edatlanta
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Posts posted by edatlanta
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20 hours ago, docj said:
As for Part D plans, we have found that it is extremely helpful to use an online "calculator" to determine which plan is best for each of us when we consider the specific medications we use. Selecting a plan that has the lowest premium isn't always the lowest cost option. We use a calculator provided through our benefits "broker" Via Benefits, but there's a similar one provided by Medicare which you can find here: https://www.medicare.gov/plan-compare/#/?lang=en You enter the drugs you take and it calculates the total annual cost including premiums and co-pays. The annual costs for different Part D plans can often vary by several thousand dollars when you consider the specific medications being prescribed..
I agree. I use the calculator on the medicare.gov site and set it for the lowest annual cost. I don't care about the monthly premium amount, I want to know the lowest total annual cost.
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I have a part "D" plan with Humana since 2012. I have changed plans a time or two with them due to reduced costs, etc. But now I'm leaving Humana completely. They obviously are exiting the portion of the business that I participate in since they are doubling my monthly premium for 2020 and increasing the deductible also. Since I won't spend even the deductible amount during the year I am switching to the cheapest plan for my area and by by to Humana. The premium amount they are going up to makes no sense for me. I am fortunate that I only take cheap drugs, at least so far anyway.
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Good and Bologna don't belong in the same sentence. I ate way too much as a child growing up. Not Now!
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23 hours ago, Kirk W said:
How do you go about getting it replaced? We first had the cardboard Golden Age cards and later when entering a park the ranger replaced those for us with the newer cards with a magnetic stripe but we still have and use the last version of Golden Age cards and have not updated to an America the Beautiful Senior Card and it has never been questioned nor has a replacement been offered.
If you have a card that is still usable and not just worn out from too much billfold/pocket time they will be accepted forever (unless they change the rules). The only need for replacement is if the old card is falling apart and the number is hard to read. Any issuing location can issue a new card if needed per the above.
Yes you can get a new card without surrendering your old one for $80.00.
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On 10/20/2019 at 5:00 PM, hemsteadc said:
The Federal Senior pass is non-replaceable, at least it was years ago when I got mine.
It is only replaceable if you have the original worn or damaged one. If it is lost or just gone, you have to buy a new one at full price.
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The batwing antenna that came with my 5'er is in a landfill somewhere. Even with proper maintenance it leaked on my bed once too often so I threw it away and plugged up the hole. DirecTV with DNS and a tripod mounted antenna for 9 years now.
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5 hours ago, packnrat said:
it's ca. what do you expect, the demo's under the dome in sac, and all there appointed minions, know they can do better than what trained and qualified personal can do.
and they get the great benefit of more control, and spin of all the info that is allowed to get out to the masses.
Another of the many reasons I don't even visit CA - EVER!
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8 minutes ago, docj said:
Like anything having to do with insurance, it's all a matter of how you prefer to handle risk. I like my "standard Plan F". Essentially, since I became eligible for Medicare ~7 years ago neither my wife nor I have paid ANYTHING for health care above our premiums and the cost of prescription drugs. As we get older and our health issues increase, IMO it's nice to know we won't ever see a bill. JMO
I agree with the plan "F" that I have had since 2012. Unfortunately that plan goes away as an option 1-1-2020 for anyone not already on that plan. I'm glad I have it already.
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This thread caused me to take a look at what I'm receiving right now. I use a Slimline dish on a tripod and have a Genie. I am in central Alabama. I am receiving right now 101, 99ca, 99cb, 103cb. I have always had 103ca also, but it is dark right now, but not sure what that means with it being gone. I haven't noticed any changes in what I normally watch so who knows?
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10 hours ago, Tim and Peggy said:
Hello Ed,
Peggy and I are getting ready to become full-time. We drive to FL (from VT) to pick up our Class A motorhome. Four years ago we had a DISH Hopper and it was a pain in the neck. The Tiffin Coach has a mounted satellite dish and I think the previous owner used DIRECT TV as the provider and he told me he chose that service because that is what he has in his house. He did say, he would probably switch to DISH . So I have two questions: (1) what service have you and do you use (e.g. DISH or DIRECT) and do you recommend that I buy a tripod and a second DISH. We are both TV-junkies, but painfully recall what a PIA this is. Frankly I don't look forward to the hassle. Further, don't most RV resorts and campgrounds have CATV?
Thanks in advance for your advice.
