This post contains a lesson and a question:We are just retired and will be spending 4-6 months on the road starting March of '17. We are just now eligible for Medicare and have decided to buy a Medicare Advantage plan to supplement basic Medicare. Obviously, we want to pick a plan that we can use when we are several states away from home. The first plan we looked at was with United Health Care (AARP's "partner"). Since they are the one of the largest and oldest providers and advertised that they had a "Passport" program for travelers I figured that was the solution. Their booklet proudly showed that the coverage was good in about 35 states. However, California wasn't one of them (we plan to spend at least a month there). Also, in most of the states they cover only a few counties are included. For instance, in Washington, only Spokane county is included, and it's over 300 miles from the coastal area where most tourists go. In Texas only 9 out of 254 counties are included. And only one major city is in those 9 counties! So the lesson is, if you need coverage on the road be sure you read the fine print about exactly where the coverage exists, not just by state!The question is, has anyone found a Medicare Advantage plan (aka part C) with good national coverage? We live in Florida, BTW.Thanks for any replies!Riley

We are in Tennessee, and our policy has a "Point of service" option which costs us a bit more than the regular policy. Covers at any facility that accepts Medicare. Available insurance policies varies by state, and many times, different areas in the state.Also, check on any time limits on how long you can be out of your coverage area. Some policies have some limits there also.

Just to keep Medicare terminology correct, a Medicare Advantage Plan is NOT a supplement to basic Medicare. It is a substitute (private) for Original Medicare (public) which is also known as Parts A&B. Supplements to Original Medicare are often called Medigap policies. Not aware of anything called 'basic medicare' though Original Medicare probably comes closest. In our nearly 15yrs of active travel full timing, with 22 major surgeries in 16 different states and hospitalization in over 30 states, we found nothing came close to the universal acceptance of Original Medicare and using a Plan C Medigap, there were no copays or deductibles for us.The private so called Medicare Advantage, as you've discovered, can be written anyway the private insurer wants excluding whatever they want. IMO, unless you are an expert in reading the fine print of insurance coverage and have the legal skills to advocate for yourself in the event of a dispute, the MA coverage is a risk to the traveler.

"Advantage" or so called free..zero cost plans are always regional to some extent. They also will/may have lists of pre-approved hospitals for non-emergency use.If you want true all states, choose your own everything, you need Original Medicare and Plan F Supplement. A few dollars more BUT health care providers treat you like GOLD. Show the cards and everything is covered, no paperwork, everywhere. DW was even hauled out of Yellowstone by ambulance late at night once to Jackson (90 miles) which I truly expected to pay something...all covered!!!

I am on Medicare and have a supplemental insurance plan from Humana and get coverage across the entire US from any physician or hospital we choose. The supplemental also covers 80% of health costs during international travel. We bought the high deductible plan and I think it is about $52 per month.

avan wrote:Just to keep Medicare terminology correct, a Medicare Advantage Plan is NOT a supplement to basic Medicare. It is a substitute (private) for Original Medicare (public) which is also known as Parts A&B. Supplements to Original Medicare are often called Medigap policies. Not aware of anything called 'basic medicare' though Original Medicare probably comes closest. In our nearly 15yrs of active travel full timing, with 22 major surgeries in 16 different states and hospitalization in over 30 states, we found nothing came close to the universal acceptance of Original Medicare and using a Plan C Medigap, there were no copays or deductibles for us.The private so called Medicare Advantage, as you've discovered, can be written anyway the private insurer wants excluding whatever they want. IMO, unless you are an expert in reading the fine print of insurance coverage and have the legal skills to advocate for yourself in the event of a dispute, the MA coverage is a risk to the traveler.Just to be clear. Medicare advantage plans are paid by the same government agency that provides basic medicare. IOW, the Gov pays the provider of the medicare advantage plan for the expensive stuff, the provider company adds a little bit more coverage in exchange for a fee that you pay. No insurance company in their right mind would ever cover anyone over age 65, the odds of a catastrophic expense to the insurance company are just too high. ...and insurance companies are very good a playing the odds:)

Medicare coverage while travelling | Good Sam Community

Johno02
Explorer
Dec 06, 2016
We are in Tennessee, and our policy has a "Point of service" option which costs us a bit more than the regular policy. Covers at any facility that accepts Medicare. Available insurance policies varies by state, and many times, different areas in the state.
Also, check on any time limits on how long you can be out of your coverage area. Some policies have some limits there also.
avan
Explorer
Dec 06, 2016
Just to keep Medicare terminology correct, a Medicare Advantage Plan is NOT a supplement to basic Medicare. It is a substitute (private) for Original Medicare (public) which is also known as Parts A&B. Supplements to Original Medicare are often called Medigap policies. Not aware of anything called 'basic medicare' though Original Medicare probably comes closest.

