Affordable Care Act Choices

[bjo24]

We recently sold our house and switched to fulltiming since we're on the road all the time anyway. But I am panicking now and thinking we forgot one major issue! When I search online for a plan to use next year I am asked for my state of residence. We chose Texas as residence when we went with Escapees Mail Service. We "doctor" in AZ and NE where we spend 3 months each/year and go to doctors where ever we are for flu, colds, etc. We chose a Walmart plan for prescriptions because they're pretty much everywhere (except at Lake Tahoe where we volunteer). We will talk to our current providers but I looked here to calm myself down. Will I have to find new doctors in Livingston, Texas?? I'm sure they're good - but I like the ones I have had for years. Has anyone else checked this out??

[bruceisla]

Originally Posted by bjo24

We recently sold our house and switched to fulltiming since we're on the road all the time anyway. But I am panicking now and thinking we forgot one major issue! When I search online for a plan to use next year I am asked for my state of residence. We chose Texas as residence when we went with Escapees Mail Service. We "doctor" in AZ and NE where we spend 3 months each/year and go to doctors where ever we are for flu, colds, etc. We chose a Walmart plan for prescriptions because they're pretty much everywhere (except at Lake Tahoe where we volunteer). We will talk to our current providers but I looked here to calm myself down. Will I have to find new doctors in Livingston, Texas?? I'm sure they're good - but I like the ones I have had for years. Has anyone else checked this out??

This question is actually related to any coverage rather than the Affordable Care Act. In your case, if you are Medicare eligible, it is likely that overall cost will be lower with a Medi-Gap policy rather than a Medicare Advantage policy. Whether or not you have Medicare, you need to look at whether you have to consider In Network Charges vs. Out Of Network Charges.

Or, to put it another way, you can go to any doctor you like ... but the cost may be different.

Call your provider and discuss your options.

[bjo24]

Oh, I do remember looking at Network/Out of Network when we chose the policy to supplement Medicare before. Maybe it won't be so bad afterall. I feel "calmed" now but won't be secure until we call them. Husband is still asleep so I'm waiting for him.

[bruceisla]

Originally Posted by bjo24

Oh, I do remember looking at Network/Out of Network when we chose the policy to supplement Medicare before. Maybe it won't be so bad afterall. I feel "calmed" now but won't be secure until we call them. Husband is still asleep so I'm waiting for him.

As long as you are "contemplating" stuff, think about Jury Duty ... it's not a showstopper but something that may/may not come up.

[bjo24]

That one did come up while we were in WA. I had already missed since we hadn't gotten mail for a couple of weeks. I called the court (or whoever, it's been a while) and they were very nice and said we'd be taken off the list. They knew about Escapees. I'm sure there will be plenty of things to think about. We will be in Livingston in November so may get some more advice. We'll need to reregister our vehicles. My driver's license is good for too long though. My photo was awful!

[Dr4Film]

Our residence is Alaska, actually it is my oldest sons house where I get excellent mail forwarding service.

However, I chose a Medicare plan where it really doesn't matter where I receive my medical care from but the plan was originated from a carrier in Alaska. It's all based on your Domicile address, not your residence.

I went with Medicare Plan F through Premera BCBS of Alaska.

My wife's plan, who is significantly younger than I am, is through the same company but a non-Medicare plan.

Presently we are seeing doctor's, etc. in California where we used to live before retiring.

Dr4Film ----- Richard

[TXiceman]

If you're on Medicare, look at a supplement. We decided to go with Plan F and can see any Doctor or hospital that accepts Medicare.

Ken

[Rusty years]

You may need to use the same address as SS. Call SS or Medicare and ask about the ruling on full timers.

By the way, ACA has nothing to do with Medicare

[saydiver]

Originally Posted by bjo24

We recently sold our house and switched to fulltiming since we're on the road all the time anyway. But I am panicking now and thinking we forgot one major issue! When I search online for a plan to use next year I am asked for my state of residence. We chose Texas as residence when we went with Escapees Mail Service. We "doctor" in AZ and NE where we spend 3 months each/year and go to doctors where ever we are for flu, colds, etc. We chose a Walmart plan for prescriptions because they're pretty much everywhere (except at Lake Tahoe where we volunteer). We will talk to our current providers but I looked here to calm myself down. Will I have to find new doctors in Livingston, Texas?? I'm sure they're good - but I like the ones I have had for years. Has anyone else checked this out??

For full-timers with a Livingston address who need health insurance and are not eligible for Medicare.

No, you don't have to choose a dr from Livingston, TX. If you choose for example, a TX BCBS PPO plan, you can see drs from all over the US as long as they participate in the BCBS nationwide network. The key is choosing a PPO plan.

Sue

[TXiceman]

We chose to pay a little extra and go with a plan F supplement. We can got to any Doctor or hospital that accepts medicare....no network.

Ken

[Rusty years]

Originally Posted by TXiceman

We chose to pay a little extra and go with a plan F supplement. We can got to any Doctor or hospital that accepts medicare....no network.

Ken

Look at Plan N to save money