Most of us are retired and old enough to have medicare and maybe some supplemental ins. But some ,like my wife, do not have ins. at all. I like to
know how you handle health problems here and what your plan of action is if anything goes wrong. And where does one go ,if not to the U.S.A ??bajajudy - 9-25-2005 at 10:56 AM
My husband and I have an international health ins policy that we got from an agent here. We also have sky med for evacuation to San Diego to one of
their associated hospitals.
I have heard, but never checked into it, that there is some sort of health insurance from the Mex gov't. I have also heard that there is a waiting
period after you sign up.
Many people go to Guadalajara for surgery.
That pretty much sums up what I know. Hope this helpsPrice - 9-25-2005 at 01:37 PM
Bajajudy - If I may ask - what is a ballpark price on the insurance you have ? We will be down to San Felipe by Wed. - this will be our perminent home
- we will also need homeowners & car ins. We appreciate any help we can get !!!!bajajudy - 9-25-2005 at 02:19 PM
Price
Check your u2uvandenberg - 9-25-2005 at 02:22 PM
Judy.
Do me a favor and bring me up to date on that health ins. you got in Los Cabos. Name, address & prices if possibleTucker - 9-25-2005 at 02:26 PM
Six or seven years ago I purchased Mexican national health insurance for my girlfriend, the cost then was about $250 per year, no physical exam, but
exclusions the first year, less exclusions the second year, etc. I have heard that they spare no expense to treat enrollees, including, as someone
stated sending patients to Guadalajara for treatment and/or surgery.
I think it is administered by DIF, or maybe ISSSTE, anything further I can't tell you.
[Edited on 9-25-2005 by Tucker]bajalou - 9-25-2005 at 02:28 PM
Price - I will recomend Alanis Ins Agency for homeowners here in San Felipe. Have had them a few years with 1 claim and am VERY happy with the agency
and thier ins carrier. Yellow building on the way into down , across from the paint store.
bajajudy - 9-25-2005 at 05:11 PM
Van-check you u2urpleger - 9-26-2005 at 04:54 PM
TUCKER............
Tell me more about the insurance.
I`ve been here 10 years and have an FM2 if that helps.
a2Tucker - 9-26-2005 at 07:24 PM
Richard, let me check around tomorrow to see if I can come up with some specifics. They were most accomodating to my ex-girlfriend, a gringa with an
FM-3.Bob and Susan - 9-26-2005 at 07:33 PM
we're interested too....tuckerTucker - 9-26-2005 at 07:44 PM
Is Mulege in Comondu? Let me know which municipio.bajaden - 9-26-2005 at 10:41 PM
Peda Mental, Richard, Peda Mental. Thats all I have......With more frequecy, I might add.Tucker - 9-27-2005 at 10:39 AM
I just talked to a gringo who purchased the insurance, he said the premium is $215 dollars per year, no exclusions (I think it was one of those: don't
ask, don't tell deals). He uses about $200 dollars per month in medications, no cost.
The program is administered by IMSS. In La Paz, the office is at 5 de Febrero and Altamirano. Look in your area for an IMSS office.Tucker - 9-27-2005 at 11:17 AM
Theoretically, the other rate-payersTucker - 9-27-2005 at 12:35 PM
IMSS is a government entity, they have a fairly large hosptital here, I'm sure that the taxpayer foots a large portion of their operation. I dont
use their services, only reporting what I learned to people who requested the information.
[Edited on 9-27-2005 by Tucker]elizabeth - 9-27-2005 at 01:13 PM
They actually have a copy of the IMSS questionnaire...there are some exclusions like pre-existing conditions...and there are some exclusions for
certain time periods.Anonymous - 9-27-2005 at 01:26 PM
IMSS - INSTITUTO MEXICANO DEL SEGURO SOCIAL
THE MAIN OBJECTIVE OF SOCIAL SECURITY IS TO GUARANTEE THE RIGHT TO GOOD HEALTH, MEDICAL ASSISTANCE, THE PROTECTION OF THE MEANS OF SUBSISTENCE AND THE
NECESSARY SOCIAL SERVICES FOR THE COLLECTIVE AND INDIVIDUAL WELL BEING, AS WELL AS THE ASSIGNMENT OF A PENSION THAT COMPLIES TO THE LEGAL REQUIREMENTS
THAT SHOULD BE GUARANTEED BY THE STATE.
