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Villa de RQ

Oct 1, 2003, 10:12 AM

Post #1 of 11 (1010 views)

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Health Insurance

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Thanks to JR the forums have been cleared up and cleaned up.

I know everyones health insurance tends to be a personal matter so I seek general responses

Regarding health insurance while residing in Mexico; I feel my costs of drugs and an occasional doctor, dentist visit will be far less than the monthly premium for insurance so I would not carry insurance. However, for a major event I would travel to the USA and use medicare, medicaid. I also would take the medicare plan B supplement insurance which is about $125/ month to cover what medicare does not cover.

Is my strategy sound or flawed? I invite ALL comments to help me make a decision.

D.G.

Oct 1, 2003, 12:15 PM

Post #2 of 11 (986 views)

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Re: [berniegu] Health Insurance

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Insurance is what I buy for major events, not for "incidentals" of no major financial consequence in the long run. Your idea sounds fine, until I read that you would come to the U.S. for "something major." My question is, what if the something major made it impossible to come to the U.S. ? Then what?

What if you were hit by a truck crossing a highway, or had something fall on you that crushed your leg, or you had a heart attack? I wouldn't count on the fact that I could get to the U.S. to fix major problems. That could happen only if you had a longer lead time, than these things which could happen suddenly, incapacitate you, and render your life at risk.

I think you need something always available to you where you are, for major life threatening events.

Villa de RQ

Oct 1, 2003, 1:30 PM

Post #3 of 11 (963 views)

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Re: [D.G.] Health Insurance

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D.G.

Would you like to share with me in an open reply or PM what type insurance is available for just major events at a reasonable cost?

You made a good point and did identify a flaw in my strategy.

Thanks.

jennifer rose

Oct 1, 2003, 3:49 PM

Post #4 of 11 (947 views)

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Re: [berniegu] Health Insurance

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You have several options -- private insurance, IMSS, and self-insurance.

Among private insurance plans are those which provide coverage anywhere in the world as well as only in Mexico, some which allow the insured to select service providers, and those which have preferred providers, just as in the U.S. AllNation http://www.allnation.com is the company which purchased Blue Cross Blue Shield International, and if you drill deep enough into their site, you can find their premiums.

Your needs sound as as if they would be best served by a private Mexican health insurance plan. Seguros La Comercial, Grupo Nacional Provincial http://www.gnp.com.mx and Inbursa http://www.segurosinbursa.com.mx/ are major health insurance providers, and each offers a range of plans. The less costly plans limit an insured's selection of hospitals.

Do a search of this site using the terms "health," and you'll come up with plenty of resources. There are insurance brokers in Mexico who handle multiple providers, and a broker should be able to help you find the policy that best meets your needs.

Around the Lake Chapala, a lot of foreigners use IMSS. Not as many seem to do so outside of that area. I would be hesitant to recommend IMSS, just because I don't like socialized medicine, but it's probably better than nothing if you're looking at catastrophic coverage.

Don

Oct 1, 2003, 7:14 PM

Post #5 of 11 (918 views)

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Re: [berniegu] Health Insurance

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Bernie:

That is a question only you can answer as you know your medical history. In my case, I maintain Medicare Part A & B plus a supplemental policy in the U.S., which I use when I am there. I also have IMSS in Mexico for a major backup here, but I go to and pay private doctors when necessary. The reason for all this coverage is my past medical condition, that was diagnosed here in Mexico., prior to my turning 65. They were the ones that recommended I return to the U.S. for treatment as my old insurance coverage still had two more months to go, before it would have expired and that was the best place for treatment. If you have a preexisting condition, you can get the Medicare Part , plus a supplemental within a certain time frame; after you turn 65., no questions asked. I had IMSS before the condition so, no problem in maintaining that coverage. I go to and pay for a private local doctor, as he is super and knows his business. If my previous condition returns, my expenses would be huge, without the current coverage I maintain.

But like I said, only you can make that determination, as I had to make mine.

Villa de RQ

Oct 2, 2003, 5:56 AM

Post #6 of 11 (888 views)

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Re: [Don] Health Insurance

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Thank you Don and all who replied in PM. Yes, it is a personal decision and ya'll have helped me make mine.

Thanks to MexConnect for being such a valuable source of information.

TomG

Oct 2, 2003, 12:32 PM

Post #7 of 11 (835 views)

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Re: [berniegu] Health Insurance

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As you describe your idea your gap is in covering a major medical event that might be so severe that you are unable to go to the USA and get your Medicare coverage. That is very simply solved with medical evacuation insurance, like SkyMed, at $300/yr for a couple (less for an individual). They will fly you to Harvard, if that is your desire.

Esteban

Oct 2, 2003, 4:09 PM

Post #8 of 11 (805 views)

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Re: [TomG] Health Insurance

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I am real skeptical of these "medivac" services that are available. I'd be sure and check out the details of their service. Can you believe there is a jet, all set up for you at all hours of the day and night, just to fly you to anywhere in the US? And at a cost of $300? READ the details before you buy. Remember too that if you aren't stable to travel, there aren't many hospitals that will release you nor are there many "medivac" services that will have the equipment nor personnel to take you if you are in a critical condition. You might consider a Mexican Medical Insurance that will cover your expenses at a good hospital IN MEXICO and forget the B.S. trip up north. Grupo Imburso Financial has what looks like a good set of health insurance policies that may suit your purpose.

Villa de RQ

Oct 3, 2003, 6:25 AM

Post #9 of 11 (762 views)

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Re: [Esteban] Health Insurance

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I posted the message asking for critique of my strategy for health insurance in Mexico.

I have to tell you the replies I have received via standard reply or private reply are truly innovative. Many have shared personal data that is helpful and is Private.

I would conclude from the information and many options available that health insurance should never be a barrier to relocating to Mexico.

Many thanks for all the great ideas.

Oct 3, 2003, 6:50 AM

Post #10 of 11 (755 views)

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Re: [berniegu] Health Insurance

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Quote

berniegu writes:
....I have to tell you the replies I have received via standard reply or private reply are truly innovative. Many have shared personal data that is helpful and is Private....

It would benefit many others, such as myself if you could post bullet summaries of the options and ideas that were offered, removing identifying and/or sensitive information such as specific medical conditions.

Thanks.

believer111

Oct 3, 2003, 6:29 PM

Post #11 of 11 (672 views)

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Re: [berniegu] Health Insurance

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It would be so very helpful if you could supply us all with a compendium of the information you have gathered through your private post sources...eliminating personal/private info, but sharing with us all the basics you have so deligently obtained.

This is a substantially important issue and I for one would be most grateful for thus far compiled information. I'm sure others agree that you would be doing a great service to all of us.

Dios le bendiga,
hermana greta