Healthcare Abroad
I remember the exact moment I realized…
I didn’t want my life to look like everyone else’s anymore.
Not my schedule.
Not my home.
Not even my healthcare.
So I did something that, for a lot of people, feels terrifying.
I left Canada.
Not because I hate it — I don’t. Canada gave me a beautiful life, raised my kids, and offered a healthcare system that does work… especially when something serious happens.
But let’s be honest for a second.
It’s also slow.
It’s clunky.
And unless you are in a true emergency, you are going to wait.
You wait for referrals.
You wait for specialists.
You wait for answers.
And if you’re lucky enough to even have a family doctor (which many Canadians don’t anymore), you get about 10–15 minutes per visit.
Fifteen minutes to talk about your health, your hormones, your sleep, your energy, your longevity.
Fifteen minutes to figure out… your life.
It always felt rushed to me. And my doctor was wonderful — she really was — but the system simply doesn’t allow for anything deeper.
And I wanted deeper.
The Moment Everything Shifted
Now here’s the part that’s important…
I didn’t just wake up one day and randomly decide to “wing it” with my health.
I’ve been in the medical travel industry for over 20 years.
I’ve seen hospitals in Mexico, Thailand, Turkey, Vietnam…
I’ve worked with surgeons, specialists, private clinics…
I know something most people don’t realize yet:
There is incredible healthcare all over the world.
High-quality.
Efficient.
And yes — affordable.
And once you see that…
It’s really hard to unsee.
So How Do I Actually Handle My Healthcare Now?
This is the question everyone asks me.
“Okay Sheri… but what happens if something goes wrong?”
Because let’s be real — that’s the fear.
Not the dentist.
Not the bloodwork.
Not the hormone consult.
The fear is:
What if I get hit by a scooter tomorrow?
What if I have a heart issue?
What if something big happens?
Trust me… I think about this too.
I’m 55. I’m healthy. I take care of myself.
But I am not naive.
Emergencies happen.
So here’s the balance I’ve created — and I love it.
My Personal Healthcare Strategy (Nomad Edition)
I do two things:
1. I self-pay for everyday and preventative care
This includes:
- Lab work
- Specialist appointments
- Hormone optimization
- Dental care
- Preventative screenings
And here’s the part that blows people’s minds…
It’s cheap.
Not “kind of cheaper”… I mean shockingly affordable.
My last dental cleaning in Mui Ne, Vietnam?
$7 USD.
And honestly… one of the best cleanings I’ve ever had.
In Mexico, I was paying around $30 USD.
No insurance.
No waiting.
No stress.
Just… walk in, get care, walk out.
I can see specialists quickly.
I can focus on prevention.
I can actually have conversations about my health.
That level of access?
I never had that in Canada.
2. I carry expat emergency medical insurance
This is the piece that gives me peace of mind.
I have a digital nomad / expat insurance plan that covers me for true emergencies — the big stuff:
- Accidents
- Hospitalizations
- Unexpected medical events
It covers me worldwide (excluding the U.S.), and it costs me roughly:
$100 USD per month
And for me… that is a no-brainer.
Because now I know:
If something serious happens… I’m covered.
You can explore the exact type of coverage I use here:
Insurance for Digital Nomads and Expats
Why This Works So Well (For Me)
This setup allows me to:
- Take control of my everyday health
- Focus on prevention instead of reaction
- Access care quickly and affordably
- Still be protected if something major happens
It’s not about rejecting one system.
It’s about designing a system that works for your life.
Let’s Talk About the Fear (Because It’s Real)
Breaking away from what you’ve always known is not easy.
The Canadian system feels “safe” because it’s familiar.
Even if it’s slow.
Even if it’s frustrating.
Even if it doesn’t fully support the kind of care you want.
Stepping outside of that?
It feels risky.
But here’s the truth I’ve learned after 20 years in this space:
You have more options than you think.
And those options don’t have to compromise your safety.
There Isn’t Just One Way
This is what I want you to take from this.
There isn’t just one way to take care of yourself.
Not one country.
Not one system.
Not one path.
There are many.
And the right one?
Is the one that fits your lifestyle, your comfort level, and your goals.
For me, this balance — self-pay + expat emergency insurance — feels empowering.
It gives me freedom.
It gives me access.
And most importantly…
It gives me peace of mind.
If You’re Curious…
If you’ve been thinking about this… even just a little…
If something in you is saying,
“There has to be another way…”
You’re not wrong.
And you don’t have to figure it out alone.
Come join the conversation inside our OGT community:
OGT Community Link
Or reach out directly — I’m always happy to share what I know, what I’ve seen, and how you can build something that actually works for you.
Because your health shouldn’t feel rushed, delayed, or out of your control.
And your life?
Should feel like it fits you.
✨ Sheri