We are currently living in NY, but once we start full timing we'll probably spend most of our time west of the Mississippi. My wife and I are on meds we take regularly, and go to the Dr. about every 3 months for new prescriptions.
Some are regulated, at least here, so what do we do?
Russ Ranger said
07:31 PM Mar 8, 2016
Talk to your doctor. My primary care doctor understands that we travel full time. I use an online ordering system with my medical insurance company. We order our meds in 90 day supplies which is the cheapest way to purchase them. I have them shipped to our location when in the states. The six months we are in Mexico I have a friend or relative bring them down when they visit.
We've been doing this for 3 years and it is working well. It will be interesting to see how this all works when I hit 65 and am on Medicare. My back-up plan for the Medicare years is to purchase our prescription drugs while in Mexico. We have found that several of our prescriptions cost less than our co-pay in the states.
All things medical seem to have rules and plans that change every year. I wish you the best of luck in finding a plan that will work for you. It is worth the effort to enjoy this lifestyle.
Good luck. Life is good.
Second Chance said
11:09 AM Mar 9, 2016
Our doctors only require that we see them annually (unless there are problems) to keep the prescriptions for our meds current. The new prescriptions are electronically transmitted to our medication provider. We use Express Scripts and the meds are sent to our Escapees' mail service. We have Escapees forward them to us when we know where we're going to be long enough to receive mail or a FedEx packet. When we're going to be somewhere long enough (like the six weeks in New Mexico over the holidays with family), we actually give Express Scripts a temporary mailing address and they send meds to us directly.
I've also seen folks post on this forum and others that they use a national chain (such as Walmart, CVS, Walgreen's, etc.) that has centralized prescription databases. Your doctor(s) can send in new prescriptions as needed and you can have them refilled wherever you are. We usually use Walmart or Sam's pharmacies for PRN/emergency meds (such as antibiotics for an infection).
Rob
Glenn West said
05:31 PM Mar 9, 2016
We take all our medical records with us and present them to new doctors. This works fine for us.
Cookie Dough said
06:06 PM Mar 9, 2016
Thanks...sounds like we'll have some options.
PrairieRV said
08:47 AM Mar 10, 2016
In a similar issue: I take coumadin and get tested about every three months. Based on the results my dosage my be adjusted. So, for me, it's not just an issue of getting my meds, but having a test result reviewed by a medico, who will recommend a new regime. Does anyone else face this issue? How do you deal with it?
Howard said
10:06 AM Mar 10, 2016
PrairieRV,
I also take a blood thinner, warfarin, and get tested about every six weeks. Whatever lab we use simply faxes the results to my Primary doctor in Kentucky for review, and then his nurse calls me with any adjustments in dosage. He prescribes both 1MG and 2MG pills, so it's easy to make changes. I have prescriptions filled at Walmart and just transfer them from store to store as needed as we travel. As I get close to running out, I call Walmart which sends the doctor a request for a new prescription and we're back in business. Pretty easy.
Russ Ranger said
10:30 AM Mar 10, 2016
I had open heart surgery a month before we started our RV adventure. The mechanical valve replacement requires me to take Warfarin. I needed to make adjustments often to my dosage. I self test with an INR meter and have learned from my doctor to make my own adjustments. Fortunately my insurance company agreed that I could have a meter to use in our travels in and out of the country. It took a little arm twisting to get the insurance company to agree but it has made it easier the last three years.
I don't know what will happen with Medicare when I turn 65. We'll see.
PrairieRV said
11:33 AM Mar 10, 2016
Thanks, Howard and Russ. I expect I'll be on Medicare by the time I'm ready to full-time. Where I get tested now they use that meter device. But not all providers have it and some require a blood draw. I currently live with my dad and brother and we all are on warfarin therapy (dang gene defect!). We looked into getting one of the meters, and they're not too, too expensive, but it's the supplies that are costly. I'll look into it again when I actually hit the road.
Also, my apologies to the OP. Didn't mean to hijack the thread.
Russ Ranger said
02:00 PM Nov 7, 2016
I thought I would do a quick follow-up on turning 65 and going from private medical insurance to medicare. I love it!!! I chose to carry A & B as well as adding supplement F. It turns out that medicare has plans that are designed for people that travel internationally as well as around the USA.
