BootsnAll Travel Community

I've been wondering what you all do for family medical coverage when on the road for a rtw trip?

My goal is to be on the road with the five kiddos and hubby in 6 years and ten months Either leaving in September or if someone can convince me January would be better leaving in January. I really need my youngest to be of an age to remember it and right now we just are not in a place to go now even if handed all of the money to do it. We have some critters who will be gone from this Earth in 7 years and I just could not leave them.

I stay at home with kiddos so no job to worry about, my hubby thank goodness works for a company that actually gets recognition by many as being the best "pro employee pro family" place to work. Not certain how they would handle this situation in the future. I wouldn't be surpised if they actually would give him the year to do this...but who knows and we certainly don't want to jeaopordize his future by even asking...

But back to health insurance...what do you do?
My 22 month old had stiches in Ukraine and the ambulance ride to and from the hospital and stiches and exrays I think totaled $70...

Thanks in advance,

Yikes I swear I didn't type "exrays"
Sheesh and I worked in a trauma center for 15 years pre kids.

This won't help you, but in Ontario, Canada, we have government funded medical coverage. We applied and were granted 1 year coverage for the family while travelling. We then bought private top up insurance to cover excess costs above what the government plan would cover. I think the excess insurance was about $800.

We had no illnesses or hospitalizations on our year off. The only medical costs we had were malaria pills, some cream for hives, and some antibiotics... all of which were significantly cheaper in Asia than Canada, and available over-the-counter.

quote:

This won't help you, but in Ontario, Canada, we have government funded medical coverage

Thanks for rubbing it in.

Wow Mamoo,

You are getting into the details early!!

We had to have insurance for our long stay visa, but we would have gotten it anyway. We pretty much think insurance is a rip off for healthy people unless a huge thing hits you and then it is good " asset protection".

So we got an expat insurance thru IMG. They have lots of different things ( look at different companies for expats). We picked high deductible just like we use to do at home.

We save a LOT of money this way as it is cheaper here than at home.

We have run into a few ambulance rides, and emergency room visits and have been amazed at the quality of care and price....free!!

My husband has also had a lot of dental work here...very high quality and SUPER low price.


So other than protecting yourselves for a very freaky ( and unlikely) huge disaster and needing to evac, I think you will find paying out of pocket in the rest of the world will be much, MUCH cheaper.

It is really up to you and your needs as you can spend as little or as much as you want on insurance. We have not used ours yet, but it is nice to know it is there.

PS..Get "adventuring with children", if you have not read it yet, you will love it.

Good luck with your planning!

quote:

available over-the-counter.

Oh, yeah, that over the counter thing is great ..so far everwhere we have been. YOu have a problem...go find a pharmacy.

My daughter drank something at the market in Turkey ( hubby took her without me and forgot) and ended up upchucking all night. She still was not feeling good the next day, so we went to a pharmacy and got something that helped a lot.


We have had this scenario a few times.

I was a nurse, so since you have the medical training too, that will help guide you.

Since you have already traveled with the kids abroad that will help you a lot.

[QUOTE]Originally posted by WT:
Wow Mamoo,

You are getting into the details early!!

I hope I am replying with the "quote thing" correctly...

Ya know funny thing I am asked that question by everyone who I tell of my dream to do the trip. I always feel so stupid not even having a schpiel to give them...which is why I just came out and asked.

I guess if I didn't homeschool folks would ask, "what about school?", but since I already homeschool and they trust me on that this is the next question.