I feel burnt out but i also don't want spend a year without an insurance, and the more i think about how you need a job to have medical insurance the more I feel like the whole system is inhumane. I just want to be in place where if I break my ribs then I can get them fixed without going into debt.
by UmYeahNo on 9/5/22, 12:11 AM
Following...I'd be curious how to emigrate to another country and get insurance without a job. I was under the (misguided?) understanding that to emigrate you need to show that you have value to the new country (i.e. a job) and won't just be a resource suck (i.e. using up medical resources).
by Leftium on 9/5/22, 5:08 AM
It's actually feasible to live outside the USA without medical insurance. In the USA, medical fees are crazy expensive, especially without insurance. But this is not the case in other countries.
For example: Korean medical fees are controlled by the government, to the point some doctors may struggle to make a living. And Korea offers pretty high quality healthcare.
I thought I broke a rib so I got two x-rays. This only cost $15 including consultation with the doctor. Without insurance.
Later when I got insurance, I had 5 x-rays of my knee taken. Only cost $5. The non-insurance rate would have been about $20. (Korean public health insurance generally covers 70% of covered fees.)
Another example: I can get a 6-month supply of generic Accutane for about $50 (not covered by Korean health insurance). This would likely cost thousands of dollars in the US.
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Finally, if you plan to be abroad for only about a year, traveler's health insurance for non-US countries is usually very reasonably priced.
by gregjor on 9/5/22, 12:12 AM
Health care and insurance vary widely around the world. Many countries have socialized or subsidized health care for citizens and permanent residents. Some have employer-paid plans. If you don't have a job and don't pay taxes and don't have a visa that allows you to participate in the local health care plan you will have to pay for your own care, or insurance.
Several companies offer traveler/nomad and expat insurance policies that give global coverage. I used CIGNA, I also know about BUPA. You can find others. Premiums depend on your age, health, and where you plan to live/visit. Generally expat policies don't apply to US medical care, or have restrictions on care received in the US.
Some places offer health care at such low cost that you can essentially self-insure by saving money and paying out of pocket.
by rozenmd on 9/5/22, 10:48 AM
Find a french startup and come over on the tech talent passport.
Most remote friendly tech jobs I've seen offer a 90k euro base, at which point you live like royalty in most cities.
by prirun on 9/5/22, 12:54 AM
If you switch to a job where you make $18K-$50K/yr, maybe part time, you can get subsidized health insurance in the US through Obamacare/ACA/healthcare.gov. If you are on the lower end it will not cost much and could even be free with low deductibles and/or copays.
by GoldenMonkey on 9/5/22, 5:00 PM
You can get private insurance. Have you looked into costs. I pay <$500/mo.
by zenbryo on 9/5/22, 6:07 AM
As some already have said, the best option is to get a (backpacker) travel insurance. Its usually not that expensive, around 1-2k for a year I think.
But usually you need to be able to show immigration that you have enough money to support yourself for the duration of the trip or visit.
The best would be to get a fulltime job in a European country for a few years and then get a permanent residency, resign your job and scratch your butt all day and still enjoy more or less free healthcare for life =)
by tigerlily on 9/5/22, 1:25 AM
Probably New Zealand, but for certain afflictions e.g. gall bladder operations, there are waiting lists on the public healthcare system. You can always access the private medical system via an insurer, which is reasonably priced. Jobs pay less.
BTW breaking ribs is something that might not get diagnosed right away 100% of the time. Maybe plan to not break ribs.
by obiefernandez on 9/5/22, 12:41 PM
Surprised nobody has mentioned Mexico yet. Great private medical providers and insurance options
by rnk on 9/5/22, 5:10 AM
Buy in to one of the 3 euro countries with "golden visas", Portugal, Greece, Spain are reasonable - Portugal is a 300k investment to get a visa, but I think it takes 3 years. Then you can live there, have health insurance.
by gniv on 9/5/22, 10:18 AM
Maybe also ask/research on r/expatfire. Lots of knowledgeable folks there.
by gotorazor on 9/4/22, 11:57 PM
Canada?
But TBH, healthcare is either regulated to a very affordable rate or government provided anywhere outside of USA.
by drstewart on 9/5/22, 3:31 AM
None. Why would a country take you in for you just to leech off their system?