First, a bit of a Medicare primar: Medicare is the federal government sponsored health plan for folks 65 or over, or others who are eligible for the plan because of a disability. Medicare has several important “flavors” if you will.  Part A covers hospital stays and “skilled nursing facility” care. Part B is for the day-to-day doctor visits, lab tests, x-rays, and a host of other medical services. Durable medical equipment like canes and walkers fall under Part B. Part D is the most recent Medicare add-on, which helps pay for prescription drugs.

No, we didn’t forget Part C. This is an optional plan, where you can voluntarily sign up for a “Medicare Advantage Plan,” which in many cases actually saves you money. Part C offers a variety of individual health insurance “plans” which often limit who you can see to a given list of medical providers in their “network.” Go out of the network, you may have to pay more. The question fulltimers often raise is simple: Why on earth would you enroll in such a plan if you spend time traveling outside of the network area? With “standard” Medicare Parts A and B, you can go to any doctor, anywhere in the country who accepts Medicare and get help.

It often comes down to money. On standard Medicare, Part B visits (say to the doctor or get X-rays) you’ll pay 20% of the total bill–after you’ve satisfied a yearly deductible amount (presently $135). Need to go to the hospital? Hold on to your wallet! You’ll pay over $1,000 before Medicare starts picking up the bill. However, one RVer we know who carries a Medicare Advantage plan coughs up a co-pay of just $100 a day for being in the hospital. When he visits the doctor he hands over a $20 co-pay (or $30 for a “specialist). How much does he have to pay for the plan? The same amount is deducted from his Social Security check that all other Medicare recipients are docked, and for his plan, he pays nothing else. Prescription drugs? Under his plan, $8.00 a month each for his “generics.”

What about the network restrictions? “On my plan,” he tells us, “I can see any doctor, anywhere in the US who will accept Medicare assignment and whose willing to bill my insurance company. I had surgery in Tucson, seen specialists in Washington State, and if I need to see somebody in Vermont, I won’t have any problems.” But here’s the fine print: The plan isn’t available to everyone on Medicare. What plans are available are based on your residency address. Our RVing friend shows his residence address in a fairly large city in Washington, and his plan is just one choice among many. Another friend of ours who shows residency in Quartzsite, Arizona has few plans to choose from.

For fulltimers, here’s just one more thing to throw into the mix of where to call “home” for tax and insurance purposes. By logging into the Medicare web site, you can investigate what plans are available by logging into medicare.gov. We’ll spell out a specific way to go about this later. You can also compare “medigap” plans on the web site, which are insurance plans that allow you to keep standard Medicare but help pay the difference between what Medicare pays the doctor and what the total bill is.

Doing the research is admittedly a pain in the neck. It can be a frustrating bunch of mumbo-jumbo, but if you stick with it, you’ll find what Medicare option best fits your needs–and your finances.

What to look for: First, you’ll need to evaluate your own priorities. If money is an issue, find out how much the plan costs, both in terms of an up-front monthly payment to the insurance company, and how much individual co-pays are for each type of service. When you check out plans on the Medicare website, you’ll be asked the general state of your health, and the site will provide estimates of your annual cost for each plan. It’s a pretty broad estimate, but at least you can compare plan for plan to see which would likely cost less.

You’ll also need to know what happens if you go out of the network–if the plan has one. Some plans are very tight and only allow you to obtain non-emergency services in the network. Others will allow you to go out of the network for a higher cost. Still others may allow you to see any doctor, anywhere, who’ll accept Medicare assignment.

Be sure to check out how much it will cost you for prescription drugs. Each plan has its own “formulary” of what drugs it allows, and how much you’ll pay for them. If you’re on a lot of drugs, or some expensive ones, it will pay to shop around.

The one RVer cited above who has the “go anywhere” plan, there is another hitch to look for: He can’t be out of his “home” state for more than six months. As a result, in his travels he always plans on being “home” twice a year to meet the plan requirement.

