When you think about RVing, you probably think of fun things. Things like breathtaking landscapes, adventure, and getting off the beaten path. You probably aren’t thinking about things like your medical care. But medical needs are important to think about before setting off on your RV adventure.
How you prepare is going to depend on how often you travel. If you’re the occasional RVer it’s going to be a lot different than if you’re getting ready to transition to being a full-time RVer. Here’s what you need to know.
What to do before you’re on the road
The best way to handle medical needs is to get started before you leave home. This will help you be prepared for situations that may arise as you travel.
Make your appointments
If you’re going to be traveling for a longer period of time, make sure you get all your appointments in before you leave. This includes your physician, eye doctor, and dentist. Make sure you have everything handled and are healthy to get on the road.
If you have pets traveling with you then it’s a good idea to get them into the vets a well. You’ll want to make sure their records are up to date.
Gather any necessary medical documents
It’s important to have your paperwork in place before you start traveling. When it comes to your medical documents, this could include any prescriptions, documentation of vaccinations, or allergies. And if you have any medical concerns, make sure you have all the information you may need on hand. This way if you have to stop at a medical facility that you’ve never been to before, you’ll have everything they need for your medical history.
If you’re traveling with pets, you may need to have their vaccination documentation on hand to provide at certain campgrounds. They can also be good to have on hand if your pet needs emergency care.
Understand your health care coverage
Before you leave home, take time to understand your health insurance coverage. Make sure you know what will be covered in the areas you’re traveling. Many insurance providers include access to virtual or phone appointments that may be helpful as you travel. Know what your options are before you leave home.
Refill your prescriptions
The last thing you want is to be on the road and run out of your prescription medication. Take the time to get refills before you leave home. If you’re going to need to get refills while you’re traveling, find out how the approval process will work and where you can pick your prescription up.
Along with your prescriptions, make sure you pick up other health care and first aid supplies. This could include over-the-counter medications, vitamins and supplements, and bandages.
Schedule future appointments for your return
If you’re getting ready to be a full-time RVer, it can be helpful to plan out your next appointments. This can include checkups with your doctor, dentist, and eye doctor along with any specialists you see. Doing so helps you to have a plan on when you need to be back in the area. Planning for this ahead of time will help you assure that you can get into all your appointments around the same time.
What to do if you need care on the road
No matter how much planning you do before you leave home, you may find that you have health care needs while on the road. Here are some things that can help.
Connect with people around you
When you’re in a new area, connect with people who are familiar with the area. They will have recommendations on the best doctors and where to get emergency care.
Take advantage of virtual appointments
If you’re not feeling well while on the road, take advantage of virtual appointments. While these aren’t effective for every healthcare need there are many times when it will work. There are even many therapists that offer online therapy sessions.
Your doctor may be able to meet with you while you’re on the road and send a prescription over to the nearest pharmacy.
Check ratings and reviews
If you find yourself in a situation where you need to find a doctor to see, be careful to choose the right now. There are different apps you can use, or just do a simple Google search. Read the reviews to help you find a reliable and trustworthy doctor. You can also contact your insurance provider to find coverage in the area.
Top Medical Applications and Programs for RV Trips
While it’s been some time since the saying “there’s an app for that” was made popular, it’s still true. There are many programs and apps that RVers turn to for medical care on the road. Here are some of the popular options.
-
Airvet – Vet on Demand – Virtual vet appointments for your pet.
-
Doctor on Demand – If you don’t have virtual appointments through your health insurance provider, this is an affordable option.
-
K Health App – Offer affordable subscriptions. Includes lab work, prescriptions, and virtual doctor visits.
-
Medjet – If you’re going to be more than 150 miles from home, this service helps you get home fast. They cover and plan your flight for you if you have a medical emergency.
- RVer Insurance Exchange – They can help you find the right insurance for your situation.
-
Solv Health – Helps you find a doctor in your area and see if they accept your insurance. They can also provide virtual appointments.
-
Wysa – Sleep Depression Support –This is a virtual bot that can listen to you and provide advice. While it’s not a replacement for therapy, it can be a temporary solution.
-
Zocdoc – This allows you to search for doctors, dentists, eye doctors, and other specialists to find appointments in the area.
Addressing medical needs might not sound like the most exciting way to get ready for your next RV trip. But when you take the time to dot your i’s and cross your t’s, you’ll have peace of mind as you get on the road. And if you’re looking for a California RV Dealer to find the perfect RV, Sky River RV is here to help.
