Forums > Areas > Central Highlands

beckidid

Jun 8, 2004, 11:22 AM

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FYI-Cost for Med treatment in SMA

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Just wanted to post this for any interested in emergency medical treatment in SMA.
My parents live in SMA.....but were in Queretero at a new WalMart. While leaving the store, my mom was busy looking over the receipt and didn't notice the grade in the parking lot slanting up. She fell, full-out, flat on her face. Immediately there were many rushing to her to aid. They placed her in a wheel chair, cleaned her up..... all while my Dad is getting the car to take her to the hosp. The pharmacist appeared with her bag and butterflied the gaping cut above her eye and said she definitely needed attention. Her ankle was swelling as well. The store manager wanted to call an ambulance but my mom insisted on going back to SMA so she could go to De la Fey hosp. My Dad phoned ahead to the the De la Fey hosp. where the doctor that has treated my mom for high blood preasure was on call and was just getting ready to leave for the day. He said he would wait. When my parents arrived x-rays were done on her ankle and it was only sprained. However, the Doctor insisted on calling in a plastic surgeon to assess the damage to the area above the eye. The plastic surgeon did his magic and all was well. The total costs for X-rays, hospital visit, doctor, plastic surgeon, and emergency room care was.......$325.00 USD. My parents have had to visit the De la Fey hosp a few times since moving to SMA almost 9 years and they believe it to be one of the best facilities around.
Just thought you'd like to know.
Becki

earlandsuzanne

Jun 9, 2004, 7:25 AM

Post #2 of 12 (4027 views)

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Re: [beckidid] FYI-Cost for Med treatment in SMA

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Does De la Fey hospital take Blue CrossBlue Shield?

beckidid

Jun 9, 2004, 7:32 AM

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Re: [earlandsuzanne] FYI-Cost for Med treatment in SMA

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Not sure..............my bet is that they don't. My parents simply pay the hospital charges and then submit the claim to their insurance and medicare. The insurance and medicare have always paid off on the claims they've made while living in SMA.
Becki

lbc

Jun 9, 2004, 8:11 AM

Post #4 of 12 (4016 views)

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Re: [beckidid] FYI-Cost for Med treatment in SMA

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I walked into La Fe the other day to get a blood test for my Mexican driver's license. Imagine: I did not have to wait. It was as if I had had an appointment. They immediately attended me and I was out of there in 15 minutes minus 50 pesos.
I do have IMSS but was too lazy to go to that part of town to get my blood test.
2 hours later I had my driver's license without having to take a test....

D.G.

Jun 9, 2004, 10:49 AM

Post #5 of 12 (4001 views)

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Re: [earlandsuzanne] FYI-Cost for Med treatment in SMA

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I believe I read recently that BC/BS is taken at the Hospital de la Fe.

Brian

Jun 9, 2004, 5:32 PM

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Re: [D.G.] FYI-Cost for Med treatment in SMA

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Hospital de la Fe is listed as a partner on the BC/BS international webpage. They assist with any necessary pre-authorizations and completion of claims forms. Unfortunately, the patient must still pay the entire bill in full and submit the forms for reimbursement which, in my experience has taken several weeks in processing.

saludos
Brian

Cynthia7

Jun 9, 2004, 8:47 PM

Post #7 of 12 (3964 views)

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Re: [Brian] FYI-Cost for Med treatment in SMA

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My supplement for Medicare paid 80% of my bill for abroken bone in my foot that required surgery-pins and screws-. That was a year ago.Does anyone know if you can -and where- you can get a typhoid shot in SMA?

toroggo

Jun 10, 2004, 10:38 AM

Post #8 of 12 (3938 views)

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Re: [earlandsuzanne] FYI-Cost for Med treatment in SMA

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Check BCBS website. They list their participating hospitals in Mexico.

Carol Schmidt

Jun 10, 2004, 12:52 PM

Post #9 of 12 (3925 views)

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Re: [Cynthia7] FYI-Cost for Med treatment in SMA

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Dr. Delgado at De La Fe is an internal medicine specialist with special interest in infectious diseases, and he would be able to tell you where to get a typhoid shot.

Carol Schmidt

hermano

Jun 10, 2004, 2:08 PM

Post #10 of 12 (3919 views)

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Re: [Cynthia7] FYI-Cost for Med treatment in SMA

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Just learned from my insurance agent that my Medicare supplement (Mutual of Omaha) will pay 80% of my medical needs while abroad up to a lifetime limit of $50,000. This is good to know. I am also checking with an insurance agent in SMA re major medical coverage should I decide to retire there.

Hermano

gurley

Jun 11, 2004, 2:51 PM

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Re: [hermano] FYI-Cost for Med treatment in SMA

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Wow, the Medicare supplement will cover care in Mexico??!! As I understand it, Medicare does NOT covere Mexican health care - but I hadn't even considered if our supplement to Medicare would cover. How great, if it's true!!! Can someone live there full-time and still get this coverage, or does it only cover if you are there for a short period of time?

It really sounds like the private hospital in SMA has treated people very competently and caringly. I work for a hospital in the US - I am very sad that this is not many people's experience in the US.

Rosa
God Bless the World - No Exceptions!

hermano

Jun 11, 2004, 8:23 PM

Post #12 of 12 (3858 views)

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Re: [gurley] FYI-Cost for Med treatment in SMA

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Yes, this is certainly true; and if I can get my hands on my document so stating, I will scan it and send it to you. It only applies to Medicare supplement written in US, since Medicare doesn't itself cover medical care abroad, as I understand it.

Yes, it seems as if Hosital de la Fe is quite competent. I'll spend November in SMA and will check things out, I hope not out of necessity!!

Best wishes.

Hermano