I'm planning to full time in an RV again starting next Spring and I am covered by Medicare now. Last time I had no health insurance (I've usually been healthy and I've been 'naked' before). I've been on a Medicare Advantage plan (MA) which reduced my Part B premium by about $79 a month. They've canceled that plan so next year (now, starting Oct 15) I need to find a new one. I see some other MA plans that give me a Part B refund and I would like to start off with one of those. I plan to hit the road at the end of March and I don't know what to do then.Will an MA plan offer any coverage while I'm traveling? I've heard that regular Medicare would cover me anywhere in the US. If I go MA would HMO or PPO work better? I will probably spend the Summer in one general area up North and then travel back South in the Fall, so I think I could switch my MA plan to a different zip code in the Summer and then again in the Winter, but part of the time I will be on the road traveling. How would you do this?

There are several posts here promoting AARP insurance. I was an AARP member a few years ago. They would periodically send me mail promoting their car insurance or health insurance. When I compared the prices for those insurance products with what I already had they were much more expensive. You would think that if AARP was using its millions of members as an incentive to insurance companies, that they would get better rates than non-AARP insurance offers. I wonder where that extra money is going? Maybe into the pockets of the executives at AARP?

ItsyRV wrote:The issue some have with these "any network provider" Medicare Advantage "nationwide" plans are in some parts of the country, there are too few providers let alone any specialist. Even when there are providers, the next available appointment for non in-state enrolled patient is a month or more out. Humana, like all "networked" Advantage plans is provider deserts, no provider within any reasonable travel distance. Yes, you may be able to go out of network in some cases and have a portion covered, but often they use the network requirement for coverage as an excuse to deny payment.I don't think is really a case of "gambling", more like a careful needed evaluation of risk vs rewards. For the rewards of saving substantial money, can you tolerate the risk of a possible no or denied coverage and expense?I understand the concern and it is a valid point. So I picked a small town in the area where I plan to spend the Summer next year, Franklin NC. It's only about 4,000 people. There are no other big cities near it. I went to Humana's provider search page. I selected the Medicare PPO. There are about 20 Family practice doctors and about 20 specialists in network in the small town of Franklin. I'm surprised there are so many doctors in a town of 4,000, but that's good. And if I need a hospital the Angel Medical Center in Franklin is in network. I looked at their website and their facility seems large, modern, professional. The plan even has psychiatric care in the area if I go crazy. :-) Finally, I'm not going to choose places to visit based on how close they are to a plethora of doctors and hospitals. If I'm that frightened of a medical emergency I should give up full time RV life and go back to Dallas, or at least find an RV park close to a medical center in a large city and live there until I die.

Before extensive RV travel years ago I checked into this and decided to use original Medicare with AARP supplemental plan F and now plan N and i did receive full coverage for everything throughout the western USA and no or small copays and NO NEED FOR REFERRALS FROM A PCP.I also have full medical coverage to include dental and eyecare from the Veterans Health Care System but perfer private medical for serious issues such as cataract surgery, etc.My research showed that MA plans were to limited and restricted for nationwide full time travel.

Ask an independent insurance agent.

You have received the best information from the above post with the exception of AARP.

Medicare For Full Timers | Good Sam Community

YC_1
Nomad
Oct 14, 2022
Humana works fine for me traveling through the us.
DallasSteve
Nomad
Oct 14, 2022
I spoke to a representative at eHealth and I think I have found a plan that will work, at least for the beginning of 2023. It is a PPO Medicare Advantage plan from Humana available in my zip code. It gives me back $110 per month of the Part B premium. It includes a travel coverage provision that allows me to get the standard rates from any in network provider in the USA. However, when they find out I have moved they will probably cancel the plan and I will have to look for a new plan. I plan to leave my address as is and get all of my correspondence via email. When Medicare discovers I have moved they will probably notify Humana and the clock will start ticking. I will also set up a virtual mailbox in Dallas and I may do a search for plans in that zip code to see if Humana offers something there and I may update my address when I leave Texas.
bgum
Explorer
Oct 14, 2022
NamMedevac 70 wrote:
begum seems you are out voted again as many many RVers like and use AARP. Happy trails to you.

