Three months into nomad life before I realized my insurance didn't cover me abroad

I was sitting in a clinic in Chiang Mai with a nasty spider bite on my ankle, waiting to be seen. The nurse asked for my insurance info and I handed over my US health card like usual. She looked at it, handed it back, and said this clinic only accepts Thai or international policies. That's when I found out my Blue Cross plan doesn't cover anything outside the country. Cost me $200 out of pocket for that visit and a bottle of antibiotics. Anyone else find this out the hard way or did you actually read the fine print before you left?

2 comments

2 Comments

troythompson20d ago

Oh man, that's rough. I feel like I'd probably be three months in too before I realized my insurance was basically a piece of cardboard once I left the zip code.

king.stella20d ago

Totally get that feeling. It's such a bummer when you think you're covered and then find out you're basically on your own. Hope you can find a plan that actually works for you where you are!