Questions for full time rv'ers or timesharers

[suzanne]

If you do not maintain a residence how do you handle medical advantange plans when your on Medicare? I'm looking at taking a year just to travel both in and out of the USA. Putting everything in storage. Because of my age (71) my main concern is medical care if needed. My current policy doesn't cover out of the country. And needs a permanent address in the county I live in as policies vary state to state, county to county. I do not have a family member that has an address I can use.
Thank you,
Suzanne

 

[Passepartout]

I'd suggest at least buying an annual 'Evacuation and Repatriation' policies. They are not costly. I carried one for a few years acquired through Good Sam, the RV owners club. https://www.goodsamtravelassist.com/ I never had a claim, so can't vouch for their claims or service. They do offer physician referral, and will get you home from anywhere (they say) You don't have to own an RV or join the club. It was fairly inexpensive peace of mind.

Nowadays we just rely on our Medicare Advantage for medical care in the U.S. and buy travel insurance that offers primary medical coverage internationally on a trip-by-trip basis. It's expensive, at about 5% of the trip cost, but have had several instances of life threatening ailments abroad and been treated, and brought home. We buy through www.squaremouth.com/

I have no suggestions for a 'home' address. Sorry.

I hope you can enjoy your year of adventure!

How was your cruise?

Jim

 

[b2bailey]

I didn't have a permanent address when I signed up for Medicare. I use a P O Box for mailing address. But, I did not choose an Advantage plan because I planned to travel. (I have United Healthcare PPO) I was actually taken by ambulance twice to hospitals in different cities, no problem. I don't believe you can have this flexibility with an Advantage type plan.

 

[VacationForever]

I didn't have a permanent address when I signed up for Medicare. I use a P O Box for mailing address. But, I did not choose an Advantage plan because I planned to travel. (I have United Healthcare PPO) I was actually taken by ambulance twice to hospitals in different cities, no problem. I don't believe you can have this flexibility with an Advantage type plan.

United Healthcare Medicare PPO is still a Medicare Advantage plan. It is PPO as opposed to HMO plan.

 

[b2bailey]

Hmm.
It is through AARP.
I receive a statement from Medicare and from my supplemental plan.
My understanding is that a Medicare Advantage Plan becomes the administrator and is not processed through Medicare. I do not believe my plan is an Advantage plan.

 

[VacationForever]

Hmm.
It is through AARP.
I receive a statement from Medicare and from my supplemental plan.
My understanding is that a Medicare Advantage Plan becomes the administrator and is not processed through Medicare. I do not believe my plan is an Advantage plan.

If it is a Supplement Plan then it is called a Supplement Plan as opposed to PPO. PPO and HMO are Medicare Advantage plans.

 

[WinniWoman]

So- I also have a question. If my husband is retiring the end of this year- but we could still be living in NY when he applies for Medicare B, D and a supplement (not Advantage) (you are supposed to apply like 3 months before?)- will he be covered in NY and also in NH when we move?

 

[VacationForever]

So- I also have a question. If my husband is retiring the end of this year- but we could still be living in NY when he applies for Medicare B, D and a supplement (not Advantage) (you are supposed to apply like 3 months before?)- will he be covered in NY and also in NH when we move?

Supplement plans are local to the state but allow one to see doctors outside of the state, as with many Advantage PPO plans. Your husband will need to reapply for a supplement plan in NH when you move and terminate the one from NY. Premiums vary with each state.

 

[simpsontruckdriver]

As a Florida Health Insurance Agent specializing in Medicare, both United Healthcare and Humana HMO Medicare Advantage plans allow travel within the USA. Let's say you're in New York, and that is your residence. But, you're going to vacation in California for a month. You would call customer service, they can basically transfer your HMO "network" to that area, and refer you to a PCP so you can get medical care. Then, when you go back home, let customer service know. I'm not sure in your area, but here in Central Florida, Humana has a PPO that is $0 above Part-B premium, the copays are slightly higher for Humana doctors and higher still for out-of-network doctors with no referrals needed.

Medicare Supplements are state-regulated (MAPDs are federal-regulated). I tell people that the MedSupp's "network" is anyone who accepts Medicare. If you're based in one state, then move (permanently) to another state, you most likely will need to get a plan in your new state, which may be more expensive.

TS

 

[WinniWoman]

Supplement plans are local to the state but allow one to see doctors outside of the state, as with many Advantage PPO plans. Your husband will need to reapply for a supplement plan in NH when you move and terminate the one from NY. Premiums vary with each state.

So heaven forbid something happens and you have to go to a hospital before you have a chance to apply for a supplement plan in your new residence state, it would be covered (by the NY supplement)?

 

[Passepartout]

If you do not maintain a residence how do you handle medical advantange plans when your on Medicare? I'm looking at taking a year just to travel both in and out of the USA. . . .. And needs a permanent address in the county I live in as policies vary state to state, county to county. I do not have a family member that has an address I can use.
Thank you,
Suzanne

Suzanne, it occurred to me that perhaps you could sign up with a 'mailbox' company near where you live, then (for a price) they will box up your mail and forward it to you. We did this at good ol' USPS, but there are private businesses that do this too. Perhaps, 'The UPS Store' or something similar.

Jim

 

[VacationForever]

So heaven forbid something happens and you have to go to a hospital before you have a chance to apply for a supplement plan in your new residence state, it would be covered (by the NY supplement)?

It should not be a problem as long as he has not yet terminated the policy from NY. He needs to ensure that he always has active coverage. But there is nothing more important than having medical coverage and should be done in conjunction with legal change of residency.

 

[shorts]

Many fulltime RVers and boaters that don’t have a permanent resident will select a state for their residency and then use a mailbox service. That becomes their residential address and the company forwards their mail to them whenever requested. Florida, Texas and South Dakota are the states most often used due to their tax advantages.

You would still have the problem of health insurance coverage outside of the USA. You would need to look into purchasing additional coverage to what you already have for your travel period or switch to a Medicare supplement that will cover you outside the US.

 

[suzanne]

Thank you all for your help. I will check into a mail box service.
Suzanne

 

[suzanne]

I'd suggest at least buying an annual 'Evacuation and Repatriation' policies. They are not costly. I carried one for a few years acquired through Good Sam, the RV owners club. https://www.goodsamtravelassist.com/ I never had a claim, so can't vouch for their claims or service. They do offer physician referral, and will get you home from anywhere (they say) You don't have to own an RV or join the club. It was fairly inexpensive peace of mind.

Nowadays we just rely on our Medicare Advantage for medical care in the U.S. and buy travel insurance that offers primary medical coverage internationally on a trip-by-trip basis. It's expensive, at about 5% of the trip cost, but have had several instances of life threatening ailments abroad and been treated, and brought home. We buy through www.squaremouth.com/

I have no suggestions for a 'home' address. Sorry.

I hope you can enjoy your year of adventure!

How was your cruise?

Jim

Hi Jim, cruise is in September, really looking forward to it. I will check into squaremouth as my main concern is coverage for trips outside of the US. I have Humana Advantage PPO plan here in Florida. It will cover me anywhere in the US but not outside of the US.
Suzanne

 

[Passepartout]

Hi Jim, cruise is in September, really looking forward to it. I will check into squaremouth as my main concern is coverage for trips outside of the US. I have Humana Advantage PPO plan here in Florida. It will cover me anywhere in the US but not outside of the US.
Suzanne

Saw my Cardiologist yesterday. After hearing of my experience in Germany last year, he said, "I want YOUR insurance!" We told him about Squaremouth. That may have been the best bargain I've ever gotten.