Learning more about Medicare plans: Log on to www.medicare.gov.  Lookfor the option on the left side of the screen labeled, “Plan Choices” (this will also help you sort out Medigap plans) and click on it. Chose the “Medicare Advantage Plans” option. Now look for the choice, “Medicare Options Compare,” and next find “Find and Compare Health Plans.” (Whew! Told you this could be frustrating!). If you click on “General Plan Search” you can enter a zip code for any town in the country you might call “home,” and you’ll find what plans are available and the details.

It all stems from a report by Uncle Sam’s own watchdog group, the GAO (Government Accounting Office). Last month the GAO released a report that suggests the GPS system, maintained by the US Air Force, could be in trouble. The key phrase from the GAO report is this: “It is uncertain whether the Air Force will be able to acquire new satellites in time to maintain current GPS service without interruption. If not, some military operations and some civilian users could be adversely affected.”

When might these problems appear? “There will be an increased likelihood that in 2010,” says the GAO, “as old satellites begin to fail, the overall GPS constellation will fall below the number of satellites required to provide the level of GPS service that the U.S. government commits to. Such a gap in capability could have wide-ranging impacts on all GPS users.” The GAO says it’s not optimistic that the Air Force will be able to meet its own schedule of getting new GPS satellites up in orbit in time to cover the loss of older ones.

If the sky is falling, say some, it’s not raining acorns, but space junk.

So, in 2010, is there a risk that you might, with the aid of a misinformed GPS, in the words of Bugs Bunny, “Take a wrong toin at Alba-koiky?” Not according to Air Force brass. In an article carried by Computer World magazine, the chief officer of GPS operations for the military says there’s no fear that the GPS system will, “go down.” Colonel Dave Buckman says, “There is a potential risk, but GPS isn’t falling out of the sky. We have plans to mitigate risk and prevent a gap in coverage.”

GPS manufactuers were quick to point out that while the military needs 24 operating GPS satellites to provide the finely tuned precision for military operations, consumer GPS units can fly along with just four satellites shooting data down toward the earth. The bottom line from GPS sellers is: Don’t put off plans to buy a GPS unit because the GAO is playing Chicken Little.

The debate over this issue will no doubt go on. With less than 24 satellites, a GAO staffer says the military will need to throw a lot more bombs to hit the target. With four or more, says the GPS industry, you can still get to Grandma’s house in time for turkey. Time will tell.

photo: NASA

Many RVers take advantage of automatic bill payment systems. A lot of utility companies offer these programs; you simply allow them to dip your bank account each month for the amount owed. The company sends a paper statement (or in some instances an e-mail notice) to keep you on track. If a regular biller doesn’t have automatic deduction you’ll find that many banks and credit unions have a similar service. Sometimes the function can be automated; at times you’ll need to call, or utilize the internet to make the payment.

Another approach some have found helpful with credit cards is to use the credit card company’s automated phone system to call in advance of the due date, and use the company’s telephone computer system to get the pertinent details on how much is owing. Then by simply cutting a paper check and getting it in the mail, the bill is handled. And if you really get caught behind the eight-ball and don’t have time for a check to hit the company, most will let you pay over the phone–of course you can be sure in most cases you’ll be stuck with a hefty “convenience fee” but sadly, it’s often better than being late with a payment.

What about paying bills with you checking account debit card? Some worry about debit card safety, and it’s true, if your account is compromised your checking account (or whatever account the card is tied to) could be cleared out. That’s the dark side. On the other hand, provided you report the loss of your debit card, or your awareness of a loss within two days, you can be “out” no more than $50. If you don’t notice the loss immediately, you must report a loss within 60 days of your bank statement where that loss shows up, or you could be out the whole amount. As a personal note, we’ve used debit cards to pay some of our bills and on some internet purchases for some time with no problem. Of course, there’s always the first time.

