The concept is growing – as more and more people avail themselves to cheaper dental care people have also found that healthcare itself can be obtained for ever so much less “across the border”… and so, a new kind of healthcare niche has started. It’s called “Medical Tourism”.  Pretty much as I suggest you see a dentist or pick up a spare pair of eyeglasses while you’re on vacation, now Medial Tourism is encompassing just about everything.

Dr. Deepika Garg, a fan of MoneySavingMexico.com, contacted me recently and asked me if I could provide my readers with even more information on medical tourism.  So, without further adieu, here is Dr. Garg’s comments on Medical Tourism.

Enjoy!

Barbie

————————

HEALTH CARE IN MEXICO

Common Concerns for Medical Tourists

Medical tourism in Mexico has become increasingly popular with the rise in healthcare costs in neighboring United States. With Mexico just a few hours south, the country once popular for spring break and exotic holidays is now adding complete value for money medical tourism to its name as well. Around 750,000 Americans travel abroad for medical treatments annually, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and at least 100,000 of them travel to Mexico.

Despite a large number of medical tourists from the US visiting Mexico every year, quite a few of the potential medical travelers might still have their reservations about going to the Latin American country for getting treated. However, there are numerous ways to ensure that you are in good hands for your treatment while in Mexico. Read on to know how you can make your medical trip to Mexico a positive experience.

How Do I Know I’ll Get Quality Healthcare in Mexico?

The number one thing that worries people is that the quality of care in Mexico will be substandard, and that something might potentially go wrong. If we think rationally, we all know that this could also be true if we receive medical care in the United States or any other affluent country. Certain precautions need to be taken irrespective of where you are treated. To ensure you get quality care, you should:

· Do due diligence. Read up about facilities that specialize in your desired treatment. Look up the Internet for testimonies and feedback. Pop a question regarding a doctor or a hospital on a health/medical tourism online forum and see the verdicts of past patients trickling in.

· Find an accredited hospital/medical center. There are a number of medical facilities in Mexico that are JCI accredited and/or ISO certified. To be safe, choose one of these hospitals.

· Get to know your doctor. You can do this by:

1) Double checking his/her credentials.

2) Making sure there have been no claims of malpractice against the doctor.

3) Getting references from previous patients.

4) Seeing if he/she is a published doctor. It’s not required that a doctor publish articles in prestigious medical journals, but it of course adds to his/her credibility.

Speak with your local doctor. Your family doctor might also have some recommendations about a medical trip to Mexico.

Is Mexico Safe?

The USA Today reported that up to 80,000 Americans have retired in Mexico to receive cheaper medical care year-round. This in itself should testify to the fact that Mexico can provide a safe and friendly environment for Americans not only to visit, but also to live permanently in (a search for “American retirees in Mexico” produces a whopping 3,460,000 Google results!). Of course, the same regular safety precautions that apply everywhere, apply in Mexico as well. They include:

· Don’t walk around alone after dark. Use the buddy system, but even if there are two of you, you should avoid alleys and other places with few or no people.

· Be careful about your belongings. Tourists are a magnet for theft in any country. Be careful where you set your bag. If you are wearing a backpack, wear it in front of you in all crowded areas.

· Don’t carry large amounts of cash. First of all, it’s best to carry smaller amounts of money whenever possible. Do not bring along your flashy watches and expensive jewelry when you travel to Mexico for your medical treatment. In case you do have a run-in with a mugger, you don’t want to give up too much!

· Keep scanned copies of your important documents. Do not forget to keep scanned copies of your passport, medical reports and other documents in the network (a self-marked e-mail should suffice). This should aid in quick and easy access to your documents in case they are lost or stolen.

· Don’t resist. You never know who has a weapon, so it’s better to just surrender your stuff when attacked by a mugger. Remember, your safety is more important than your things.

· Get to know your hotel staff. It’s always a good idea to know the people around you. Take the hotel number and if at all possible, the cell phone number of the manager. That way you will have someone local to call in the event of an emergency.

