Medical Insurance: How Much Do You Need?

Choosing medical insurance for a Nomad traveler has become much easier since the COVID-19 pandemic because there are more choices on the market. However, choosing medical insurance seems to require both a medical and a law degree to understand the fine print. Thankfully for us, Greg was in the medical field and he’s a really smart guy, so he did the research for our travel medical insurance.

Some nomad travelers choose no insurance at all, others choose the cheapest possible, and still others consider specific factors. Things to look for in a medical policy include their description of pre-existing conditions, age limits, dollar amounts for medical covered, emergency dental coverage, plus evacuation and repatriation costs covered if your medical condition is extreme. Comparing three or more companies will help you see gaps in the coverage. Sometimes you even need to call the company for clarification of coverage. We suggest literally beginning at the beginning and learn the vocabulary and definitions of terms the companies use before trying to decipher the policies themselves. Search: “Decoding travel insurance terminology” as a start.

Don’t think you need coverage for a medical evacuation? While we were on the Norwegian Cruise to begin our journey, the ship had to stop at an unplanned port because TWO patients had medical emergencies that could not be handled on the ship. As we watch the news about other cruises now, we’ve heard of deaths in the pool, injuries from fights, and a passenger hurt when falling THROUGH the fiberglass slide which broke unexpectedly. You cannot predict when coverage will be needed. Since we are not spring chickens, we have advanced co-morbidities and something as simple as a fall on uneven cobblestone sidewalks could easily dislocate or break body parts and need advanced medical care.

We all know that the USA has the highest prices for medications and medical treatment. People on the internet will tell you how cheap these things are in other countries, but are they?

• In August 2022, Greg and I were in Ireland and contracted COVID-19. His airway and breathing were impacted by the virus which required medical intervention. He spent 24 hours in the hospital and required diagnostic measurements and treatment including chest x-rays, a full cardiac workup, multiple laboratory studies of bloodwork, an EKG, high doses of medication, and steroids. Our total bill…$0.00

• In May 2025, we needed to refill some prescription medication in Italy. We took the paper prescription with us and the pharmacist easily filled the order with minimal questions. We purchased 3 months of gastrointestinal and blood pressure medication. Our total cost…$77.50.

• In August 2025, we needed to refill the same medication in Albania. Taking our paper prescription to the pharmacy, it seemed like we took every box they had. Our total cost…$78.00

• In September 2025, we each needed a dental cleaning while in Albania. Like going in for a manicure, the procedure was efficient. There were no x-rays or gum measurements like an annual exam, but the dentist pointed out areas of concern and showed pictures of the areas. Our total cost…$43.00 each.

  • The dentist looked at the health of my crowns and recommended an x-ray. Analysis of the x-ray led to a lengthy discussion of a long-standing problem and was followed by a complicated tooth extraction. There was no cost for the consultation appointment with the initial x-ray. He sent me to a lab for the x-rays where I was charged $24.24 for a full-face x-ray. The extraction took 3 hours ($24.24) and I was sent for a second full-face x-ray to ensure the procedure was successful (another $24.24). I required antibiotics for the infection in the root ($8.48). Our total cost… $81.20

Greg and I are people who prepare for the worst and hope for the best. As luck would have it, I had the highest possible insurance package when I had brain surgery. I had a high-deductible HSA package when I had my hysterectomy. Those are very different packages that worked for me at those stages in my life. So, considering our medical needs now, we choose to purchase some medical insurance for the catastrophic potential. We have a comfortable out-of-pocket deductible, and we are willing to pay cash for less expensive procedures and prescriptions abroad. But everyone has a different perspective of life, death, and injuries. What is YOUR tolerance level?

Whether you are taking a short trip or traveling the world, some insurance is a good thing. Happy researching.