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Snowbirding and Doctor's care: How do you handle health events?

Posted by dandl48 Dave @dandl48, Oct 10 11:54am

We are planning on snow birding starting next year and was wondering how others work with their PCP's. We are planning on 5 mo's in Montana and 7 mo's in Southern California or possibly 6 mo's in each. Do you have 2 sets of PCP's or just one. If only one, how do you handle health events occurring, do you just rely in Emergency Rooms or what? Thanking you in advance,
Dave

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Mentor
Sue, Volunteer Mentor | @sueinmn | Oct 10 5:03pm

Hi Dave, We're 15+ year Winter Texans (don't call us snowbirds, please) whose use of medical care has evolved as we age. Initially, we moved around quite a bit and relied on Urgent Care for our needs. We still get our primary care from providers near our permanent residence, and try to "squeeze in" all routine care and care for chronic conditions while there. Recently, we have found a primary doctor near our Texas home, and also connected with a couple of specialists as needed.
One thing I want to stress - if you are on Medicare, or when you reach Medicare age, be sure to get a policy that will cover you in your travels, and not just for emergency care. Also one that covers as many providers as possible, and nation-wide. Many people don't find out until they have an emergency that their insurance has limitations - for example, some policies will not cover a flare up of a chronic condition as an emergency. Or they get surprised after the fact by a large "out of network" bill.
Also, figure out how you are going to get refills on prescriptions - either by use of a company that has pharmacies nationwide or a mail-order option and always keep at least an extra month or two of meds on hand.

All that said, enjoy your travels!

REPLY
2 replies
dandl48 Dave | @dandl48 | Oct 10 6:02pm
In reply to @sueinmn "Hi Dave, We're 15+ year Winter Texans (don't call us snowbirds, please) whose use of medical..." + (show)
@sueinmn

Hi Dave, We're 15+ year Winter Texans (don't call us snowbirds, please) whose use of medical care has evolved as we age. Initially, we moved around quite a bit and relied on Urgent Care for our needs. We still get our primary care from providers near our permanent residence, and try to "squeeze in" all routine care and care for chronic conditions while there. Recently, we have found a primary doctor near our Texas home, and also connected with a couple of specialists as needed.
One thing I want to stress - if you are on Medicare, or when you reach Medicare age, be sure to get a policy that will cover you in your travels, and not just for emergency care. Also one that covers as many providers as possible, and nation-wide. Many people don't find out until they have an emergency that their insurance has limitations - for example, some policies will not cover a flare up of a chronic condition as an emergency. Or they get surprised after the fact by a large "out of network" bill.
Also, figure out how you are going to get refills on prescriptions - either by use of a company that has pharmacies nationwide or a mail-order option and always keep at least an extra month or two of meds on hand.

All that said, enjoy your travels!

Jump to this post

Sue, Thanks for your response. We are both on Medicare, 76 and 74 and our supplemental coverage is BCBS Montana. Although expensive, I've had to pay a grand total of $7.00 for a health problem and the $7.00 was later refunded. Again, thanks and safe travels.

REPLY
2 replies
Mentor
Sue, Volunteer Mentor | @sueinmn | Oct 10 8:45pm
In reply to @dandl48 "Sue, Thanks for your response. We are both on Medicare, 76 and 74 and our supplemental..." + (show)
@dandl48

Sue, Thanks for your response. We are both on Medicare, 76 and 74 and our supplemental coverage is BCBS Montana. Although expensive, I've had to pay a grand total of $7.00 for a health problem and the $7.00 was later refunded. Again, thanks and safe travels.

Jump to this post

That is the supplement for most travelers who can afford it.

REPLY
my44 | @my44 | Oct 11 6:30am
In reply to @sueinmn "Hi Dave, We're 15+ year Winter Texans (don't call us snowbirds, please) whose use of medical..." + (show)
@sueinmn

Hi Dave, We're 15+ year Winter Texans (don't call us snowbirds, please) whose use of medical care has evolved as we age. Initially, we moved around quite a bit and relied on Urgent Care for our needs. We still get our primary care from providers near our permanent residence, and try to "squeeze in" all routine care and care for chronic conditions while there. Recently, we have found a primary doctor near our Texas home, and also connected with a couple of specialists as needed.
One thing I want to stress - if you are on Medicare, or when you reach Medicare age, be sure to get a policy that will cover you in your travels, and not just for emergency care. Also one that covers as many providers as possible, and nation-wide. Many people don't find out until they have an emergency that their insurance has limitations - for example, some policies will not cover a flare up of a chronic condition as an emergency. Or they get surprised after the fact by a large "out of network" bill.
Also, figure out how you are going to get refills on prescriptions - either by use of a company that has pharmacies nationwide or a mail-order option and always keep at least an extra month or two of meds on hand.

All that said, enjoy your travels!

Jump to this post

@sueinmn I like your term "Winter Texans" vs "Snowbirds." 😊

REPLY
vic83 | @vic83 | Oct 11 10:51pm
In reply to @dandl48 "Sue, Thanks for your response. We are both on Medicare, 76 and 74 and our supplemental..." + (show)
@dandl48

Sue, Thanks for your response. We are both on Medicare, 76 and 74 and our supplemental coverage is BCBS Montana. Although expensive, I've had to pay a grand total of $7.00 for a health problem and the $7.00 was later refunded. Again, thanks and safe travels.

Jump to this post

I moved to Florida from Minnesota when I first retired. I got a BCBS supplemental/Medigap policy because I could take it with me and I had family who were very happy with theirs. I have traditional Medicare so I can go to any doctor in US who takes Medicare. I have no need to review each year and I kept it when I moved back to MN.
I also got a Part D drug plan. That one changes depending on where you live. So you will need to sign up for the one based on your state of residence. Every year you should check and compare Part D plans on the Medicare site. They change a lot from year to year in cost. Seems like a chain pharmacy would be a good idea if you are fulfilling prescriptions in different States.
Regarding doctors, at least today with MyChart on the Internet and doctors are mandated to post results and notes, it is a lot easier to keep track of things. If you are lucky, they may have MyChart sites that can be linked. I can link Mayo Clinic to my local provider's site and each site shows visits, tests etc. And doctor's do have the ability to see results from other places today.
I would have a relationship with a Primary in each location - especially because getting in during season can be a problem. The same goes for any important specialists you need.

REPLY
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