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leegleze

Jan 26, 2011, 8:32 AM

Post #1 of 12 (4601 views)

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IMSS Health Care for over 60s

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I've lived in Mexico on an FM3 with a CURP number for more than a decade. I am now over 60. A younger friend just told me that she had heard one can get IMSS insurance for free if you're over 60. Is this true?
~ Roxana in Bucerias ~

Casa

Jan 26, 2011, 9:51 AM

Post #2 of 12 (4573 views)

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Re: [leegleze] IMSS Health Care for over 60s

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If you are referring to “voluntary affiliation or membership”, In a word, no that is not true. It is not free for the over 60 crowd. In fact at IMSS the older you are the more you pay and 60 and over is the highest price point…

I believe the current prices are below…. Please feel free to correct me if someone has other information.

Costos anuales en moneda nacional
El costo es de acuerdo a la edad en años cumplidos.
• De 0 a 19 años la cuota total en moneda nacional es de $1,146.65.
• De 20 a 39 la cuota total en moneda nacional es de $1,340.10.
• De 40 a 59 la cuota total en moneda nacional es de $2,003.05.
• De 60 en adelante la cuota total en moneda nacional es de $3,014.20.

Even the lower cost option Seguro Popular for low income people and families has a cost. (It is done on a sliding scale according to income, there are some VERY low income families that MAY qualify for free care)

There is also the INAPAM card that offers discounts with participating partners, including health services

IMPORTANT: If you are not referring to the Voluntary IMSS Membership and are referring to the Compulsory IMSS Membership the laws are different.

If you qualify under the 1973 IMSS Laws or the 1997 IMSS laws and were a worker during the required periods there are different benefits including a pension. The laws have different minimum requirements for weeks worked, (paid into the system) for different benefits. (Similar to Medicare/ social security in the US or Canadian OAS)

So your friend may know someone who is over 60 and gets IMMS for free. But this does not mean that anyone over 60 gets IMSS for free.

leegleze

Jan 28, 2011, 8:07 AM

Post #3 of 12 (4415 views)

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Re: [Casa] IMSS Health Care for over 60s

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Wow! Thanks ever so much for your informative reply! Here is some more info from Puerto Vallarta Healthcare Resources which may help others taking this route:
IMSS (Seguro Social)

Price for Ages

0 to 19 years

1,146.65 pesos per year

20 to 39 years

1,340.10 pesos per year

40 to 59 years

2,003.05 per year

More than 60 years

3,014.20 per year

Requirements:

You must sign up with a blood relative or spouse (proof of relation required including marriage license, etc). NOTE: Sometimes this can be “waived”.
You must show birth certificate.
You must have original ID (passport, FM3)
You must be able to prove that you live in Puerto Vallarta year round (full-time).
Two photographs
Official questionnaire filled out.

No physical exam required BUT should you be untruthful about pre-existing conditions and symptoms arise and you are treated, you will be dropped from the IMSS immediately.
You must not have any of the following pre-existing conditions:

Allergies or Asthma
Chronic blood disease
Cancer-Tumors
Diabetes with renal insufficiency, retinopathy, neuropathy, insufficient circulation.
Heart disease
Liver disease
Chronic psychiatric disease
High blood pressure
Arthritis Rheumatoid
TB
Stomach ulcers
AIDS
HIV Positive
Congenital diseases
Chronic bronchitis
History of cerebral vascular disease
Deformities
Alcoholism
Drug addiction

Some things to remember:

No one at IMSS speaks English
Anything “major” is usually done, or patient transferred, to Guadalajara.
Most studies (such as mammograms, etc) are done in Guadalajara. In many cases they provide the transportation.
Most common medications are included in the service.
Official forms must be obtained and filled out correctly.
You must use their services at least one time in the first six months or you will be automatically dropped.

HealthCare Resources can assist you with all of the application process, obtaining forms, submission, etc. There is a 500 peso charge to do this.

For further information, please contact:
Emmanuel Gonzales Cell: 044 322 133 0867 or Nextel 1451295
~ Roxana in Bucerias ~

wiloran

Jan 28, 2011, 8:24 AM

Post #4 of 12 (4410 views)

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Re: [leegleze] IMSS Health Care for over 60s

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Perhaps it's different in Nayarit. Philo's recently had a guest speaker who works at IMSS who said that you do not have to be married or otherwise legally related to apply. He stated that friends may apply together. I have unmarried friends in La Cruz who had no problem applying and were not asked about their relationship.

One question that someone asked at the presentation that was not clearly answered is "What if you have been treated for something in the past (example: high blood pressure), you lost weight, excercised and now have normal pressure? Skin cancer could be an example, too. You were treated in the past and are now considered cured?" Has anyone had any experience with similar situations?

tonynico

Jan 28, 2011, 3:35 PM

Post #5 of 12 (4341 views)

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Re: [wiloran] IMSS Health Care for over 60s

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I heard that you could have pre existing conditions but you would have to wait a period of time before those conditions would be covered.
The above post conflicts can anyone shed light on this.

