How do you handle chronic medical issues? Do you keep a "home base physician" for twice yearly refills on meds or do you find a new doc where you are? I have multiple issues that require multiple meds. Thanks!
2riker2go said
03:27 AM Dec 1, 2013
I take a couple medications as well. We kept our primary care physician and have our checkups when we go home in the summer. I get my prescriptions via a mail pharmacy in 3 month increments. I know that a lot of people use Walmart as well, which can transfer the prescription to the location where you are.
Lucky Mike said
08:59 AM Dec 1, 2013
Being 2 steps away from hiring a full-time medical crew to travel with me....Here is my input
Medication is easy......a national chain such as Walmart , Walgreens or Rite Aid is a good choice also having a good relationship with your home pharmacy goes a long way. I have had occurrences where I have had to see a Physician in an area and have him relay his findings and bloodwork back to my Primary care doctor to keep things in the loop.
As far as Primary care , Returning to my "home area" happens at least every 6 months to assure that those that really know my medical problems are on top of it and I am receiving the best care possible......as for yourself it will be how you plan it.
My Physicians know my lifestyle and Help in every way they can ..........If I am away and have problems Just a phone call or Skype with the doctor gets me a referral in the area Im in.......sometimes this becomes an out of pocket expense and it is something that is expected but I also find the handshake between my Doctor and the Fill in Doctor has gone along way to cut down on unneeded tests.
Dog Folks said
07:16 AM Dec 5, 2013
CWinLV wrote:
How do you handle chronic medical issues? Do you keep a "home base physician" for twice yearly refills on meds or do you find a new doc where you are? I have multiple issues that require multiple meds. Thanks!
The most important thing is to find a doctor that truly understands your lifestyle. When I changed Doctors this year, (because the location that I spent most of my time during the year changed), I asked other people in this are about one. More than one gave me the same recommendation.I went to him, and before I let the examination begin I started to explain our lifestyle.(Six months here, two months traveling, 4 months in Florida).His first question was: “How long are going to be in town?”HAPPY DAYS.He understood, and I found out later that he was a “camper.”
Some other comparisons:Old Doctor:15 minutes, absolutely never touched me physically, never listened to my heart, (I am a heart patient) nothing!When we discussed my high, but stable blood sugars he said:Well, there is nothing more I can do.”His charge to Medicare for this fatalistic 15 minutes?$242.00!!!!!
The New doctor:½ hour in the exam room with him.The usual blood pressure, temperature, pulse check with blood sugar reading.Listened to my heart.On the sugar problem he said: “It is difficult but there are some things we can try.”“Let’s get a complete blood work up.”Blood work done, (at his office building) adjustments made and he said: “Travel safe.See you in the spring.”Cost? $83.00.
It really pays to shop around for the type of general physician you need.
Camper Chronicles said
11:54 AM Dec 5, 2013
Glad you started this topic as it is a mahor concern for me as well. I absolutely love my doctor and she gets that the lifestyle will keep me away for chunks of time. My concern is her office is not so understanding and I am envisioning fighting with those folks over perscriptions constantly. Plus my home base will be SD and my doctor is in my current home of NH. Won't she become out of network when I change plans??
Lucky Mike said
12:21 PM Dec 5, 2013
Well that will depend on Whether you have Anthem Blue cross Blue shield, and if your doctor didnt get the boot during this great change over in NH..... most likely they will become out of network.....outside of Registration fees there is no difference between SD and NH.....I've Researched it very hard and I dont save anything by changing to SD , TX or Fla. except property tax to which my tenants pay that.
If your planning on Declaring SD as your primary Residence and you have to purchase your Insurance in SD ,I really would look for a Doctor there......if you keep your day to day functions like your primary Care in another state that is not "normal in day to day living" that would definitly be A red flag that your not really a resident and that would be all they need to make your life problematic .
I cant see fighting over scripts unless you tell them to send the script to another state at the doctors office ,that cant be done unless your doctor is Lic. to practice there.
Try to schedule yourself to be in New england when your visits are due and ask for referrals from your doctor when your not......Im lucky I use Core Physicians out of NH ....when I am on the road my Primary Care does my basic visits by Skype...I send my Daily Med log..(BP...Pulse...Resp.) and blood draw results from any lab close. and it works , then 2x a year I make a live visit. he bills for all of the above live or virtual and I pay for lab work. that cant be billed.
But I must return to NH for all major Care and Carry medical Flite insurance to cover disaster care.
How do you handle chronic medical issues? Do you keep a "home base physician" for twice yearly refills on meds or do you find a new doc where you are? I have multiple issues that require multiple meds. Thanks!
I take a couple medications as well. We kept our primary care physician and have our checkups when we go home in the summer. I get my prescriptions via a mail pharmacy in 3 month increments. I know that a lot of people use Walmart as well, which can transfer the prescription to the location where you are.
Medication is easy......a national chain such as Walmart , Walgreens or Rite Aid is a good choice also having a good relationship with your home pharmacy goes a long way. I have had occurrences where I have had to see a Physician in an area and have him relay his findings and bloodwork back to my Primary care doctor to keep things in the loop.
As far as Primary care , Returning to my "home area" happens at least every 6 months to assure that those that really know my medical problems are on top of it and I am receiving the best care possible......as for yourself it will be how you plan it.
My Physicians know my lifestyle and Help in every way they can ..........If I am away and have problems Just a phone call or Skype with the doctor gets me a referral in the area Im in.......sometimes this becomes an out of pocket expense and it is something that is expected but I also find the handshake between my Doctor and the Fill in Doctor has gone along way to cut down on unneeded tests.
The most important thing is to find a doctor that truly understands your lifestyle. When I changed Doctors this year, (because the location that I spent most of my time during the year changed), I asked other people in this are about one. More than one gave me the same recommendation. I went to him, and before I let the examination begin I started to explain our lifestyle. (Six months here, two months traveling, 4 months in Florida). His first question was: “How long are going to be in town?” HAPPY DAYS. He understood, and I found out later that he was a “camper.”
Some other comparisons: Old Doctor: 15 minutes, absolutely never touched me physically, never listened to my heart, (I am a heart patient) nothing! When we discussed my high, but stable blood sugars he said: Well, there is nothing more I can do.” His charge to Medicare for this fatalistic 15 minutes? $242.00!!!!!
The New doctor: ½ hour in the exam room with him. The usual blood pressure, temperature, pulse check with blood sugar reading. Listened to my heart. On the sugar problem he said: “It is difficult but there are some things we can try.” “Let’s get a complete blood work up.” Blood work done, (at his office building) adjustments made and he said: “Travel safe. See you in the spring.” Cost? $83.00.
It really pays to shop around for the type of general physician you need.
If your planning on Declaring SD as your primary Residence and you have to purchase your Insurance in SD ,I really would look for a Doctor there......if you keep your day to day functions like your primary Care in another state that is not "normal in day to day living" that would definitly be A red flag that your not really a resident and that would be all they need to make your life problematic .
I cant see fighting over scripts unless you tell them to send the script to another state at the doctors office ,that cant be done unless your doctor is Lic. to practice there.
Try to schedule yourself to be in New england when your visits are due and ask for referrals from your doctor when your not......Im lucky I use Core Physicians out of NH ....when I am on the road my Primary Care does my basic visits by Skype...I send my Daily Med log..(BP...Pulse...Resp.) and blood draw results from any lab close. and it works , then 2x a year I make a live visit. he bills for all of the above live or virtual and I pay for lab work. that cant be billed.
But I must return to NH for all major Care and Carry medical Flite insurance to cover disaster care.