These are just a few tips to alleviate any concerns you might have about medical travel in Mexico. If you do your research well and come with an open mind, you will have an amazing time and a great experience as a medical tourist in Mexico.

—————————————————————————————

Author Bio:

Dr. Deepika Garg – Dentist and an Internet enthusiast, who is keenly involved in medical tourism – and works with sites that provide gastric bypass, sleeve gastrectomy, lap band in Mexico at affordable prices. Weight loss surgery in Mexico is being opted by many American and Canadians, who cannot afford the cost of the same in their own countries.

One

Possibility

for

Health

Insurance

Coverage

in Mexico…

Well, friends, I really messed up sending out my email notice last week – some of you may have received as many as 4 notices, one right after the other – so sorry. When that happened, I just canceled the whole process and decided to give the computer and me a break!  We’re all ready to give you more info now…

IMSS, Mexico’s national health insurance, is offered to anyone living in Mexico – retirees originating from another country as well.

Many expats decided to forego insurance completely, and just put money aside for anything that may come up.  Remembering, that as long as you are a citizen of the United States, you can return to the States at any time, and have your Medicare take over. That gives a person a bit of a safety net, just in case.

While IMSS health insurance offers a very low-cost option, the annual fee for persons over 60 is approximately 3,500 pesos  (about $260.00 US) a year,  it is not exactly the insurance you are used in the States.  IMSS is sometimes compared more to Canada and Great Britain’s systems – probably because you may have to wait for appointments, especially to specialists – but, shoot, I’ve waited for appointments in the States!

Let’s do a quick walk-through:  For example, you need a doctor:   Your first step, under IMSS, would be to go to Unidad Medicos Familiares (Family Care Clinic), and have a consultation with your family doctor.  All of these clinics include a pharmacy on the premise, but the quality of these clinics can vary significantly, with some better equipped than others – having the capability of lab testing and x-rays.  If you have gone to the doctor for something not significant, you are done – the doctor will probably give you a prescription, which you will fill right there – you go home and get well.  It you need further aid, such as a specialist, then you will be sent by your family doctor to one, who are at either regional clinics, hospitals, or medical centers.  Many of the Family HealthCare Clinics have limited hours – they are not equipped for serious emergencies, so they send you one step higher. 

For an emergency, you would go straight to any IMSS clinic or hospital.  You are assigned to a hospital and that is where it’s preferred you go – but if you are in another area at the time of your emergency, you would go to the nearest hospital.

IMSS health coverage includes dental care (extractions and fillings only), eye, ear, hospital, and medical, and also includes lab tests, x-rays, reconstructive surgery and mental health consultations, and prescriptions.

Hospital care in Mexico is usually up to par with what you are already accustomed to in the States. 

Some of the cons:  You must have the proper Visa.  Your family doctor may be different each time you go to Clinic.  Your files are there, it’s just that the doctor you have seen may not be there when you have your appointment.  And, appointments may take a while to get – get used to waiting – so, make your appointments early, if possible, especially for just checkups, etc.  There is not always someone there who speaks English – I’d suggest taking a friend who knows Spanish pretty well.  You must not let your coverage lapse.  You can and should pay your renewal one month before your actual coverage runs out.  Hours at the Clinics are limited, so work your visits into your schedule and just accept that you may be there waiting all day…after all, it’s Mexico. 

I’ll probably follow up my next article, telling you the process to apply for IMSS…keep reading!  

So, here’s all the rest of the info I promised :) – I feel I owe it to you:

To apply for IMSS, you will need: 

1. Birth certificate,

2. Proof of Marital status,

3. Proof of Citizenship (your Passport),

4. Two photos of the applicant,

5.  Valid proof of your status in Mexico (FM3, Temporary, etc),

6.  A filled out questionnaire, in Spanish.  This is to detect chronic diseases that may preclude IMSS acceptance, and includes chronic degenerative diseases, cancer, HIV, renal disease, diabetes, heart disease and psychosis,

Then, you must undergo a checkup with a family doctor.  If any of the above shows up, you may need to have further tests.  The detection of such diseases in the first six months of IMSS affiliation may lead to being rejected without return of the application fee. However, if a chronic disease develops after the first year of affiliation, you should have no reason to be rejected. 

