In our quest to prepare for full timing, we are now researching handling healthcare on the road. My DW now has Medicare and I'm right behind her. We are looking at obtaining a supplemental policy, and the AARP ones look reasonable. We both have the same doctor, and their office is in the process of going digital in the next year. How are your medical records available when you travel? I think some you could have on a flash drive, but my understanding is not everything is digital.My question is once full timing, how do you handle the typical healthcare needs (dental the same?). I would hate to return "home" every time we would need to see the doctor/dentist.
Healthcare on the road?
- Thread starter jmarxen
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taoshum
Well-known member
Depending on the plan you select, you can go to any doctor, facility or hospital that accepts medicare. Outside that, you're on your own nickel, I guess.
Gary RV_Wizard
Site Team
I believe the AARP Medicare Supplement is through United Healthcare. They have participating facilities just about everywhere in the US, and Medicare has even more. We have UHC through my previous employer (and now it is secondary to Medicare) and have never had a problem getting doctors or hospital services across the USA.
Medical records are a different question. We carry a few, but mostly have our home medicos send copies anywhere they may be needed. Mostly what we carry are routine things, e.g. lists of medications, names/addresses.phone/fax of our GP and various specialists.
Digital is not widespread, unfortunately, but most places can handle a CD/DVD with images of scans, reports, etc. And when we get something like while traveling, we ask for a CD copy to take with us when we move on. Don't always get it, but it's handy when we do.
Medical records are a different question. We carry a few, but mostly have our home medicos send copies anywhere they may be needed. Mostly what we carry are routine things, e.g. lists of medications, names/addresses.phone/fax of our GP and various specialists.
Digital is not widespread, unfortunately, but most places can handle a CD/DVD with images of scans, reports, etc. And when we get something like while traveling, we ask for a CD copy to take with us when we move on. Don't always get it, but it's handy when we do.
M
maverickbbd
Guest
When I retired I had the option of going with an HMO or an Aetna out of area plan. Went with Aetna. The monthly premiums were a bit more with a 3 grad out of pocket maximum and a $250/yr deductible. Co pay is ten for regular physician and twenty for specialists. Prescriptions are mail in with a thirty day local fill for initial script. Then ninety-day amounts with four refills. Have them set up for automatic refills. House sitter forwards the meds to us when we are on the road. Neither of us have extensive histories so we don't carry a lot of records. If the information is needed a call to our 'regular' physician with a fax number will get them our full histories. He knows we travel, sometimes for seven or eight months at a time so his office is prepared to provide that information upon our request. We carry a copy of our eye glass prescriptions.
BernieD
Well-known member
I would recommend having prescriptions filled at Wal-Marts or the pharmacies in local supermarkets. Most of them now have $4 monthly/$10 90 day refills which are cheaper than Medicare or insurance prescription plans. Just make sure your doctor writes the prescriptions for the generics.
it's not the Rx I'm worried about it's being seen. The VA is a Hassel in it's self let alone somewhere that your not in the system. You would think that after giving the US a blank check for upto and including ones life the US would take better care of us but, they don't. That's why I asked hoping other Vets in the VA system would share experiances.
48pan said:
Depends on if you're retired, disabled (and what percent), or regular veteran and how far you are from a VA facility. It's not easy to get VA help when you're away from your regular VA facility and some of the smaller VA clinics won't see you at all.
Wendy
Ray D
Well-known member
Wendy, does that go for disabled vets, also? Would sure crimp our style if/when we ever get our health straightened out enough to travel!
Thanks
Ray D ???
Juanita and me
Well-known member
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I'm retired AF and we travel all over, both with our RV and auto using bases. I don't use VA at home except to get free glasses and hearing aides. You have to see your primary care VA doctor at least once a year to stay in the system or so I'm told. Army posts seem to have the best and give the best services.When Madigan Med center at Ft Lewis-McChord would only give me a 7 day supply of Ambien last year I went to the VA hospital outside Ft Lewis (Lakewood?-Lake something). After waiting a few hours to see a doctor, I was able to get a 30 day supply. Busy place so took a while.
Good Travelling
Good Travelling
Retired military are covered by Tricare, I believe. A whole different animal from VA health care.
