Medical Care in Canada

[Windjammin]

We are planning a trip to Alaska this summer and will be driving through western Canada along the Alaska Highway. For those of you like me that are on Medicare, what did you do for medical care coverage in Canada. As I understand it Medicare does not cover you outside the US.

[LKicklight]

This was good information as we too are heading out come May 1, 2014. We are planning on entering Canada at Calgary, then on up thru Whitehorse to Fairbanks. When are you heading up?
LKicklight
Dallas, Georgia

Originally Posted by Windjammin

We are planning a trip to Alaska this summer and will be driving through western Canada along the Alaska Highway. For those of you like me that are on Medicare, what did you do for medical care coverage in Canada. As I understand it Medicare does not cover you outside the US.

[Windjammin]

We will be leaving Florida around May 15th taking about 30 days to get to Fairbanks stopping to site see along the way, then 60 days in Alaska and 30 days to return to Florida again stopping along the way.

[LKicklight]

That is very similar to what we have planned. Still working on our stops. Are you heading up through Calgary via Great Falls? That seem to be the best direct approach. Do you have a CB Radio, some suggested that we get one as Cell Service is not that great, have you given any thought to that, just wondering.
kickster

Originally Posted by Windjammin

We will be leaving Florida around May 15th taking about 30 days to get to Fairbanks stopping to site see along the way, then 60 days in Alaska and 30 days to return to Florida again stopping along the way.

[GlacierGus]

I did the Alaska highway trip this past summer. Great trip! I put on 11,000 miles in a 10 week trip.

Medicare will not cover you in Canada. My Medicare supplement did not cover me in Canada either. You have to get a travelers insurance policy. Talk to an independent insurance agent that handles many different companies. State Farm did not provide this kind of insurance.

Two books you will want to take with you. The Milepost and "Alaskan Camping" by Mike and Terri Church. I used The Milepost every night to find where the gas stations would be the next day. You always have to be aware of the gas stations because there are some long stretches between stations on occasion. I always refilled when I was down to half a tank.

The "Alaskan Camping" guide by the Churchs' was excellent for finding places to camp, commercial, state parks and even some very remarkable "rest stops". They have very good directions and information about each camp ground. An excellent book to have with you. Don't let the title fool you, the book also covered western Canada.

I hope to do it again some day. Have fun!

[LKicklight]

I have been living with the MilePost now for several weeks and have truly been amazed at all the material stuffed into that book. So far I have worked out a route from Great Falls to Fairbanks that is recommended, looks pretty easy as I have worked out our trip to stop every 250 to 300 miles, out beast will go around 300 miles on one tank of gas. Also have purchased a 5 gallon Jeep P-Can just to have on board. The further NW you go, the fewer the gas stations. Also, I cannot judge the mountains in any great detail. That is the only thing that really bothers me! Since we are not in big rush, we have until September to get out of there before winter, so we can kind of take our time and be in a hurry. The medical stuff I will check on today as I had wondering what to do about that. DW is just now applying for her SS and Medicare. Do appreciate all the information you folks have shared with us. I know it is going to come in handy.

Originally Posted by GlacierGus

I did the Alaska highway trip this past summer. Great trip! I put on 11,000 miles in a 10 week trip.

Medicare will not cover you in Canada. My Medicare supplement did not cover me in Canada either. You have to get a travelers insurance policy. Talk to an independent insurance agent that handles many different companies. State Farm did not provide this kind of insurance.

Two books you will want to take with you. The Milepost and "Alaskan Camping" by Mike and Terri Church. I used The Milepost every night to find where the gas stations would be the next day. You always have to be aware of the gas stations because there are some long stretches between stations on occasion. I always refilled when I was down to half a tank.

The "Alaskan Camping" guide by the Churchs' was excellent for finding places to camp, commercial, state parks and even some very remarkable "rest stops". They have very good directions and information about each camp ground. An excellent book to have with you. Don't let the title fool you, the book also covered western Canada.

I hope to do it again some day. Have fun!

[SaskCampers]

If you are an AAA member you should be able to get out of country insurance from them. CAA has that available to it's Canadian members.

[dcheatwood]

Good Sam offers some free coverage for Canada travel for a few days. Check it out here.
http://www.goodsamclub.com/benefits-...insurance.aspx
its called travel insurance.