Certain services, such as care for pregnancy, are not available during the first 10 months of IMSS affiliation. There is also a waiting period of one year for all gynecological surgery, and two years for orthopedic surgery, after acceptance.

After you have received your IMSS Card, you must go to your local IMSS clinic so they can assign a Doctor to you.  Take with you your IMSS cards, proof of payment for your IMSS, and your health questionnaire (in Spanish).

Private insurance is another option for your life in Mexico.

Health, IMSS article by Barbie

AND

FACILITIES -

One of the most important things you should consider prior to retirement is the availability of sufficient, convenient, and simply put, good medical facilities located in the area you have decided to spend the best years of your lives.

This is important whether you’re considering Mexico, Costa Rico, Tahiti, Belize, or Panama – or where-ever!  Good Healthcare is going to be extremely important to you during the “Golden Years”!

Mexico stands up quite well in that respect.  You will find up-to-date, modern facilities, with wonderful people staffing those healthcare facilities in Mexico. 

Also important to check out is the insurance plans available to you.  In Mexico, there are insurance plans  offered to everyone – even foreigners. The private insurance we checked on was very  reasonable, compared to what we had been paying in the U.S. 

In Mexico, along with  private health/medical insurance, there are plans you can buy that will air-evacuate you back to the states or back to your home:

To cover you, if you end up at a medical facility you do not feel wonderful about, then you need to purchase a specific coverage, that will ensure you do end up where you want:  SkyMed insurance offers complete packages that meet the recommendations of the US and Canadian Consulates.  Members traveling more than 100 air miles from their home, say in Mexico, can buy a plan that provides emergency transportation from a medical facility to your local hospital and medical care providers. http://www.skymed.com/default.aspx

And there is:  Medevac Critical Care Air & Land Ambulance, 24-hour mobile emergency units, staffed by quality physicians and well-trained  paramedics and life support equipment, offers medical evacuation from Mexico to the United States and runs only around $100 a year.   http://www.aerocare.com/  and www.airambulancenetwork.com/

If an emergency healthcare situation presents itself in Mexico, in almost every city of any size, just call Red Cross (Cruz Roja Mexicana) for an ambulance. Red Cross provides this service and will take you to any hospital of your choice.  The Cruz Roja Mexicana is the rescue and ambulance service for all of México.  The service is free, not funded by the government, and donations are accepted. If hospitalization is necessary, ask your doctor what his fee for the entire procedure is beforehand. Then, when you are checked in, request a daily-itemized bill, and carry it with you when you leave. 

Mexico does offer natives and non-natives alike, a National health care insurance (IMSS) which is very cheap, when compared to U.S. costs.  You can read more about that at www.moneysavingmexico.com/?s=%22healthcare+insurance%22

Some more important info you need to know when considering moving out of the U.S. for your retirement:  www.moneysavingmexico.com/medicare/medicare-in-mexico-2/

Make sure you bookmark, or put into your “Favorites”, my site – keep it handy for quick reference.

Whether your choice for retirement is Mazatlan, Merida, the Chapala area, or any other locale – when you start thinking about where YOU want to retire – you’ll want all the pertinent info such as healthcare to be right at your fingertips! 

Healthcare,

IMSS

Let me tell you about Mexico’s version of Medicare.

Age is not a consideration for IMSS Healthcare.

It’s the closest thing you can get to universal healthcare in Mexico. And yes, it is available to foreign residents.

In fact, public healthcare is guaranteed to all Mexican citizens regardless of pre-existing conditions. (Foreign residents of Mexico are eligible for IMSS healthcare, without exception, other than those who suffer from chronic disease such as diabetes, cancer or heart disease. If you do have a pre-existing condition, it’s mandatory you discuss it with a doctor at IMSS to see if it would be covered later, or if it will affect your coverage as a whole.)

