10/20/2026
What If?
If you’re a “what if” person, Cambodia may not be the place you want to call home—unless you have the financial means to prepare for those possibilities. The biggest “what if” is medical care.
Medicare generally doesn’t cover routine medical care outside the United States, so you’ll need to consider international or local insurance, depending on your age and needs. Before making a decision, check the details of your own Medicare coverage and any policy you’re considering.
I’m planning to cancel my Medicare, which currently costs me $203 a month. If I kept it to help cover medical care when I’m in the U.S., and the premium continued rising at the same rate it has over the past ten years, I calculate it could reach about $938 a month in 30 years, when I’m 95. That’s a projection based on the numbers—not a prediction. On a budget of savings and Social Security, I can’t imagine spending more on health coverage than I spend on my monthly living expenses.
International insurance is another option, but age can make it expensive. When I looked at plans for hospital stays and emergency evacuation, the prices seemed reasonable until I reached 65. Then the cost tripled. Cambodia also has private medical insurance, but I’d need to speak with a broker to learn what it would cost and what it would cover.
If you’re in good health and have money set aside for medical care, some everyday expenses in Cambodia may be far lower than in the U.S. In my experience, a doctor’s visit cost $30, my dental bridge cost $300, progressive glasses were $160, and a teeth cleaning was $25. When a dog bit me, my out-of-pocket costs—including rabies shots—were under $100.
Hospital care is a different story. One estimate I’ve heard is about $100 a night at a public hospital and $300 at a private one, though prices and services vary. Public care can be very basic: patients may share dorm-style rooms, bring their own linens, and arrange their own food. One expat told me he spent two days in a public hospital after a motorbike accident. His total bill, including an ambulance and surgery for a broken collarbone, was $4,000. You may also need a friend who speaks Khmer to help care for you, or you may need to arrange support outside the hospital.
This is where the “what ifs” matter. If you or your family have a history of serious medical problems—or you expect to need regular care that depends on insurance—you may want to consider another destination or stay in the United States. Keep in mind that many international plans exclude pre-existing conditions, so read the policy carefully and confirm what it covers before you decide.
As for me, my move to Cambodia is a one-way ticket. I’m healthy for a 65-year-old woman, and I’ve decided to live for today rather than let every “what if” make the decision for me. I’ll pay out of pocket for medical expenses and hope my savings and Social Security carry me through a long, healthy life in Asia.
I know Cambodia is a developing country, and I’m moving there with my eyes wide open. That doesn’t mean I’m ignoring the risks—it means I’ve thought about them and made my choice. Please ask questions, comment, like, and share!
