BajaNomad

Seguro Popular..is it for everyone???

EnsenadaDr - 9-30-2011 at 09:50 PM

As persons living in Mexico, whether Mexican or other nationality, we have the right to healthcare and emergency care...what are US born residents living in Mexico paying for basic coverage such as Seguro Popular or Seguro Social???

Seguro popular

C-Urchin - 9-30-2011 at 10:19 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by EnsenadaDr
As persons living in Mexico, whether Mexican or other nationality, we have the right to healthcare and emergency care...what are US born residents living in Mexico paying for basic coverage such as Seguro Popular or Seguro Social???


It was explained to me that Seguro popular is for older than 60 individuals legally residing in Mx. Seguro social is for the rest and also older people. They cover basic stuff. I am investigating this as well, all info is welcomed.:light:

Bajachillin - 9-30-2011 at 11:15 PM

Have had it for almost a year. Just over $500 for the two of us. And I wasn't 60 until yesterday.

For any age...

EnsenadaDr - 10-1-2011 at 12:18 AM

Thanks for the input...actually I see all ages in my rural office that have Seguro Popular...but I didn't know the prices for
Americans...that price would be in pesos...would it not be???
Quote:
Originally posted by Bajachillin
Have had it for almost a year. Just over $500 for the two of us. And I wasn't 60 until yesterday.
t

Seguro Popular covers emergency services as well...

EnsenadaDr - 10-1-2011 at 12:24 AM

Seguro Popular covers emergency services as well...it actually is a good program..I refer hard to handle cases to Internal Medicine and other specialists if need be..even to the Emergency room at the local General Hospital..all medication is included...in fact, any American can walk into a clinic and emergency services and be treated for a nominal charge as part of the National health program in Mexico...
Quote:
Originally posted by C-Urchin
Quote:
Originally posted by EnsenadaDr
As persons living in Mexico, whether Mexican or other nationality, we have the right to healthcare and emergency care...what are US born residents living in Mexico paying for basic coverage such as Seguro Popular or Seguro Social???


It was explained to me that Seguro popular is for older than 60 individuals legally residing in Mx. Seguro social is for the rest and also older people. They cover basic stuff. I am investigating this as well, all info is welcomed.:light:

rhintransit - 10-1-2011 at 06:58 AM

last year a number of local gringos tried to apply for Seguro Popular and were told that it was 'only for Mexicans' per instructions of Loreto's penultimate 'ruler' Yan Yee. we have a new administration now, will check around to see if anyone has applied this year.

[Edited on 10-1-2011 by rhintransit]

Thanks for the info....

EnsenadaDr - 10-1-2011 at 07:09 AM

I will go to the city administration office to report this, just the other day an American friend of mine walked in and we gave her an injection for pain relief but in fact in my local training at the clinic my boss told me that any American uninsured can walk in and have a free consultation but has to buy the medication..which at Farmacias Similares are usually dirt cheap...anyway it helps to get the prescription because now you need a prescription for antibiotics...
Quote:
Originally posted by rhintransit
last year a number of local gringos tried to apply for Seguro Popular and were told that it was 'only for Mexicans' per instructions of Loreto's penultimate 'ruler' Yan Yee. we have a new administration now, will check around to see if anyone has applied this year.

[Edited on 10-1-2011 by rhintransit]

volcano - 10-1-2011 at 07:27 AM

how and where does one apply for either service catagory? (in San Jose Area)

shari - 10-1-2011 at 08:00 AM

One issue to consider with seguro popular is where you live and where the closest seguro popular hospital is. For example here in Asuncion, if something happens to you and you need an x-ray or to get to a better hospital FAST, you have to go all the way to Sta.Rosalia as the hospital in Guerrero Negro doesnt accept seguro popular.

Mengano - 10-1-2011 at 09:18 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by EnsenadaDr
Seguro Popular covers emergency services as well...it actually is a good program..I refer hard to handle cases to Internal Medicine and other specialists if need be..even to the Emergency room at the local General Hospital..all medication is included...in fact, any American can walk into a clinic and emergency services and be treated for a nominal charge as part of the National health program in Mexico...


Well, I guess it just didn't work out for this Bajagringo fellow. From what I read here, the coverage sounds kind of "iffy" to me. Maybe it was because he did not "walk into a clinic" but was carried into a private clinic instead?

Pescador - 10-1-2011 at 01:07 PM

In Santa Rosalia, it is very easy to apply for Seguro Popular. You must have a CURP card with a correct number first, then you go with your passport and do an application. The fee is based on age and income. You need to understand that it is not exactly the same as a US based Health Insurance Policy, but does provide good coverage for the money.
Here is the website:

http://www.seguro-popular.salud.gob.mx/

Not iffy...

EnsenadaDr - 10-1-2011 at 01:32 PM

Cristina had Seguro Popular from what I understand and she was sent to Hospital General Ensenada..and came out ok..if you get seriously ill or injured the ambulance is covered..to the nearest hospital but not to the border..I work with the insurance everyday and the more experience I have with it the more I realize that socialized medicine is not that bad...of course I am an extremely aggressive doctor and I never wait if something canīt be resolved, I refer my patients to specialists immediately..many of my patients say that their previous physicians did nothing to help them..so it depends on the doctor you have as well, the woman I talked about walking in and having to pay for medication did not have Seguro Popular..but she was seen anyway and given an injection...ANYONE can walk into a clinic with or without Seguro Popular and can be seen...
Quote:
Originally posted by Mengano
Quote:
Originally posted by EnsenadaDr
Seguro Popular covers emergency services as well...it actually is a good program..I refer hard to handle cases to Internal Medicine and other specialists if need be..even to the Emergency room at the local General Hospital..all medication is included...in fact, any American can walk into a clinic and emergency services and be treated for a nominal charge as part of the National health program in Mexico...