If you are accepted, IMSS healthcare covers only minor illness, such as colds etc., and nothing involving surgery the first year. The second year the insurance will cover everything other than broken bones, and orthopedic surgery. The third year finally covers everything. Medication is covered as well for anything needed for diagnoses, and it is provided to you during your visit. Prescriptions are not covered if you buy it at any other pharmacy. 

Any pre-existing condition that is not reported and later found to exist causes cancellation of all coverage. Again, I must stress:  If you do have a pre-existing condition, it’s mandatory you discuss it with a doctor at IMSS to see if it would be covered later, or if it will affect your healthcare coverage as a whole.

Mexico’s healthcare system is a part of their social security system called “Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social” or IMSS for short. The IMSS is a tripartite system funded equally by private employees, private employers, and the federal government.

IMSS hospitals are usually well equipped with many staff doctors known for their practices in private hospitals.

Requirements for proof of birth date, nationality, etc. can be satisfied with a current passport. Doctors at the clinic can conduct the necessary examination and determine eligibility.

Upon acceptance, cost is per person per year and according to age: as much as 3000 pesos for age 60+ to as low as 977 pesos for age 19 and under (these rates are for March 2004). The cost is subject to change from year to year.

IMSS healthcare is available in most major cities and it takes about 6 to 9 months for coverage to be activated after acceptance. Once accepted, you are a life member as long as premiums are paid.

IMSS

healthcare

consists of:

1. Clinics with general practitioner who is qualified to handle minor illnesses and injuries.

2. Small hospitals with surgeons, internists and pediatricians.

3. Large intensive-care facilities with various specialists.

The general requirements for joining the IMSS program are:

1. You will be asked to complete a questionnaire, with the assistance of a doctor. (Make sure you report all pre-existing conditions – it can put your coverage at risk if you don’t)

2. Submit to a basic medical examination which includes checking your blood pressure and listening to your heart. Other tests may be requested.

This is from one of my friends living in Mexico:

“Mexican national health insurance through IMSS (the Social Security system here) can be purchased by foreign residents. Runs around $300 or so per person per year. However, we’re in good health, and prefer to pay out of pocket for private care if and when the need arises. Private care here is so affordable that paying as you go is a viable option, depending upon your risk tolerance and the depth of your resources.”

The cost of the health care coverage is approximately $350.00 U.S. per year. You may apply only in January, February, July and August. This program is open to all foreigners regardless of nationality and/or immigration status.

Healthcare article by Barbie.

A lot of

people

have asked

me about

the cost of health care

in Mexico

Affordable, quality health care is one of the primary reasons more and more people are choosing to retire in Mexico. Quite frankly they simply cannot afford quality healthcare in the U.S. 

Yes, I’m sure you’ve heard stories from vested interests that would paint Mexico’s healthcare system in some very unflattering colors.

Bright colors of Mexico

But before you make a decision based on what you may hear or see on TV, you should ask real retirees who have been the recipients of low cost, affordable healthcare — in Mexico. 

I can tell you honestly: If I had to go to a dentist in the U.S. to get my dental work done, I would be TENS of thousands of dollars in debt. Fact.

Am I exaggerating? Certainly not. And thankfully, I have a beautiful smile for a fraction of the cost of what I would have paid an expensive dentist in the U.S. 

The quality of dental care that I get in Mexico meets and exceeds the quality I used to receive (but can no longer afford) in the U.S. 

But I digress.

As I was

saying: Health

care in Mexico

is surprisingly

affordable.

Here are some random prices from private clinics in Chetumal — down on the “tail” of Mexico –south of Cancun – in U.S. dollars:

• Private room in a hospital, $50 per day
• Exam and consultation with a specialist, $15
• Ultrasound or X-ray , $15
• Oral surgery, $50 per tooth
• Porcelain filling, $30 each.
• Teeth cleaning, $25
• Emergency room treatment, $15
• Exploratory abdominal surgery and appendectomy using video laporoscopy.
• Four-day hospital stay in a private room, all fees of the surgeon and the anesthesiologist, and medication. $1,200.

