Retiring overseas, keeping Medicare Part A and

Retiring overseas, keeping Medicare Part A and then returning to the US to use it if you need hospitalization is a contingency plan that is used by some expatriates.  However you should be aware that there are some emergency cases, such as a heart attack or stroke, when this will not be possible because of time constraints.  It is worth noting also that Medicare does not have international benefits, so it can only be used in the US and US territories.