I have had DirecTV since 1995 and since 2010 as an RV account when I retired and sold my house. I have DNS and a Genie with wired Genie Mini in the bedroom. All works great. I do not recommend a roof mounted antenna due to obstructions in a lot of campgrounds/sites (I know others will disagree), but if you are a true "junkie" like I am you want your TV to work wherever you are. I have a heavy duty tripod from www.tv4rv.com that has been working great for the past 9 years. For me I don't have an expensive sat finder, I use the built in signal strength screen on the Genie and a wireless baby monitor. Aim the monitor camera at the TV screen and take the wireless remote out to the dish. The reason I like DNS is I always have my network channels on the same number. When I get to a new site, set up the dish and within minutes my networks are up and running and all programs set to record are still ready to go. Setting up and aiming the dish is very easy after you do it a few times. The tripod I use makes it very easy, just be very precise when you set the tripod to make sure it is as level as you can get it.
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4 hours ago, JRP said:
For the Retired Chief, If you're a fulltime RV'er you qualify for getting the national broadcast networks (ABC,CBS,NBC,FOX) from your SAT provider via DNS (distant network service). You do have to apply for it and show them your RV registration to prove that you're mobile. DNS eliminates the hassle of having to call in everytime you move to change service location. The only difference is, you 'll be getting the network shows fed from either the west coast or the east coast, and there is a small extra fee for DNS. When needed, you can find the local news & weather faster & easier on the internet.
Agreed. I have had DNS for almost years and it works great. With the current CBS situation my CBS feed changed from New York to Washington, DC, but I still have CBS. And with DNS your network channels are always the same regardless of where you are.
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On 5/11/2019 at 12:07 PM, kb0zke said:
Quite a few years ago our neighbor's overweight pit bull got loose and visited our dog, who was on a run line. The pit wanted to fight, and our dog was more interested in playing. Our dog was backing up as the pit came toward him. Finally the pit lunged. As he made contact with the front end of our dog, out dog's hind end made contact with the electric fence. There was a brown streak going one way and a black one going the other, but dogs crying in pain. By that time the neighbor arrived to get his dog. We told him what happened, and we all had a good laugh.
When we host we frequently have to tell people that their dogs need to be on a leash whenever outside of their vehicle. When we're not hosting we may mention it if a dog comes up to us, but usually we will just report it to the host or ranger.
And the owner usually lets the dog off of the leash as soon as the host gets out of sight. I have told the same owner multiple times to please keep their dog on a leash and finally had the ranger throw them out. The feeling is "My Dog Won't Bite" and "The Rules Don't Apply to Me".
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On 7/20/2019 at 9:23 PM, FL-JOE said:
Not much to add, except I would suggest spending the $300 or so and start right off with a TPMS. I have stayed in many campgrounds and I have yet to actually see another camper walk around his/her RV checking tire pressures prior to taking off. I'm not saying some don't, I'm just saying most folks will not consistently do it.
With a good TPMS (external) you can constantly monitor each tires psi and ambient temperature. If there is a drop in pressure an alarm will alert you.
Today coming across Colorado and into Utah on I-70 the temps got up to 100 degrees. My toad (trailer) tires began heating up so I slowed to 60mph instead of my usual 68. We passed three RVs with blowouts on the side of I-70 between noon and 4pm.
I don't know about you but going over the mountains with a piece of safety equipment like a TPMS is well worth the money spent.
X2 on the TPMS. I check my pressures with a gauge periodically and daily check via the TPMS and continuous while traveling.
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19 hours ago, Twotoes said:
I have been fulltiming for over 5 years now. I have never drained my fresh water tank. I fill it with city water which has been treated and lasts for months. When I park somewhere it is usually for about 3 months. When I travel between stops I use the water in my fresh tank at my overnight stops in rest stops or boondocking. When I get to my new location I refill my fresh tank with city water from the new campground. Thus the tank is emptied from useing it. I always fill my tank upon arrival at my new location. You never know if the campground may have an issue and turn off the water for hours. Yes it has happened to me several times. I was the only one in the campground who could flush a toilet for hours.
I definitely agree with keeping a full tank all the time even when hooked up. One summer while hosting for 4 months at a campground in Florida we were without water 11 separate times due to line breaks. It didn't bother me a bit while others really went nuts. The bathhouses were closed also during the repair.
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I have two dishes that I use. One is permanently mounted at my home base and I have NEVER had to re-aim it in 9 years. My other dish is mounted on a tripod when away from my home base and I NEVER have to re-aim it after the initial setup unless something hits it or other external situation that moves it. It has been the same location for up to a year at a time.
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6 hours ago, JRP said:
Ed, I emailed them the forms requested on 4/19 and got their email reply on 5/14.
I'm sure they're sending these requests out in batches, but not sure what sequence is being used by them to decide who gets this request 1st, 2nd, 3rd. I've had DNS since 2007 and I already had DirecTV service before that at my sticks & bricks house before retirement & fulltime RV'ing.
