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gpk

Nov 14, 2005, 8:43 AM

Post #1 of 37 (2076 views)

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Flu shot from IMSS

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My partner went to the IMSS hospital this morning to get his flu shot. Must be under 2 years old or over 60. We waited about 45 minutes. They took his height, weight, blood pressure and gave him a blood glucose test to boot. All very pleasant, no problems. Immunizations are the easy part of belonging to IMSS--other services have more hassles.

gypsy

Nov 14, 2005, 10:06 AM

Post #2 of 37 (2044 views)

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Re: [gpk] Flu shot from IMSS

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What hassles? Would you care to give any examples of problems you have had with IMSS? Just curious as I'm going to get the IMSS insurance.

gpk

Nov 14, 2005, 11:52 AM

Post #3 of 37 (2023 views)

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Re: [gypsy] Flu shot from IMSS

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We've really never used our IMSS insurance in 5 years except for the flu shot. The hassles we have had only deal with the waiting and the sometimes indifferent staff. I know some gringos who have used it for several emergency asthma attacks are were very satisfied. I think it is worth the cost, but it involves similar problems as HMOs in the US. We are now "sin restricciones", so we could even get a kidney transpalnt for our approx. US$200 per year fee.

jennifer rose

Nov 14, 2005, 12:07 PM

Post #4 of 37 (2017 views)

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Re: [gpk] Flu shot from IMSS

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Well, I'm over two and under sixty years of age, so I went across the street to the physician for a flu shot. $300 M.N. No wait, no driving, no hassle.

Don

Nov 14, 2005, 12:45 PM

Post #5 of 37 (2002 views)

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Re: [gypsy] Flu shot from IMSS

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I have IMSS for major backup insurance here in Mexico. So far I have only used it for shots. I have gotten shots for hepatitus, pneumonia, tetanus and flu shots. All at no cost. Recently while visiting in Mexico City, I was visiting a patient in Centro Medico de Especialidaded Siglo 21 and asked to get my flu shot. No problem, it took 10 minutes for both the wife and myself to get our shots.
I have "gringo" friends that have used the hospital in Guadalajara for major surgery and were very pleased with the service received. Remember, many of the doctors in IMSS also have private practices, where they charge. They remain apart of IMSS to get the pension.

gpk

Nov 14, 2005, 4:04 PM

Post #6 of 37 (1955 views)

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Re: [jennifer rose] Flu shot from IMSS

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Can you walk across the street for a new kidney? It helps if the doctor is your friend and neighbor. IMSS is certainly not for everyone. If I had money to spare, I'd have a good US based medical policy. As it is, IMSS is my best bet.

Marta R

Nov 14, 2005, 4:47 PM

Post #7 of 37 (1938 views)

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Re: [gpk] Flu shot from IMSS

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I would be very interested to hear from anyone on the Forum who has had a transplant, and is currently living in Mexico. I am curious about getting medical coverage if you come into the country post-transplant, whether anti-rejection drugs are readily available, etc.

It's not just curiosity: my husband wears somebody else's liver. Once my job is over, so is our medical insurance, and keeping him insured is something that keeps me up at nights. We've even talked about his taking up residence in Mexico before our schedule for moving down, just so that any waiting period would elapse before my job is gone.

Marta

Esteban

Nov 14, 2005, 7:09 PM

Post #8 of 37 (1907 views)

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Re: [gpk] Flu shot from IMSS

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To qualify for most private medical insurance plans in the US, you can't have pre existing conditions. If you don't have pre existing conditions, I'm wondering why you don't have private Mexican medical insurance? It's FAR superior to IMSS.

Don

Nov 14, 2005, 7:39 PM

Post #9 of 37 (1899 views)

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Re: [Marta Randall] Flu shot from IMSS

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If your husband is not yet 65 years of age, he can't get Medicare Part B when he turns 65 and he will have a window of opportunity to sign up for a private supplemental policy with or without a preexisting conditions. Of course this coverage is only good in the U.S.

Marta R

Nov 14, 2005, 8:10 PM

Post #10 of 37 (1891 views)

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Re: [Don] Flu shot from IMSS

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That's a good suggestion -- thanks. We're hoping that by the time he turns 65 (in 5 years) we'll be happily ensconced in Michoacan.

