I know many of you with Seguro Popular have had good experiences when needing their services, this based on passed posts. So let me share with you what I consider a nightmare situation.
About 4 months ago, my former neighbors mom fell and broke a bone in one of her arms. She is Mexican and lives in Guadalajara. The anesthesiologist refused to proceed with the required surgery even thou the Surgeon agreed. The refusal was based on her health condition, she is 87 years old (her children had also signed a waiver in the event she died on the operation table). After six weeks of languishing in pain, her children (9 of them) and myself, chipped in to have a private team carry out the operation using the Seguro Popular facility.
5 days ago she fell again, this time braking a femur. The hospital informed her children that she would have to wait about 6 weeks at the hospital before surgery could be done. My understanding is that she is not considered a priority, and again will be in constant pain. I seriously doubt that she will survive unless private arrangement can be made.
Please note that a share this sad situation as many at lakeside are in their "golden age".
I have private insurance and had considered not renewing because of the expense. I will keep my coverage because frankly, I do not want to be in a similar situation. I had a serious car accident in 1990 so believe me I know what pain can do to you.
As a side note, about a year ago, Dr Sam who was the head doctor at the Red Cross gave a presentation at the LCS open circle. In his chart which was part of a hand out, if you only had Seguro Popular, he wrote "be prepared to die".