The professionals who practice their profession in Mexico after studying abroad hoping to make their country better is one reason the health care system is so friendly.  

Healthcare / health care article by Barbie

National

HealthCare

Program -

IMSS:

1. Available in most major cities.

2. Takes about 6 to 9 months for coverage to be activated after acceptance. Once accepted, you are a life member as long as premiums are paid.

3. At IMSS clinics you do not have a choice of physicians. 

Available in Mexico:

1. Small clinics with general practitioner who is qualified to handle minor illnesses and injuries.

2. Small hospitals with surgeons, internists and pediatricians.

3. Large intensive-care facilities with various specialists.

The general requirements for joining the IMSS Healthcare program are:

 1. You will be asked to complete a questionnaire, with the assistance of a doctor.

2. Submit to a basic medical examination which includes checking your blood pressure and listening to your heart. Other tests may be requested. The cost of the health care coverage is approximately $250.00 U.S. per year. You may apply only in January, February, July and August.  This program is open to all foreigners regardless of nationality and/or immigration status.

If you are accepted, IMSS covers only minor illness, such as colds etc., and nothing involving surgery the first year. The second year the insurance will cover everything other than broken bones, and orthopedic surgery. The third year finally covers everything. Medication is covered as well for anything needed for diagnoses, and it is provided toyou during your visit. Prescriptions are not covered if you buy it at any other pharmacy.  Any pre-existing condition that is not reported and later found to exist causes cancellagion of all coverage.  If you do have a pre-existing condition, it’s mandatory you discuss it with a doctor at IMSS to see if it would be covered later, or if it will affect your coverage as a whole.

A Medical Clinic

Medical healthcare in Mexico is unbelievably inexpensive by almost anyone’s standards.

Of course healthcare prices vary according to the region and whether you go to a private clinic or a government run facility.

Healthcare,IMSS article by Barbie

and

Supplemental

Insurance

I was just reading an e-mail I received from someone looking forward to their retirement, which is coming up very soon for them. 

Their major concern is the same as most of us… the cost of their health insurance until Medicare takes over, and then, what in the world is this supplemental insurance we keep hearing about?

The same as a lot of us, he is older by a few years, than she.  So once he retires, they both face the possibility of losing the medical insurance he is carrying now.  If he is 65 when he retires, then he’s covered… Medicare… if he falls into the right “born” year.  But, she may still be faced with paying what I consider exorbitant insurance rates.  Same problem as Dick and I ran into.  And believe me, that can eat into your savings.

My husband, Dick, retired at 62 so we had approximately 3 years of paying right around $800 a month for our medical coverage.  We were absolutely thrilled when Dick finally reached the golden age of 65 and… Medicare!  And of course my insurance costs still stayed skyhigh… about $700 a month… until I also turned 65, 4 years later.

How do you get around paying those exorbitant insurance rates before Medicare takes over?

 I don’t know… we never found a way around it.  Of course, if neither of you are working and don’t have a job to be responsible for, you can move to Mexico.  The only hitch here being, pre-existing conditions may cause you to be turned down for private insurance in Mexico.  Even the national insurance requires certain conditions be met.  So we scrimped and saved and made it through a stressful time.

Now, since Dick and I were faced with these costs, Dick retiring from his stressful job because of his health problem and me not working because I’ve always been a stay-at-home Mom, we had pretty good impetus when Dick finally turned 65 to search diligently for the very best Medicare supplemental we could find.  As we were in the states, due to Dick’s pre-existing condition, which limits our time in Mexico, many, many hours were spent searching on the Internet and attending informational seminars put on by the regional insurance companies.