Marta

Miguel Palomares

Nov 15, 2005, 1:43 PM

Post #11 of 37 (1823 views)

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Re: [gypsy] Flu shot from IMSS

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Gypsy, do a General Forum search with the keywords:

Screams from IMSS.
From Tzurumutaro, Michoacan, "The Village of the Darned."
_______________________________________

The nuts and bolts of moving to Mexico:
http://michaeldickson.blogspot.com/
The dark side of living in Mexico:
http://mexicopeeks.blogspot.com/
Scintillating life in a Mexican pueblo:
http://tzurumutaro.blogspot.com/
http://tzurumutaro2.blogspot.com/

gpk

Nov 15, 2005, 3:38 PM

Post #12 of 37 (1796 views)

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Re: [Don] Flu shot from IMSS

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I have many friends who are doctors at various IMSS hospitals. Yes, they get a pension, but they really work at IMSS because it is a steady job with good working hours (usually), good vacations (about 6-8 weeks a year), a good source of referrals to their private practices, and--according to those I know--the best surgeons in Mexico.

MazDee

Nov 15, 2005, 7:55 PM

Post #13 of 37 (1759 views)

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Re: [Miguel Palomares] Flu shot from IMSS

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Maybe in Patzcuaro it is not good. In Mazatlan it seems to work fine, and what gpk said is what I hear here. (Ain't the English language interesting?) I hope nobody gets freaked out about those earlier comments you made, Miguel. IMSS is a pretty good system, they have excellent doctors, it is CHEAP and may be all that some expats can afford. The doctors who have practices at Sharp Hospital (our best and most expensive here in Maz) also work for IMSS. So, to the others reading this, please don't listen to one story! BTW, Senor, I want to meet you next time I visit my friends in Patzcuaro. You are now tied with Bubba as my favorite way to start the day. A cup of coffee and Miguel and Bubba. Dee

Bloviator

Nov 16, 2005, 4:51 AM

Post #14 of 37 (1733 views)

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Re: [MazDee] Flu shot from IMSS

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Do you know if Sharp hospital is affiliated with the Sharp Hospital system in San Diego?

Miguel Palomares

Nov 16, 2005, 5:05 AM

Post #15 of 37 (1730 views)

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Re: [MazDee] Flu shot from IMSS

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Those two (not one) horror stories did not happen in Patzcuaro but in IMSS hospitals in Morelia, the state capital. And they happened to people I know well. They are not second-hand stories. From what I have heard and read, IMSS hospitals vary widely and wildly. Like all things in Mexico, it depends on where you are. It is a crapshoot. I roll the dice with some things, but not my health.

Thanks for the compliment. But I am far more entertaining than Bubba. Yep, it is true. Other people could be entertaining, too. They just do not bother with it. Some of us have too much time on our hands, I suppose.
From Tzurumutaro, Michoacan, "The Village of the Darned."
_______________________________________

The nuts and bolts of moving to Mexico:
http://michaeldickson.blogspot.com/
The dark side of living in Mexico:
http://mexicopeeks.blogspot.com/
Scintillating life in a Mexican pueblo:
http://tzurumutaro.blogspot.com/
http://tzurumutaro2.blogspot.com/

Ed and Fran

Nov 16, 2005, 5:18 AM

Post #16 of 37 (1725 views)

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Re: [Miguel Palomares] Flu shot from IMSS

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"And they happened to people I know well. They are not second-hand stories. "

Not to be too picky, but to you they may not be second hand stories, because the people that experienced them told you directly. But when you relate someone else's experience to us it becomes, by definition, second hand.

We always have to use a bit of judgement in deciding just how entertaining any particular poster is being at any time.

Regards

E&F

Don

Nov 16, 2005, 7:30 AM

Post #17 of 37 (1702 views)

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Re: [Miguel Palomares] Flu shot from IMSS

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"Like all things in Mexico, it depends on where you are. It is a crapshoot."

Then I guess you believe the above statement holds true for all medical care.

Miguel Palomares

Nov 16, 2005, 7:45 AM

Post #18 of 37 (1695 views)

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Re: [Don] Flu shot from IMSS

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Then I guess you believe the above statement holds true for all medical care.

Seems to work pretty much that way with all governmental things, does it not? That would include IMSS.

I have a surgeon-internist with an office in Star Medica in Morelia. He also is a professor at the medical school. I have total confidence in him, plus he has the best bedside manner of any doc I have known in my life. Cushy office, no waiting. Costs a bit more, true. Vale la pena.

Star Medica is a new fancy-pants hospital in Morelia. I have had some outpatient things done there. Always totally satisfied and content. I expect to check out there one day in the distant future, if Geena Davis never shows up.
From Tzurumutaro, Michoacan, "The Village of the Darned."
_______________________________________

The nuts and bolts of moving to Mexico:
http://michaeldickson.blogspot.com/
The dark side of living in Mexico:
http://mexicopeeks.blogspot.com/
Scintillating life in a Mexican pueblo:
http://tzurumutaro.blogspot.com/
http://tzurumutaro2.blogspot.com/

Miguel Palomares

Nov 16, 2005, 7:48 AM

Post #19 of 37 (1693 views)

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Re: [Ed and Fran] Flu shot from IMSS

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But when you relate someone else's experience to us it becomes, by definition, second hand.