Finally, another method of handling bill paying is a bit dicier: If you’ve got a reliable and willing person who’ll receive (or get) your mail and bills, then cut checks in time to make the bills, then you can put your problems to rest. It’s a big burden, so it seems few RVers use this method.

photo: *_Abhi_* on flickr.com

One thoughtful letter penned by Rodney N. Rolfe, recently appeared in the Kennebec Journal Morning Sentinel. Rolfe reasoned that the problem with the us versus them situation that broke out in Maine is a symptom of what he shows to be RV parks not being able or willing to change their business model.

After pointing out that plenty of RVers who’ve traveled an already long day aren’t encouraged with the thought of having to trundle down a long, questionable road, in search of an RV park that might be there–but might not have room for them. Arriving late, RVers are often dismayed to find they’ll have to back their rigs into narrow spaces in the dark, disturbing other settled RVers with the antics required in such a situation.

Summing the problem up, Rolfe pens, “RV campgrounds need to offer the convenience of clean, dry, level parking spots and facilities that will keep patrons wanting to stay for a few days. That’s how successful businesses operate.”

An experience of ours, still fresh in mind of less than a week ago, engenders a whole-hearted “Amen!”  We were invited to make a volunteer presentation before a group in Needles, California. Our hosts advised their building had an RV spot that we were welcome to use. This, in triple digit temperatures, would be a blessing. Imagine how disconcerted we were on arrival to find the electrical connection was a single, 50 amp service–and we had no adapter to connect up our 30-amp RV.

Needles, California is a pretty small burg on the Mojave Desert. What hardware emporiums the town boasts are closed well before 6:15 on a Saturday evening, no chance of buying the necessary adapter. So we did what we rarely ever do–we started thinking about booking into an RV park. With the help of “Goog411″ we found an RV park, spoke with the manager, and got directions. By the time we determined that our understanding of the directions was in error, the sun was well below the horizon, and the grump and grumble factor was high on the scale. Another phone call to the RV park was for naught–apparently the park office stops taking calls at 7:00 pm.

By the time we finally rolled into the park, this RV jockey’s temperature–and temper–were fairly high. What didn’t help was the almost incomprehensible “check in” instruction form. It was impossible to clearly discern what sites were 50 amp and which were 30. So off we went, driving about in the dark, undoubtedly raising concerns of those already parked about what these idiots were doing, stopping and popping open electrical boxes. We found a 30 amp site, returned yet again to the check in board. Reading the instructions again bred only more questions–what if you don’t have “exact change”?

Back at our site, we rolled the rig in and found to our great dismay, the site was anything but even close to level. After 10 minutes of jacking and grunting, we found we had to pull it all up, turn the rig around, and come into the site “backward” from its design. That required rigging the power cord under the RV, in the dark, and in the dirt.

Next morning, we were off early to meet our engagement. The park office was still closed, which was probably just as well. It helped that the set-up man didn’t have to work at heavy self-control to prevent himself from going into the office and imparting what little was left of his mind.

Yep, I can easily understand the frustrations of RVers who don’t need “amenities” of questionable RV parks. In our case, we had to have the electricity. If we had to stay in this RV park and not need power, and get to pay the price, at least one of us would have probably detonated.

photo: dawnhops on flickr.com

Got a radar detector? Legal in most states, except outlawed in Virginia and in Washington D.C. But, as many drivers in Arizona have ruefully discovered, while legal for use in motor vehicles, radar detectors mounted on the windshield can get you a traffic stop–even a ticket–at the discretion of law enforcement.

But let’s narrow the focus to RV specific issues. How long is your motorhome? Once you hit 40′ your motorhome is considered “over length” in California–unless you hit over 45′–then you’re really in hot water. Motorhomes 40 to 45 feet in length are restricted to specific roadways and the interstates. If your motorhome tows a trailer, even if you’re less than 40′ if in combination with a trailer your legal length is a maximum of 65 feet.