This is article 2 from IMSS. It is a rough translation from Spanish, but that is their main statement. Us as foreigners do not qualify for Social
Services, but we do qualify for the health portion.
How do you qualify? To sign up you must have a, Passport, FM2, FM3, or Immigrado status, birth certificate*, marriage license* if you are married, and
proof of residency. IMSS will require you to bring the above, along with 2 pictures of yourself (infantile size), and fill out the questionnaire they
have. For a copy of the question IMSS asks, please click here.
The Cost? Up until 2001, there was a set price for families, which was $3300 pesos, whether you were single, or a family of 5. The rules changed in
2002. Every individual pays a set rate depending on your age, the price structure is as follows: 0-19 $1028; 20-39 $1202; 40-59 $1795; 60+ $2702.
What does it cover? Your first year in the system only covers minor illness, such as colds etc, nothing involving surgery. You are also covered for
emergencies such as car accidents, and such things as appendicitis, heart attack, etc. Year number 2 covers everything except broken bones. 3rd year
covers everything. In the 3rd year, all your medication is covered as well as long as you get it at IMSS. You are not covered if you get it at any
other pharmacy. The only thing that is not covered at anytime is pre-existing conditions.
How good is it? It is excellent. We have heard of a number of cases in which they received excellent care. The facilities might not what you've come
to expect in the US or Canada, but the doctors and staff are top notch, many of the Doctors having been trained in the US and Canada.
* Must be translated into Spanish.
Please Note: IMSS pricing is subject to change at the beginning of each yearTucker - 9-27-2005 at 01:28 PM
That's a little different than the information I furnished, but seems still worth the effort.Oso - 9-27-2005 at 06:55 PM
IMSS= Importa Madre Su Salud.Dave - 9-27-2005 at 08:04 PM
Quote:
Originally posted by Anonymous
How good is it? It is excellent. We have heard of a number of cases in which they received excellent care. The facilities might not what you've come
to expect in the US or Canada, but the doctors and staff are top notch, many of the Doctors having been trained in the US and Canada.
That depends on where you live. I would pay (and have) for private care for my employees and their families rather than subject them to the indignity
of IMSS care. (And I pay for their IMSS also.) In some areas it can be excellent but mostly it is far worse than average.
Expats should NOT avail themselves of this overburdened system. There are not enough dollars to go around as it is and those Mexicans who use the
system, by in large, use it out of necessity.
If you are legally living here, (having met the financial requirements), you can afford private Mexican health care.
HURRAY Senor Dave
Baja Bernie - 9-27-2005 at 08:12 PM
A very good friend of mine Hector------died about a year ago of cancer. He had a bit of trust in his govermental system and it killed him. He would
go to the hospital to get his chemo treatments and one week they would be there, The next week no treatment, We tried to help with what he would
allow. Back and forth walked a skelton. A guy with a family and a good friend of mine who enjoyed sparing with the thought of the ages. A guy who
read books and cared about life. He died because his government failed him at the young age of 43. Who the hell can smile at this?fdt - 9-28-2005 at 06:13 AM
Quote:
Originally posted by Oso
IMSS= Importa Madre Su Salud.
ISSSTE = Inutil solicitar servicios solo tenemos entierros vandenberg - 9-28-2005 at 09:42 AM
Private healthcare.
Dave, are you talking about just paying for your care or about some kind of private insurance available to us ?Dave - 9-28-2005 at 09:55 AM
Both.
dave
jerry - 9-28-2005 at 10:29 AM
what private mexican health insurence are you refering to?? a ball park cost?? wouldnt we be going to the same hospitals?? doctors??Dave - 9-28-2005 at 10:30 AM
Quote:
Originally posted by fdt
ISSSTE = Inutil solicitar servicios solo tenemos entierros
For those who aren't familiar, ISSSTE is exclusively, (or used to be) for government workers. Judging from Ferna's comments, they at least clean up
their own mess.Dave - 9-28-2005 at 10:46 AM
Quote:
Originally posted by jerry
what private mexican health insurence are you refering to?? a ball park cost?? wouldnt we be going to the same hospitals?? doctors??
Check with an insurance agent. Their are several companies offering comprehensive care. Also, some private hospitals offer their own policies. Costs
can run 1/3 (maybe a little more) than what you would expect to pay in the States.
Regarding same doctors/hospitals:
Private hospitals. Most doctors in IMSS also have private practices.
If you don't have any luck with an agent, find a doctor you trust and ask him/her.