Gee if I had known you were counting votes I would have called in Roger Stone to certify the results.

Popular doesn't equal best.

Cheers
stickdog
Explorer
Oct 14, 2022
DallasSteve wrote:
I spoke to a representative at eHealth and I think I have found a plan that will work, at least for the beginning of 2023. It is a PPO Medicare Advantage plan from Humana available in my zip code. It gives me back $110 per month of the Part B premium. It includes a travel coverage provision that allows me to get the standard rates from any in network provider in the USA. However, when they find out I have moved they will probably cancel the plan and I will have to look for a new plan. I plan to leave my address as is and get all of my correspondence via email. When Medicare discovers I have moved they will probably notify Humana and the clock will start ticking. I will also set up a virtual mailbox in Dallas and I may do a search for plans in that zip code to see if Humana offers something there and I may update my address when I leave Texas.

Why not setup an address with escapees and at the same time find what options are available with supplemental plans. Your find of a PPO with travel sounds as only good within the Humana family. Not a true PPO and they have to pay you to join? Ever wonder why?
DallasSteve
Nomad
Oct 14, 2022
stickdog wrote:

Why not setup an address with escapees and at the same time find what options are available with supplemental plans. Your find of a PPO with travel sounds as only good within the Humana family. Not a true PPO and they have to pay you to join? Ever wonder why?

The eHealth rep discussed a supplemental health plan with me. She said it would cost at least $60 per month and I would be giving up the $110 per month rebate. That's $2,000 per year. If the supplemental health plan doesn't save me at least $2,000 per year I'm losing money. I'm in good health and I've spent about $200 on health costs this year. The last few years have been like that. I'm willing to gamble my health will stay good for a few more years. I'm doing everything right on that front. I have savings if I'm wrong and all the insurance plans have annual limits. But thanks for the suggestion.
NamMedevac_70
Explorer II
Oct 14, 2022
bgum wrote:
NamMedevac 70 wrote:
begum seems you are out voted again as many many RVers like and use AARP. Happy trails to you.

Gee if I had known you were counting votes I would have called in Roger Stone to certify the results.

Popular doesn't equal best.

Cheers

I feel sorry for you and your extreme jealousy. Your cheap attempt at politics is just that cheap. Take a pill and chill. Hope you get well soon and over your southern sunburn
bgum
Explorer
Oct 14, 2022
Gosh I must have struck a nerve.
NamMedevac_70
Explorer II
Oct 14, 2022
bgum wrote:
Gosh I must have struck a nerve.

Again you assume too much Mr. Snob the loo
nickthehunter
Nomad II
Oct 15, 2022
DallasSteve wrote:
I spoke to a representative at eHealth and I think I have found a plan that will work, at least for the beginning of 2023. It is a PPO Medicare Advantage plan from Humana available in my zip code. It gives me back $110 per month of the Part B premium. It includes a travel coverage provision that allows me to get the standard rates from any in network provider in the USA. However, when they find out I have moved they will probably cancel the plan and I will have to look for a new plan. I plan to leave my address as is and get all of my correspondence via email. When Medicare discovers I have moved they will probably notify Humana and the clock will start ticking. I will also set up a virtual mailbox in Dallas and I may do a search for plans in that zip code to see if Humana offers something there and I may update my address when I leave Texas.
The key words in your post that will screw you over is “any in network provider”. Good luck finding one; especially a specialist.
Scottiemom
Nomad
Oct 15, 2022
I caution against skimping on coverage due to "I'm in good health" because we don't normally stay that way as we age. With aging brings health challenges to the healthiest of us. I, too, am in good health, but a fall, an accident, etc., can happen to anyone and your health care plan needs to be in place prior.

My Medicare and AARP is not the cheapest, but I think it's the best.

Dale

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