Let’s Keep In Touch
FMCA’s social media accounts help members to stay connected with our RV association and with each other.
National President
Rett Porter, F369084
rporter@fmca.com
Where are your travel plans taking you this year?
How many times have you thought about stopping to smell the roses? Too often, Claire and I find that we are doing “destination driving” to be at a rally or some meeting. As we go down the road, we sometimes see a sign that intrigues us, but then we say, we will have to schedule that stop the next time we come through. We put about 20,000 miles a year on our RV crisscrossing North America.
Someday, when I’m past president of FMCA, we want to travel and make plans that allow us to stop and smell those roses. In the meantime, we learn from our friends who are traveling when they post things on social media about great venues they have found to visit. We get many ideas from posts by members on Facebook or from chapter members. FMCA has a Facebook group called “RVs & Camping – On the Road with FMCA” (www.facebook.com/groups/fmcarvclub). This Facebook group is filled with active RVers just like us, and I highly encourage you to look it up and join. This interactive group will inspire you to visit new places, let you seek advice from your fellow RVers, and allow you to provide knowledge on topics you may be well versed in. Join the group and share your photos and comments on the places you’re visiting.
As I write this column, FMCA’s 106th International Convention and RV Expo is about to happen in Perry, Georgia. The special event-related FMCA Facebook group “Perry Attendees – FMCA’s 106th International Convention & RV Expo” has been very active, with nearly 750 members asking questions, getting answers, learning about what is happening at the convention, and more. This is another great tool, and to find the group for each convention, you just need to type the city name of the convention in the Facebook search box. So, for FMCA’s 107th International Convention & RV Expo, type in “Gillette Attendees” and look for the FMCA group. Join the group to get the latest information and stay in touch as you prepare for a great time in Gillette, Wyoming, August 23 through 26, 2023. Registration for this event opens on March 29, 2023.
When I asked the FMCA staff for a list of the social media sites where FMCA has a presence, I received the following, which you may want to check out:
Facebook home page for FMCA RV Club: (www.facebook.com/fmcafans/). This site has current information regarding FMCA activities and supporting vendors with over 54,000 followers.
Twitter account (www.twitter.com/fmca_). Known for “tweets” — quick, brief posts with limited character counts — Twitter helps FMCA to keep members posted on current FMCA news.
Instagram account (www.instagram.com/fmcarvclub/). This social media site is ideal for allowing FMCA to share your beautiful travel photos or Reels (short videos).
LinkedIn (www.linkedin.com/company/family-motor-coach-association) helps FMCA keep in touch with busi-nesses and business professionals.
Pinterest (www.pinterest.com/fmcarvclub/). FMCA’s Pinterest page is like a big, beautiful bulletin board and can help you find a delicious recipe to cook in your RV, RV remodeling ideas, or something inspirational.
YouTube (www.youtube.com/user/fmcaonline) allows FMCA to host a channel where we provide video content on everything RVing. Be sure to check out the FMCA educational content created to help you learn about and maintain your RV.
Our social media sites are monitored by FMCA marketing director Anne Baumgartner and marketing assistant Kieley Doll, and they are always looking to engage with our members and share their content. If you’re interested in working collaboratively with them, reach out to marketing@fmca.com.
I was visiting with one of our members recently, and his comment really stuck with me. He said the major benefit he receives as a member of FMCA is the friendship of other members. Social media will help you stay in contact with fellow RVers and learn more about what FMCA has to offer.
We want to be sure you have all the tools necessary to keep in touch with other FMCA members as you travel. We even have FMCA Tech Connect+, which can provide you with mobile internet while you are on the road. You don’t have to rely on the campground or some other way to get Wi-Fi service if you have a Tech Connect+ hot spot. To learn more, visit www.fmca.com/techconnect.
I hope you take advantage of the FMCA benefits and discounts while staying in touch with your friends. FMCA will be there for you.
Travel safely, and we look forward to seeing you at the next FMCA event.
Notice Of Annual Membership Meeting
FMCA’s annual Membership Meeting will take place on August 26, 2023, during the 107th International Convention & RV Expo in Gillette, Wyoming.
New Health Plan Partner
RV travelers want health insurance that will be there when they need it. FMCA members have a new resource to consult.
Chief Executive Officer
Chris Smith
csmith@fmca.com
It’s been said that if you have good health, you have everything! There is a great deal of truth in this statement, and good health is important to enjoying the RV lifestyle fully and for as long as possible. Having reliable health insurance can help with maintaining one’s well-being.
To that end, FMCA has added another option for members looking for assistance when navigating the world of health insurance. The FMCA Health Plan, for members under 65, is a first-dollar benefit plan for all outpatient services. The only deductible is for hospitalization, and you select the amount. The network is a preferred provider organization (PPO) plan designed with RVers in mind. The plan uses the First Health network — a group of contracted providers, specialists, and hospitals that have agreed to accept the insurance — so participants will be able to use this policy in all states and be considered “in network.” This means RVers on the plan can contact their agent or the insurance plan concierge service for assistance in finding a doctor and visit a provider in or near their location all across the United States. PPO plans are not the only coverage that FMCA members can take advantage of. The FMCA Health Plan also gives members access to Medicare supplements, dental coverage, vision coverage, international coverage for members traveling outside the U.S., and coverage for Canadian members while in the U.S.
The FMCA Health Plan also provides RVers a resource to help them sort through the confusion that can come with selecting a health insurance plan. The agent who helps you find the best health plan for your needs is the person who will help you maximize your benefits. Make sure you keep their phone number and email address readily available if you ever need help with your plan.
Coleen Elkins, managing general agent, and an RV owner and FMCA member herself, has nearly 30 years of experience in the health insurance industry. She has been an active RVer for many years and has witnessed firsthand the difficulties RVers face in insuring their health. She and her team of licensed insurance agents, most of whom also are RVers, will help FMCA members to find health insurance solutions tailored to their needs. And they keep up with the latest legislative changes in the health-care industry that could impact RV travelers.
For more information about this plan, visit www.fmca.com/fmca-healthcare-plan.
The FMCA Health Plan is fully insured by New Era Insurance and underwritten by Philadelphia Life Insurance. To obtain a quote based on your individual needs and circumstances, visit www.FMCAHealthPlan.com or call (800) 865-2119. (Note: There is no longer a mandate to purchase Affordable Care Act plans that have a network based on your domicile.) There are no open enrollment periods for the FMCA Health Plan, so members can join at any time of the year.
If you attend area rallies or international conventions, you can count on the FMCA Health Plan to have a booth presence and conduct health insurance and Medicare seminars at most or all of these events. Comeby and ask your questions in person!
Here is a quick summary and plan highlights for the under-65 health plan.
*Freedom of choice – See any doctor, any hospital anywhere in the U.S.
*Transparent features and benefits.
*Guaranteed renewable.
*Benefit from PPO repricing.
*Take control of your health-care costs directly with health-care providers and negotiate indi-vidual pricing and get direct reimbursement.
*No co-pays, first-dollar benefit.
Until next month, travel safely, be well, and enjoy the journey!
Contact An FMCA National Chaplain
Chaplains Connection Line: (833) 458-0778
Email: chaplains@fmca.com
The mission of FMCA is to bring together RV owners who share similar interests in congenial traveling, recreation, and social activities in order to preserve and perpetuate the traditional ideals and spirit of friendly and wholesome family fellowship as manifested by the founders of FMCA.