When I reached 65 (a long time ago), I went with Kaiser Permanente. My brother and his huge family are all members living in the South Bay - San Jose area. At the time I was not a full time RVer.
Have always been very pleased with the health care Kaiser has provided. I pick a Primary Care doctor and a home facility - and change either anytime I want without the need for a reason by Kaiser. I can visit my PCD, talk to him on the phone, or send him an email with attachments. He has always been back to me the same day or early the next AM. Additionally, Kaiser has 24/7 advice nurses that have always handled my needs while on the road. When I visit, call, or write, my PCD turns to his computer and sets up whatever care I may need that he himself does not provide. He controls all my care. Additionally, any doctor, physical therapist, or whoever takes care of me, I can also send emails to for advice while under their care.
Over the past 5 years I have had my share of bad things that really tested the Kaiser system for me. As a full time RVer I am out of state a lot, especially with my business. A bit over 5 years ago I had need to go an ER in the Phoenix area. An advice nurse pointed me in the right direction. The stay was 3 nights at about $23k total cost. It only cost me $450 for the hospital co-pay on my plan.
Though Kaiser requires I use their facilities, if I have an emergency, I can go anywhere, anytime. Kaiser administers medicare in that that hospital sent the bills to them. Kaiser wound up paying less than half of what they asked for. With each item, Kaiser responds that they only pay the established medicare limit for that service, and then tell me that I am not responsible for the difference. In each case, the hospital responds, "OK, we'll just write it off". Tells you a lot about why costs are so high.
On my way to QZ year before last I wound up with a terrific tummy ache in Lost Hills, CA that lasted 11 hours. An advice nurse stayed with me on the phone most of the night. They noted where the closest ER facility was just in case I needed it. If needed, I would have gone to or been taken to a Bakerfield hospital that was not a Kaiser facility. Kaiser would have set that up and paid the expense. Was better the next AM so drove back to Roseville where my PCD had set up a series of tests, and when the results were read, set me up with a gallbladder surgeon. That surgeon was booked for 2 months, but worked me in 3 days later. My cost was again only for one night co-pay plus pain meds.
The thing in Phoenix turned out to be Bladder Cancer. Kaiser had me in surgery 3 days after the scopic test. My cost was $150 for a one night stay. And I have been cancer free coming this July for 5 years. My other ops during that period were the two hip replacements - that included free in-home (RV in my case) physical therapy, occupational therapy, and nurse on the road care as needed. I paid for the 3 nights again for each op plus the fun pain pills they gave me.
So even though I travel out of state, I feel comfortable that I am covered for any ER care I might need. The "only" drawback I have is that "urgent" vs. "emergency" care may or may not be covered. So if I have something I would like to have checked out and want it bad enough, I may have to pay for it myself. For example, I am currently having a bout with Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS). If I were in Roseville, or near any Kaiser facility I would probably go in. However, am in touch with my doctor and doing the things he is telling me to do and popping the B6 and Motrin he has suggested via email. Which is about all he would have done if I visited him in person.
Kaiser does not cover glasses, dental, or hearing aides. However, I am paying a $20/month fee that gives me a reduction in the cost of glasses or hearing aides. Plus enrolls me in delta dental plan. As a veteran am looking into VA for help with hearing aides.
Each time I visit any Kaiser facility, I stop by a Services office and have them update my Health Record flash card. I keep it on my person at all times. The first copy was $5.00 w/all updates after that free. All records, x-rays or whatever are automated. It contains every visit I have had in any form plus all text info and records.
