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!!
Well will be FL residence as of Jan.1 and we are exploring health insurance options . This is becoming too DAM... complicated! We placed a call to Kyle Henson of RVer Insurance but unfortunately it has become so difficult they have stopped working with non medicare insurance.
We do qualify for a subsidy but working with the healthcare.gov site and trying to call in and get answers to questions is beyond difficult. Couple all that with the fact that there are few if any plans that have national coverage this has left us feeling crazy.
What are others out there doing? Are you just picking a plan and hoping for the best? Has anybody used an agent to help walk them through this process? Will agents even help with getting a plan under the ACA? If you have used an agent were you happy with them and can make a recommendation?
__________________
Mike + Anne Partners in Fun!
If Your Dreams Don't Scare You...They're Not BIG Enough!!!!
We're running into the same issue as we prepare to hit the road next summer. With the ACA dying a slow death, we are looking into Christian Healthcare Ministries health plan which is a lot cheaper and can be used anywhere and is ACA compliant. Basically on their Gold Plan it's $150 per person per month and you are responsible for the 1st $500 per health incident, then you get reimbursed for expenses beyond that. The health care provider bills you and then you submit to CHM for reimbursement which may take 3-4 months. If you are basically healthy, it may be an option for you.
If you are over 65, you might want to look at one of the "Advantage" plans we have in Florida. My wife and I have had an Advantage plan for the last six years. Our "Freedom" plan is zero cost and has a partial rebate of the SS deduction, member ship in a gym, vision, and dental.. Check one of these "Advantage "plans out.
Usually 'Advantage Plans' (Part C) aren't as good for fulltimers in that you are limited to primary care physicians in the area where you are domiciled. While you can get emergency treatment in other areas, it is often limited in scope and then you are expected to return to your 'service area'. Most people find that having Parts A&B along with a Plan F (Supplemental) serve their needs as fulltimers with the least amount of problems.
__________________
Barb & Dave O'Keeffe
2002 Alpine 36 MDDS (Figment II), 2018 Ford C-Max HYBRID
I called Florida Blue and was only on hold a minute or two. I was able to speak to a rep who was incredibly helpful. We were on the phone a good while. Once she had my personal info, we went through the options and I was signed up. I was relieved and thankful for her help. So I ended up with BCBS silver plan that is a PPO.
-- Edited by fun2travel on Sunday 13th of November 2016 02:38:36 AM
We are with Florida Blue as well and have gone through the Marketplace now for several years. One of the advantages I see in navigating through the Marketplace is the ability to review a lot of different plans from different providers. We are also happy with being covered out of state with our Florida Blue plan.
Thanks to all for your comments. I see ghat a great number of you are using BCBS. I also know there are quite a number of different BCBS plans available through the exchangs. If your willing to share can you provide the plan number for comparison.
__________________
Mike + Anne Partners in Fun!
If Your Dreams Don't Scare You...They're Not BIG Enough!!!!
Bill and I will also be getting a BC/BS PPO Plan for FL residents. We've had a silver plan in the past but I think we will save some on premiums and go with a bronze one this coming year.
Has anyone else gotten the email from Coleen saying to wait before signing up? I'm not necessarily in a hurry, but I don't get why to wait?
I am in the process of enrolling for 2017 and I have found the process for 2017 much more frustrating than 2016.
So much so that I am meeting with a Health Care Navigator on Tuesday 11/21 to review options and questions.
Healthcare.gov does not seem to "advertise" this option, but it is there on the web site. There is NO charge to meet with a Health Care Navigator.
As I turn 65 in 2017 I will also be enrolling in Medicare mid year and in doing that research I read "Medicare for Dummies" which was very helpful. As a full timer it appears that my best option will be a Medicare Supplemental plan thru AARP ILO a Medicare Advantage plan which limits my choices of doctors and facilities. We still travel outside of Florida between summer and fall.
We are both relatively healthy, no major medications so medical coverage at this point for us is to cover any major medical expenses that may occur.
I will let everyone know my thoughts after meeting with the Health Care Navigator on Tuesday.
Similar to Susan's comment, Jo and I seldom ever need to go to the doctor, so when I signed up for a Medicare supplement this year, I went with the Plan N instead of Plan F. Plan N does have doctor and ER co-pays, but no more than we seek medical care, I couldn't see paying the extra money for Plan F.
Terry
__________________
Terry and Jo
2010 Mobile Suites 38TKSB3 2008 Ford F450 2019 Ford Expedition Max as Tag-along or Scout
We are Florida residents and ended up with FloridaBlue Select PPO. This will enable us to travel and still (hopefully) get medical coverage through the Blue Cross Blue Shield Network.
My husband retired as a LCDR after 28 years of service and has Tricare and Medicare. I am not old enough for Medicare so our plan is that once I quit my current job I'll go on his Tricare family plan. Anyone have experience full-timing with Tricare? Anything to watch out for?
We are Florida residents and have Plan F Hi deductible. The deductible is $2180 per year. The premiums are ridiculously low for someone our age. Once we reach the deductible then our insurance converts to a regular Plan F. So far we haven't come close to reaching the limit of our deductible. We save approximately $150 per month per person over regular Plan F.
Do you save the 150 per month and allocate it to deductible medical expenses? if you have less expenses than your 2180 limit, then it's money in the bank... so to speak, if I understand what you said. We are approaching retirement but not medicare for another 5 years, I/we are trying to get a handle on how to "design" our healthcare plan and the budget for it when we hit the road. We'll need some kind of healthcare option for a couple of years until medicare kicks in.
Do you save the 150 per month and allocate it to deductible medical expenses? if you have less expenses than your 2180 limit, then it's money in the bank... so to speak, if I understand what you said. We are approaching retirement but not medicare for another 5 years, I/we are trying to get a handle on how to "design" our healthcare plan and the budget for it when we hit the road. We'll need some kind of healthcare option for a couple of years until medicare kicks in.
We save $300 a month combined and we re-allocate those funds to things that help us stay healthy - Rum, vodka, beer, wine, and yoga and fine dining.
I am on medicare and I domicile in Montana. There aren't many choices for Montana residents. My suggestion for you is to make sure you go with a policy that covers you as you travel. I have a BCBS PPO Plan F, which basically covers 100%. If you are in good health the Plan F High is an option too. I don't believe any HMO plans will work for you if you travel full time. Last year I have several visits to the doctor and some testing which came to over $10k, I paid $0, other than my premiums. This is unusual for me, but you never know when you may need it.
I used an agent in Montana to set me up on my policy. Good luck on your search. It's a nightmare out there!
Our health insurance is not an issue, we plan to start full timing in 2017. Our 28 year old son will start out with us and plans to relocate. Due to numerous health issues his insurance is Medicaid.
which does not seem to cover him out of state, no matter what state may be his residency and/or domicile. By coincidence his birthday is 1-21, perhaps the whole health care "system" for Americans will be completely different.
any help appriciated