Hi Everyone. Well, after 15 years the RV-Dreams Community Forum is coming to an end. Since it began in August 2005, we've had 58 Million page views, 124,000 posts, and we've spent about $15,000 to keep this valuable resource for RVers free and open. But since we are now off the road and have settled down for the next chapter of our lives, we are taking the Forum down effective June 30, 2021. It has been a tough decision, but it is now time.
We want to thank all of our members for their participation and input over the years, and we want to especially thank those that have acted as Moderators for us during our amazing journey living and traveling in our RV and growing the RV-Dreams Family. We will be forever proud to have been founders of this Forum and to have been supported by such a wonderful community. Thank you all!!
We are currently living in NY, but once we start full timing we'll probably spend most of our time west of the Mississippi. My wife and I are on meds we take regularly, and go to the Dr. about every 3 months for new prescriptions.
Some are regulated, at least here, so what do we do?
Talk to your doctor. My primary care doctor understands that we travel full time. I use an online ordering system with my medical insurance company. We order our meds in 90 day supplies which is the cheapest way to purchase them. I have them shipped to our location when in the states. The six months we are in Mexico I have a friend or relative bring them down when they visit.
We've been doing this for 3 years and it is working well. It will be interesting to see how this all works when I hit 65 and am on Medicare. My back-up plan for the Medicare years is to purchase our prescription drugs while in Mexico. We have found that several of our prescriptions cost less than our co-pay in the states.
All things medical seem to have rules and plans that change every year. I wish you the best of luck in finding a plan that will work for you. It is worth the effort to enjoy this lifestyle.
Good luck. Life is good.
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Russ & Terri Ranger
Travel since July 2013
Home base: Buckeye,AZ
Wandering the USA & Canada in our Holiday Rambler Endeavor 40' PDT Motorhome
Travel so far: 49 States - International Travel -19 countries
Our doctors only require that we see them annually (unless there are problems) to keep the prescriptions for our meds current. The new prescriptions are electronically transmitted to our medication provider. We use Express Scripts and the meds are sent to our Escapees' mail service. We have Escapees forward them to us when we know where we're going to be long enough to receive mail or a FedEx packet. When we're going to be somewhere long enough (like the six weeks in New Mexico over the holidays with family), we actually give Express Scripts a temporary mailing address and they send meds to us directly.
I've also seen folks post on this forum and others that they use a national chain (such as Walmart, CVS, Walgreen's, etc.) that has centralized prescription databases. Your doctor(s) can send in new prescriptions as needed and you can have them refilled wherever you are. We usually use Walmart or Sam's pharmacies for PRN/emergency meds (such as antibiotics for an infection).
Rob
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2012 F350 DRW Lariat 6.7
PullRite OE 18K, Demco Glide Ride pinbox
2020 Solitude 310GK-R, MORryde IS, disc brakes, solar, DP windows
We take all our medical records with us and present them to new doctors. This works fine for us.
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2003 Teton Grand Freedon 2006 Mobile Suites 32TK3 SOLD 2006 Freightliner Century 120 with Detroit 14L singled, ultrashift, hauling a 2016 Smart Passion
In a similar issue: I take coumadin and get tested about every three months. Based on the results my dosage my be adjusted. So, for me, it's not just an issue of getting my meds, but having a test result reviewed by a medico, who will recommend a new regime. Does anyone else face this issue? How do you deal with it?
I also take a blood thinner, warfarin, and get tested about every six weeks. Whatever lab we use simply faxes the results to my Primary doctor in Kentucky for review, and then his nurse calls me with any adjustments in dosage. He prescribes both 1MG and 2MG pills, so it's easy to make changes. I have prescriptions filled at Walmart and just transfer them from store to store as needed as we travel. As I get close to running out, I call Walmart which sends the doctor a request for a new prescription and we're back in business. Pretty easy.
I had open heart surgery a month before we started our RV adventure. The mechanical valve replacement requires me to take Warfarin. I needed to make adjustments often to my dosage. I self test with an INR meter and have learned from my doctor to make my own adjustments. Fortunately my insurance company agreed that I could have a meter to use in our travels in and out of the country. It took a little arm twisting to get the insurance company to agree but it has made it easier the last three years.
I don't know what will happen with Medicare when I turn 65. We'll see.
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Russ & Terri Ranger
Travel since July 2013
Home base: Buckeye,AZ
Wandering the USA & Canada in our Holiday Rambler Endeavor 40' PDT Motorhome
Travel so far: 49 States - International Travel -19 countries
Thanks, Howard and Russ. I expect I'll be on Medicare by the time I'm ready to full-time. Where I get tested now they use that meter device. But not all providers have it and some require a blood draw. I currently live with my dad and brother and we all are on warfarin therapy (dang gene defect!). We looked into getting one of the meters, and they're not too, too expensive, but it's the supplies that are costly. I'll look into it again when I actually hit the road.
Also, my apologies to the OP. Didn't mean to hijack the thread.
I thought I would do a quick follow-up on turning 65 and going from private medical insurance to medicare. I love it!!! I chose to carry A & B as well as adding supplement F. It turns out that medicare has plans that are designed for people that travel internationally as well as around the USA.
I know that many are not at this age yet but I was glad to find one more reason to like being old. Another great feature is that it costs alot less than the private/ACA medical insurance. So I have more pesos to eat shrimp all Winter here in Mazatlan.
I wish the same options for medical coverage were available to all RV'ers. It sure provides a peace of mind as we travel. Now I'm waiting for my dear wife to turn 65, I'm not sure she feels the same way.
For those of us that take Warfarin I have confirmed that Medicare will still allow me to self monitor with a portable meter. Good news.
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Russ & Terri Ranger
Travel since July 2013
Home base: Buckeye,AZ
Wandering the USA & Canada in our Holiday Rambler Endeavor 40' PDT Motorhome
Travel so far: 49 States - International Travel -19 countries
Russ....and all who are 65 or over and use Warfarin..... do not fear. Have your doctor prescribe the INR meter. Alere is the company hubby uses. Medicare pays for it all. He tests every Tuesday. I register result online. If he forgets, Alere calls him Wednesday. He knows how to adjust meds according to result of testing. When new strips are needed, order online. They ship anywhere and he has the supply within days.
We are currently living in NY, but once we start full timing we'll probably spend most of our time west of the Mississippi. My wife and I are on meds we take regularly, and go to the Dr. about every 3 months for new prescriptions.
Some are regulated, at least here, so what do we do?
Your biggest problem will be the 'regulated' medications. Under new DEA restrictions, some of those require paper script every 30 days. And they usually can only be filled in state. That is going to be a challenge for you.
Barb
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Barb & Dave O'Keeffe
2002 Alpine 36 MDDS (Figment II), 2018 Ford C-Max HYBRID
