Kathy and I are full timers of some 3 years now and are just joining the Medicare game. We have both signed up for Part A & B, and are looking for "medi-gap" coverage.

We presently spend about 6 months each year at a particular location and use it as our physical "home" address. We also have an Escapees Mail Service address and have most of our mail sent there so we don't have to deal with the archaic USPS forwarding rules.

Next year, we plan to establish our "permanent" location at the Escapees Livingston TX address, but don't expect to actually spend much time in Livingston.

We have discovered that many of the so-called medi-gap policies are location specific and require that medical services be provided near a fixed residence address.

We would appreciate any experiences and advice that full-timers can share with us, especially about insurers that are more supportive of full-timers without fixed addresses.

Any and all advice will be appreciated. If you would rather respond in email, I can be reached at jwkinney@smoke-island.com.

Thanks! John Kinney

quote:

Originally posted by jwkinneyjr:
We have discovered that many of the so-called medi-gap policies are location specific and require that medical services be provided near a fixed residence address.

You can avoid this by signing up for "Original Medicare" as opposed to a "Medicare Advantage" plan (HMO or PPO).

As for supplemental insurance, check into AARP...they probably have about the best supplemental medicare insurance out there...and you can use it anywhere in the U.S.

Just a point of clarification - Medicare Advantage plans can also come in a PFS (pay for service) version which are completely 'portable' across any state line and accepted by any and all medicare providers. OP, think you will find most medigap providers have medigap policies of all hues - HMO types and non HMO types and most plans (A,B,C, etc.)

We have Stealing Options 1, it is portable as a PFS, and is available in most states. We pay $15 a month. You can get it with Part D also for as little as $28 a month here. There are about 5 diff plans. Plus they cover some Dental, a Physical, Hearing and Eye care each year. Nan's Curves is also covered by them

There was a recent news report about Medicare Advantage Scams. I couldn't find the link to the tv report but found these links that may be of assistance:
Some beneficiaries have been duped into buying Medicare Advantage plans.

How do the plans differ?

Linda H.

I was interested in your suggestion that AARP insurance would be a good solution. I went to their web site and started to fill out their information request form.

First question: What is your zip code?
Answer: 77399
Reply: Sorry we don't offer insurance in zip code 77399.

Next step: On a hunch I changed my zip code to 77301
No problem, please continue filling out the rest of the form.

Is AARP/Secure Horizons deliberately excluding Escapees?

quote:

Originally posted by Tom & Jean:
Is AARP/Secure Horizons deliberately excluding Escapees?

I don't know about Texas, but AARP had no problem using our SD mail forwarding address.

But, my husband also didn't use the Secure Horizons plan which is their Medicare Advantage plan. Instead, he used AARP's Supplemental Health Insurance plan (which is an "Original Medicare" plan). Go to this AARP website and on the right-hand side, under "Age 65+ Health Insurance Products," click on "Supplemental Health Insurance."

AARP doesn't have a problem with our Sioux Falls mailing address either. I have the supplemental ins through Humana and AARP.

I wonder if they are having a problem due to the confusion with the zip code saying Escapees instead of Livingston?

There has been a thread going about this problem and Angie and Kellie have been working on it, I think it has been resolved now.

Safe travels,

Judy

John, We are also fulltimers registered in Livingston,Tx Only. We travel mostly east of the Mississippi... We spend the Winters in central Fl. After much research, we decided to have the standard Medicare Coverage and a AARP (plan-F) Supplemental coverage. Plus a AARP Medicare RX Preferred thur United Health Care. We first were going to get a Advantage Medicare Plan, but after talking to Dr.'s in Fl. most are backing out of the Nation Wide PPO Advantage Plans that are offered. As we Traval we needed a PPO Plan. Some of the Medicare Advantage Plans only have Coverage in some states.. There are a Maze of Advantage Plans on the Market. But in the end the Traditional Medicare (part A&B) Plan. $98 @ month, The AARP Supplemental Plan (F) $155 @ month and the AARP Medicare RX Preferred through United Health Care $35 @ month. So our total cost per person is about $290 per month. Before turning 65 in March the Cost per person, for my Old PPO Plan cost me $620 @ month. And Yes we are using our Escapees address in Tx. I would call AARP if you are having a problem with the Zip code.. Hope this Info Helps.... Plus we try to use the Generic Drugs on Walmart's, Target's, & K-Mart's $4.00 Drug Plans whenever we can. Also some Dr.'s will double the Strenght of the Medication if it is a Maintenace Medication. (so you can get a Pill Cutter, and cut the pill in half) It Saves some $$$$ Jim A.