38 replies to this topic

[gary0131]

I have had IMSS for 4 years and am aware of the problems with the Chapala Clinic. I was wondering if members of this forum have private medical in addition to IMSS such as Alianz which covers major medical. Your thoughts much appreciated. Thanks!

[The traveler]

I have insurance with Met Life. Very good policy, reasonable rates. We have world wide coverage.
The traveler

[simpsca]

I have only private medical insurance from Seguros Monterrey New York Life. I bought it 11 years ago when I moved here. Back then very few people I know bought IMSS.

[gailrooney]

I have only private medical insurance from Seguros Monterrey New York Life. I bought it 11 years ago when I moved here. Back then very few people I know bought IMSS.

I have recent learned of an International Medical policy that covers only Latin America and includes Mexico. The yearly rate is around $1500 USD for catastrophic insurance. Please don't email me questions as I am just learning about this myself. Just your email address privately. I can have the agent in the USA email you back with information. The Latin America only policy is from BUPA and it sounds good to us. (We were finally able to get copies of the IMSS tests and are forwarding them to the insurance agent.)

[Luke]

We have Alianz. It has paid extremely well. We believe it to be very affordable, have had it for 6 years and unfortunately had to use it 4 times already. Thank goodness we decided to take it out as soon as we arrived.

[Wheels]

I have recent learned of an International Medical policy that covers only Latin America and includes Mexico. The yearly rate is around $1500 USD for catastrophic insurance. Please don't email me questions as I am just learning about this myself. Just your email address privately. I can have the agent in the USA email you back with information. The Latin America only policy is from BUPA and it sounds good to us. (We were finally able to get copies of the IMSS tests and are forwarding them to the insurance agent.)

there is a local agent that sells BUPA, we have an appointment next week to go over all of the details. Quote $1300 USD per year.

[lakeside101]

will you post info about BUPA agent?

[Wheels]

will you post info about BUPA agent?

It is Isaac Seguros y Fianzas, the agent's name is Rossana Aguirre Diaz.
Office is located on Chapala Jocotepec 133A in San Antonio. It is near Panino's.

I can give more information about the coverage etc after our appointment with Rossana next week. Sounds like a real good health insurance even if you are out of Mexico. We shall see.

[lefty]

It is Isaac Seguros y Fianzas, the agent's name is Rossana Aguirre Diaz.
Office is located on Chapala Jocotepec 133A in San Antonio. It is near Panino's.

I can give more information about the coverage etc after our appointment with Rossana next week. Sounds like a real good health insurance even if you are out of Mexico. We shall see.

Thank you for the info. I am also interested.
IMSS in Joco is throwing me out without any pre-existing conditions after 7 years. This directive in IMSS is coming from higher up sources. They want you to pay but not use the coverage.

[tobyjug]

Thank you for the info. I am also interested.
IMSS in Joco is throwing me out without any pre-existing conditions after 7 years. This directive in IMSS is coming from higher up sources. They want you to pay but not use the coverage.

Wow... this is the first news that Joco is acting in this manner

[Trailrunner]

First time I've heard this regarding Joco too.

Would you mind giving us the details of your Joco IMSS refusal of service.

TIA

[Travis]

When we first got here three years ago, we enrolled in Private Health Insurance with a local agent. The underwriter was Plan Seguros. After three years, the agent recommended we change to BUPA. Seemed strange to recommend a switch. We called Jesus Tejeda (in Guadalajara) who handles our car insurance. He came here to our house, explained options and offered health insurance with either Allianz or AXA. He recommended AXA for us. Something to do with it being a little better fit for foreigners as far as the provider network, processes etc. We enrolled with AXA, and they accepted our previous three years with Plan Seguros, so any "waiting periods" for certain types of coverage were waived.

It's just a catastrophic plan, but I believe it covers a lot more than what was being offered by BUPA. Hope we never need it.

I've always been on the fence about IMSS for my own reasons, and have never enrolled. The way things are sounding lately I guess that was the right choice.

[gailrooney]

there is a local agent that sells BUPA, we have an appointment next week to go over all of the details. Quote $1300 USD per year.

Please let us all know if BUPA has this plan here. We haven't paid any money yet, and would rather do it locally anyway. Thanks

[colibri]

First time I've heard this regarding Joco too.

Would you mind giving us the details of your Joco IMSS refusal of service.

TIA

What happened to Lefty does not surprise me. Joco's doctor started to give me problems two years ago. It was so obvious that he did not care to treat me, practically throwing me out of his office after less than 10 minutes. He did not care to look at the x rays and said that I had nothing without even taking a second look at me.

That was a subtle way to say: "Don't came back." I got the message and never returned. I was surprised because on my first visit (two years before), he was over friendly and even tried to speak English. Two years after, he was a different man. I should have seen it coming and stop paying my dues.

[Wheels]

Please let us all know if BUPA has this plan here. We haven't paid any money yet, and would rather do it locally anyway. Thanks

Well, just returned a little while ago from our appointment late this afternoon with Rossana about Bupa Heath insurance.
Here is the coverage:
One million USD coverage per year

Neurological $150,000
Surgery, cardiac or angioplasty $150,000
Treatment for cancer $200,000
Treatment for severe trauma
Including rehab $150,000
Dialysis $100,000
Severe burn including reconstructive surgery $300,000
Severe infectious disorder $150,000
Organ Transplant
Heart $300,000
Heart/lung $300,000
Lung $250,000
Pancreas $250,000
Pancreas/kidney $300,000
Kidney $200,000
Liver $200,000
Bone marrow $250,000

Hospitalization
Private/semi private room 100%
Intensive care 100%
Surgery and anesthesia 100%
Diagnostic service 100%
Medication during hospitalization 100%

Outpatient
Visit to doctor or specialist 100%
Medication since hospitalization
Or outpatient surgery 100%
Physical therapy or rehab 100%
Diagnostic service 100%
Medical care at home 100%

Other benefits
Aerial ambulance (per year) $25,000
Land ambulance 100%
Emergency dental coverage 100%
Residential and palliative care 100%

Rate based on different deductibles and ages 69 and 65

Deductible p/p Deductible p/p Total cost
Within Mexico Out of Mexico for both of us
$0.00 $1,000.00 $2,122.22
$1,000.00 $2,000.00 $1,853.00
$2,000.00 $3,000.00 $1,617.00
$5,000.00 $5,000.00 $1,243.00
$10,000.00 $10,000.00 $885.00
$20,000.00 $20,000.00 $507.00

Coverage sounds very good. First you must be seen by a doctor of your choice for blood work, xray and other requirements. The waiting period is 2 months and then everything is covered. We were told most people take the $5,000 deductible but the choice is whatever fits your budget. This almost double IMSS but unbelievable coverage and doctor of your choice.

I know some people like Jesus Tejeda but have not had good experience with him as he wanted 5,000 pesos more for our car insurance for equal coverage than another quote.

Everyone must make their own decision that fits their needs. Good luck

[lakeside101]

I think that sound great... i am definitely going to look into this. Thanks for your detailed post.

[gwynne]

Does BUPA have an age cut-off?

[Wheels]

Does BUPA have an age cut-off?

I do not know but will ask tomorrow

[lakeheron]

I do not know but will ask tomorrow

We checked into BUPA a few years ago and the cut off age then was 74.

I might add that the limit for cancer treatments is very low. You will go through that very fast as we know from personal experience here in Mexico. I don't know about the other limits.