Health Insurance
“…Whether you're a brother or whether you're a mother
You're stayin' alive, stayin' alive…”
Health Insurance (Quicklinks)
Most of us would like to forget the generation of disco music, but who would have ever thought that a 1970’s Bee Gee’s song would be the theme song for CPR training? But seriously, health and health care are important considerations for living in an RV.
Some of this discussion may not even be relevant because you’re already covered by Medicare, Champus or other private insurance benefit. If that describes you, just click here to move on.
Coverage
Before we ever thought about full-timing, we were advised in a conversation, “Don’t let health insurance stop you. If it’s an issue, there are plenty of options available out there.” It’s not quite as simple as that.
For others, though, this can be the deciding factor between full-timing or not.
If you need coverage, you have some options. It would be nice if there were easy, affordable answers but as long as the healthcare system in the US is status quo, you’ve got to search this out on your own:
Shop around for the most affordable insurance plan that fits your needs and budget.
Join a health cost-sharing network as an alternative for insurance.
Take your chances and go without. Not a very wise decision.
Use a combination of plans for different benefits.
We were recently informed of an agency that is specializing in plans for full-time or long-time RVers, RV Insurance Benefits.
You should thoroughly research all your options and make sure you are comfortable with your decision before transitioning to full-time living.
Providers
Whatever you decide, your insurance is usually based on your residence for “in-network” and “out-of-network” providers. When you live on the road you are generally “out-of-network” and any insurance claim would be managed in the same way as when traveling on vacation.
Doctors and dentists are all over the country if you really need one. Unless you’re under ongoing treatment or care from your doctor, it’s pretty easy to plan a route once or twice a year through your hometown and schedule appointments with your health care providers for regular checkups.
If you end up in a specific location for a season, look for “in-network” health care providers in that area and schedule your appointments while you are there.
Prescriptions
When it’s time for a refill on prescriptions, it’s as easy as a phone call. Look at your schedule and find a pharmacy in an upcoming destination. Advise your doctor’s office where to send your prescription, and it will usually be there waiting for you.
We use a nation-wide chain pharmacy so they already have all our information.
Combining Options
Creatively combining different plans can help provide a broad-base of coverage. Supplemental prescription plans, emergency travel plans, and auto insurance coverage can sometimes all be combined to provide you with the coverage you deem necessary for traveling.
One final suggestion - stay informed regarding US policy decisions on health care. There may be changes which significantly help the full-time RV community who need some affordable options.
Here's What We Did...
- We had planned on being covered by insurance from a previous employer by continuing to provide services on the road in exchange for health insurance. Within two months, the employer had to cancel health insurance benefits for all its employees due to circumstances beyond our control.
- With new-found urgency, we looked at coverage through a private insurance plan which started about $800 per month.
- One option that quickly rose to the top of our list was MediShare, a Christian community cost-sharing plan that functions similar to insurance but is very clearly, not insurance. It's cost for us was about $400 per month.
- Exploring our options, we used a decision tree to help with making the decision:
- Insurance is always a risk/reward decision. It is possible to pay it for years and never need it, but if only needed once it can easily pay for itself.
- Our health is relatively good at our age. Tracy has some chronic conditions that are well managed and maintained, and have not required a lot of ongoing attention.
- The decision came down to fixed and probable costs versus possible costs. Insurance had a fixed cost of almost $10,000 per year plus a $10,000 deductible. Medishare had a fixed cost of about $5,000 per year plus a $10,000 deductible, or "annual family participation".
- As Christians, we have a fundamental agreement with the principles of Medishare and "carrying each others' burdens", and the company has a long-standing track record of success history and stories, so we chose the Medishare option.
- Our vehicle insurance provides a substantial coverage for injury received in an accident, which is our most probable source of accidental injury considering how many miles per year we travel.
- We joined FMCA (Family Motor Coach Association) which provides an excellent medical travel assistance benefit to help with medical transportation costs if necessary.
- So far, we've been pleased with the decision. We recognize that it basically functions like a catastrophic policy - it's there if we have something major happen that would otherwise bankrupt us. Up til now, our annual health expense out-of-pocket has been about $7,000.
- We continue to stay informed about changes in US policy on healthcare and look at other insurance options when we are made aware of them.