You have it right! And when you tell somebody else the same yarn, it would be third hand. And on down the line that way. Third, fourth, fifth, etc.
From Tzurumutaro, Michoacan, "The Village of the Darned."
_______________________________________

The nuts and bolts of moving to Mexico:
http://michaeldickson.blogspot.com/
The dark side of living in Mexico:
http://mexicopeeks.blogspot.com/
Scintillating life in a Mexican pueblo:
http://tzurumutaro.blogspot.com/
http://tzurumutaro2.blogspot.com/

Don

Nov 16, 2005, 7:55 AM

Post #20 of 37 (1689 views)

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Re: [Miguel Palomares] Flu shot from IMSS

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"Seems to work pretty much that way with all governmental things, does it not?'

I would have to say yes, but that also holds true with the private sector.

Gringal

Nov 16, 2005, 7:56 AM

Post #21 of 37 (1688 views)

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Re: [Miguel Palomares] Flu shot from IMSS

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Whether or not Bubba is entertaining or not depends on his state of mind when he's posting. You, of course, are always entertaining. However, I must take issue with you on the matter of anecdotal evidence leading to a generalized opinion of IMSS.

Just about everyone can relate a medical horror story that either happened to them or to someone they know. This is not limited to Mexico or to the IMSS. I could give you a couple of them that happened to me and to my husband in a well-funded private hospital and medical group in the state of California. Doctors and hosptals don't work "on contingency". You, your insurance or your survivors pay whether you "win" or not. Even highly rated hospitals and doctors make mistakes.

Speaking of flu shots, I understand there's a shortage stateside. No problem two weeks ago at the SMA hospital De La Fe, but they aren't advertising availability as they did last year.

(This post was edited by Gringal on Nov 16, 2005, 8:02 AM)

Miguel Palomares

Nov 16, 2005, 8:17 AM

Post #22 of 37 (1682 views)

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Re: [Gringal] Flu shot from IMSS

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I must take issue with you on the matter of anecdotal evidence leading to a generalized opinion of IMSS.

True to all you said. However, the bottom line is that IMSS (as I understand it) is primarily a system for government employees (who earn squat, usually) and poor people in general. I have never walked near one (in Patz and Morelia) and not seen hordes of people milling about. Who wants that? Assembly-line care. Not me. It is like a charity hospital in the U.S.

Where I go in Morelia there is no wait, pleasant surroundings, etc. And it does not cost that much more. It is cheap, compared to comparable care in the U.S. I have no health insurance here and do not feel that I need it.

Tomorrow, I will pass by Star Medica, waltz into Urgencias and request a flu shot. Barring riot or revolution, I will get punched, charged a pittance, and out I go. IMSS indeed!
From Tzurumutaro, Michoacan, "The Village of the Darned."
_______________________________________

The nuts and bolts of moving to Mexico:
http://michaeldickson.blogspot.com/
The dark side of living in Mexico:
http://mexicopeeks.blogspot.com/
Scintillating life in a Mexican pueblo:
http://tzurumutaro.blogspot.com/
http://tzurumutaro2.blogspot.com/

MazDee

Nov 16, 2005, 9:51 AM

Post #23 of 37 (1664 views)

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Re: [dlyman6500] Flu shot from IMSS

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I understand it is not affiliated with Sharp in San Diego. It may have been at one time. Really don't know.

Esteban

Nov 16, 2005, 10:34 AM

Post #24 of 37 (1652 views)

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Re: [MazDee] Flu shot from IMSS

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Yes Sharp's in Maz has nothing to do with the one in San Diego.

Sharps is not necessarily the best in Mazatlan. The building is impressive but they actually have less beds than the highly acclaimed Clinica del Mar. Also, Clinica del Mar is in the process of building a state of the art heart facility. They will be able to do bypasses which are not done by ANYONE in the Mazatlan area.

As to IMSS, you'll find that the lower level care is pretty atrocious compared to private Mexican insurance. There are long waits, you may or may not get the same doctor and like someone mentioned here, it was designed for the average Mexican worker. They are overloaded and overcrowded. You may or may not get good care.

Gringal

Nov 16, 2005, 10:52 AM

Post #25 of 37 (1646 views)

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Re: [Esteban] Flu shot from IMSS

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Who is your private insurance carrier and do you consider it expensive? (I realize costs depend on your age and medical condition.) The plans I have examined seem expensive. So far, I am self-insured but wouldn't mind changing that. The more I hear about IMSS, the less I want it.

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