Day 323, August 17, 2025 – Yokohama, Japan
I cannot rave enough about medical care in Japan. If you find yourself in a medical emergency here, make your way to Yokohama City Minato Red Cross Hospital. Beautiful facility on par with Rochester NY Medical Center (maybe even better). Spotlessly clean, state-of-the art equipment.
And such gracious, professional service, available 24/7. I’ve had an army of people attend to me. Hook up IVs, monitor nebulizers, administer antibiotics and steroids, do glucose sticks and insulin injections, untangle messes of tethered cables, deliver meals, help with showers. Even, go down to the gift shop to replace my dead mouse battery. Most don’t speak English but are very patient with communicating via translation apps.
The food has been decent and plentiful. Mostly silky tofu (which I like), plain rice, fresh fruit. And a few funky-looking veggies that I’ve been eyeing warily!
Of course, that great service doesn’t come cheap. And unfortunately, it’s all coming out of my pocket. So far, I’ve run up USD $7,000 and there will be more, though I’m hoping fewer big-ticket items.
It’s long been a thorn in my side that I continue to pay into my US Medicare insurance but get nothing out of it. It’s useless abroad. I debated long and hard when researching medical travel insurance for this trip. The process was so arduous (have to return home every 6 months), and very limited for 70+ seniors. I lived for years in India and utilized their medical services, which were adequate and cost far less than travel insurance. So, I ultimately decided that if anything serious happened I could always fly back to the US for treatment. Of course, that failed to take into account that with an 84% oxygen level I wouldn’t be flying anywhere.
Fortunately, I have a robust health saving account set up that should cover this. It’s like a regular savings account but funded with tax-free money when used for medical expenses only. So that’s one less thing to stress about with this mess.
23 responses to “Adventures in Healing”
Basia,
Sorry to hear you are having health issues, wishing you a speedy recovery.
I think seniors will be getting an additional deduction of $6,000 for the next four tax years then expire. Maybe that will help mitigate the impact of your medical expenses. So glad you’re improving.
I went in for an overnight procedure was released the next day & back to the ER the next morning- my oxygenation level was in the mid 70s.
I was started on antibiotics immediately until tests revealed it was not bacterial. I either aspirated during the procedure or got “hospital pneumonia “ the kind you only get in hospitals. I was there a month.
What saved me was my firm had been sold so I was unemployed & fully covered but the financial ramifications snowball. . I can’t imagine what the total cost was. You can’t afford to get sick….
I’m so glad you have angels showing up. Wishing you a full recovery on every level.
Sharon
Holy Guacamole! I let you out of my sight for ten minutes, and what happens?!?? What a bummer. I’m very glad you are getting good care, and have some means to pay for it. Duly noted about Medicare abroad. Please continue to take good care of yourself and eat all your vegetables. I used to go to Tokyo at least once a year for my job, and I know what you mean about the funky ones. Though I never had a bad meal there. I hope you get to enjoy some time in Japan. I’ve always wanted to explore more. Hugs 🤗
You should know better than to let me out of your sight for 10 minutes. 🫤
If you have Original Medicare and also a Medicare Supplement your supplement may have coverage for expenses away from the USA.
Check into your supplement plan before paying out of pocket or using your HSA.
I’ll be hoping for the best for you. I’ve enjoyed your posts and pictures.
Medicare supplement will not pay. I had the supplement before I left, and after multiple conversations with, it was clear they would not be paying, so I ended up cancelling it.
I looked at mine and it only covers during the first 60 days of travel. That would make it useless for long term travelers like you and your shipmates.
Feel better soon, I hope you have a full recovery.
I don’t know whether you received my first comments, so here it is again. I’m sorry for your health problems and hope you recover completely and return to your the life you envisioned. You were my inspiration for pursuing a life on the high seas, all be it a little differently than yours. I am getting a little bored with this lifestyle an considering settling down someplace. I hope you recover and return to the “full of life” Basia we admire.
Thanks Rami, wonderful to hear from you, I’ve been wondering how you’ve been.
After Istanbul I was coughing for a while. When I arrived home, I went to Urgent Care. They treated my symptoms, but they came back when the drugs ran out. Then I went to an ER where they determined that I did not have the Flu, Pneumonia, nor COVID. 3rd time was a charm when my GP had a cancellation in her busy AZ January schedule and determined that I had strep throat after I was home for 5 weeks. Glad that you had a prompt diagnosis, and that you are getting great care. Get well soon. Friends around the world are cheering for you!!
Thanks Andrea!
At a first quick glance ahead I saw the words “dead mouse” and thought that doesn’t sound like such a great place! Got to “battery” and it made more sense!
Lol Lol, yes a dead mouse would be a bit of a problem. No dead mice here, just the computer variety.
How long is the ship in Japan? Will you continue on or stay in Japan.
I can’t believe you got so sick!!! How DID you manage that? I am so sorry you are sick but at least you are getting excellent medical care. Rest up.. sleep as much as possible. Hope you are up and about soon.
Debbie – the ship will be in Japan for another couple weeks, so hopefully I will get to explore some of the country a bit.
I look forward to seeing you soon Basia. I have one of those Medicare plans that allegedly will reimburse me for emergencies abroad. It is Humana Gold, A Texas policy.
Looking forward to seeing you back on the ship also. I was never able to find a Medicare supplement that would reimburse for expenses abroad, except in some very limited circumstances for the first 3 days or so abroad. But maybe things have changed since then.
I’m so relieved to hear that you are getting great healthcare and have planned for this possibility with your health savings account. I laughed that YOU are eyeing vegetables warily. I also couldn’t help thinking of Chief Inspector Clouseau’s Kato. I hope your Kato doesn’t help you prepare for future attacks in the same way. Tee hee.
Sending you good wishes and healing. ❤️🩹
Joan – lol, I had to google what that was all about! Yes, I hope my Kato will be different!
Good to hear all is getting better. Regarding insurance – if you are willing to consider Medicare Advantage Plans, some will cover emergency and urgent care anywhere in the world.
The ones I investigated would not. And definitely not for long-term travel. I had an Advantage plan before I left home and ended up cancelling it because after multiple conversations with them it was obvious they would not be paying anything.
Being sick in a foreign country always worried me . So glad this experience shines for you !
Shannon – yes if you have to get sick abroad, Japan is the place to do it.