We got such an education on Medicare supplements. It seems every company promised they were the best… sort of reminded us of timeshare presentations!  But this time we needed to buy their product.   After making charts and graphs and trying to think of every question that was pertinent and getting answers on the phone, at the Medicare seminars, from friends, we finally decided upon what sounded the best.  Our plan has a zero, monthly payment for our Medicare supplemental insurance.  I guess we’re very fortunate in this area to have supplemental insurance such as this offered to us.

Amish area in Ohio

I know my sister in Ohio is paying what I consider a large amount for her supplemental insurance… she’s four years older than I… but I guess there’s no other plan offered in her area that is as good as ours.  She and her husband have excellent coverage, but they have to travel miles to mediocre facilities for treatment…and they paid $160 a month each, 5 years ago.

As you can see we have different opinions on many things.  When Dick and I had kids who were still in school and we were in the process of moving, the first thing we checked out were schools.  Now that we are retired, medical costs and coverage and facilities are a prime concern. I remember when we were originally searching for a place that we would love to retire to, thinking Belize would be a little Paradise. 

Then one day I got an e-mail back from a gentleman I had been corresponding with and he had experienced Belize personally.  His response to my query about medical facilities was “they are primitive”.  Really put a quick end to my dreams about having Howler Monkeys in our trees, Jaguars, Ocolet and Puma in our back yard!  I would rather have a doctor living in my vicinity.

Now it would be wonderful to think that none of us are going to need doctors, but face it… we’re not getting younger and it’s great to have someone who can help us out in our time of trouble. 

Just a matter of fact, since we have retired, I’ve had a torn Achilles repair of my right leg,  my second back operation, I just went through the cancer under the fingernail bit -yes I know that’s very unusual, and it’s doing great now, and just about three weeks ago.  I had my last knee’s torn meniscus repaired.

Maybe by now you’re thinking I should be a little bit more careful… that’s what Dick says… but hey….  I don’t want to miss out on anything.  I am walking a bit more carefully right now however.

So anyway folks, I guess my message is this is something you are going to have to plan for too.  And when you finally get that magical birthday…maybe the big 65… there are a lot of decisions you’re going to have to make. 

Hopefully you too will be fortunate enough to live in an area that offers little or nothing  a month for your supplemental insurance.  It may take a lot of checking out, but it’s certainly worth it.

Medicare article by Barbie.

Healthcare

in Mexico

is not covered

by U.S. Medicare.

Medicare does not cover Americans outside of the United States, except under these conditions:

1. The beneficiary is a border resident who requires hospitalization and the Canadian or Mexican hospital is either closer to the beneficiary’s home than the participating U.S. hospital or when the Mexican or Canadian hospital offers covered services which the U.S. hospital does not.

2. The beneficiary is not a border resident, but the emergency occurs in the United States and a Mexican hospital is in closer proximity.  In both instances, Medicare pays for physician and ambulance services furnished in Mexico in conjunction with a covered inpatient stay. This lack of coverage affects residents, tourists, short-term visitors, and people who choose to live in Mexico. 

3. Mexico offers medical healthcare insurance to almost everyone.

The National HealthCare Program, IMSS:

1. Healthcare is available in most major cities.

2. Takes about 6 to 9 months for healthcare coverage to be activated after acceptance. Once accepted, you are a life member as long as premiums are paid.

3. At IMSS healthcare clinics you do not have a choice of physicians.

Available in Mexico:

1. Small clinics with general practitioner who is qualified to handle minor illnesses and injuries.

2. Small hospitals with surgeons, internists and pediatricians.

3. Large intensive-care facilities with various specialists.

Exquisite ironwork

The general requirements for joining the IMSS healthcare program are:

1. You will be asked to complete a questionnaire, with the assistance of a doctor.

2. Submit to a basic medical examination which includes checking your blood pressure and listening to your heart. Other tests may be requested. The cost of the health care coverage is approximately $300.00 U.S. per year. You may apply only in January, February, July and August.  This program is open to all foreigners regardless of nationality and/or immigration status. Medical care in Mexico…… is unbelievably inexpensive by almost anyone’s standards. Of course prices vary according to the region and whether you go to a private clinic or a government run facility.  