In our nearly 15yrs of active travel full timing, with 22 major surgeries in 16 different states and hospitalization in over 30 states, we found nothing came close to the universal acceptance of Original Medicare and using a Plan C Medigap, there were no copays or deductibles for us.

The private so called Medicare Advantage, as you've discovered, can be written anyway the private insurer wants excluding whatever they want. IMO, unless you are an expert in reading the fine print of insurance coverage and have the legal skills to advocate for yourself in the event of a dispute, the MA coverage is a risk to the traveler.
Twomed
Explorer
Dec 06, 2016
"Advantage" or so called free..zero cost plans are always regional to some extent. They also will/may have lists of pre-approved hospitals for non-emergency use.

If you want true all states, choose your own everything, you need Original Medicare and Plan F Supplement. A few dollars more BUT health care providers treat you like GOLD. Show the cards and everything is covered, no paperwork, everywhere.

DW was even hauled out of Yellowstone by ambulance late at night once to Jackson (90 miles) which I truly expected to pay something...all covered!!!
RckyMtnVia
Explorer
Dec 06, 2016
I am on Medicare and have a supplemental insurance plan from Humana and get coverage across the entire US from any physician or hospital we choose. The supplemental also covers 80% of health costs during international travel. We bought the high deductible plan and I think it is about $52 per month.
DanNJanice
Explorer
Dec 06, 2016
avan wrote:
Just to keep Medicare terminology correct, a Medicare Advantage Plan is NOT a supplement to basic Medicare. It is a substitute (private) for Original Medicare (public) which is also known as Parts A&B. Supplements to Original Medicare are often called Medigap policies. Not aware of anything called 'basic medicare' though Original Medicare probably comes closest.

In our nearly 15yrs of active travel full timing, with 22 major surgeries in 16 different states and hospitalization in over 30 states, we found nothing came close to the universal acceptance of Original Medicare and using a Plan C Medigap, there were no copays or deductibles for us.

The private so called Medicare Advantage, as you've discovered, can be written anyway the private insurer wants excluding whatever they want. IMO, unless you are an expert in reading the fine print of insurance coverage and have the legal skills to advocate for yourself in the event of a dispute, the MA coverage is a risk to the traveler.

Just to be clear. Medicare advantage plans are paid by the same government agency that provides basic medicare. IOW, the Gov pays the provider of the medicare advantage plan for the expensive stuff, the provider company adds a little bit more coverage in exchange for a fee that you pay. No insurance company in their right mind would ever cover anyone over age 65, the odds of a catastrophic expense to the insurance company are just too high. ...and insurance companies are very good a playing the odds:)
NCWriter
Explorer
Dec 07, 2016
Buy a Supplemental (Medigap) Plan now since you are just now qualifying for Medicare. It supplements Original Medicare. The insurance company MUST take you now, but that will no longer true some months after that initial stage of joining Medicare, so it's important to decide now.

The various plans (mine is F) as mentioned carry identical features from one company to the next. I agree, plan F is the most complete coverage (an agent called it "the Cadillac of Medigap plans"). I pay nothing beyond the monthly Medicare charge (deducted from my Social Security) and the Supplemental company's monthly premium - no co-pays or deductibles.

I bought mine through Blue Cross in N.C. It doesn't matter if you move out of state, you still can carry the policy with you. And it gives coverage wherever we go.

One point to know. Drug coverage is not included in Supplemental plans. So you still need to get a Part D drug plan separately.
2gypsies1
Explorer III
Dec 07, 2016
Don't buy an Advantage plan. Get the Medicare supplement. This is what traveling full-timers do. That's what we have and we don't get medical bills. They are paid. While full-timing we've dealt with cancer, joint replacements and other surgeries... all paid.
Old-Biscuit
Explorer III
Dec 07, 2016
Medicare Advantage
Medicare Original Plan A&B
Supplemental
Medigap
Plan C
Plan F
Plan D

No wonder advertising on TV goes on for months with even 30 minute info-commercials.

Glad I have a bit over a year to figure this all out.....:S

Just want low monthly cost with Doctor/Hospital...that 'hole' and maybe drug
Will still use VA Medical but would like different options
BarbaraOK
Explorer
Dec 07, 2016
Why would anyone who is fulltiming consider going with a Medicare Advantage plan which really locks you into a specific geographic area? We have had Parts A&B and the a supplemental that includes Part D coverage. That's all you need. Good everywhere, never have had a problem.

Barb
Murphsmom
Explorer
Dec 07, 2016
Remember that Medicare does not cover you while you are out of the country. My cousin's husband learned that the hard way. Broke his leg on a trip to Canada, which turned out to be an expensive proposition without a medigap policy.

Forum Discussion

Medicare coverage while travelling

About Full Time RVers

Related Content

Travel Trailer

Medicare For Full Timers

My Travel Trailer Fell Down

wifi, cell phone coverage

Medicare plans & travel