BajaNomad

Mexican Health Care

elizabeth - 3-26-2005 at 03:56 PM

Does anyone who lives full time in Baja have private Mexican medical insurance, and with who, or do you rely on IMSS coverage...US coverage...???

We're trying to figure out whether or not to keep US ridiculously expensive coverage or to go with Mexican coverage.
Any advice would be greatfully appreciated.

Bruce R Leech - 3-26-2005 at 04:46 PM

Elizabeth

It is kinda a apples and oranges situation you cant really compare the two. If you want good coverage I would Keep what you have up there in case you git really sick. and make sure you have air ambulance coverage to git you out of Mexico.

as far as the Mexican insurance goes we had it for a long time but Finlay found it worthless to us. the problem is the time it takes from when you first git sick and the time you Finlay git to see a Doctor that knows what he is doing can be months or even years and sometimes never. In Mexico there are many private doctors and hospitals that have the better doctors and they don't charge much. I have found this the far better way to go. there is no waiting to see the private ones.and the really good doctors wont wast there time working with the insurance and the gov.

hope this helps . if not I'm sure some other Nomads will have good advice.

sorry about the spelling.

No easy answers

Gypsy Jan - 3-26-2005 at 06:21 PM

AIG and ING offer coverage in Mexico, but, according to my most recent information, it's a reimbursement program.

What is offered and how it fits with any U.S. support is an interface that is rapidly changing, you need to call your current provider and ask them.

Health care in San Felipe

Price - 3-27-2005 at 05:40 AM

By the end of this year we will be moving to San Felipe - we will have no American insurance - my husband is taking early retirement & not eligable for medicaid for 3 years - if that will even help - I have heard that the new director of the new hospital in SF is excellent - what is the cost range for rutine care ? Are prescriptions from the US honored ? Both of us are on daily meds - any info will be appreciated

yankeeirishman - 3-27-2005 at 08:58 AM

Hey Bruce...you spelling is great. Better than a lot of my own employees!Dont ever be "sorry".
Quote:
Originally posted by Bruce R Leech
Elizabeth

It is kinda a apples and oranges situation you cant really compare the two. If you want good coverage I would Keep what you have up there in case you git really sick. and make sure you have air ambulance coverage to git you out of Mexico.

as far as the Mexican insurance goes we had it for a long time but Finlay found it worthless to us. the problem is the time it takes from when you first git sick and the time you Finlay git to see a Doctor that knows what he is doing can be months or even years and sometimes never. In Mexico there are many private doctors and hospitals that have the better doctors and they don't charge much. I have found this the far better way to go. there is no waiting to see the private ones.and the really good doctors wont wast there time working with the insurance and the gov.

hope this helps . if not I'm sure some other Nomads will have good advice.

sorry about the spelling.

bajajudy - 3-27-2005 at 09:18 AM

The main problem with not having any insurance is that you cannot get evacuation insurance. I am sorry but if I have something seriously wrong with me I want to be somewhere that I can truly understand what the doctors are saying and can be secure in the fact that all the latest equipment and know-how is available for my treatment. I have an evacuation insurance and mexican policy which will move me to Scrippts in San Diego if necessary.
Having said that, the serivces available here have improved 100 fold since we moved here 5 years ago and I would not hesitate to go to any of the clinics here for minor problems. But I dont think that the rest of the peninsula has caught up with Los Cabos in that respect.
The government hospitals are fine and many of the doctors who work in the clinics are IMSS doctors.
It probably all boils down to what you can afford and what you will feel comfortable with.

elizabeth - 3-27-2005 at 10:26 AM

Thank you everyone...this really helps in decision making.

Mexican Medical

MrBillM - 3-27-2005 at 01:58 PM

This discussion reminds me of an incident years ago with a neighbor of mine. He suffered from High Blood Pressure, among other things, and one night (1a.m.) he came over and banged on my door. His nose was gushing blood and he couldn't get it to stop. Because he was dizzy and weak, he was afraid to drive into town. I drove him into San Felipe and we drove up to the Clinic where the Mexicans went rather than the touirist-related facility downtown.
The nurse examined him, put him in a bed, called the doctor who gave her some medication instructions and said he'd see him in the morning if he didn't get better.
At 10 a.m., feeling better but not having seen a doctor, he checked out. The total bill was $15.00. All worked out well. Of course, if he had been seriously ill, he might have been dead before ever seeing a doctor.