Binational Emergency Medical Care Committee (BEMCC)
Hey fellow Nomads...
After reading last week about the horrible assault on fellow Baja Nomad Ron Hoff (aka: BajaGringo) I placed a call to BEMCC to see how they could help
out. Within minutes, I had received a call back from Celia Diaz, the Executive Director of Binational. I gave her what info. I had regarding Ron and
Cristine and she immediately set out to get more information. She placed some calls and lined up a military Doctor based in Ensenada to go to the
hospital and check on Ron’s condition. In the event the family decided to evacuate Ron to the U.S. an ambulance was placed on alert. In the following
24 hrs., Celia called me back several times to keep me informed of what was going on. We all know the rest of the story…
WHAT I WILL SAY IS THIS…when I called Binational Emergency, Celia called me back in 10 minutes or less. That's what BEMCC is all about! They are there
to help out Baja travelers as well as P/T and F/T residents with MEDICAL PROBLEMS and many other types of emergency situations such as automobile
accidents. They are experts at handling any type of help or arrangements you might need…from medical air evacuation to legal help in the event of
something like an accident.
MY RECOMMENDATION TO YOU IS THIS…
Go to the BEMCC web site and read all about them. Read about the many services they can provide for you and your family in the event of an emergency.
Read about how Celia has been helping do this for 30 yrs. Read the testimonials from people and families they have helped. Read and see for yourself.
Call them if you have questions.
THEN DO THIS… JOIN BEMCC!
Click on ‘APPLY’ on their web site or call their office using the phone number provided. You might also be able to go their office in Chula Vista
before crossing the border. I believe you can also join through Discover Baja. That’s where I first learned about BEMCC and joined.
WHAT WILL IT COST YOU? Membership is just $45.00 USD per year, per person. In my opinion an extremely good value for having peace of mind that in the
event of an emergency, an EXPERT will be there to help you through it.
BTW…I don’t work for Binational and don’t receive compensation from them. Just wanted to inform all my fellow Baja Nomads about what IMHO is an
excellent value and an absolute necessity for traveling or living in Baja.
Take care,
Amo Pescar / Miguelamo / Michael Woooosh - 9-17-2011 at 10:42 PM
They co-ordinate things for you and cut through the paperwork. This is not evac insurance.AmoPescar - 9-17-2011 at 11:15 PM
Woooosh....
DID NOT SAY IT WAS!
Quote:
Originally posted by Woooosh
They co-ordinate things for you and cut through the paperwork. This is not evac insurance.
Quote:
They are experts at handling any type of help or arrangements you might need…from medical air evacuation to legal help in the event of something like
an accident.
Miguelamo Woooosh - 9-17-2011 at 11:25 PM
Celia was very nice to help with Ron, but we jacked her around and wasted her time. If Ron had been a member, she would have known he was not
eligible for VA benefits. We sent her on a wild goose chase for nothing.
I was just pointing our her services were limited to the co-ordination of what you already have.
[Edited on 9-18-2011 by Woooosh]AmoPescar - 9-18-2011 at 02:06 AM
I agree, she WAS there to help, but was unable to do anything, which I think was very frustrating to her.
But, I think more importantly, she was ready at the first phone call to assist in anyway they (BEMCC) could. That to me speaks volumes. They were
limited in what they could do because of needing the family's permission. Had Ron's family decided to have him/them evac'd, the ambulance Celia had
helped arrange for would have whisked them away asap.
When you join Binational, she has all your info and knows what YOU want done, where to take you, etc., etc.
Take care, Miguelamo oladulce - 9-18-2011 at 07:29 AM
Quote:
Originally posted by AmoPescar
When you join Binational, she has all your info and knows what YOU want done, where to take you, etc., etc.
Their online application only asks for your Health insurance company, your ID #, and an emergency contact person. It doesn't ask where you want to be
treated or other details.
After I renew my membership I send them another message that includes our Emergency Evac insurance, what hospital to take us to, requested doctors,
etc and they are happy to add the info to our files.
The Baja Good Life Club ($35 per year) offers discounts on Baja Bound auto insurance and Binational Emergency Medical Committee membership. Baja Good Life Club
Your initial membership with BEMC is $45 and renewals are $40 and they offer the discount on top of that! Sheez, what's that equal to- a few beers or
a couple margaritas to receive the critical emergency coordination they can provide.
[Edited on 9-20-2011 by oladulce]
How legit is this BEMCC?
Howard - 9-18-2011 at 07:38 AM
In having BEBCC, I hope that I have found another way for my family to feel a little more comfortable about my pending semi-retirement to Loreto.
I went to apply on line and there were a lot of personal information sensitive questions such as social security #, etc.
Before anyone gets their panties in a wad over my question, I just would like my fellow Nomads to verify that this is a legit company that would not
use this information in a negative way.
This is absolutely no slant on this organization I just want to make sure in this crazy world that they are legit.shari - 9-18-2011 at 07:46 AM
When I talked to Celia, she was frustrated and explained to me that there are many options available in cases such as Ron's...that there were ways to
get insurance and that there are also emergency visa options for mexican spouses to acompany the patient.
