JAC3

"Doctors also agree there are some situations that cannot wait for evacuation. Notably, in the relatively rare event of a particularly massive heart attack, an angioplasty with stent may be required immediately. The cost associated with that procedure in Guadalajara is about 150,000 pesos (US$11,000 to $12,000 depending on exchange). The medical resources in Guadalajara are world-class and perfectly able to handle an issue like this".

I am amazed how posters are being so cavalier about the medical situation in Mexico, when in the past 4 months there have been a number of foreigners medically compromise and bailed out by friends and fund raisers

lakeside7 Your posting here has me a little confused, Could you please elaborate. It would appear that you perceive this comment as cavalier.

Fact is, there is a large number of foreigners at Lakeside that are rolling the dice and have not made any provision for a medical catastrophe. Recently, there has been a slew of expats (some with a quite a high profile) that "lost the bet" and have had to be "bailed out' as you describe.

There is a really big difference in having a well thought out but perhaps unconventional plan and having no plan.

Or is it possible I just have done a poor job of communicating the findings of considerable research in my posting?

sahlstrom, for a host of reasons a rapidly growing number of American Expats and Snowbirds with Medicare have decided to self-insure their day-to-day medical expenses in Mexico and use Medicare to handle their major expenditures.

An investigation of the risks reveal that there is considerable savings to be realized. On average, day-to-day expenses incurred here annually will be less than the typical deductible chosen by Expats or Snowbirds on most medical insurance plans.

The consensus of local doctors is that in the event of a serious illness or injury the normal cost for medical stabilization prior to medical air evacuation is about US$3,000. It doesn't seem to matter if that is for heart attack, stroke, auto accident or whatever. Sometimes stabilization can take a few days longer and the cost may get to US$5,000. An amount that is still less that the average deductible on medical insurance.

Doctors also agree there are some situations that cannot wait for evacuation. Notably, in the relatively rare event of a particularly massive heart attack, an angioplasty with stent may be required immediately. The cost associated with that procedure in Guadalajara is about 150,000 pesos (US$11,000 to $12,000 depending on exchange). The medical resources in Guadalajara are world-class and perfectly able to handle an issue like this.

An essential piece of this self-insurance strategy is having an air ambulance evacuation membership. The membership provides no cost transport to the US location/hospital of their choice to access Medicare treatment in the event of a medical emergency.

Careful analysis reveals this strategy offers the chance to invest the considerable medical insurance premiums saved in a fund that will that will minimize or a few years totally cover future out-of-pocket emergency stabilization expenses... if they are ever required. One way to facilitate this strategy is to keep a credit card, with let's say a $15,000 limit, ready for that rare eventuality.

Please PM me or check for my contact details at http://www.chapala.com/skymed.html if you are interested in more information about the air evacuation piece of the strategy.

Of course they want to sell you insureance.....but some people will want to do this, so the talk should be informative.
However:  When the "questions" time comes up, here are some suggestions, in case they don't cover the matters in the lecture:

1. Do they fly you to the hospital OF YOUR CHOICE,  or simply to the nearest one in the states?

2. At what level of serious illness will they refuse to take you ?  (You will need to be "stabilized" before you go anywhere.)

I've heard a few negative reports on these matters, and you'll want the answers.

Thank you gringal, these concerns and more are exactly the kinds of issues that will be discussed.  And as you suggest we do believe attendees will find the talk most informative.

Thank you RayS and bmh very much for your help.   Jose Luis was great - he knows what he is doing for sure.  Cheers

Our family was in the Outdoor Advertising business and in high school I spent summers maintaining signs.  So by osmosis I know a little bit (stress on little) about selling signs.  The investment in signs is always contingent on traffic count. There is no way that a sign company NOB would be able to sell to Wal-Mart NOB a sign of that size (estimated based on the size of the tower lying on the ground) at a location with a such a low traffic count.  This is a 3 way corner of a two-lane highway in a fairly quiet town.  This is an expensive sign and belongs on a 6-lane highway with a boulevard fighting for visibility (like Route 15 past the new Costco going into Guadalajara).

Question prompted by the Wal-Mart scandal: Is it a part of a bulk order bought some time ago to benefit parties other than Wal-Mart?  Is that why the Manager is not getting any traction with H.O. in Mexico City?   Is someone at Wal-Mart NOB sniffing around and that may be the reason it is still lying on the ground?