Our end destination from Benson, AZ was Quartzsite, AZ, but we detoured to Wickenburg, AZ for me to get some medical tests done. Here’s the backstory and the workarounds I’ve learned this past year on the road.
I’m insured in the state of TX. But, my Dr., whom I’ve seen for the past 7 years is in SC. When we were last in SC I called and made an appt. and requested to have blood work done.
Easy as ever…. Blood work (a full C-Panel) was $279 and the cash price for the 30 minutes he spent going over the numbers with me, etc. was only $100/cash. $379 cash to get all that taken care of.
My doctor and I also came up with a game plan. Once I explained my living situation to him he simply said, “Ok, no problem I’ll write new prescriptions for you because they are all due, you can have blood work done anywhere at a LabCorp or LabQuest (here’s a copy of what I always order or you can leave us a message to call in or email in a new order for where ever you are) and then we’ll follow up via email or MyChart. Then, just before you’re back in this area, make an appt with me but prior to that have blood work done so we can go over everything.
He also gave me an imaging order for a mammogram which can be taken to most all imaging centers. Results will be sent to him.
Now, let’s talk about the Elephant in the Room! Prescriptions! Yes, I’m a Type 1 Diabetic, have been for 34 years. Do I play around with my life-long disease? Not as much as it appears at times, to some.
The prescriptions from my Dr. were called in to a Walgreen’s in Greer, SC and I was in Some Town?, TX (I don’t recall). I showed up at Walgreen’s and asked if I could get the prescriptions transferred there (you can’t do that online after they are filled) and she looked and said Yes! Give us about 30 minutes.
I go back to pick them up and the Pharm Tech says, “You know we have Home Delivery right?” Me, “Yes I do.” You might want to look in to having your prescriptions sent to your home address and then forwarded to you.” He was funny. I’d never thought about that before. He went on to say, “You don’t take any controlled substances so your prescription can be mail ordered and sent to your legal residence and then you can have your mail forwarding service send them to you. Utilizing your health insurance.”
Well, there you have it for non-controlled prescriptions that can be mailed, if you don’t live in your domicile state and have a mail forwarder from your domicile state. Now, let’s digress to the Dr.’s appt in SC. Another problem solved.
My Dr. in SC had a couple of concerns and wanted me to get some scans done, some imaging, etc. I knew we were leaving SC the next day so I had to figure something out. Our next destination was AZ, so I put my thinking cap on.
I decided to look for a Life Screening around the Wickenburg, AZ area and found one in Sun City, AZ. 40 miles from where we were thinking of going. This was my final work around for what my Dr. in SC wanted to have a closer look at.
I really like the Life Screening Program Process. You’re in and out within an hour or hour and a half and results are sent directly to you. You can then share the with your doctor. 3 screenings and 2 ultrasounds was only $248.00. My cholesterol numbers were down (from a month ago with my Dr. blood work) and my ultrasounds were not in “critical” stages. But something I need to keep check on. I felt better when I left.
I’m going to show you the breakdown of costs but always keep in mind…. I’m never going to cheap myself to death when it comes to my healthcare. These are just alternative ways of Health Management. It’s good sometimes to change doctors and get more than one opinion.
Let’s look at the costs so far:
$279 for a complete C-panel blood work in SC
$100 for Dr visit in SC
$248 for Life Line Screening in AZ
$127.00 for prescriptions in TX.
$754 total.
Now remember, all of this was taken care of between SC, TX, and AZ. There’s a few thousand miles in there, right? You just have to think outside-the-box occasionally.
You’re health doesn’t have to suffer just because you like and enjoy moving around…. Don’t play around with your health – But no matter if you’re nomadic or static – don’t play around! You’re health can’t be replaced…. but there are options.