Call Medicare from Abroad
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- $0.09per minute
- Speaking · microphone on
- $0.39per minute
All prices in USD · billed per second
PayCall Credits from $10.00. No subscription.
- No app or SIM
- Payments by Stripe
PayCall is an independent calling service, not affiliated with Medicare.
Published contact sources
Before you call
Medicare's phone number is 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227), open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Medicare does not publish an international number, and U.S. toll-free numbers usually don't connect from foreign phones — with PayCall you can call 1-800-MEDICARE from your browser over WiFi, from Mexico, Portugal, Costa Rica or anywhere else.
By PayCall · Last reviewed
Medicare phone numbers
Medicare.gov lists one main number and one TTY number. Both are U.S. toll-free lines; there is no separate number for callers outside the United States.
| Line | Number | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| 1-800-MEDICARE | 1-800-633-4227 | 24 hours a day, 7 days a week (except some federal holidays) |
| TTY | 1-877-486-2048 | Same as above |
Open Enrollment: October 15 – December 7
During Medicare Open Enrollment (October 15 – December 7) you can join, drop or switch a Medicare Advantage or drug plan. The plan must receive your request by December 7, and changes take effect January 1.
Medicare plans generally require you to live in the plan's service area, so if you live abroad part or all of the year, call before December 7 to check what your plan covers and where.
What Medicare covers outside the U.S.
According to medicare.gov, Medicare usually doesn't cover health care while you're traveling outside the U.S. Exceptions are rare: for example certain emergencies when a foreign hospital is closer than the nearest U.S. hospital, travel through Canada between Alaska and another state, or care on a cruise ship within 6 hours of a U.S. port.
- Medicare drug plans don't cover prescription drugs bought outside the U.S.
- Some Medigap policies cover emergency care abroad — check your policy.
- Medicare Advantage plans may offer some emergency or urgent care abroad — ask your plan.
Medicare questions Social Security handles
Medicare applications and replacement Medicare cards go through Social Security, not Medicare. From abroad, Social Security's International Operations line is 1-855-522-6936 (7:00am – 5:00pm Eastern Time), and you can request a replacement Medicare card in your my Social Security account.
How to call Medicare from abroad
- 1Have your Medicare card (Medicare Number) ready.
- 2Open PayCall in your browser and enter 1-800-633-4227.
- 3Call over WiFi or mobile data and use the on-screen keypad for the phone menu.
Call via PayCall
PayCall calls U.S. numbers — including 1-800 toll-free lines — straight from your browser for $0.39/min, billed per second. No app, no roaming, no U.S. SIM. Unanswered calls are free.
A 30-minute call including hold time costs about $11.70.
Disclaimer
Phone numbers can change. Always confirm on medicare.gov before calling.
PayCall is not affiliated with Medicare, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services or any U.S. government agency.
Frequently asked questions
Can I call 1-800-MEDICARE from outside the U.S.?
Usually not from a foreign phone — U.S. toll-free numbers are generally only reachable from U.S. networks, and Medicare has no international number. You can call 1-800-633-4227 from your browser with PayCall, which places the call inside the U.S. network.
What is Medicare's phone number?
1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227), 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. TTY: 1-877-486-2048.
When is Medicare Open Enrollment?
October 15 to December 7. Changes to Medicare Advantage or drug plans take effect January 1.
Does Medicare cover me while I live abroad?
Usually not. Medicare.gov says Medicare usually doesn't cover health care outside the U.S., with a few narrow exceptions.
How much does it cost to call Medicare from abroad with PayCall?
$0.39/min, billed per second from the moment Medicare answers. A 30-minute call including hold time costs about $11.70.
Can I add credits during a call?
Yes. Tap “Add credits without hanging up” on the call screen and pay with card, Apple Pay or Google Pay right there. The call keeps running, and the new balance extends it. Useful when a hotline keeps you on hold longer than expected.
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