I know that many are not at this age yet but I was glad to find one more reason to like being old. Another great feature is that it costs alot less than the private/ACA medical insurance. So I have more pesos to eat shrimp all Winter here in Mazatlan.
I wish the same options for medical coverage were available to all RV'ers. It sure provides a peace of mind as we travel. Now I'm waiting for my dear wife to turn 65, I'm not sure she feels the same way.
For those of us that take Warfarin I have confirmed that Medicare will still allow me to self monitor with a portable meter. Good news.
phyllen said
08:50 AM Nov 8, 2016
Russ....and all who are 65 or over and use Warfarin..... do not fear. Have your doctor prescribe the INR meter. Alere is the company hubby uses. Medicare pays for it all. He tests every Tuesday. I register result online. If he forgets, Alere calls him Wednesday. He knows how to adjust meds according to result of testing. When new strips are needed, order online. They ship anywhere and he has the supply within days.
Barbaraok said
09:38 AM Nov 8, 2016
Cookie Dough wrote:
We are currently living in NY, but once we start full timing we'll probably spend most of our time west of the Mississippi. My wife and I are on meds we take regularly, and go to the Dr. about every 3 months for new prescriptions.
Some are regulated, at least here, so what do we do?
Your biggest problem will be the 'regulated' medications. Under new DEA restrictions, some of those require paper script every 30 days. And they usually can only be filled in state. That is going to be a challenge for you.
We are currently living in NY, but once we start full timing we'll probably spend most of our time west of the Mississippi. My wife and I are on meds we take regularly, and go to the Dr. about every 3 months for new prescriptions.
Some are regulated, at least here, so what do we do?
We've been doing this for 3 years and it is working well. It will be interesting to see how this all works when I hit 65 and am on Medicare. My back-up plan for the Medicare years is to purchase our prescription drugs while in Mexico. We have found that several of our prescriptions cost less than our co-pay in the states.
All things medical seem to have rules and plans that change every year. I wish you the best of luck in finding a plan that will work for you. It is worth the effort to enjoy this lifestyle.
Good luck. Life is good.
I've also seen folks post on this forum and others that they use a national chain (such as Walmart, CVS, Walgreen's, etc.) that has centralized prescription databases. Your doctor(s) can send in new prescriptions as needed and you can have them refilled wherever you are. We usually use Walmart or Sam's pharmacies for PRN/emergency meds (such as antibiotics for an infection).
Rob
PrairieRV,
I also take a blood thinner, warfarin, and get tested about every six weeks. Whatever lab we use simply faxes the results to my Primary doctor in Kentucky for review, and then his nurse calls me with any adjustments in dosage. He prescribes both 1MG and 2MG pills, so it's easy to make changes. I have prescriptions filled at Walmart and just transfer them from store to store as needed as we travel. As I get close to running out, I call Walmart which sends the doctor a request for a new prescription and we're back in business. Pretty easy.
I don't know what will happen with Medicare when I turn 65. We'll see.
Also, my apologies to the OP. Didn't mean to hijack the thread.
I know that many are not at this age yet but I was glad to find one more reason to like being old. Another great feature is that it costs alot less than the private/ACA medical insurance. So I have more pesos to eat shrimp all Winter here in Mazatlan.
I wish the same options for medical coverage were available to all RV'ers. It sure provides a peace of mind as we travel. Now I'm waiting for my dear wife to turn 65, I'm not sure she feels the same way.
For those of us that take Warfarin I have confirmed that Medicare will still allow me to self monitor with a portable meter. Good news.
Russ....and all who are 65 or over and use Warfarin..... do not fear. Have your doctor prescribe the INR meter. Alere is the company hubby uses. Medicare pays for it all. He tests every Tuesday. I register result online. If he forgets, Alere calls him Wednesday. He knows how to adjust meds according to result of testing. When new strips are needed, order online. They ship anywhere and he has the supply within days.
Your biggest problem will be the 'regulated' medications. Under new DEA restrictions, some of those require paper script every 30 days. And they usually can only be filled in state. That is going to be a challenge for you.
Barb