Thanks
Tony

joaquinx

Jan 28, 2011, 4:29 PM

Post #6 of 12 (4328 views)

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Re: [leegleze] IMSS Health Care for over 60s

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Quote

No physical exam required BUT should you be untruthful about pre-existing conditions and symptoms arise and you are treated, you will be dropped from the IMSS immediately.

How does IMSS determine if you have been untruthful? You could be experiencing a new condition or you could see a private doctor for treatment and then after six months or so, go see the doctor at IMSS.

La Isla

Jan 28, 2011, 6:01 PM

Post #7 of 12 (4301 views)

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Re: [leegleze] IMSS Health Care for over 60s

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You must sign up with a blood relative or spouse (proof of relation required including marriage license, etc). NOTE: Sometimes this can be “waived”.

This is not true in Mexico City. I have an American friend here, a single guy in his forties, who signed up on his own, no blood relatives here and no spouse.

leegleze

Jan 29, 2011, 6:24 AM

Post #8 of 12 (4251 views)

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Re: [La Isla] IMSS Health Care for over 60s

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"You must sign up with a blood relative or spouse (proof of relation required including marriage license, etc). NOTE: Sometimes this can be “waived”." ________________________________________________________________________________________________ I understood the above to mean that, if you had a spouse or another family member who intended to sign up as well, you must do so together, so that all family records would be kept together. I can't imagine that, just because a person is single with no family, they are not eligible. I think a lot is lost in the translation of the original Spanish IMSS regulations.
~ Roxana in Bucerias ~

tonynico

Jan 29, 2011, 9:05 AM

Post #9 of 12 (4209 views)

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Re: [La Isla] IMSS Health Care for over 60s

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My wife had cancer 8yrs ago and knock on wood and thank God she is ok. I was told that after a period of years I think 3 that condition would be covered but she could still get IMSS for everything else.

Can anyone shed light on this

Thanks
Tony

mazbook1

Jan 29, 2011, 12:53 PM

Post #10 of 12 (4176 views)

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Re: [leegleze] IMSS Health Care for over 60s

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leegleze, A good friend and his lady friend (with separate FM3s, since they weren't married) had this problem. He consulted his Mexican attorney, then went to the local Registro Civil and registered the lady friend as his "concubina" and she was covered under his IMSS policy. It is my understanding that, at least with foreigners, this is something that IMSS no longer does, as each is required to register and pay individually, but even that is quite a bargain, even if it's only done to cover major medical problems.

rockydog85251

Jan 29, 2011, 3:39 PM

Post #11 of 12 (4139 views)

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Re: [mazbook1] IMSS Health Care for over 60s

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I have just this past Wed., started the process of joining IMSS! I say started because there was much tooing & froing - started at the subdelegation office & was told I could not join by myself since I was married (I am a Mexican citizen - he is not)...after a few words, she said I needed a letter stating he was not requesting/needing coverage since is is 80 - asked for a format that they would like to have & she ended up doing the letter- saw 3 people there.......sent to the bank to pay.........back to the subdelegation, original lady....she then said I had to go to Clinic 19 to make an appointment for lab work & physical.......went ripping across town to do this.....got to the appointment window but they couldn't find me in the computer even though I had computer generated paperwodk..........sent up stairs........found a young man who took me to the jefe's office........he filled out a form requesting blood work, etc & said I had to go to the main hospital.......went ripping across town in a different direction, found a parking lot.....got to the appointment for the lab but again was directed upstairs
....the lady took the paperwork & disappeared into an office - finally came back & said to go directly to the lab to make an appointment.........got into that line which actually moved fast......got my appointment FINALLY!!!! I am to be there at 7:10 a.m. but was told I should probably show up about 6 am!!!!!! The cost for me as a single person over 60 was a bit over $3,300 pesos. Will advise later how it goes later next week..............
Willie

Memo

Jan 30, 2011, 1:12 AM

Post #12 of 12 (4095 views)

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Re: [rockydog85251] IMSS Health Care for over 60s

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"My wife had cancer 8yrs ago and knock on wood and thank God she is ok. I was told that after a period of years I think 3 that condition would be covered but she could still get IMSS for everything else.

Can anyone shed light on this?"

My understanding of it when I read the documents a couple of years ago was that NO pre-existing conditions would be covered at any point much like with private insurance coverage.

On top of that there is a three year waiting period to be covered by serious conditions such as cancer.

So,

1. If you had cancer as a pre-existing condition you would never have it covered by IMSS no matter how many years you are on it.

2. If you got cancer in the first, second or third year it would not be covered either even if you had never had it as a pre-existing condition.

3. If you never had cancer as a pre-existing condition and got it after three years on IMSS you would be covered.

I may be wrong though due to my interpretation of or their lack of clarity in the documents. I should dig them out as I have them at home somewhere but you can get them at any IMSS office.

"She then said I had to go to Clinic 19 to make an appointment for lab work & physical....."

This conflicts with what other posters have claimed about a physical not being necessary. Is this a over 60 requirement or is it a regional difference?

If I live and pay in a poor state where the medical services are not as good (Chiapas for example) can I choose to be treated elsewhere or must I accept treatment in that state?