Monday, March 04, 2013

Welcome to CO

Today's forecast for Longmont: high of 45* low of 12*.  Our FL blood is going to take some time getting used to this.
Fortunately, we have electricity at Suzanne's "campground".  Chris installed a regular 30 amp RV plug last year. The little cube heater is doing a fine job.  Put some RV antifreeze in the grey and black tanks. Installed the insulated vent covers and hung the blanket across the cab. We're good to go.


A fairly heavy snow started about 11am. This weather doesn't slow Gopher down for a minute. We took our after-lunch walk in the snow. When I was a kid, we had a cocker spaniel, Smokey was his name. Whenever he walked through the snow, it would ball up in his long hair. Same with Gopher. All around her feet, "feathers" and stomach. 


Gopher of the Yukon.

Found a good RV storage place this morning. Month-to-month for $45. Plus they have a dump station.

Our move here is progressing well. Found what I hope will be a good primary care doctor for the both of us. We have our appointments on Thursday. Ran into something we haven't experienced before along that line in FL. When we were looking for a new doc., we called four small medical practices that came well recommended. None of them take Medicare. Seems they can attract all the patients they want who have insurance policies that reimburse at a much higher rate then Medicare and without all the Medicare paperwork.  The receptionist at the last place I called recommended a doctor who is employed by a subsidiary of the Longmont United Hospital. Seems that if a hospital gets any Federal money at all, they must accept Medicare.  As our incompetent Congress works through the budget process, it will be interesting to see how much more the doctor's reimbursement rate gets cut.  Wouldn't surprise me if the Medicare system didn't evolve into a system of public clinics, much like the local health departments run for the very poor,  as more and more doctors refuse to participate. 
If we hadn't found a, hopefully, decent doctor, I was going to approach one of the small, well recommended, practices with this idea and see what they thought. Bill me at the same rate you bill a patient with  a regular insurance policy. Medicare pays what they pay, our Medicare Supplement, United Health Care, pays what they pay, and I make up the difference. It didn't come down to that, but a plan like that may be part of the future if a person wanted to avoid the public Medicare/Medicaid/Indigent  clinics.

The house is coming along well. Tomorrow I have a meeting with the construction superintendent and the wood flooring guy on Friday.


3 comments:

Donna K said...

Brrrr....glad you and Carol have a plug in and a good heater. Our dogs loved the snow too, just like Gopher. Good luck with the doctor. Medicare is sure in trouble. I just went to a foot doctor that takes Medicare patients but does not accept Medicare rates. You have to pay the full rate and then get reimbursed if Medicare and your other insurance pays. I didn't think this was legal but what do I know?? Crazy.

Jimbo said...

I am glad to see you made it "Home". Too bad the mother nature isn't cooperating.

Anonymous said...

Delighted you made your way to CO and things seem to be coming together for you. I wanted to drive north thru CO to head back to AK, but that white stuff is stopping that process. So will try another time to see you and John & Linda out. As for Medicare, many docs in AK stopped years ago accepting Medicare & Medicaid, but are willing to see you if you pay cash, even giving a discount.