We sound pretty similar. I had DirecTV since 1995 in my S&B and converted it to an RV account in 2010 with DNS. Thanks for your info.
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On 5/14/2019 at 5:35 PM, JRP said:
Barb, I agree that their wording is less than clear. What they want there is the RV vehicle license Plate Numbers/Letters.
I got an email reply today saying they had received my reply to their request and approved my continued DNS service.
How long was it after you mailed the form in that you heard from them? I have had DNS since 2010 so I hope I'm considered ok to continue? Time will tell I guess.
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I am religious about the cleaning procedure you follow, but I also vacuum out the vent hose which tends to get coated and plugged up with lint. I use one of those Lint Lizards that used to be seen on TV. It actually works well for this purpose. If the air can't get out.....you know the result. Mine is a vented model.
While the long dry times are definitely there, you get used to it very quickly. I always remember "I'm retired what is my hurry?". Having a Splendide is much much better than sitting in a laundromat of questionable cleanliness for a couple of hours every week or so.
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14 hours ago, docj said:
I sent in the form for "separate home and RV accounts" clearly marked with "you shouldn't need this form, but here it is anyway" and on the form I clearly noted that there were NO receivers in anything other than the RV. To make things very clear I even included a photo of our MH with its Winegard Trav'ler on the roof with the front license plate also clearly visible. Since the MH's registration is in the name of our MT LLC, I included a note to the effect that the use of the MH was non-commercial, therefore, a CDL isn't required.
All we can do is hope that they don't screw up our DNS while we are traveling on vacation this summer since the deadline for submission was June 15!
I just mailed the copy of my RV registration and the Intent form. Since I do not have any residence location other than the RV I decided that too much information might cause other issues. Time will tell I guess. I do have my home base (based on billing zip code) locals when in the spot beam and also DNS so the locals may go away. We shall see. Keep us posted on your 9999 expiration issue.
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Good luck with calling them. I just tried and after 3-4 people I finally got to someone who knew what DNS is. I didn't want to waste any time with someone who didn't have a clue what I was asking. This person finally found a number for the DNS department which has previously been posted here is no longer in service. The number she gave was 800-561-4388, but don't waste your time.
My question is which form(s) do I need to send in? I an full time with an RV account and no residential account and I do have DNS east coast feed.
They say at the first of their cover letter that they need:
1. Photocopy of your vehicle registration - Got It.
2. Mobile Vehicle Declaration of Intent form - Got it.
3. Photocopy of CDL. Not needed since I'm not commercial.
Now it gets fuzzy for me.
4. "If you have receivers in both your home and mobile vehicle---and have already set up separate accounts,---". I don't. I have RV only and no permanent residence. So it looks like I don't send this form in.
5. This form is for a new account and also if you have want an RV account AND a home account. I don't.
So it looks like all they need from me is the Mobile Vehicle Declaration of Intent form with some side notes that my desire for DNS is indefinite. But why do I feel this is going to be an annual thing based on the expiration of my state registration? I too am interested in how the ending data of 9999 mentioned previously will be handled by ATT. As usual the right hand doesn't know what any other part of their body is doing.
Anything I'm missing before I send in just this first form? I sure don't want to tease this gorilla.
Thanks all.
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I have the east coast plan and have had for just short of 9 years. I haven't seen the email yet or maybe I trashed it and didn't see it on my spam folder. Time will tell I guess.
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I saw a 2019 27' at a campground 2 days ago on it's maiden voyage. Two a/c's, solar, really loaded. List was $114,000'ish per the new owner.
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7 minutes ago, ARGO said:
OK, read a LOT of the thread here. Have a Jetpack with supposedly unlimited. After maybe 10 hrs of HGTV, it tells me it's dropping & I see a lot of buffering. Does 10 hrs use that much ? What solution has anybody arrived at? We have no other source at home like cable, this was supposedly going to serve both home & OTR. I'm getting ready to drop the plan & float-test it.
Try rebooting it. Mine buffers at times after a long run and a reboot fixes it every time.
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On 12/8/2018 at 5:31 PM, docj said:
With all due respect, I don't think that any currently available AT&T "unlimited" hotspot plan provides for more than 15GB of LTE data before slowing the device down to 128kps. I presume you are aware of that.
If you want a truly unlimited hotspot option you may wish to consider the new Verizon prepaid hotspot plan for $70/mo with a $5/mo credit for automatic payment.
I second this comment. Mine works great.
Medicare Supplements
in Health Issues and Medical Insurance
Posted
That $56 monthly premium must be universal for Humana because that is exactly what mine would be going up to. And I switched to the same provider you did too and the same monthly premium. But as I said in another post I always look at the total annual cost, premium and drug cost, not the monthly premium only.