Other states have their own “take” on RV regulations. In Oregon your maximum tow length combination is 50 feet. After that you’ll need a special permit–to a maximum of 60 feet. In Alaska you can build a triple combination–say your pickup towing a fifth wheel, and the fifth wheel towing yet another trailer. Don’t try it several states including South Carolina. While a number of states do allow triples, but have peculiar restrictions on the matter.

While these may be the United States, each state has its own view of its sovereign rights–including mandating a wide variety of laws that can be confusing–and expensive to the one who falls into the hands of the constabulary. Before traveling you may find it helpful to contact the DMV or state patrol of states you’ll be passing through if you have any questions about what might be legal or not about your rolling estate.

photo: R&T DeMaris

What about RVers? Towing a big trailer, or hauling up the hills in the old motorhome, at times our speed can drop below the “norm.” Most of us are courteous enough (and smart enough) to pull over into the right lane. But do we turn on the hazard flashers to give a little additional warning to those behind us?

What about in fog? The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) found that in daytime fog conditions, just running tail lights isn’t enough to give folks behind a good warning–in fact, turning on tail lights gives no more visibility than if they were turned off. However, the NTSB found that even the lowest rated hazard flashers could increase visibility. For example, if you’re driving in fog where your rig could be seen 300′ to the rear, by turning on your hazard flashers you could be seen 450′–this with the least of the light emitting hazard flashers. It seems to make sense that using hazard flashers when moving slow, or when obscured by weather just makes sense.

Evidently, not all states agree. For example, in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, it’s illegal to use hazard flashers except when a vehicle is stopped or disabled beside the highway.  I’m not one to foment rebellion, and I’m not sure which states allow the use of hazard flashers on moving vehicles, and which don’t. But I do know that I guess I’d rather “tell it to the judge,” with my rig in one piece, than to keep my hazard flashers off to not offend local statute and wind up with an 18 wheeler in my rear living room.

But there is a technicality: Many rigs use the same lights for hazard flashing as they do for stop signals. When that happens, turning on the hazard flashers can lead to “pulsing brakes” on trailers. That’s because the brake controller “sees” the flashing stop signal circuit as a requirement to fire the trailer brakes. It can be a bit annoying, particularly if you have to “tune up” the brake controller intensity for your rig–kind of like your four-year-old grandchild when he first learns how much fun it is to shove gramp’s rocker back and forth–a real neck-breaker.

Here’s the “work around.” For less than $20 you can buy a “pulse controller” from your RV supply store. Installed according to directions, the pulse controller will isolate your brake controller from your hazard light circuit, putting an end to those pulsing brakes.

photo: Dixie National Forest, Utah, R&T DeMaris

Imagine you’re pulling into one of Colorado’s wonderful state parks. You’re in your motorcoach, and behind you on the tow bar is your faithful toad. You know you’ll be stuck paying that cussed $8.00 per day entry fee, but when the toll booth attendant says, “That’ll be $16,” you begin to feel your face flush. Sixteen dollars? Absolutely: Colorado charges an entry fee for your motorhome–and your toad.

If this isn’t frustrating enough for the motorcoaching fulltimer, imagine the flame-out that will come when he learns the guy who checked in just ahead of him–the one pulling the fifth wheel with his pickup truck, only had to pay $8 for his entry fee. Yeah, we’re all looking for equitable treatment, but it appears you aren’t going to necessarily find it in the Centenial State.

The examiner.com recently looked the situation over, and RV writer Keith Bennett called parks officials on the matter. The told Bennett that something was in the works to try and balance things out, but the bottom line was, it certainly wouldn’t happen this travel season.  Sadly, this isn’t a new problem. We wrote about this same issue back in 2007, and we too, interviewed state park officials who gave us an interesting scenario about how you might “get around” the problem–including backing your motorhome into your camp site with the toad hitched to it. To add insult to injury, back in 2007 this same motorhome and toad scenario would have only cost you $14. Ah, the woes of inflation.

With the economy still in bed with chills, don’t bet you’ll see much relief next year, either.

