Managing healthcare and prescriptions while full-time RVing

How do you manage healthcare and prescriptions while living on the road? That’s a great question—and one I can only answer from partial personal experience, since I don’t deal with ongoing conditions or regular check-ups.

I only see a doctor when my back has a major flare-up that won’t settle down on its own. I’ve got a pretty high pain tolerance and I steer clear of narcotics, so I rarely take any prescriptions at all.

That said, staying on top of healthcare and meds as a full-time RVer definitely takes some forethought because you’re always moving. Plenty of nomads do it successfully, though. If you’ve spent as much time as I have in truly remote areas, you know things can get tricky fast. So, be prepared, especially if you already have pre-existing health issues.

For example, back in 2021 I cracked a tooth in the middle of nowhere, Oklahoma, while heading toward Arizona. Finding a dentist willing to see me was incredibly difficult. When I finally did, he couldn’t believe no one else had helped—he called it a genuine dental emergency.

Health insurance options

Full-time RVers need plans with nationwide coverage to avoid being limited to one state. This is where things become very difficult. Many policies will only cover emergency care while out of network/state. But there are many options, and don’t assume because someone is 65 plus that they have signed up for Medicare — which is really one of your better and safer bets in having coverage in more places. I’m just not that old yet.

• Medicare (for those 65+): Widely recommended for its nationwide acceptance. Original Medicare (Parts A, B, and D for prescriptions) works anywhere providers accept it, with supplements (Medigap) or Advantage plans adding flexibility.
• VA Healthcare: If you’re a qualified veteran, VA health benefits provide nationwide access through VA facilities and community providers, often at low or no cost. I say qualified because not everyone who has served gets these benefits. For example, reserve members must have been called to active duty (other than training) and serve that whole period in order to qualify.
• ACA/marketplace plans: Look for Bronze/Silver/Gold levels with broad networks; some offer good out-of-state coverage, but check for emergency and out-of-network benefits. I have never seen an affordable plan that covers you out of state for non-emergency care, except for when I was in South Dakota. It covered South Dakota, North Dakota, and maybe Wyoming (I don’t remember). Each policy did cover emergency care. The biggest con to Obamacare is that the premiums can be very spendy if you don’t qualify for a subsidy.
• Short-term insurance plans: These provide temporary coverage (up to 364 days in many states, renewable in some cases) with nationwide networks. You can find these kinds of insurance plans by visiting major insurers such as Blue Cross or Aetna.
• Specialized RVer Brokers: Agencies like RVer Insurance Exchange help find nomad-friendly options, including fixed-benefit or short-term plans.
• Other alternatives: Healthcare sharing ministries (Liberty HealthShare, Samaritan Ministries, Medi-Share, Christian Healthcare Ministries, Zion HealthShare, etc.), telemedicine add-ons, or employer/remote work benefits if applicable. I have used Teledoc twice. I recently paid $50 for a visit, but online it says it starts at $89.

In the end, you want to prioritize plans covering telehealth, prescriptions, and emergencies nationwide (or wherever you may be).

Managing Prescriptions on the road

Refilling meds while moving is one of the biggest challenges—plan ahead to avoid running out.

• Nationwide pharmacy chains → Use CVS, Walgreens, Walmart, or Costco for easy transfers/refills anywhere. Many allow 90-day supplies.
• Mail-order pharmacies → Ideal for nomads: Services like Express Scripts, Amazon Pharmacy, or Costco Mail Order deliver 90-day supplies. Ship to campgrounds, General Delivery at post offices, or your mail forwarding service like Escapees or Your Best Address. You can find out more about mail services here.
• Telemedicine for refills → Virtual visits (via Teladoc, Amwell, or plan-included services) handle non-emergency refills, minor issues, or new scripts—perfect when far from doctors.
• Doctor relationships → Keep a primary care provider in your domicile state; request 90-day scripts or vacation overrides for early refills.
• Controlled substances → Stricter rules (e.g., no refills for Schedule II); plan extra carefully, as some states limit out-of-state scripts.

Notes: Always refill early, track supplies, and note state laws on controlled substances.

Accessing general healthcare

• Telemedicine → Game-changer for routine consults, mental health, or deciding if you need in-person care.
• Urgent care/walk-in clinics → Chains like MinuteClinic (in CVS) or urgent care accept most insurance. Make sure your policy covers urgent care and not just emergent care.
• Emergencies → ERs anywhere; good insurance covers this nationwide.
• Finding providers → Use Medicare’s tool, apps like Zocdoc, or RVer forums for recommendations.

In summary, managing healthcare and prescriptions as a full-time RVer really comes down to planning ahead and choosing options that fit a mobile lifestyle. Pick a health insurance plan with strong nationwide (or at least broad) coverage—whether that’s Medicare, VA benefits, a marketplace plan with good out-of-network emergency provisions, short-term coverage, or even a health-sharing ministry—and pair it with telehealth whenever possible.

For prescriptions, lean on nationwide chains, mail-order services, or telemedicine refills to keep things smooth, especially with 90-day supplies and early refills.

Urgent care, walk-ins, and ERs handle the unexpected, while a little research and community advice help you find providers on the go.

It’s not always seamless—running out of meds or dealing with a dental emergency in remote Oklahoma can be a headache—but many of us nomads make it work every day with the right setup. Stay proactive, keep good records, and you’ll spend more time enjoying the road and less time stressing about healthcare.