Technically, a veteran should be able to get care from any VA facility but many rural areas are contracted out by VA and cannot (or will not) take on any patients other than their regulars. We have a friend who was 50% disabled and was treated at a Colorado VA clinic but was refused treatment at a New Mexico clinic because he wasn't "in their system" and they couldn't take on any new patients. I understand from other veterans that some VA facilities are extremely difficult to get into. I've been trying to research what happens in an emergency when you're nowhere near a VA facility (common for many RVers) but everytime I try, the government website is down.
I think I may call the DAV tomorrow and ask them....they usually have better information and are more helpful than calling the VA directly.
We do still have Mike's federal employee health insurance and have hesitated to give it up despite the expense because we want to be sure we're covered no matter where we are.
Wendy
Technically, a veteran should be able to get care from any VA facility but many rural areas are contracted out by VA and cannot (or will not) take on any patients other than their regulars. We have a friend who was 50% disabled and was treated at a Colorado VA clinic but was refused treatment at a New Mexico clinic because he wasn't "in their system" and they couldn't take on any new patients. I understand from other veterans that some VA facilities are extremely difficult to get into. I've been trying to research what happens in an emergency when you're nowhere near a VA facility (common for many RVers) but everytime I try, the government website is down.
I think I may call the DAV tomorrow and ask them....they usually have better information and are more helpful than calling the VA directly.
We do still have Mike's federal employee health insurance and have hesitated to give it up despite the expense because we want to be sure we're covered no matter where we are.
Wendy
Juanita and me
Well-known member
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- 93
I started with Tricare when I retired, so we would be covered at non-military providers. We use military hospitals and clinics as I like the varied service and the service we get. I also qualified for Medicare so when travelling, just found a Dr or medical center that took Medicare (primary) and Tricare (secondary). We still get prescriptions from military when possible but most major chains like Safeway, Walgreens etc accept Tricare and there's a small co-pay.We just registered with Express Scripts which is mail order Tricare and will ship where and when we want for small co-pays. Not sure how it will work for us but some meds we will get filled when near a base. We had to fill a prescription in Canada in an emergency. When we got back in the states just filed a claim and was reimbursed with no problems.
Military retirees be aware that when you reach 65 or if you or your dependant is disabled, you (or dependant) will be switched to "Tricare for Life" which then becomes free but you have to get Medicare part "B" at about $1100 per year instead of Tricares $260. Not related to this issue necessarially but thought it might help somebody keep from being caught off guard like I was.
I have a friend that spent some time in the Army and has had good service from the VA in Montana. Not sure he uses VA when travelling as they have a federal health plan.
Military retirees be aware that when you reach 65 or if you or your dependant is disabled, you (or dependant) will be switched to "Tricare for Life" which then becomes free but you have to get Medicare part "B" at about $1100 per year instead of Tricares $260. Not related to this issue necessarially but thought it might help somebody keep from being caught off guard like I was.
I have a friend that spent some time in the Army and has had good service from the VA in Montana. Not sure he uses VA when travelling as they have a federal health plan.
Ray D
Well-known member
Neither of us were career military. Both of us are disabled, service related. So, we get VA healthcare. Both of us also have medicare. VA costs nothing, when we go there. No copay on meds. We'd be broke, if we only had Medicare. When either one of us takes our meds, wee feel like we've had lunch! I'd hate to have to buy them.
Wendy, if you find anything out when you talk to the VA, publish it. I can't seem to get the same answer twice, on that.
Thanks
Ray D
Wendy, if you find anything out when you talk to the VA, publish it. I can't seem to get the same answer twice, on that.
Thanks
Ray D
well My concerns weren't all that necessary I don't think.. I can go to any VA hospital in the world. Where I was confused is the satellite clinics. I go to a sat clinic now because it's in My town which saves Me from having to go a couple hours away to the VA hospital. So in the event we need help out on the road first response is Any hospital then if not an emergency VA hospital. I do however go to a pain management Dr. That I am going to have to move over to the VA system as I have appointments with them about once a mo. Not feasible out on the road. Thanks for the answers and help. Hope all are having a Great day out there. I'll be there one day..!!
Marsha/CA
Moderator Emeritus
What happens when you vets travel out of the country? Do you have coverage then? Just wondering.
Marsha~
Marsha~
Ray D
Well-known member
My sentiments, exactly. Happy, here.
Ray D 8)
geodrake
Moderator Emeritus
I'm covered by Medicare and have United Health Care as a secondary. I use the VA for Meds. We travel a lot and when refills are needed I order them on line through MyHealthVet and they are shipped to me. Works fine so far.
