Health Insurance For Full-Time RVers
Access to healthcare is a necessity these days, and it’s often something that a permanent RV resident may take for granted. If you’re on the road for weeks at a time or if you live in your RV year-round, your former policy may not cover you. Finding affordable healthcare while you’re in an RV can be challenging. You may not think you even need it if you’re in good health.
At Chesapeake RV Solutions, we want all of our customers to be safe and healthy, no matter where they are. A crucial part of having access to good and affordable coverage is knowing why health insurance is important and knowing where to start your research. Read on to learn more, and if you have any questions, visit us at our location in Chesapeake, Virginia. We proudly serve Virginia Beach and Suffolk too.
Why Do You Need Health Insurance?
Prior to 2014, many people opted to live without health insurance. This could’ve been because their employer didn’t offer it or they couldn't afford it. Then, until the end of 2017, there was an individual mandate for citizens to have bare minimum coverage. Now, it’s no longer mandatory, but you may still be liable to pay some fees if you didn’t have coverage prior to 2018.
Going without health insurance is not a viable, long-term solution. Even if you’re young and in good health with no pre-existing health conditions, you can’t plan for accidents, sudden illnesses, and other unexpected situations. In order to stay in good health as a full-time RVer, you need to receive regular exams and yearly physicals so a doctor can catch any conditions that may have developed.
If you wait to get insured until you fall sick, you’re going to put a strain on the insurance system and you may have some pretty steep costs. If you do have pre-existing health conditions, no coverage means you won’t be able to get treatment or medication at a price you can afford. Having a health insurance plan as a full-time RVer is the safest option and will ensure that you’ll have access when you need it.
What To Look For In A Plan
Not all health insurance plans are the same, and rules vary drastically depending on what state you live in. It can get confusing and you may be unsure what you need in a plan or what you qualify for.
If you are self-employed or work freelance, you’ll need to purchase your own coverage through the marketplace during the Affordable Care Act’s open enrollment period. If you work remotely for a company that offers health insurance, you should make sure your plan works anywhere in the country.
We recommend that you opt for comprehensive coverage as opposed to simple, catastrophic insurance in the event of an emergency. More comprehensive coverage means you’ll be able to get regular exams, see specialists, and pay a lower copay on prescription medications. This is necessary if you have pre-existing conditions, but it’s also a good idea to have regardless.
Another option to look into for a full-time RVer is telemedicine. A large amount of office visits can be adequately dealt with remotely rather than in-person. You can access a doctor that will consult you over the phone or online. These plans are reasonably priced and will give you coverage no matter where you are. Plus, you won’t have to worry about going to a specific office to see a doctor.
How To Get Coverage
If you’re a full-time RVer who’s ready to get health insurance, you should start by going to Healthcare.gov to determine what you’re eligible for. Your state of residency may have specific options available for full-time travelers. If it doesn’t, you may want to change your state of residency in order to get better coverage. You can check out RVerInsurance.com to see some great information about options available to you.
If your annual income is below a certain level, you may be eligible for government-subsidized health care. This usually applies to retirees. Self-employed RVers may not qualify. Either way, you should explore all of your options.
We hope this guide was helpful and you are now aware of your health insurance options. We know this can be a tricky world to navigate. If you’re looking for RV for sale for full-time living or for an upcoming trip, visit us at Chesapeake RV Solutions in Chesapeake, Virginia. We proudly serve Virginia Beach and Suffolk too, so stop by and we’ll help you find the perfect rig!