Medical

It is extremely important to asses your needs in terms of health-related factors of traveling. Remote Year cannot advise on your personal medical needs, but we've linked some helpful information below medical precautions. Our number one tip? Visit a travel clinic and / or consult with your doctor!

Is your Remote Year itinerary going to Japan? Japan has strict rules about medicine—if you are traveling with medicine we strongly urge you to do your research prior to leaving. This is a short compilation of information that has been found regarding bringing medicine into Japan.

TRAVEL INSURANCE

Each Remote is responsible for researching and purchasing their own travel insurance before Remote Year begins.

There are a few types of travel insurance—travel health insurance, medical evacuation, trip cancelation and baggage / property insurance. Please spend some time researching which option(s) are going to work best for you.

Below are some resources that other Remotes have found helpful in the past. Additionally, when you get access to Remote Nation Slack, there are a few relevant pinned posts in the #faq_premote channel about travel insurance.

Remote Year Travel Insurance Options—providers vetted and compared by Remote Year. (Reach out to International Insurance with questions)

Travel Medical Insurance—a matrix of different plans sourced through BootsnAll.

How to Buy Good Travel Insurance—advice from travel blogger, Nomadic Matt.

Should You Buy Travel Insurance Or Not?—Matthew Karsten (aka Expert Vagabond) drops some knowledge on the topic.

Read through the top travel health insurance plans for remote workers in this Remote Year blog post.

VACCINATIONS

This vaccination guide includes thoughts and learnings from current and past Remotes. Please do not use this as official medical advice, but rather a introduction before you speak with a doctor or nurse.

CDC—Scroll down to "Complete List of Destinations" to find the countries you'll be traveling to throughout the year.

    • Please note that this information is from the CDC website and is subject to change between now and your departure date, so we recommend booking an appointment at a travel clinic. Some vaccinations require multiple doctor visits.
  • Vaccinations—Passport Health, a travel clinic with 250+ locations throughout the US, provides in-depth information about particular vaccinations.
  • Travel Vaccinations For Dummies—pro tips from the Expert Vagabond, Matthew Karsten.

PRESCRIPTIONS

This prescription guide includes perspective from current and past Remotes who have traveled with medication. Please do not use this as official medical advice, but rather a introduction before you speak with a doctor, nurse and / or insurance company.

INTERNATIONAL SOS

Remote Year partners with International SOS to provide Remotes with medical and security advice and assistance while abroad.

International SOS (ISOS) is not travel insurance or a medical provider, rather a medical and travel security risk services company. While on Remote Year, you will have access to their services are for your everyday assistance needs as well as any emergency assistance.

ISOS cares for clients across the globe, from more than 850 locations in 92 countries. Their expertise is unique—more than 11,000 employees are led by 1,400 doctors and 200 security specialists.

You'll receive more detailed information about your ISOS coverage, like your membership ID, when you get access to the RY Global Hub one month before your Arrival Day. At your program orientation, your Program Leader will ensure you are able to download the ISOS app so you have access to ISOS services throughout your Remote Year.