Hi all,

I am an American citizen planning to set off for a year-long trip, roughly April 2022 to April 2023. Do any Americans have any advice regarding how they dealt with American health insurance during extended travel? Did you maintain an insurance plan in the States while gone in addition to insurance for countries overseas, or purchase a plan that is for the entire world, including the States?

Any advice would be welcome. It's tough to figure out what makes the most sense!

Thanks,
Kiley

I've generally kept my US insurance while paying separately for repatriation/medivac insurance and sometimes travel insurance (which reimburses for certain expenses, like airline flights, tours, pre-booked lodging). I usually self-insure, which means go without, for local medical expenses.

The idea is that most travel stuff can be dealt with on a cash payment basis--I get an ear infection or malaria, or just need some antibiotics or motion sickness pills. In the event of a serious health issue I want a paid medivac flight home, where my US insurance will take care of it. I've never considered a worldwide plan, in part because health care is so much cheaper almost anywhere but here.

Note that the specific balance of risk vs. expense changes over time, often drastically. A lot of stuff which felt quite reasonable in my thirties, when I spent a year circling the globe with no insurance at all, would look absurdly risky now, in my sixties. On the other hand, health care and insurance were a LOT cheaper 30 years ago, even allowing for inflation and income adjustments.

Hope that's helpful.

Mark

Thank you so much for your response! That tactic makes a lot of sense and is something I was considering, though healthcare in my home state (Maryland) seems quite expensive. I'll keep looking into this.

Anyone else's experience/advice would also be welcome!!

Thank you!

"Health Insurance for Americans"

Hmmm what country in the americas?

Apologies, I should have clarified--Americans from the USA.

Me just being politically correct

Hey Kiley,

I wanted to get your thoughts on how you approached the insurance aspect for your travels, as I'm currently planning an extended trip across the Americas that will last around 1.5 to 2 years.

Being in my 30s and living in Florida, USA, this is my first time organizing such an extensive trip. Initially, I overlooked the importance of travel insurance, but now I realize it's one of the most crucial topics to consider, especially on a budget.

My planned route will take me along the East Coast to Canada, then down the West Coast to Baja, Mexico, and through Central and South America.

So far, I'm looking at Ripcord as a potential option to layer on top of World Nomads, but I'm still researching if they can be combined. I've also considered the Spot X device, which offers search and rescue coverage up to $100,000 for around $30.

Another suggestion I came across was GeoBlue, but at approximately $500 per month, it's way beyond my budget. That cost would completely disrupt my overall travel expenses and the funds I need to maintain my home base.

I would greatly appreciate any suggestions or advice you might have. Reading through forums about other travelers' experiences with insurance has been more daunting than motivating.

Perhaps I'm overthinking this, but I also can't ignore the potential for significant medical expenses, especially in the USA.

Your input would be incredibly valuable as I navigate this crucial aspect of my trip planning.

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Hi there,

I just ended up going with IMG insurance for health and medical evacuation purposes, forgoing "trip insurance," and purchasing insurance for my motorcycle in every country I traveled through. Purchasing insurance for my motorcycle at the border was often mandatory, so you'll likely have to do this even if you want more comprehensive global motorcycle insurance. I also maintained Medicaid back home in the US for the days I traveled in the US.

I luckily never had to use any of these insurances, so can't speak to their quality.

Hope this helps!