Celia is very well connected and knows her stuff, is very fast & efficient at organizing transfers and I wouldnt hesitate to call on her services
in another emergency....but is sure would be nice if the patient was signed up with her...seems pretty cheap to me to have at your disposal someone
who is so good at arranging stuff fast!willyAirstream - 9-18-2011 at 07:59 AM
Howard - to be safe, just call and give your info, just on the very very slight chance her site/email is hacked. I'll be signing up that way.MMc - 9-18-2011 at 09:34 AM
We have been members for years, Luckily, we have not had to use the service. She helped a friend get helped years ago.Very good and very fast.
Our personal info has not been comprised.
We have her info is at the top of our "oh shi# list"state side.
When the fit hits the shan in Mexico. Two things are apparent:
1) The states side person has know idea how the system works. They are miles away and don't know what to do.
2) The state side person doesn't know what you want.
Celia, helps getting state side people come up to speed on the "how the system works".
On the what to do needs to be spelled out before you go with all your info at hand. (Wills, Trust, Med info, Notarized power of Attorney, Doctor info.
Living will, We include a outline of philosophy as to wish to treated in life and death.) All of this was been reviewed with our stats side contacts.
On the list of stuff to do Call BEMCC is at the top.
MMcBAJA.DESERT.RAT - 9-18-2011 at 12:26 PM
Hola,
a few years ago, GENE KIRA, author, writer for THE WESTERN OUTDOOR NEWS recomended BEMCC very, very highly and stated she was extremely helpful in
emergency situations in mexico for her members.
fortunately, over the past few years, i haven't had the need for her services but have read many testimonials as to her assistance.
the most inexpensive insurance you can get in mexico !
BIEN SALUD, DA RATshari - 9-19-2011 at 08:14 AM
rat...i dont think BEMCC is actually an insurance provider..dont they just assist in getting an insured patient out of mexico faster? still cheap for
the good service they provide.
also, perhaps calling on Carol's expertise was not in vain if she gets some more clients through this ordeal...thus it was not a wasted effort that
she responded.Woooosh - 9-19-2011 at 08:59 AM
Quote:
Originally posted by shari
rat...i dont think BEMCC is actually an insurance provider..dont they just assist in getting an insured patient out of mexico faster? still cheap for
the good service they provide.
also, perhaps calling on Carol's expertise was not in vain if she gets some more clients through this ordeal...thus it was not a wasted effort that
she responded.
True. Same goes for Discover Baja.tripledigitken - 9-19-2011 at 09:02 AM
Who's who
Celia.....BEMCC
Carol....Discover BajaBAJA.DESERT.RAT - 9-19-2011 at 10:41 AM
hola shari,
i used the improper use of the word " insurance " as i didn't mean they are an insurer but a major provider of services to assist those in situations
that a knowledgeable company will come to aid one who needs such services in the event of an emerfgency.
fortunately, i have not had the need of such services that i have had since 2004. once again, i have read testimonials in the past including from gene
kira. fred hoctor ( RIP ) also seems to come to mind ?
both were writers for the western outdoor news.
BIEN SALUD, DA RATAmoPescar - 9-19-2011 at 05:56 PM
Shari...YOU ARE RIGHT!
Binational Emmergency (BEMCC) is NOT INSURANCE!
Their function and service is to give assistance and aid in getting people medical services, and if necessary, evacuation out of the country in the
event of an accident or illness. I believe they can also provide assistance in lining up legal assistance in the event of auto accidents, etc.
Quote:
Originally posted by shari
rat...i dont think BEMCC is actually an insurance provider..dont they just assist in getting an insured patient out of mexico faster? still cheap for
the good service they provide.
MichaelNeal Johns - 9-19-2011 at 09:36 PM
Binational Emmergency (BEMCC) http://www.binationalemergency.org/
Celia Diaz and her organization has been around longer than I have and I am older than than dinosaurs and uglier too. She can arrange to get you back
to the US (which is what most of us want in a medical emergency) far faster than my 200 words of Spanish ever could and has demonstrated it many times
over the years. She is for real. A great organization.
Neal JohnsAmoPescar - 9-19-2011 at 10:01 PM
When I called re: Ron and Cristine, Celia jumped right in immediately! No mention of needing money up front or anything else...just what are their
names and where are they?
Good enough for me
Howard - 9-20-2011 at 06:34 AM
Thank you for your positive feedback on BEMCC. I will join as it is at least worth the peace of mind knowing I would have her in my corner in an
emergency.bill erhardt - 9-20-2011 at 07:02 AM
I, too, learned about BEMCC through Gene Kira. I stopped in the office in Chula Vista to meet Celia and have subscribed to her service for the past 7
- 8 years. If I am ever injured/sick in Baja the first person I want in my corner is Celia. She is the genuine article.shari - 9-20-2011 at 05:36 PM
BEMCC...especially Celia's fast service is just as important and maybe even more so than having insurance....if you cant get to good medical help fast
enough, there may be no need for insurance anyway!!!AmoPescar - 9-22-2011 at 10:33 PM
SHARI...
I agree....You always hear about there being 'A Golden Hour' or amount of time that is critical to survive an injury, gunshot or trauma. The need for
speed (ie: quick evacuation) could mean the difference between life and death and Celia and her team definitely have the expertise and experience to
provide that!
AND...their many testimonials can attest to that!
At just $45.00 a year...It's a LOT of comfort that you'll at least have a chance to beat the clock!
