How Van Lifers Get Health Insurance on the Road

Quite a few of us dream of saying goodbye to our 9 to 5 in the corporate world and hitting the road in pursuit of adventure. If you’re reading this, chances are that you also share this dream!

One of the downsides to making a big life change like starting a van life is taking time to figure out the details–like health insurance. Some people assume the nomadic lifestyle isn’t possible for them because they aren’t sure how they’ll get health insurance if they live on the road.

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If you want to know how to get health insurance as a van lifer, I have good news! There are many different options out there, and a wide range of price points and coverage is available so you can find the best plan that works for you. Let’s dive in!

1. Marketplace Plans (ACA)

A popular option for van lifers is applying for coverage through the Health Insurance Marketplace at HealthCare.gov.

These Affordable Care Act (ACA) plans vary by state. Because of this, you may need to use your domicile (legal residence) address to determine eligibility and coverage options.

Most plans offer essential benefits, including preventative care, emergency services, and prescription coverage.

2. Short-Term Health Insurance

If you’re a van lifer who is between jobs or looking for a temporary coverage solution while living on the road for a few months, then a short-term health insurance plan might make the most sense.

You can find short-term health insurance plans through companies like Pivot Health, UnitedHealthcare, and National General.

These plans provide temporary coverage for unexpected medical needs. While there are lower premiums, the benefits are limited, and they don’t cover pre-existing conditions.

3. Health Share Ministries

A health share ministry like Medi-Share, Samaritan Ministries, and Liberty HealthShare is a cost-sharing program where members contribute to a pool of funds to help cover medical expenses. It’s not technically health insurance; rather, it’s an affordable health care alternative. 

These ministries are nationally accredited and faith-based, with flexible options for individuals, families, and seniors. The downside is that since they aren’t actual medical insurance, they may not meet ACA requirements. They also often exclude certain types of care, such as preventative care and mental health services.

Jake DeAtley (@thebrokerjake) is a van lifer who uses Medi-Share for his health insurance. He says, “Medi-Share is an interesting and viable option for those that want low-cost emergency-only coverage (high deductible). It’s not exactly insurance but a group health plan where you pool money with hundreds of thousands of individuals.”

He mentions he pays around $100/month. But Jake also uses another service: “I do use it in combination with a direct pay local clinic as my primary doctor. The local provider I have is a monthly fee, and I can see her as much or as little as I need.”

He also has catastrophic and high deductible coverage for emergencies. Jake says this is a good option for self-employed van lifers who don’t have a consistent need for medical care. “It’s a good pairing and way more affordable than traditional coverage.”

4. Travel-Specific Insurance

Another option to consider is travel insurance. Companies like Safety Wing, IMG, and World Nomads offer insurance specifically for travelers and digital nomads for international and domestic travel. There are also organizations with group health plans specifically tailored to self-employed or traveling individuals, like Freelancers Union.

These companies offer flexible coverage for healthcare and emergencies on the road. The coverage can be customized to include wellness visits, dental, and evacuation services.

Van lifers Hannah and Andy (@hannah.and.andy.offgrid) have health and travel insurance through World Nomads, which offers four different plans with varying amounts of coverage. All plans include emergency medical coverage for overseas medical emergencies and a dedicated 24/7 Emergency Assistance Team. 

Besides emergency medical care, you’ll also receive additional benefits such as:

• Trip cancellation and interruption protection,
• Coverage for lost or stolen luggage
• Coverage for over 250 sports and activities
• Emergency evacuation and repatriation 

“We’re on the Standard Plan Level 1 for adventure activities, which primarily covers emergency medical and dental expenses, as well as associated costs like emergency evacuation or repatriation,” said Hannah and Andy. “Thankfully, we haven’t had to use the plan yet, so we can’t speak to the claims process first-hand.”

This insurance may be a good idea for van lifers who want emergency health coverage and don’t have a pre-existing health condition, prescription, or another need to see a primary doctor or specialist regularly. 

5. Medicaid (State-Specific)

If you’re a van lifer who qualifies for low-income assistance, Medicaid is a good health insurance option with comprehensive coverage.

However, it’s tied to your state of residence. This means services may be limited outside of your home state unless you’re experiencing a medical emergency.

This can be tricky for travelers who want to spend time exploring other states and countries. But if you’re a low-income van lifer who plans to spend the majority of your time in your state of residence, this could be the best option.

6. COBRA

It’s common for van lifers to transition away from a traditional job with employer-sponsored health insurance. If you find yourself in this boat, COBRA allows you to extend your previous coverage for up to 18 months.

A benefit of going this route is you’ll continue to receive comprehensive health insurance. The downfall, however, is that COBRA is often expensive because you’re responsible for the full premium.

