Medicare For Full Timers

[DallasSteve]

I'm planning to full time in an RV again starting next Spring and I am covered by Medicare now. Last time I had no health insurance (I've usually been healthy and I've been 'naked' before). I've been on a Medicare Advantage plan (MA) which reduced my Part B premium by about $79 a month. They've canceled that plan so next year (now, starting Oct 15) I need to find a new one. I see some other MA plans that give me a Part B refund and I would like to start off with one of those. I plan to hit the road at the end of March and I don't know what to do then.

Will an MA plan offer any coverage while I'm traveling? I've heard that regular Medicare would cover me anywhere in the US. If I go MA would HMO or PPO work better? I will probably spend the Summer in one general area up North and then travel back South in the Fall, so I think I could switch my MA plan to a different zip code in the Summer and then again in the Winter, but part of the time I will be on the road traveling. How would you do this?

[Bird_Freak]

We had United thru AARP for 3 years but dropped them last year as they would not sign contracts with 3 of the major hospitals in our area and also kicked our Dr's out of network. We have Humana Advantage now and it has been much better. Lower co pays and more benefits.

[LouLawrence]

That's why I do have to pay some deductible. The C and F plans that covered those are no longer available to us youngsters!

[JimK-NY]

DallasSteve wrote:

We have different definitions of "pretty healthy". If I was your level of pretty healthy I would choose a different plan. The good thing is that every year I can re-evaluate what I need and choose a different plan. If I fall apart 6 months from now I'll have to absorb some out of pocket costs in 2023 (which I can) and then I can pick a more expensive plan for 2024.

You may have less ability to change plans than you think. My insurance though AARP/United Healthcare is defined by the Medicare Plan F. It was very comprehensive. It is no longer available except for those of us who had it previously and are "grandfathered in". With the high cost of healthcare, I suspect we are going to see Medicare and supplemental coverage under more control with more of the costs transferred to the user.

[DallasSteve]

JimK-NY wrote:
If you are healthy and relatively young, the need for really good medical insurance coverage might seem not worth the cost. I am 76 and actually pretty healthy for my age. Even so the medical costs can be out of sight. In the past year I have had a bunch of doctor visits, including specialists, also lab work and a bunch of testing and other procedures. I was seen by a rheumatologist a couple of times which also included lots of lab work. I had a couple of sessions with a neurology specialist which included some extensive EMG testing. I had a couple sessions of afib following my Covid shot. That means several cardiologist visits including an implant for a monitoring my heart. The monitoring is done by a cardiac specialist on an ongoing basis. I just finished a cardiac cath with a couple of stents. A few weeks ago, I had routine endo/colonscopy testing. I have mild emphysema so next month I am getting a complete pulmonary workup with ultrasound, echo, CT scans and pulmonary function testing.

I have paid absolutely no out of pocket costs for these many tens of thousands of dollars worth of testing and care. In addition I have no restrictions on physicians or providers. I have been able to find the best and replace any doc that does not seem to meet my expectations.

I highly recommend you look and pay for the most flexible and comprehensive coverage you can find. Sooner or later you will need it.

We have different definitions of "pretty healthy". If I was your level of pretty healthy I would choose a different plan. The good thing is that every year I can re-evaluate what I need and choose a different plan. If I fall apart 6 months from now I'll have to absorb some out of pocket costs in 2023 (which I can) and then I can pick a more expensive plan for 2024.

[JimK-NY]

If you are healthy and relatively young, the need for really good medical insurance coverage might seem not worth the cost. I am 76 and actually pretty healthy for my age. Even so the medical costs can be out of sight. In the past year I have had a bunch of doctor visits, including specialists, also lab work and a bunch of testing and other procedures. I was seen by a rheumatologist a couple of times which also included lots of lab work. I had a couple of sessions with a neurology specialist which included some extensive EMG testing. I had a couple sessions of afib following my Covid shot. That means several cardiologist visits including an implant for a monitoring my heart. The monitoring is done by a cardiac specialist on an ongoing basis. I just finished a cardiac cath with a couple of stents. A few weeks ago, I had routine endo/colonscopy testing. I have mild emphysema so next month I am getting a complete pulmonary workup with ultrasound, echo, CT scans and pulmonary function testing.

I have paid absolutely no out of pocket costs for these many tens of thousands of dollars worth of testing and care. In addition I have no restrictions on physicians or providers. I have been able to find the best and replace any doc that does not seem to meet my expectations.

I highly recommend you look and pay for the most flexible and comprehensive coverage you can find. Sooner or later you will need it.

[LouLawrence]

Scottiemom wrote:

LouLawrence wrote:
We travel full time and have for many years. I am in excellent health but have been battling a pinched nerve in my neck. Long story short, I ended up with MRI, surgery, neurosurgeon, 2 nights hospital. Now sitting for 3 months with no driving but traditional Medicare and a part F supplement appears to be covering it all but expect some bills for the required deductible payments.

Part F covers your deductibles. You won't be getting any bills. That's why we bought that supplement. I understand it's no longer available but if you have it, you're good to go.