Well, I guess it just didn't work out for this Bajagringo fellow. From what I read here, the coverage sounds kind of "iffy" to me. Maybe it was because he did not "walk into a clinic" but was carried into a private clinic instead?

redmesa - 10-1-2011 at 04:37 PM

What is a CURP card?

DianaT - 10-1-2011 at 04:54 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by redmesa
What is a CURP card?


From what we understand, it is an identification document. If we do decide to sell our place, we were told we needed one and planned on obtaining one.

On last years FM3 card, there was a place for the CURP number, but they just left it blank.

This year when we renewed our FM3 card in GN, they just gave us a number and the paperwork, so we now have a CURP without any additional paper work.

redmesa - 10-1-2011 at 08:20 PM

Thanks Diane, I will look at my FM3...yet another number I did not know I had or needed. The card and number game seems endless.

Pescador - 10-2-2011 at 05:44 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by redmesa
What is a CURP card?


Diane is close to right. It is a national identification number that you will need if you sign up for a cell phone, Seguro Popular, and a host of other things. It is supposed to be listed on your FM2 or FM3 but they have taken the shortcut and just put in a number, but in fact this is not the correct number. You need to go to the office which handles that registration. In Santa Rosalia it was in the the town square offices. It is officially called the Clave Unica De Tegistro De Poblacion.
When I got my cell phone, they could not hook it up until I gave them my CURP number. When I went to get Seguro Popular at the office in the hospital, I was told that the CURP number on my FM2 was not correct and that I needed to get a correct one.

Now, that may mean that in Diane's case the Immigration office is tied in to the CURP registration, but my experience was that they were in fact not, so you may want to double check. "Mexican Interagency Agreement", I doubt it but it is possible.

[Edited on 10-2-2011 by Pescador]

MitchMan - 10-2-2011 at 07:06 AM

It appears that Seguro Popular is a type of low cost medical insurance coverage that is intended for lower income people (including non residents) that covers out patient and in-hospital major medical items including surgery, medications, emergency care, and catastrophic illness... but... not at the generally higher level of care private hospitals, only at public, lesser quality and equiped hospitals.

Assuming I am correct about Seguro Popular, is there an alternative affordable type of medical insurance coverage availale to non-residents that covers all those things mentioned above but will also cover costs at BOTH the public and the higher quality private hospitals and be willingly accepted by the higher quality private hospitals?

[Edited on 10-2-2011 by MitchMan]

tripledigitken - 10-2-2011 at 07:19 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by Pescador
Quote:
Originally posted by redmesa
What is a CURP card?


Diane is close to right. It is a national identification number that you will need if you sign up for a cell phone, Seguro Popular, and a host of other things. It is supposed to be listed on your FM2 or FM3 but they have taken the shortcut and just put in a number, but in fact this is not the correct number. You need to go to the office which handles that registration. In Santa Rosalia it was in the the town square offices. It is officially called the Clave Unica De Tegistro De Poblacion.
When I got my cell phone, they could not hook it up until I gave them my CURP number. When I went to get Seguro Popular at the office in the hospital, I was told that the CURP number on my FM2 was not correct and that I needed to get a correct one.

Now, that may mean that in Diane's case the Immigration office is tied in to the CURP registration, but my experience was that they were in fact not, so you may want to double check. "Mexican Interagency Agreement", I doubt it but it is possible.

[Edited on 10-2-2011 by Pescador]


Pescador,

The requirement to have a CURP number to get you cell phone activated must be a new policy. When I purchased my Mexican cell phone a couple of years ago it wasn't required. When I purchased minutes at Tel Cel in Loreto in Feb. they just asked to see my Passport.

To get a CURP number you have to have an FM2/3, that means no purchase of Mexican cell phones by tourists with only temporary visas? Can that right?

Ken

SFandH - 10-2-2011 at 08:20 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by MitchMan
is there an alternative affordable type of medical insurance coverage availale to non-residents that covers all those things mentioned above but will also cover costs at BOTH the public and the higher quality private hospitals and be willingly accepted by the higher quality private hospitals?

[Edited on 10-2-2011 by MitchMan]


I think anybody can buy insurance from a company like the following that will be accepted at the best Mexican private hospitals and it will most probably be a lot cheaper than comparable coverage in the US.

Not sure though, just guessing.

http://axa.mx/Personas/AxaSeguros/default.aspx

I'm glad this thread is here, I'm gathering info on medical insurance in Mexico.

EnsenadaDr - 10-3-2011 at 12:13 AM

CURP card is needed to register a Mexican child in school, I had to get one to work in Mexico. I personally wouldn't say the private hospitals were much better than the public, the next step up would be to cross the border back into the Motherland...

greengoes - 10-3-2011 at 12:55 AM

Link to look up your CURP
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CURP......haz cliq aqui

redmesa - 10-3-2011 at 09:00 AM

Surprise, I have a CURP card. I found it after looking through all my Mexican papers. I guess I thought it was just another receipt.

Pescador - 10-3-2011 at 11:55 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by greengoes
Link to look up your CURP
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V
CURP......haz cliq aqui

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That is one of the places we get into trouble here. The requirments for kthe state of Baja California and Baja California Sur are sometimes different and it is easy to think of Baja as one place, whereas the dividing line is really the 28th parallel.