RVer selecting health insurance

[cire]

I like many others needs to pick an new insurance carrier quickly. Now that the website is working better I can look at some of my options. Because we're full timers we must have a policy that can work anywhere in the country. First question: How do I find which carrier will cover me when I travel. I'm not afraid of doing homework. I just don't know where to start.

[Old-Biscuit]

dahkota wrote:

Old-Biscuit wrote:
Thank you for that link.......
First time I've seen the discussion about full time travel and ACA coverage have an actual answer.
Looks like 'domicile' in SD is going to be a problem on getting medical services/treatments outside SD without having to pay 100% out of pocket.

That is exactly why we canceled our plan to become South Dakota residents. We were all set to travel up there this month and then in October, got a view of their health care plans. The prices were almost double of what they are in our state and the coverage was, well, not good. We would have ended up about even between the added health care costs vs. state and local taxes here.

There are multi-state plans available outside the exchange in SD, they are just harder to get and more expensive. We have decided to wait a year and see what shakes out. According to ACA rules, all states must offer a multi-state plan by 2017.

According to the link provided FL doesn't have multi-state plan either only TX (of the three popular FTrs states) is offering the multi-state plan (at this time).

[cnehodgdon]

We were able to purchase a plan through the NYS Exchange very similar to current COBRA plan. Biggest difference is the cost: we will be paying less than half of the COBRA cost. I called BCBS to get answers to my questions. Most important questions: are our current physicians on the panel and what happens if we get sick out of state.

All doctors are participating and if we get sick out of state, to use Urgent Care just like we would do after hours, etc now. If need for hospitalization while traveling it will be covered.

I was able to get answers I needed by calling both the state and BCBS and asking. Have I had to wait at times, yes, but questions were answered. There are significant pre-existing conditions that require healthcare so we had to have insurance one way or another.

[wa8yxm]

If you have ever belonged to a labor union, Ask them.

Else you can ask any agent that sells health insurance

And you can still contact prospective insurance companies either via E-mail or phone and request information..

The only "unique" thing about healthcare.gov is that there is little if any bias there.. Most agents suffer from bias. Thy recommend the company that pays them or pays them best... The government web site does not.

That said. I do belong to a union and the plan I have needs not be replaced.

Oh, talk to your current insurer, they may have a plan that qualifies that is reasonable and may be able to give you a loyality discount.. KEY WORD MAY.

[dahkota]

Old-Biscuit wrote:
Thank you for that link.......
First time I've seen the discussion about full time travel and ACA coverage have an actual answer.
Looks like 'domicile' in SD is going to be a problem on getting medical services/treatments outside SD without having to pay 100% out of pocket.

That is exactly why we canceled our plan to become South Dakota residents. We were all set to travel up there this month and then in October, got a view of their health care plans. The prices were almost double of what they are in our state and the coverage was, well, not good. We would have ended up about even between the added health care costs vs. state and local taxes here.

There are multi-state plans available outside the exchange in SD, they are just harder to get and more expensive. We have decided to wait a year and see what shakes out. According to ACA rules, all states must offer a multi-state plan by 2017.

[Dick_A]

Folks,
Currently health insurance issues are a very real and serious issuesfor full-time RV'ers and others. If you have helpful information please post, but if you are just expressing a political opinion please do not post as I will just delete your post when I'm on-line or receive a notify.

Dick

[tsetsaf]

Bob & Ann wrote:
For years and years we all made our decisions by calling and checking with whatever insurance companies we might have interest in. One can continue to do that or if you so desire try to make a decision through the Obama website with the governments help. Personally I decided to go with my own research through the insurance companies.

Same here.

[2gypsies1]

What you need to get is a PPO policy, not a HMO. In 16 years of full-timing we've never had problems in any state.

[Old-Biscuit]

dahkota wrote:

cire wrote:
I like many others needs to pick an new insurance carrier quickly. Now that the website is working better I can look at some of my options. Because we're full timers we must have a policy that can work anywhere in the country. First question: How do I find which carrier will cover me when I travel. I'm not afraid of doing homework. I just don't know where to start.

Start with the state in which you are a resident.
Then look at the Multi-State Plan Program list. If your state is in Blue, they offer a plan with a national network (clicking on the state will get you the list of plans). If your state is not listed, you may still be able to get a multi-state plan. Typically they are PPOs (HMOs and POCs have limited networks).

