

• Hotel stays and out-of-town accommodations
• Experimental medicines and clinical research studies that may only have partial coverage
• Parking passes at hospitals, medical offices or other treatment centers
• Nutritional supplements or other food expenses
• Counseling for you or your family members
• Gasoline and toll roads
• Bus, airplane or taxi fare  
• Wigs
• Replacement for lost income due to missing work or not being able to work

Does Medicare cover travel expenses?

Medicare Part A, your hospital insurance, does not cover any travel expenses. It covers your inpatient care, a skilled nursing facility if needed and hospice if needed as well.  

For more information on what Medicare will cover, check out another Senior Allies article on Medicare and cancer costs.

Why would there be travel expenses if I’m diagnosed with cancer?

Unless you’re fortunate enough to live near a reputable cancer treatment or research facility, you’ll need to travel to receive cancer treatments.

For many people, that can be a significant distance, as many of the top-rated cancer clinics are spread throughout the nation.

If you and your doctors determine that those research facilities will give you the best odds of recovery, those travel expenses add up quickly, especially if you’re having to make multiple trips.

Does Medicare pay for hotel stays?

Hotel stays are not considered a medical expense. Medicare Part A does not cover hotel stays. The American Cancer Society may offer temporary assistance in some locations, but those locations have been closed since March 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.  

Does Medicare cover accommodation?

Unless your accommodations are at a hospital or skilled nursing facility, Medicare Part A will not cover it.

Does Medicare pay for overnight care?

Medicare Part A does not cover the hiring of private nurses or concierge care.

Can you buy insurance to cover hotel stays and travel expenses?

Lump sum cancer policies are extremely affordable and can help pay for non-medical cancer costs like hotel stays and travel expenses.

In the event you are diagnosed with cancer, you will be paid a lump sum of money.

The lump sum is paid directly to you (or your designated beneficiary) after your cancer diagnosis, regardless of any other health insurance coverage you may have. Some policies even bundle in heart attack and stroke as benefit triggers, so your odds of receiving the lump sum increase.

In most cases, that lump sum can be anywhere from $10,000-$30,000. Some companies offer policies that go up to $100,000 as well. The amount you are paid is ultimately based on the benefit amount you decide on when you purchase the policy.  

The best part? That lump sum is yours to use on whatever you want. With a lump-sum cancer policy, you’ll have the extra funds to pay for those non-medical cancer costs, like travel expenses and hotel stays.

Can I get cancer insurance if I have already been diagnosed with cancer?

Unfortunately, you cannot get cancer insurance if you have a current cancer diagnosis. However, if you’ve had cancer in the past, you might still be eligible for a cancer plan.

For most insurance carriers, the requirement is that you haven’t had cancer in the past 10 years. Some also employ a 5-year lookback period.  

That means that even if you’ve had cancer before, you can still get cancer insurance to protect your future. This is especially helpful, because certain cancer types have higher recurrence rates than others.

How much does cancer insurance cost?

At Senior Allies, we have a variety of affordable options available. Our recommended cancer policy starts at as little as $30 a month for a 65-year-old.

Call us for a free quote at 833-801-7999— we are happy to help you find a policy that works for you.

Conclusion

We know that cancer is scary. Having a safety plan in place helps mitigate the financial part of that fear.

Talk with one of our experts today and learn more about how a lump-sum cancer policy could help you when you need it most.