Medical Care on the road

[Durango Dave]

Hi,

I am disabled and on medicare. I dont have any supplimental plan to cover my 20% because those plans are actually more expensive than just paying the 20% in many cases.

Since i am thinking about taking the long rv trip all over the US which could take a year, i was wondering if anyone can help me with inforamtion on my options about medical care or a doctor visit should i need one on the road.

Do i just find a doctor and schedule it whever i am and then after i go to the appointment i can continue my trip or how does that work.

Thanks

[halfwright]

Dave,

I am not disabled,but do take many prescription medicine mostly for old people's stuff-diabetes-blood pressure-arrhythmia and on and on. I can go to a local doctor and get my prescriptions for a year at a time. Then,I go to a lab service, like Labcorp, and get blood work done. The results are sent to the doctor that requested the tests and wrote the prescription. We have been fulltime for six years and it has worked. Just a pain to have get the tests.

[chuckinthebus]

If you have a motorhome, I wouldn’t leave home without becoming a member of FMCA if you aren't already.

[Durango Dave]

@halfwrite - yeah i spoke to my pharmacy today and they said i can pick them up at any store nationwide. Im waiting to hear back from my doctor.

Originally Posted by chuckinthebus

If you have a motorhome, I wouldn’t leave home without becoming a member of FMCA if you aren't already.

No its a 5th wheel..

[chuckinthebus]

Originally Posted by durangod

@halfwrite - yeah i spoke to my pharmacy today and they said i can pick them up at any store nationwide. Im waiting to hear back from my doctor.



No its a 5th wheel..

This summer there is talk about changing their charter to allow all RVS to join. They have a fantastic medical assist plan that really works.

[Bob_C]

Another thing to look at is Sky Med...

[acinspp]

Originally Posted by bob caldwell

Another thing to look at is Sky Med...

X 2 on Sky Med. Later RJD

[Whitewolf]

Good grief I'm tired. I thought your title read Medieval.

[Durango Dave]

Originally Posted by Whitewolf

Good grief I'm tired. I thought your title read Medieval.

Wow i never noticed the typo... thanks ill get that fixed

[SteveW123]

Originally Posted by Durango Dave

Hi,



I am disabled and on medicare. I dont have any supplimental plan to cover my 20% because those plans are actually more expensive than just paying the 20% in many cases.



Since i am thinking about taking the long rv trip all over the US which could take a year, i was wondering if anyone can help me with inforamtion on my options about medical care or a doctor visit should i need one on the road.



Do i just find a doctor and schedule it whever i am and then after i go to the appointment i can continue my trip or how does that work.



Thanks

You can go to any urgent care facility throughout the nation to see a doctor if needed. Prescriptions can be obtained there if needed. If you are on maintenance medications, you can get refills at any Wal-Mart pharmacy nationwide if you are already a pharmacy customer of theirs.

[MSHappyCampers]

Dave, I think you are really rolling the dice on not having the Medicare supplement insurance! You never know when you will need extensive medical care, surgeries, etc., and you're gonna be in a world of hurt having to pay the 20%!

My wife has had eight neck and back surgeries in the last five years, plus numerous nerve blocks between the surgeries. We have the Plan F supplement on her, which pays everything that Medicare doesn't. I shudder to think what we would have had to pay without the supplement!

I have the Plan G, which has a yearly deductible, but with the lower monthly rates I'm still saving over $400 per year over the Plan F. She can't change because of all her surgeries!

[Cat320]

You can go to any walk in clinic (be sure they accept Medicare) and they will provide treatment and file your claim.

[Bamaman]

My wife is like so.many disabled people that are on Medicare--on controlled substances (medicines.). She is required to go to her physician monthly and no prescriptions can be postdated.

She is carefully managed by a great pain management clinic. We have to be very careful scheduling her appointments when going on trips, but she will never be able to be fulltimer without going home monthly.

[vsheetz]

Since on straight Medicare, and not a Medicare Advantage program, you can go to any doctor anywhere, anytime - just make and appointment or use a walk-in clinic. Just be sure they accept Medicare assignment, which nearly all do. This ensures they will accept the reimbursement that Medicare will pay.

As for going without a Medigap coverage to pay the 20%, that's rolling the dice. For my wife we pay $137/month for a G plan plus $183 annual deductable.

As you know, without a part D plan you have no prescription coverage. For my wife we pay $22/month plus zero to a few dollars copay per prescription fill. The plan works with Walgreens, which are located nationwide. Without a part D plan, Walmart is likely your lowest cost self pay option.

No dental coverage in Medicare. Consider going to Mexico to get lower cost services, across the border from Yuma AZ for example.