Full-time RVing offers freedom, adventure, and a lifestyle that traditional employment often can’t match. But that freedom comes with a unique challenge: finding health insurance for full-time RVers that actually works when you don’t have a permanent address.
Many full-time RVers are self-employed, so they don’t have an employer offering benefits. Some travel with families.
And nearly all of them cross state lines regularly, which means a healthcare issue can pop up almost anywhere at any time.
Put all of that together, and you can see why health insurance for full-time RVers isn’t simple.
It’s a common challenge, and yet there’s good news: there are several solid options to choose from, and one of them is likely to fit your situation.
I’m a certified RV inspector, and I’ve also been a full-time RVer for several years. I want to be upfront about something important, though: I’m not a health insurance expert.
What I can offer is firsthand experience, since my family and I have had to navigate these exact decisions ourselves.
In this guide, we’ll look at seven options RVers consider for healthcare and coverage. Some are health insurance, while others are supplements, services, or non-insurance sharing arrangements.
By the end, you should have a much clearer picture of which option makes the most sense for your life on the road.
1. Affordable Care Act (ACA) Plans: A Common Starting Point for Health Insurance for Full-Time RVers
When we first started full-time RVing, an Affordable Care Act plan is what we chose. You probably know this type of plan by its more common name: Obamacare.
You can shop for ACA plans at healthcare.gov, and for many new full-time RVers, this is a great starting point.
Pros of ACA Plans
There’s a lot to like about ACA plans for full-timers.
Comprehensive coverage. These plans offer major medical coverage, so you’re protected for pretty much everything that could come up.
Income-based subsidies. If your income is on the lower side, which is common when people first transition to full-time RVing, the government will subsidize your monthly premium. That’s a big help for many new RVers.
Pre-existing conditions are covered. This is a major benefit, and it’s one that not every plan on this list can offer.
Cons of ACA Plans
However, ACA plans do come with some real limitations for a mobile lifestyle.
Limited to your domicile state. Whatever state you choose as your home base when you begin full-time RVing, you’re restricted to the plan choices offered in that state.
Coverage may not travel with you. Many ACA plans don’t provide healthcare coverage outside your domicile state, so you could end up needing care while you’re across the country and having to travel all the way back home to use your insurance.
In our case, we had a stroke of good fortune. Our domicile state offered a plan usable nationwide, and we used it on several occasions.
But that may not be true where you live, so check the details carefully before you commit.
2. Private Plans Outside the Marketplace
Marketplace plans are sold by private insurance companies too. So buying a plan outside the Marketplace does not automatically mean you are getting different coverage or a lower price.
If you do not qualify for financial help, compare the full cost of Marketplace and off-Marketplace options, including premiums, deductibles, prescriptions, and the provider network.
What to Check Before You Buy
An ACA-compliant individual major medical plan cannot exclude your pre-existing conditions, whether you buy it through the Marketplace or directly from an insurer. Short-term and other limited-benefit products may not offer those protections.
Ask exactly what kind of policy you are buying and read its Summary of Benefits and Coverage. And remember, a policy bought outside the Marketplace does not qualify for Marketplace premium tax credits.
3. Reimbursement Plans
Reimbursement plans aren’t a full health insurance plan in the way most people think of one.
They’re not comprehensive, and they’re definitely not major medical coverage.
Instead, these plans list specific health issues they’ll cover and set a cap on the expenses they’ll pay out for each one.
They often pay in cash when a covered issue arises, but there’s always a ceiling on the payout.
Because of that ceiling, reimbursement plans work best as a supplement rather than a standalone solution.
For example, if you have an ACA plan with a high deductible, a reimbursement plan can help fill the gap while you work toward meeting that deductible.
4. Short-Term Health Insurance Plans
Short-term health insurance is often used by people who’ve left a job and haven’t started another one yet. It provides temporary coverage during that gap.
Pros of Short-Term Plans
These plans come with low premiums, and you can typically enroll at almost any time, which offers a lot of flexibility.
Cons of Short-Term Plans
However, short-term plans usually aren’t fully comprehensive, and they often come with exclusions. On top of that, pre-existing conditions typically aren’t covered.
5. Health Care Sharing Arrangements
Health care sharing ministries are not health insurance. Members contribute money toward eligible medical expenses, but the organization does not guarantee that your bills will be paid.
Many are faith-based and have membership requirements. How bills are submitted and shared varies, so do not assume every program simply reimburses everything you pay upfront.
