OUR ROAD TO FULLTIMING
July 21, 2000: MEDICAL CONCERNS
In the "Our Truck Decision" installment of "Our Road to Fulltiming", I alluded to a medical "scare" that we had experienced prior to our excursion to Oregon. Although everything turned out to fine in the end, Ron had experienced some chest pains, resulting in a trip to the ER. Our scheduled early morning trip to Oregon was put off until the afternoon. This incident, also, reminded me that I should write a "Road to Fulltiming" installment about medical concerns and the fulltiming lifestyle.
First, take stock of your medical concerns plus those of your spouse, and get them resolved as soon as possible. Personally, I had a couple of minor problems, and I had not consulted a doctor for them. On top of that, I had not been to the dentist in quite some time. Ron flat out told me that we would NOT be going fulltime until these situations were resolved. He also has a few concerns to resolve, and we are slowly, but surely, making progress. HMO's do not work very fast within their referral network, believe me!!!
As for medical insurance, we are fortunate in that we will be covered as part of Ron's retirement package, although the cost to us will be somewhat higher than it is now. If you are not covered after retiring, establish residency in South Dakota or Texas, where the rates are lower than other parts of the country. We already know that these states have their advantages with low DMV fees and no state income tax. Another option is the group medical plan that the Escapees has to offer.
Another concern for fulltimers is obtaining maintenance prescription medications. Recently, we received information from our present insurance carrier that we can order these drugs by calling an 800 phone number or by accessing their website. This service is becoming more readily available through a growing number of insurance companies. We will just have to remember to order a refill at least two weeks, instead of two days, before the pills are all gone!!!
In retrospect, a little planning ahead will save some possible problems and maybe a few headaches:
- Take care of any existing concerns
- Subscribe to a medical insurance plan
- Find an online prescription service
Now I would like to tell you about some people that I admire because they wouldn't let anything stand in the way of enjoying the fulltiming lifestyle. I have been a member of an online email list through the RV Club since its inception in 1997. The main list is called RV-Talk, referred to as the "Techie List" by members, and the Fulltimers Forum, relating to fulltiming issues, soon followed. I have subscribed to both from the beginning and made many friends, some of whom I have had the privilege of meeting face to face. Here are a few examples:
Wayne and Sherry Darnaby have been "on the road" for quite some time, despite Sherry's heart problems. She has undergone surgery in various parts of the country in the last few years, and Wayne is always right there, with the "Birdy Boys", waiting to get back on the road. After Sherry's most recent surgery, they left right away to explore the wonders of Alaska. He has been posting periodically to the list, just to let us all know that all is well. As Wayne said in an email to me, you "just can't let a little health issue keep you off the road"!!!! Thanks, Wayne!!!
Pat and George Duggins have been on the road for a little over a year in their Allegro bus. We met them at the Spring Escapade in April 1999 when the RV Club had a mini "get-together" (GTG) at their rig. I did not know at the time, but George has a serious heart condition. Later in the year, they moved back to Oklahoma where George is on a heart transplant list. The following is a quote from an email that Pat sent to me recently on the change to the RVing life:"When we first started out, we moved every night or at most every other night. Big mistake, we were tired all the time, so now our plan is to go slowly, rest more, and really explore an area before we go on. After a bit of an adjustment period, we really love living in our MH. Probably the hardest thing was convincing George that we weren't on a permanent vacation, and therefore he didn't have any chores or things to fix when they break. It took some frank discussions between us and now everything is great."I think that those are great insights to what this lifestyle is all about!!! Thanks, Pat!!!
Sue and Ernie Shipley have only been fulltime for a short time. We met them at this year's Spring Escapade in Lancaster when the RV Club had a pizza party GTG one evening. Because of lung problems, Ernie is hooked up to a portable oxygen tank. I just remember him asking so many questions about whether or not he should even attempt the fulltiming lifestyle; he was very hesitant. In the end, of course, he and Sue decide to "go for it"!!! Now he ends their emails with "From Nowhere, Going Nowhere, Never Lost!!" Originally from Tennessee, they have been visiting friends and relatives in the western states.
What has absolutely amazed me about these people is that the lifestyle is so important to them that they are enjoying fulltiming despite various medical problems. The main point here really is, as Wayne said, you "just can't let a little health issue keep you off the road".
November 1, 1999 THE BEGINNING January 25, 2000 THE DOWNSIZING BEGINS February 6, 2000 RECEIPTS AND TAX RETURNS March 12, 2000 THE FIRST "DENT" April 27, 2000 DUMPSTERS, DOCTORS, AND TRUCKS May 24, 2000 OUR TRUCK DECISION July 2, 2000 BITS AND PIECES July 27, 2000 STEPS TO A FULLTIMING BUDGET August 8, 2000 OUR TRUCK DELIVERY SAGA September 15, 2000 AN UPDATE ON OUR PROGRESS October 2, 2000 SIX WEEKS TO GO!!! October 15, 2000 MORE HURDLES CONQUERED November 14, 2000 ALMOST THERE!!! December 21, 2000 ELKHART.....FINALLY!!! December 21, 2000 LET THE COMEDY BEGIN!!!