7. Fixed-Benefit Insurance Plans

With a fixed-benefit insurance plan through a provider like SureBridge or Manhattan Life, you’ll pay a fixed amount per medical incident (regardless of the actual cost).

These plans are best for those who are looking for lower-cost, predictable coverage.

8. Domicile-Based Group Plans

Many states offer RV or nomad-friendly plans. The nice part of van life is you can often choose where you want to establish a domicile, which means you could pick a state with favorable health insurance options like South Dakota, Florida, or Texas.

Organizations like the Escapees RV Club offer resources for finding domicile-friendly insurance options.

9. Telemedicine Memberships

Although telemedicine memberships don’t offer full coverage and aren’t a substitute for insurance, they can provide affordable access to virtual healthcare services.

Memberships like Teladoc Health or GoodRx Care could be beneficial for van lifers who need convenient access to primary care or prescriptions. 

A membership like this could also pair well with emergency travel insurance coverage for van lifers who want emergency coverage and primary care access.

10. Direct Primary Care (DPC)

For van lifers who want routine check-ups but don’t need to see specialists or need emergency coverage, Direct Primary Care (DPC) is a good option. 

DPC practices charge a monthly subscription fee. With your payment, you’ll receive unlimited visits and basic healthcare needs.

11. Catastrophic Coverage

Even if you don’t have any existing health issues, depending on the type of coverage you need, you may want to consider a high-deductible plan to cover emergencies and major medical events. 

These plans are typically available to those under 30 or with a hardship exemption. However, they typically require you to pay out of pocket for routine care.

12. Working a Remote Job with Benefits

If you’re a van lifer who plans to work on the road, another option is to apply for a remote position with benefits. This is what my husband and I decided to do!

When I started full-time van life with my husband at the beginning of June, I was just transitioning out of my time as a teacher and knew my insurance benefits would end in July. Thankfully, my husband secured a full-time remote position with benefits at the end of June, so we were never in a position where we were left uninsured.

There are pros and cons to this route, though. Although it was sometimes inconvenient for my husband to continue working 8-5 hours in our van during weekdays for his job, we decided it was a price we were willing to pay to have a reliable income and health insurance on the road. We figured it was also worth the trade-off because we were still able to travel wherever we wanted and spend our weeknights and weekends however we chose. 

A downside to this route is our insurance offered through his employer (Kaiser Permanente) isn’t accepted in all states. Also, with this insurance, certain medications weren’t able to be transferred to pharmacies in other states, so we found ourselves returning to our “home base” in Colorado each month to retrieve prescriptions.

13. Zion HealthShare

The Wayward Home publisher Kristin Hanes gets her health care covered by Zion Health, which is a health share program. Healthshare programs aren’t health insurance companies, so don’t have the same legal protections as “real” health insurance.

My monthly premium is about $170, and I’ve only used it so far for preventative care. However, another travel blogger I know used it for her pregnancy and birth, which included a NICU stay for her newborn, and Zion covered everything.

With Zion healthsare, you choose between three plans. With the first option, you’ll be responsible for $1,000 for the three first times you need medical care. After that, Zion pays for everything. With the second option, your responsibility is $2,500, and with the third, $5,000. The higher the amount you pay initially, the lower your monthly premium.

What I like about Zion is they cover 100% of preventative care. Plus, all Teledoc visits are completely free, and you can get prescriptions through this type of appointment.

Health Insurance Tips for Van Lifers

No matter which option you choose to go with for your travels, here are some important points to consider:

• Domicile Selection: Choose a state of residency with favorable insurance options. States like Florida, South Dakota, and Texas are popular for van lifers due to the lack of state income tax and accessible insurance plans.
• Urgent Care: Research networks like MinuteClinic and walk-in urgent care centers for non-emergency needs on the road.
• Healthcare Apps: Use apps like Zocdoc to find in-network providers wherever you end up traveling.

Choosing the Best Coverage for You

The freedom of the open road brings its own challenges–like finding the right health insurance. Whether you choose a comprehensive ACA plan, a flexible travel-specific policy, or an affordable health share program, there are options to fit your healthcare needs as a van lifer.

When choosing the best health insurance for you, consider your budget, health priorities, and travel plans. You can find a solution that ensures peace of mind while you’re on your travels!

Health insurance is a practical investment in your well-being, allowing you to confidently say yes to new adventures. Safe travels!

MORE ARTICLES TO READ:

• Our Epic Guide to Health Insurance for Full-Time RVers [And Van Lifers]
• 13 Hidden Costs of Van Life That No One Talks About
• Van Life 101: The Ultimate Guide to Choosing and Living in a Campervan