Why Some RVers Consider Them
Monthly contributions may be lower than insurance premiums. But that price needs to be weighed against the possibility of medical bills that are not shared.
What You Need to Understand
These arrangements do not have to provide the same protections as ACA-compliant insurance, including coverage for pre-existing conditions or an annual limit on your out-of-pocket costs.
Being able to visit a provider in another state is not a promise that a sharing program will pay the bill. Read the membership rules, exclusions, and payment limits carefully, and contact your state insurance department if you are unsure what you are being offered.
6. Telemedicine
Telemedicine gives you access to a doctor 24 hours a day, seven days a week, over the phone or online, no matter where you’re parked. For online appointments, plan for a reliable RV internet connection.
Pros of Telemedicine
The biggest advantage is convenience. You can consult a doctor without leaving your RV, and for smaller issues like infections, telemedicine can often get you a prescription quickly.
Cons of Telemedicine
That said, telemedicine isn’t major medical coverage. It’s not a good fit for trauma, surgery, or any serious health issue, so it works best as a supplement to one of the other plans on this list rather than your primary coverage.
7. Medicare and Medicare Supplements
The last option, and the one my wife and I currently use, is Medicare paired with a Medicare supplement plan.
You can use Medicare on its own, but it comes with deductibles that can add up to significant out-of-pocket costs.
That’s where a supplement plan comes in, filling the gaps that Medicare alone leaves behind.
Since we’re over 65, Medicare with a supplement has worked extremely well for our situation.
Pros of Medicare Supplements
Nationwide access. You can visit any doctor or hospital in the U.S. that accepts Medicare, and the vast majority do.
Affordability. Considering the level of coverage you get, a good Medicare supplement plan is genuinely a great value.
Low out-of-pocket costs. These plans do an excellent job of keeping your potential expenses manageable, so your healthcare risk stays low.
Cons of Medicare Supplements
Honestly, we haven’t run into any real downsides. We’ve been very happy with our Medicare supplement plan so far.
A Resource Worth Checking Out
One popular RVing organization has partnered with a company called RV Insurance Exchange, which is made up entirely of full-time RVers.
They help members choose among several of the plan types covered in this article, and they even offer group plans designed for self-employed, entrepreneurial full-time RVers.
If you’re still narrowing down your options, it may be worth a look.
Conclusion
Choosing health insurance as a full-time RVer takes more thought than a typical employer-sponsored plan, but it’s far from impossible.
Start by comparing comprehensive insurance that fits your health needs and travel plans. If you are considering a sharing arrangement or an add-on service, look closely at what it does not cover and what you would have to pay yourself.
Take the time to research your options, read the fine print, and choose the coverage that fits your specific situation.
Safe and happy travels, my friends.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best health insurance for full-time RVers, and how do I choose?
There is no single best plan for every RVer. Compare comprehensive coverage, including ACA-compliant plans and Medicare if you are eligible, based on your health needs, total costs, and travel plans.
ACA protections are not limited to people who qualify for subsidies. A health-sharing arrangement does not provide the same insurance guarantees.
Can I use my health insurance in every state as a full-time RVer?
Routine-care coverage depends on your policy and its provider network, so ask about the places you expect to travel. Emergency care has separate protections under Marketplace coverage.
A health-sharing arrangement is not a promise of nationwide insurance coverage, even if it does not use a traditional provider network.
Do health sharing plans actually work for full-time RVers?
Some RVers choose health-sharing arrangements, but they are not insurance and payment of eligible bills is not guaranteed. You can remain responsible for expenses the program does not share, so review the rules and exclusions before joining.
What happens if I get sick outside my domicile state on an ACA plan?
This depends entirely on your specific plan. Some ACA plans, like the one used in this guide, offer coverage nationwide, while others may require you to return to your domicile state for non-emergency care. Check your plan’s out-of-network and out-of-state policies before you rely on it.
Is Medicare a good option for full-time RVers?
Yes, for RVers over 65, Medicare paired with a supplement plan is often an excellent option. It provides access to doctors and hospitals nationwide, keeps out-of-pocket costs low, and offers strong overall value.
What’s the difference between a reimbursement plan and full health insurance?
A reimbursement plan isn’t comprehensive major medical coverage. It only covers specific listed health issues up to a set dollar cap, which makes it useful as a supplement to a broader insurance plan rather than a standalone solution.