Community Forums

ctcamper · 04-03-2011, 08:11 PM

I have heard alot of negatives about it searching around the internet forums as I am trying to decide whether to join or not.

Does anyone know if the medex coverage they have would apply to another family member besides myself if I were to join? Say I brought an in law or other family member , do they cover that person too? or is it just for the person who signs and pays the dues.

I see they are partnered with passport america but I assume that is an additional fee for that. Do they have a list of campgrounds that will give a reduced fee with an fmca membership?

I have belonged to Good Sam on and off for over 20 years and I can take it or leave it as it is really not that great IMO and if fmca is not much different I will skip it.

Martind4 · 04-03-2011, 08:23 PM

We belong to FMCA and use their mail forwarding service in the winter. The cost of membership isn't much and they have a nice monthly magazine that we enjoy. We've been to a couple of rallys, met a lot of nice people and had a good time. Overall, I think it's a better deal than Good Sam.

I can't comment on Medex service

Airtool · 04-03-2011, 08:38 PM

CT, FMCA just changed there med.coverage affective 4-1-11, I attended the Perry Rally and picked up info. on the new coverage and still have to sit down and read it over. Most of the attendees at the Rally thought it was a good deal. I'm still covered under the ins. I had when working. Things are changing for us now and will have to make some adjustments in my coverage. An option I will be looking at.

Dick.

Dick.

dons2346 · 04-03-2011, 09:22 PM

The FMCAssist program covers only you and your family. It will get you to the hospital, get your coach home, get your minor children and grandkids home with an escort. It does not cover brother in laws, sister in laws, etc. Your medicare does not cover you if you are out of the country. You can purchase coverage that will take the place of medicare, the amount covered depends on how much coverage you buy.

The program is more involved than what I have just said. If you can get hold of a January issue of the FMCA magazine, all of the benefits of FMCA membership is listed.

SideRoads · 04-04-2011, 06:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dons2346

The FMCAssist program covers only you and your family. It will get you to the hospital, get your coach home, get your minor children and grandkids home with an escort. It does not cover brother in laws, sister in laws, etc. Your medicare does not cover you if you are out of the country. You can purchase coverage that will take the place of medicare, the amount covered depends on how much coverage you buy.

The program is more involved than what I have just said. If you can get hold of a January issue of the FMCA magazine, all of the benefits of FMCA membership is listed.

We keep our FMCA Membership mainly for the reasons stated. Without the Assist Program, not sure I would maintain it.

AFChap · 04-04-2011, 07:48 AM

Re: campgrounds, you can get a discount for FMCA membership pretty much anywhere you could get a good Sam discount. I think the Passport "partnership" gives you a discount on buying a PA membership. FMCA does not generate tons of junk mail like Good Sam does. I don't know what "negatives" you have read about FMCA..the only one I've ever heard is that "they are snobs because they don't allow trailer owners to join". They DID however welcome "towable owners" at one of their recent rallies, so perhaps thay may change. I agree that the med evac program is the most valuable membership benefit to us...formerly Medex, now called FMCA Assist.

moisheh · 04-04-2011, 07:51 AM

Unless something has changed the air ambulance does not take you home. Only to the nearest qualified facility. The magazine was once double it's present size. They had a Tech guy that was amazing. Not that great anymore. The letters to the editor are all about how gerat the service was at this spot or another. But never do they publish the letters from people that were unhappy with their service. I see where AARP could lose it's non profit status. That same logic might apply to FMCA

dons2346 · 04-04-2011, 08:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by moisheh

Unless something has changed the air ambulance does not take you home. Only to the nearest qualified facility. The magazine was once double it's present size. They had a Tech guy that was amazing. Not that great anymore. The letters to the editor are all about how gerat the service was at this spot or another. But never do they publish the letters from people that were unhappy with their service. I see where AARP could lose it's non profit status. That same logic might apply to FMCA

Like I said, there is more to the new program than the old MEDEX. The new program will evacuate you from the incident to the nearest care facility. If you can't be fixed there, you will again be transported to the next level. You can even be transported to a rehabilitation facility. I'm telling you, the new program is WAY better that the old MEDEX.

As far as loosing the tax exempt status, why would you say that? FMCA does not donate any to political party or candidate nor do they endorse any. AARP went out on a limb and supported/endorsed a candidate.That is why they are in jeopardy of loosing their 501 status.

As far as unhappy service letters, and wanting refunds, you can get enough of that from Good Sam.

As far as a smaller magazine, sure it is. But in all fairness, take a look at almost any magazine. The only mag I take that hasn't gotten smaller is my QST which is a ham radio magazine.

GaryKD · 04-04-2011, 05:24 PM

Hi ctcamper,
This might sound like the obvious answer, but consider:
1. Write down your questions and concerns.
2. Call FMCA at 800-543-3622 and talk to them.

The value of any organization is what one makes of it.

dancogan · 04-04-2011, 05:29 PM

We have belonged to FMCA for about 10 years. It's a great way to find a local club and enjoy that club's rallies. We belong to a Michigan club that holds about 7 rallies a year. The local club activities are the strongest selling point for us. The big national rallies and larger regional rallies seem to be fun if you're shopping for a new coach or have disposable income to get rid of, but we got tired of the big rally scene after a few years. The magazine is worthwhile, but just like the purely commercial magazines, their reviews read more like the manufacturer's brochure than an objective analysis.