Here are some random prices from private clinics in Chetumal – down on the “tail” of Mexico –south of Cancun – in US dollars:

• Private room in a hospital, $50 per day
• Exam and consultation with a specialist, $15
• Ultrasound or X-ray , $15
• Oral surgery, $50 per tooth
• Porcelain filling, $30 each.
• Teeth cleaning, $25
• Emergency room treatment, $15

Exploratory abdominal surgery and appendectomy using video laporoscopy. Including four-day hospital stay in a private room, all fees of the surgeon and the anesthesiologist, and medication. $1,200.

If your only experience in Latin America has been visitingTijuana for a day, you are in for one big surprise!  

The professionals who practice their profession in Mexico after studying abroad, hoping to make their country better, is one reason the health care system is so friendly. Latinos are by nature a warm, caring people ergo, they are generally, good and compassionate doctors and nurses.

Mexico healthcare article by Barbie.

One of the most important things people should consider prior to retirement is the availability of medical healthcare facilities located in the area where they are planning to live…Mexico stands up pretty well in that respect.

In Mexico,there are insurance plans offered to everyone – even foreigners. The insurance we checked on was very reasonable, compared to what we were paying in the U.S.

In Mazatlan, along with health/ medical insurance, there are plans you can buy that will air-evacuate you back to the states. SkyMed offers a complete package that meets recommendations of the US and Canadian Consulates. Members traveling more than 100 air miles from home, buy a plan that returns them to their local hospital and medical care providers. And Medevac Critical Care Air & Land Ambulance, 24-hour mobile emergency units, staffed by quality physicians and well-trained paramedics and life support equipment, offers medical evacuation from Mexico to the United States and runs only about $50 to $100 a year.

If an emergency situation presents itself, call the Red Cross (Cruz Roja) for an ambulance. The Red Cross provides this service and will take you to any hospital of your choosing in Mazatlan. Sr. Alberto Osuna, director, says his agency’s ambulance is free of charge and that any hotel in the Golden Zone can be reached within seven minutes.(donations are accepted). 981-3690 or 985-1451.   If hospitalization is necessary, ask your doctor what his fee for the entire procedure is beforehand. Then, request a daily-itemized bill.

If you find yourself in a hospital or clinic and think you have been charged questionable or excessive healthcare fees:

• Don’t be intimidated.
• Don’t sign anything.
• Don’t surrender your passport.
• Don’t complete or sign an Exit Survey.
• Don’t pay your account before receiving an itemized bill.

Children wear uniforms to school

Under Article 91 of Mexico’s Consumer Protection laws, you can demand reimbursement of overpaid charges for any type of service. Save all receipts and itemized accounts in the event you need to initiate legal proceedings.  Under Aritcle 281 of the Sinaloa Penal Code, it is against the law for any “hospital, sanatorium, clinic, dispensary, nursing facility or any other health center” to stop you from leaving by claiming you have not paid your bill.

If this happens to you, immediately call or go to your Consulate.  You can present your case, concerning any complaints about medical care or over-billing to La Comisión de Arbitraje Médico del Estatdo de Sinaloa (Medical Arbitration Commission for the State of Sinaloa). Rafael Buelna #202, 2nd Floor/Las Conchas de Mazatlan Building, telephone 983-9300,  Mon-Fri 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.  There is no cost to appear before the Arbitration Commission.

Like I said, healthcare in Mexico is always a lot less expensive than you will find in the States, and the quality of healthcare, south of the border, can be very good.

I always laugh when I tell friends that we also get all our dental work done in Mexico and hear the inevitable response… “But are they really dentists?” Believe me, the good folks practicing in the health fields in Mexico have the same training and the same certificates as the good folks in the States. And, sure, some are better than others, but that goes across the board…we’ve found.

Healthcare article by Barbie.

