rocmoc
Tucson, AZ/Mexico
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Joined: 09/30/2006
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Moisheh, I'm not telling anyone if you aren't. I can say woof! Enjoy your summer!
rocmoc n AZ/Mexico
rocmoc n AZ/Mexico
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crandle
Campbell River, BC, Canada
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Joined: 08/09/2002
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As I recall, we paid $1500 - $1600 for six months health insurance from a Canadian provider last winter. I talked to some Canadian ex-patriots in Alamos who had bought into the Mexican Health care system for around $500 per year (I am not sure if this was each or the total for the two of them). Is is possible for us to buy into the Mexican system for the purposes of wintering there, even if we have to pay for the full year? It sounds like it would be much cheaper than what we did last year and I have no problem with the medical care available in Mexico.
* This post was
edited 05/19/08 09:42pm by crandle *
My 2007/2008 Mexico Blog: http://croftstravels.blogspot.com/
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moisheh
North America
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Joined: 05/04/2002
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Crandle: You must have an FM3 to get into the system. I think you also need a permanent address. I am not sure if the coverage is mobile. I dont think you would enjoy going to the clinic at 8 a.m. and seeing a DR. at 4 p.m. or maybe the next day. I could tell you lots of stories about misdiagnosis that was so blatant even I could have diagnosed it correctly. Socialized medicine at it's worst. Perhaps 1 out of 50 clinics is decent. I will say that if you need a specialist they often use Drs. from the private system. You can only apply for coverage at certain dates. Maybe 3 months a year. They do not cover pre existing conditions. Your drug coverage is not through a regular pharmacy. One must go to the clinic and wait to see a Dr. for a prescription. They have a small pharmacy at each clinic. Often the best drug for your ailment is not provided as it is not one that is on their list.
Moisheh
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almcc
Ontario, Canada
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Joined: 01/15/2006
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Crandle, your rates seem a bit high.
We paid just under $900 for 6 months coverage for both of us(one of us has a pre-existing condition which was covered, and the rates dropped from 2006/07 as now they don't consider smoking as a pre-existing condition). I don't know what the escalation is as you get older but you may want to look around for coverage. By the way, I looked at your web site and you look younger than me!!
* This post was
edited 05/20/08 05:34am by almcc *
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geewiz
Canada & Mexico
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Joined: 11/21/2003
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Orion wrote:Yes you can. We are covered under our gold card for the first 31 days after leaving our province (not from when you leave Canada!) after that we arrange ahead of time 'top up' insurance from RBC insurance.
I was just talking to the CIBC Visa folks -- checking out the various card options and their benefits. We have a gold card now and I said how we could use it for the first month of our trips south.
"No way!" they answered. The 31 days coverage applies only to trips that begin and END in Canada within that time. When you go one day over, the coverage is deemed nul for the whole previous month.
Any personal experience with that?
Glen & Susan
and our mascot, Pippin
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moisheh
North America
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Joined: 05/04/2002
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Royal Bank allows you to buy top ups from them or any one else. Change banks!!
Moisheh
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crandle
Campbell River, BC, Canada
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moisheh, talk to Lee about her experiences with the Mexico Health System. She is very pleased with the care they got. Socialism isn't ALWAYS bad!
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moisheh
North America
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crandle: It is hit or miss. That is not a good thing when it comes to health care. Some cities have good IMSS clinics but the majority are brutal. Next time you are in Kino I will take you to the hospital in Calle Doce. You can then form your own opinion. BTW : socialism and socailized medicine SUCK!!!!! But we can discuss that over a beer at the Pasadita!
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moisheh
North America
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IMSS Problems
Crandle: Read the above and then do a Google on Mexico IMSS Problems.
Yes there are some accepatble clinics. But we are not talking about hiring say a carpenter. If you need a carpeneter and had 2 to choose from you might pick the low cost guy. If his work is not up to your standards what is the worst that can happen: you might fire him, you could have someone else finish the job or you could simply not pay him all the monies that are due. Now transpose Doctor to wherever I wrote carpenter. Health care is not something to take lightly. As A Canadian ( yes we even count those from the left coast as canucks) you have access to inexpensive travel health insurance. You can pick from the myriad of private hospitals that offer care that is far superior to any Canadian hospital and maybe better than many USA facilities. If you need to be flown home the insurance will cover that expense. There are lots of good policies in the marketplace. For those under 65 any gold credit card is a good choice as you get 30 days ( each) of coverage at no charge. Try CARP to see one of the better plans.
Moisheh
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rocmoc
Tucson, AZ/Mexico
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Joined: 09/30/2006
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Moisheh, glad to see the ref. to US hospitals. I have a friend who is a Doctor and the local hospital even made treatment mistakes in his case. Luckily HE caught the mistakes and heeled himself. Bottom line is treatment is a risk where ever you are, maybe not in Canada, but always keep a watchful eye on your treatment. The problem is affordability and this where the USA is. There is good treatment if you have the bucks. At least you can get in the door in Mexico and still leave with your shirt.
rocmoc n AZ/Mexico
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