Medical insurance for us travelers.

[CardinalQueen]

We spend a lot of road time going state to state. We have to change policies at end of year...our current company is changing eligibility. We have Medicare and need to work with that too. Any information would really be helpful. I can always count on fellow RVers for great suggestions.

[whj77372]

Some people on Medicare who travel full time have told me not to
enroll in an Advantage Plan because they are for a limited area and if you were out of state all that is provided is emergency care and some have had problems getting the Advantage Plan to pay for those claims.
People whom I respect told me to get regular Medicare and a supplement and then your issue will be to find health care providers who accept Medicare wherever you are. Good Luck

[CardinalQueen]

I really appreciate your help. That gives us more information to bring to the table.

[Jim34RL]

Are you full timers or do you still have a S&B residences? If you full time, you may want to look into the ESCAPEES RV Cub for information on health insurance.

Now if you have a S&B residences a plan from AARP might work with a drug plan that works through a mail order pharmacy. This is what my DW and I have and our total combined cost is under $300 a month. We have never had to pay a co-pay nor have I or my DW had to pay any deducible so far.


I am looking at a total knee replacement early next year with zero outlay for me. If I was still working I would have to pay 20 % of the total cost on my end plus I had to pay $350 a month for insurance at work.

[hammer55]

I was just told that my advantage plan was accepted where ever medicare was accepted, if you are under the age of 65, or what ever your social security retirement age is, in some states you cannot get a medicare supplemental plan, and in the states that you can, the cost of the minimal coverage is outrageous, most states offer a advantage plan for those like me under 65, it is free (no cost), and you pay a maximum of 3,400.00 dollars a year out of pocket, and it covers prescriptions, no need for a part D plan, I called the lawyers office that got me social security, they have a medicare department, and most of all the advantage plans are through AARP, and you don't have to be a member, that is just the info I was told, so take it with a grain of salt, only my story, not a expert of advise,

by the way, my ssd lawyer was Binder & Binder, if that is ok to say,

[Boso]

Medicare Advantage is not free their is an increase in cost over regular Medicare but includes part d it's a hmo or a ppo plan

[Rbertalotto]

I'm 63 and thinking retirement next February......This stuff makes my head hurt!!

[Boso]

Can't get Medicare until you are 65 unless you are disabled and been out of work for two years

[txredfish]

I have Humana Advantage Plan PPO. I have not had any problems. I live in south TX and have used it in KY while travelling.

[Ky-N]

I am 62 and disabled, I also have the Humana Advantage PPO and before we took off on our westward tour in the summer I checked with them to know what to do should something happen. They told me to call and they would direct me to providers that were in their system and it would be covered. Any emergency would be treated the same as any emergency at home. That is what they said, now if it is true is another question I prefer not to test.

[Sheldon211]

Following this thread

[Rustyrail]

We tried Human Advantage 4yrs ago. Could not wait to get different provider. The only word they know is decline. Takes months and lots of time to fight for what you are entitled to recieve. Our Dr. stated they had to hire 2 clerks just to handle Humana declines.

[Boso]

Not an expert just have it but to be fair Medicare advantage has to provide at least the same health care as regular Medicare if not better at a better cost or as good to the Medicare reciepetant

[CardinalQueen]

Y'all are AMAZING. Great info!

[CardinalQueen]

We aren't full timers, and I love having my home base. But we are planning to go from here (SC) to DC, to NYC, to Maine then to Niagra Falls. In 2017 we hope to go do the big loop from here to the Pacific Coast Highway and wander around the desert for a few weeks. We are really being pushed to get everything locked up by January.

[aceinspp]

Being I retired from the Govt I kept my plan which is excellent and plus have medicare which picks up also. I have no worries as I travel. Later RJD

[Sharon455]

Originally Posted by aceinspp

Being I retired from the Govt I kept my plan which is excellent and plus have medicare which picks up also. I have no worries as I travel. Later RJD

Good luck with that government benefit.
Both DH and I are both retired military. Our promised lifetime medical care devolved to Tricare. DH turned 65 last May, and is required to carry Medicare in order to receive his free Tricare for Life. We now pay triple for his monthly Medicare than we paid quarterly for Tricare. It also seems to take twice as long to get things approved, and he is mandated to use generic meds when possible, or pay full cost.


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[CardinalQueen]

Y'all are awesome. Thanks for all the input!

[whj469]

If I were you I would to the Escapees website and read the posts regarding health insurance for full-timers.

[CNYCamper]

I'm 65 on Medicare and just renewed 1/1/16. Basic Medicare premium is deducted from monthly SS check. With deductibles you could quickly go broke on just Medicare. You can get Advantage plans at little to no cost, but ones I've seen had high deductibles. Many of the Advantage plans include Dental.I have Medicare Supplemental insurance, good with whatever DR. takes Medicare. Various plans available. One I have has a $147 annual deductible w/ copays of $20 for each DR. visit. Extra, however, is Dental and my plan went up $12/month. Supplemental and basic Medicare stayed the same.
Gets a little complicated, but much easier to understand and cheaper than Obama care which DW will have until 1/1/17 when she turns 65. Until I turned 65 we were both on Obama Care - what a nightmare, but DW's 19 day hospital stay in 2014 plus follow up care was well over $100,000. We were stuck for about $15,000 so it helped somewhat.
I would suggest a good broker who gets paid by the insurer.