Dale

I have G high deductible version (Missed C or F by 2 months). So far the ER visit includig MRI was 15000 and I have been billed a couple hundred. Can't imagine how much the surgery and hospital will charge but don't expect to pay more than the 2500 deductible.

[Scottiemom]

LouLawrence wrote:
We travel full time and have for many years. I am in excellent health but have been battling a pinched nerve in my neck. Long story short, I ended up with MRI, surgery, neurosurgeon, 2 nights hospital. Now sitting for 3 months with no driving but traditional Medicare and a part F supplement appears to be covering it all but expect some bills for the required deductible payments.

Part F covers your deductibles. You won't be getting any bills. That's why we bought that supplement. I understand it's no longer available but if you have it, you're good to go.


Dale

[cptqueeg]

DallasSteve wrote:
There are several posts here promoting AARP insurance. I was an AARP member a few years ago. They would periodically send me mail promoting their car insurance or health insurance. When I compared the prices for those insurance products with what I already had they were much more expensive. You would think that if AARP was using its millions of members as an incentive to insurance companies, that they would get better rates than non-AARP insurance offers. I wonder where that extra money is going? Maybe into the pockets of the executives at AARP?

Speaking of insurance companies one can compare the purchase price and coverage limits, etc, but insurance companies will not always "pay up" as easily, quickly, or as completely when a claim is made so how the company's obligations are met also needs to be considered.

[bgum]

DallasSteve wrote:
There are several posts here promoting AARP insurance. I was an AARP member a few years ago. They would periodically send me mail promoting their car insurance or health insurance. When I compared the prices for those insurance products with what I already had they were much more expensive. You would think that if AARP was using its millions of members as an incentive to insurance companies, that they would get better rates than non-AARP insurance offers. I wonder where that extra money is going? Maybe into the pockets of the executives at AARP?

You got this right.
AARP is a insurance company. It started out selling Colonial Penn life insurance years ago. It now realizes there is money in health insurance. It claims to be a advocate for the older citizens but in reality is a advocate for the good of the company. For that you pay them to belong. A old carnival owner once said something about a sucker born every minute.

[LouLawrence]

Just FYI, this pinched nerve was not a $100 fix and would likely bankrupt me without the proper insurance. I now have 8 screws and a titanium plate in my neck. Entry point is in the throat under the chin (looks like someone tried to cut my throat) and repairs to the spine C3-C6. The surgeon said it was caused by an injury and not old age but could not determine how long ago it might have occurred.

[DallasSteve]

ItsyRV wrote:
The issue some have with these "any network provider" Medicare Advantage "nationwide" plans are in some parts of the country, there are too few providers let alone any specialist. Even when there are providers, the next available appointment for non in-state enrolled patient is a month or more out. Humana, like all "networked" Advantage plans is provider deserts, no provider within any reasonable travel distance. Yes, you may be able to go out of network in some cases and have a portion covered, but often they use the network requirement for coverage as an excuse to deny payment.

I don't think is really a case of "gambling", more like a careful needed evaluation of risk vs rewards. For the rewards of saving substantial money, can you tolerate the risk of a possible no or denied coverage and expense?

I understand the concern and it is a valid point. So I picked a small town in the area where I plan to spend the Summer next year, Franklin NC. It's only about 4,000 people. There are no other big cities near it. I went to Humana's provider search page. I selected the Medicare PPO. There are about 20 Family practice doctors and about 20 specialists in network in the small town of Franklin. I'm surprised there are so many doctors in a town of 4,000, but that's good.

And if I need a hospital the Angel Medical Center in Franklin is in network. I looked at their website and their facility seems large, modern, professional. The plan even has psychiatric care in the area if I go crazy. 🙂 Finally, I'm not going to choose places to visit based on how close they are to a plethora of doctors and hospitals. If I'm that frightened of a medical emergency I should give up full time RV life and go back to Dallas, or at least find an RV park close to a medical center in a large city and live there until I die.

[ItsyRV]

The issue some have with these "any network provider" Medicare Advantage "nationwide" plans are in some parts of the country, there are too few providers let alone any specialist. Even when there are providers, the next available appointment for non in-state enrolled patient is a month or more out. Humana, like all "networked" Advantage plans is provider deserts, no provider within any reasonable travel distance. Yes, you may be able to go out of network in some cases and have a portion covered, but often they use the network requirement for coverage as an excuse to deny payment.

I don't think is really a case of "gambling", more like a careful needed evaluation of risk vs rewards. For the rewards of saving substantial money, can you tolerate the risk of a possible no or denied coverage and expense?

[DallasSteve]

There are several posts here promoting AARP insurance. I was an AARP member a few years ago. They would periodically send me mail promoting their car insurance or health insurance. When I compared the prices for those insurance products with what I already had they were much more expensive. You would think that if AARP was using its millions of members as an incentive to insurance companies, that they would get better rates than non-AARP insurance offers. I wonder where that extra money is going? Maybe into the pockets of the executives at AARP?

[winnietrey]

OP you might consider looking at "plan G" high deductible, much cheaper than plan G about a third. I have it, no complaints. I also tend to self-insure like you, so was good choice for me