Avoid making negative or unhelpful posts, and instead focus on providing constructive feedback and ideas that can help to move the discussion forward.
- Manlobbi
Outskirts of Shrewd'm / Help with Health & Insurance
No. of Recommendations: 1
From a USian POV...We are trying to get overseas for an extended period of time. DH is on traditional Medicare and I am on ACA. IIRC, neither of us are covered overseas. We will not be in one particular country this time around, starting with Canada, New Zealand/Australia, and Malta/Portugal/Europe. Probably 3 different trips of 2-3 months each. This is in part because of a restriction on DH, a type 1 diabetic, who has been told by Medicare that he MUST go to his endocrinologist quarterly, in person, or lose medical supply coverage for his insulin pump/CGM. Note that not even his doctor wants to see him more than twice a year, as he is extremely healthy, but his body just doesn't make insulin. He also has other meds, with Medicare restricting him to a 90 day supply, reordering taking place only within 10-15 days of running out. So that said:
1. Does anyone have a starting point for decent overseas health plans we can buy? Travel was so much easier with retiree health care.
2. Any Medicare experts out there that can address:
a) What happens if he skips an endocrinologist visit? We assume that puts him on his own to pay for supplies, about $600 oop/90 days, until he sees the doctor in person, but none of this is logical!
b)Given the restrictions on getting prescriptions and renewals, can he get a medicare prescription for 90 days and a second one for another 90 that he pays cash for? No opiods here. Not looking to sell these on the market, or defraud anyone, just trying to get out of Dodge for a serious trip.
Really, how do all those seniors on a multi-month world cruise do their meds? He's trying to get answers, but so far no one seems to have a clue.
Appreciated.
IP,
intending to do longer trips ahead
No. of Recommendations: 3
you could try AIG or AXA. I have heard they are good. when I go to UK or France, I dont bother as health care costs are a fraction of USA. eg 8 days hospitalization in france in isolation, with all tests heart and pulmonary....EURO 6k and change.
No. of Recommendations: 2
you could try AIG or AXA. I have heard they are good. when I go to UK or France, I dont bother as health care costs are a fraction of USA. eg 8 days hospitalization in france in isolation, with all tests heart and pulmonary....EURO 6k and change.
Thanks, that helps and sounds very self-insurable. Perhaps we just need some sort of medivac policy. We had one for the family when we worked in a US Territory that had not great healthcare, but it was supplied through work. Would be interested in what other travelers do. We expect to be traveling for 2-3 months at a time, 3-4 times a year, continuing to pay for Medicare and ACA.
IP
No. of Recommendations: 2
in UK americans (all foreigners actually) are treated free if its an hospital emergency. (you can google this for the relevant UK policy. You can also temporarily register with a doctor if you need eg test/prscription refill . some will charge nominal amount. most wont as they dont actually habe way to take money. UK health service is "free at the point of use" no big payment bureaucracy.
nice to leave a donation. The McMillan Cancer trust nurses are in almost every hospital and can take it to add to funds
No. of Recommendations: 2
I wanted a cardio second opinion as I felt here in USA they were over dignosing and over prescribing. I got a top cardiologist ( and I mean top) who had interned in Stanford. He sent me for all necessary tests and it barely cost me my US co-pay. he then wrote a letter, backed by scans , MRI's and test results to take back with me... USA docs ignored it.. so I know now where I'll get my tests and diagnoses done.
No. of Recommendations: 1
This is all very helpful, thanks. Any insight on France, given your house there?
IP,
afraid our housing market has now stalled as well