Hopefully, I’ve gotten you started toward the process of getting all your finances in order, which is great to do whether you are looking at retirement in 20 days or 20 years. The day will come when you realize the old paycheck is going to no longer come to you a couple of times a month. From now on, it’s going to be what you’ve managed to save, perhaps a pension (and fewer of those are becoming a reality nowadays) and Social Security.

As far as Social Security, the nay-sayers and dooms-dayers say it won’t be there – but, even if is, (and I can’t imagine any politician who values their political life not working to keep it functioning) then it will be an added bonus! Contact your local Social Security office for printed up-to-date information! Some facts to get started:  I’m repeating: You must be a resident of the United States to receive Social Security benefits.  That means you may live any place, as long as you are still a United States citizen.

You will not receive Medicare in any country other than the United States.

If you are a U.S. citizen, you may receive Social Security benefits outside the U.S. as long as you are eligible for them. (There are exceptions.)  Even if you are a citizen of Mexico, you may receive your payments as long as you are outside the U.S., unless you are a dependent or survivor.

Once you received Social Security payments, the S.S. will send questionnaires periodically that you must fill out and return, informing them as to whether you are still eligible for benefits. Do so immediately upon receipt. 

The Foreign Work Test – A monthly benefit is withheld for each month in which a beneficiary under age 70 works more than 45 hours outside the U.S. in employment or self-employment which is not subject to U.S. Social Security taxes.

Of course, it is great if you have a decent amount of savings put back to supplement yourSocial Security. A lot of people will receive pensions from the companies they worked for,but there are also a lot of people who don’t have a pension coming in …we’re in that group. We always knew our retirement would be what we were able to put away.

And then, there are lots of people who make it, living only on their Social Security.

Some countries where direct deposit and other forms of electronic payments are available include Mexico. With direct deposit, you receive your payment much faster than if you are paid by check (usually 1 to 3 weeks faster than check deliveries). When direct deposit payments are sent to a financial institution, you also avoid check cashing and currency conversion fees. 

There are rare emergency cases where Medicare can pay for care in Mexico. Also, Medicare can sometimes pay if a Mexican hospital is closer to your home than the nearest U.S. hospital that can provide the care you need. If you get emergency treatment in a Mexican hospital or if you live near one, ask someone who works atthe hospital about Medicare coverage, or have the hospital help you contact theMedicare Intermediary.

IMSS (MEXICAN MEDICAL) - Many foreign residents of Mexico are not aware that the Social Security System of Mexico (IMSS) medical coverage is available to all. IMSS hospitals are well equipped with many staff doctors known for their practices in private hospitals. All residents of Mexico are eligible without exception, other than those who suffer from chronic disease such as diabetes, cancer or heart disease. (The reason we cannot live in Mexico permanently.)  Age is not a consideration.  

Public health care is guaranteed to all Mexican citizens regardless of pre-existing conditions. (Foreign residents of Mexico are eligible without exception, other than those who suffer from chronic disease such as diabetes, cancer or heart disease. If you do have a pre-existing condition, it’s mandatory you discuss it with a doctor at IMSS to see if it would be covered later, or if it will affect your coverage as a whole.)

If you are accepted, IMSS covers only minor illness, such as colds etc., and nothing involving surgery the first year. The second year the insurance will cover everything other than broken bones, and orthopedic surgery. The third year finally covers everything. Medication is covered as well for anything needed for diagnoses, and it is provided toyou during your visit. Prescriptions are not covered if you buy it at any other pharmacy.  Any pre-existing condition that is not reported and later found to exist causes cancellagion of all coverage. Again, I must stress:  If you do have a pre-existing condition, it’s mandatory you discuss it with a doctor at IMSS to see if it would be covered later, or if it will affect your coverage as a whole.

Upon acceptance, cost is per person per year and according to age: as much as 3000 pesos for age 60+ to as low as 977 pesos for age 19 and under. The cost is subject to change from year to year.

Your retirement may be just around the corner, or it may be along way off, but from this day forward it’s up to you – and no one else – to save enough money to live on happily after retirement!

Social Security, IMSS, Medicare article by Barbie