Another option is to look at the websites of insurance companies in your state. The offer plans that comply with the ACA but are not necessarily in the Exchange.

You can get your insurance directly from an insurance company if you do not expect a subsidy. If you do, you will have to go through the exchanges.

Currently, Blue Cross Blue Shield offers the largest number of providers in their nationwide directory. We easily found a very well priced nationwide PPO plan that is HSA eligible. It is available on the exchange, but we purchased directly from the insurance company.

Thank you for that link.......
First time I've seen the discussion about full time travel and ACA coverage have an actual answer.
Looks like 'domicile' in SD is going to be a problem on getting medical services/treatments outside SD without having to pay 100% out of pocket.

[dahkota]

cire wrote:
I like many others needs to pick an new insurance carrier quickly. Now that the website is working better I can look at some of my options. Because we're full timers we must have a policy that can work anywhere in the country. First question: How do I find which carrier will cover me when I travel. I'm not afraid of doing homework. I just don't know where to start.

Start with the state in which you are a resident.
Then look at the Multi-State Plan Program list. If your state is in Blue, they offer a plan with a national network (clicking on the state will get you the list of plans). If your state is not listed, you may still be able to get a multi-state plan. Typically they are PPOs (HMOs and POCs have limited networks).

Another option is to look at the websites of insurance companies in your state. The offer plans that comply with the ACA but are not necessarily in the Exchange.

You can get your insurance directly from an insurance company if you do not expect a subsidy. If you do, you will have to go through the exchanges.

Currently, Blue Cross Blue Shield offers the largest number of providers in their nationwide directory. We easily found a very well priced nationwide PPO plan that is HSA eligible. It is available on the exchange, but we purchased directly from the insurance company.

[RFCN2]

My experience is that you need to pick coverage that is good in your official place of residence. For example if you want Kaiser you have to be from a home base they serve. Once you have that just call and ask them for the areas they cover - locations. Most will let you go to an out of network doc if you are traveling and none they use are in the area. At least that is how ours is.

[CavemanCharlie]

I have been looking through my MN state run Affordable Health Care Act site called MNSure at new policy's. I'm tired of paying 552 dollars a month for a policy I've never used and I couldn't change because of my blood pressure meds. I never thought about that fact that when I cross state lines my policy might not be good in other states. Are you sure this is true???? It is something I need to check into and I'm glad you brought this up.

[tkcas01]

Water-Bug wrote:
In general, the Blues (Blue Cross/Blue Shield) are universal. They vary from state to state but in most states the health care providers accept the out of state Blues on the same terms as they accept the local Blues.

EDIT. My previous employer provides health insurance through BCBS of Illinois, for employees in 5 different states, because they are headquartered there and don't want to negotiate policies in 5 different states.

As a full-timer, while I am fortunate to have health insurance through my employer and do not have to use the exchanges set up by the Affordable Care Act, I have been with BCBS out of South Dakota for 8 years and have received ZERO of my healthcare in South Dakota. I've been able to find in-network providers wherever I am - coast to coast. Not sure what all the fuss is about.

[WyoTraveler]

If you have medicare AARP may be a good start for supplement. Before this all started I had no idea there were so many people without insurance. I just assumed everyone got covered by their company when they retired like I was. Not so much I guess.

[Water-Bug]

rk911 wrote:
if you're looking for a medicare supplement then, AFAIK, all of those are good in all 57 states. otherwise, most insurance policies are good in your state of residence. my BCBS plan (not ObamaCare) covers me only in illinois. emergencies, actual by-God emergencies, are covered out-of-state but when we're in arizona and i need to see a doc about a non-emergency then i have to pay for it. be sure to check the fine print.

If you travel to 57 different states, it is little wonder that BCBS doesn't cover you in all of them.

[Water-Bug]

Water-Bug wrote:
In general, the Blues (Blue Cross/Blue Shield) are universal. They vary from state to state but in most states the health care providers accept the out of state Blues on the same terms as they accept the local Blues.

EDIT. My previous employer provides health insurance through BCBS of Illinois, for employees in 5 different states, because they are headquartered there and don't want to negotiate policies in 5 different states.

EDIT 2: If you select a health care provider that doesn't accept BCBS, you are going to pay no matter where you are. If in doubt ask, when you make the appointment.