Are you scared? Are you tuning in more? As an RVer, how is your lifestyle different than that of the ordinary “land based” folk, and how might that affect your susceptibility to influenza? We’ve looked into the matter and can tell you this: There’s more to fear in the fear of the influenza, than in the influenza itself. To a degree, RVers have a mixed bag of risks, and protection.

First off, let’s talk about the transmission of this new virus. Called H1N1, and often called “swine flu” in the media, this new bug is spread much like any other form of influenza–by person to person contact. Somebody sneezes of coughs, liquid droplets from that containing the virus are transmitte

A few months ago a major analyst of publicly traded firms opined that 2009 could actually see the demise of AGI in the strain of the economic times. To add another nail in the proposed coffin, Pacific Coast Business Times now reports that AGI is facing a major hurdle this June: The maturity of a big secured credit agreement. Business evaluator Standard and Poor’s is reported as saying it sees “uncertainty” about AGI’s ability to get financing to take the place of the big agreement that’s coming due. As a result, S&P has lowered their rating of AGI to CCC, meaning the firm is “currently vulnerable and dependent on favorable economic conditions to meet its commitments.”

A possible lifeline, S&P says, is a non-binding agreement from a different lender to bail the company out, assuming AGI sold off its Camping World chain of RV parts and accessory stores. Even this offer comes with a significant hazard–the likelihood of a much higher interest rate than the company is presently working to meet. At present, Affinity Group listed assets of $309 million and liabilities totaling $496 million on Sept. 30.

So what happens to the myriads of RVers who put their faith and trust in AGI and their offspring? What happens to fulltimers who’ve put money on AGI “insurance” plans against major RV component failure? What about the RVer who breaks down somewhere on America’s Loneliest Road, picks up the cell phone and dials for AGI sponsored Emergency Road Service? Will the phone ring endlessly in some vacated call center? These are questions that have to give all of us a bit of a pause.

With so much going on everywhere, we can’t cover it all, so we’ve picked a few selected highlights from around the country for your RV traveling consideration.

Out West, California’s San Francisco Maritime National Historic Park will get your feet off the ground and out into the bay aboard the two-masted schooner, Alma. Tickets for this event are $35 for adults, $30 for seniors, and $20 for children over six. If you’re interested, better hurry because space is limited. Call quick on 415-447-5000.

Across the country in Florida, bring your kayak or canoe for a free two-hour guided trip through park waterways with commentary from a trained naturalist. Don’t have the the boat? You can rent one. Reservations here too, 305-230-1100.

Farther up the East Coast New York gets into the act where the Gateway National Recreation Area shows off the Jamaica Bay Unit. Here’s a great visit for birders, as a naturalist will lead carpools of bird watchers seeking out spring birds in the park.

If you’d like the park is also hopes people will bring work gloves and help out with the April 22 (Earth Day) beach cleanup at the North Channel bridge. For information and reservations, call 718-318-4340.

In the nation’s midsection, Kansas calls you to the Fort Scott National Historic site where the park will host Civil War re-enactors. You can be sure there will be plenty of blue and gray to be seen, along with living history demonstrations. Traditional music will fill the ears–and we wouldn’t be surprised if there was some good grub to be had, too. It all takes place April 18th and 19th. Call 620-223-0310 for more information.

If you can’t bear to be without your dog, then head out over to Virginia where it’s “Paws in the Park” day at Prince William Forest Park. For one day only, April 25, bowser can be off the leash in a specially designated dog area. The park will present a special program highlighting responsible dog ownership, and special guests will include K-9 units, search and rescue team dogs, and even “McGruff” the crime prevention dog will put in an appearance. It all happens in a four-hour window starting at 10:00 am. Call for more information, 703-221-4706.

Elsewhere, nearly all National Park units will have special activities, some designed for the younger set featuring the NPS “Junior Ranger Program.” Got the grandkids for the weekend? Give a call to park in reach of your rig and find out what’s cooking.