Do I have health insurance?
Yes. I consulted with an insurance broker and learned the differences about travel insurance verses health insurance.
Cigna Global Health Insurance
I chose the Silver Plan with Cigna Global for $2,904.84 annual plan because it was one of few expat health plans that actually included coverage in the US, up to 6 months. Here's my policy summary:
World wide coverage
$1500 deductible ($0 cost share ($0 out of pocket max))
Optional Benefits: International Medical Evacuation, International Health and Wellbeing
If you want to know more about the nitty-gritty of the plan, click here.
What about travel insurance?
On my long haul flights, entering and leaving countries, I will pay for travel insurance through the airline. Just in case a random emergency happens the day of travel, or my luggage is lost, I'll be covered.
I don't carry continuous travel insurance, because insurance is a gamble. You are betting on the fact that something horrible is gong to happen, and that's just not how I live life.
Why don't you insure your equipment/technology?
Through my 40 years of life so far, I have yet to be pick-pocketed or robbed. I do understand this can happen to anyone, anywhere but I am betting on the fact that it won't happen to me all the time. However, if it does I do have a special emergency fund set aside in a high interest savings account.
I have set aside enough funds to replace my technology, purchase a last minute plane ticket and hotel accommodations. If my tech gets stollen or breaks, I will order new tech online and have it shipped to my friends or family that live near a major US international airport. I'll swing back through, pick up my tech, visit with friends and family, and take off again. And, if this never happens, the money is growing in the account, instead of going to the way-side with an insurance company.
Why not have tech shipped to you?
Many of the countries I'm choosing to visit do not have shipping options. Or if they can receive shipments from the US, the goods could never get past customs, or take 3 to 6 months for delivery. Fast shipping is a first world convenience, that most people across the world do not experience. For my situation, setting funds to the side for an unexpected trip back to the US to purchase tech, is in my best interest and meets my financial plan.
How do I call my friends and family in the US?
WiFi calling and texting is free! When I am connected to WiFi at my accommodations or a restaurant, anyone can get ahold of me on my 10-year old US phone number provided by AT&T. I wanted to keep my US number for 2-factor verification purposes with my banks. I did downgrade my plan significantly so my bill is $30/month. There's a number of cheaper plans out there but this one works for me, and what I need as I pass back through the US, here and there.
My phone is on Airplane mode when I leave the US, Cellular Data is turned off, as well as Data Roaming is off. But my Cellular Plan is set to On. Again, when I'm connected to WiFi, my phone works as it would when I was in the US.
What if you're not connected to WiFi?
I have a few backup plans for this instance.
Plan A:
I purchased an iPhone 11 before leaving the US. It has the normal SIM port and the eSIM capabilities. GigSky is a company that offers data service through Apple's eSIM, so I have been using a 5 GB Latin America data plan thus far, when I'm not connected to WiFi; like walking between my accommodations and a restaurant. I turn off my US cellular line.
To use the eSIM, there was some initial setup between my iPhone and GigSky, which directions were provided by GigSky. Now, when I want to access my data, I first turn off my US Cellular Plan, and then turn on the GigSky Data Plan. Then I take my phone off of Airplane mode and turn Cellular On. Now I can make and receive calls, text and video calling through free apps like: WhatsApp, TextNow and FB Messenger. Plus all of the other apps I have on my phone work like normal.
WhatsApp is great because I can call phone numbers in any country for free. Once I connect with a local taxi driver that I like, we swap contact info on WhatsApp. Then anytime I need a pickup or drop off, we can easily communicate whether I'm connected to my data plan or WiFi.
Yes, toggling back and forth between Cellular and Airplane mode was a bit annoying at first. But like anything, it became an easy habit to develop and a huge money saver. If I left my US cellular plan on, I would get charged $10 a day for international use, or I could have purchased a monthly plan through AT&T for $70. My GigSky 5GB data plan is $50 for 30 consecutive days. Yet, I've found coupon codes for $5 off so far, and through my referral link, I get $5 credit. You too can get $ 5 towards the purchase of your first GigSky Mobile Data plan. Use code CHRI727 when signing up for a GigSky account to receive your credit. Find out more at https://goo.gl/lgv4Pa
Plan B:
I carry a backup phone for two purposes. 1) If my main phone is stollen, I have another; and 2) purchasing a local SIM card to use for data and hotspot. Typically, local SIM cards offer data plans that are around 3 to 5 GB of data for $10 to $30 month. Very affordable, especially if you can get it on the low end.
Belize is one country that has weird data coverage. It's one thing to accept the AT&T $10/day plan for a short vacation, but that would be stupid expensive for a 3 month stay. And GigSky doesn't offer a plan for that country, so I can't buy data for my eSIM. I can however buy a local SIM card and stick it in my backup phone and be connected when I'm walking between establishments. Again, if I'm connected to WiFi then I'm good to go.
If I pull the SIM from my primary phone, my US phone number won't work because that is how the number is associated with the phone. So I want to keep my primary phone on Airplane mode, Cellular Off, US Cellular Plan ON, so I can accept normal calls and texts like usual.
That's Technical!
Yes, there are a ton of nuances that full time travelers have to consider. I think the most important aspect to consider is 2-factor authentication with US banking institutions. I have to keep a US address and US phone number on file with all of the US banks, and even apps like PayPal, Venmo, ApplePay, etc. Being able to access my accounts, pay bills, and move monies electronically is crucial for me. So understanding what I need to do to receive those text messages for verification, was something I spent hours and hours researching prior to leaving the US.
Being a full time traveler is a lot of work.
I did not see a doctor for my broken toe. I actually broke that same toe, and the adjacent one, 1.5 years before. At that time I did get an x-ray and had to see a podiatrist for a few months who would keep x-raying it as the second toe had a more difficult break and we had to see if compression (keeping it taped up) and staying off that foot would heal the bone correctly, or decide if a pin was necessary. With that prior experience, I already knew where the bone was likely broken this time around, and you follow RICE: rest, ice, compression, elevation. I also knew to try and stay off that foot for about 3-months.…
How did you handle your injured toe? Did you go to a doctor for that?
My global health insurance is less expensive and significantly better coverage than the catastrophic plan I had as a self employed person living in the US. I’m fortunate not to have any health issues and I haven’t had to use my health insurance in at least a few years. From that perspective, it’s a wasteful expense for me. One of those necessary evils I guess.
Just found your blog. Very interesting and informative and good length entries for easy reading. Did you find that international health insurance is less expensive and better coverage than US policies? Would make sense assuming the medical bills are lower in non-US countries.