When making travel reservations, we often fantasize about the historical landmarks we’re going to see at our destination or the flavorful cuisine we plan to devour at local restaurants. But few fantasize about spending a night at the hospital in another country or calling for a medical evacuation — even though it can happen.

You might already have health insurance that covers you in your country of residence, but does it cover you internationally? If you’ve wondered about what would happen if you broke a leg or suffered a stroke on a trip overseas, it’s a good idea to find out if your current insurance will provide assistance.

We’ll help you figure out if your health insurance provides coverage abroad, as well as what your options are to obtain coverage if it doesn’t.

Does health insurance cover you abroad?

If you rely on Medicare or Medicaid for your medical coverage, then the answer is no, you’re not covered outside of the United States. In fact, Medicaid coverage doesn’t extend beyond your state of residence except in rare emergency situations, so keep that in mind when crossing state lines.

If you’re enrolled in an insurance plan through your place of employment or through the Health Insurance Marketplace, then the answer isn’t so concrete. It largely depends on your plan.

Subsidized insurance plans, such as those you find through the marketplace, are exclusive to each state. You might be able to get some emergency coverage abroad to an extent, but you won’t be able to visit a doctor for a routine procedure or buy prescription medication and expect a reimbursement. Private insurance might or might not offer coverage overseas, but again, it depends on the plan you have.

So, the best way to find out whether your health insurance covers international travel is to contact your insurance provider.

Ask the agent whether your emergency medical coverage extends outside of the United States, whether it covers pre-existing conditions and how to proceed with a claim if your policy does include coverage abroad and you need medical services.