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Showing content with the highest reputation on 10/07/2020 in all areas

  1. Ask them to pay and not collect from you nor make you sign any promissory notes if they are so sure about things. You have been warned
    4 points
  2. I had a similar exchange with her over the technical issues of her website, which were many. I asked for a refund. She said, FU, you'll never get it back. I sent all our back-and-forth emails to PayPal (the have a customer complaint portal). PayPal refunded the entire amount I had paid, even though I had only asked for a pro-rated refund. I suggest the OP and others who have been ripped of by Lisa, do the same. Her "newspapers" copy stories from other online sources, crediting none of them. Her own website malfunctions incessantly. Hit her where it hurts, the pocketbook. @5JacksPlease REMOVE the Guadalajara Reporter from your thread title; they are not related to the others. You can edit the title by going to your initial post, and move your cursor to the Title line and edit it. Thx.
    3 points
  3. The Guadalajara Reporter is in no way associated with the Lake Chapala Reporter and the Puerto Vallarta Reporter. Lisa used the names to try to confuse folks.
    3 points
  4. No sign of adults around this Post.....
    3 points
  5. (This will be a long Post, so those of you who are not the least bit interested can just cruise on by) Expand the above quotes.... lakeside7, to address some of your comments and questions from the above quote..... 1). Having a home abroad surely does not disqualify one... not at all. Medicare could care less what you own/where. What 'disqualifies' one is trying to use Medicare out of the US for other than emergencies while traveling. 2) This.... high premiums of up to $300 per month for a Supplement policy.... is exactly why millions of folks try/use a Medicare Advantage program in the first place. But there are other things that 'might' make one hesitate in getting, as you call it, an APlan. See the following for a partial explanation. 3) The short version: In 2003 Medicare started offering a different version of Medicare called Medicare Advantage, Part C. These programs are NOT run by Medicare but by private-party insurance companies like Aetna, United Healthcare, et al. These programs MUST meet certain Medicare rules but have the option to offer different coverages and different pricing structures. This is not the place to describe just HOW an APlan can offer such good pricing... like $0 premiums!.... but there are good reasons. One of the reasons... and it is one of the largest ones.... is that ALL APlan policies are run like an HMO... the plans are location specific, there is an In-Network requirement. One can ONLY go to Doctors, Hospitals, etc who are qualified APlan insurance company... In-Network it is called.... and your current Doctor/Hospital of choice possibly may not be in the Network. This way the APlan 'has control over' the Doctors etc. and can control costs. Another requirement of an APlan is that you must have a specified PCP (Primary Care Physician) that the plan recognizes and he/she must be seen every time first. This PCP and your APlan 'controls' your use of the Network. If you think you need an X-Ray or a Colonoscopy or a eye exam or a bad rotator cuff looked at, you can't just waltz into that Specialist's office, you must first go to your PCP and then he/she must refer you to that Specialist.... and that Specialist must also be In-Network! Same with hospitals, even emergency rooms... you can only go to ones that are In-Network. If you favorite hospital is not In-Network you can go there but you will pay a much higher cost out of pocket to do so. Also, similar to Original Medicare, with an APlan there are usually out of pocket costs such as deductibles, office visit payments, drug deductibles, Out Patient hospital visits, MRIs etc etc that one must pay when they are visited. My office visit cost is $10 but an annual extensive medical checkup is $0.... the insurance company wants to keep you healthy and well. A visit to my orthopedic Doc Specialist is $40 for an office visit. And with an APlan policy, meds are usually covered but with some deductibles and without an additional monthly premium for Plan D drugs. If one has Original Medicare, Plan D drug coverage is NOT covered but for an additional $ premium ($45/mo?)one can add it on. As example my APlan deductible for my high blood pressure med is $2 for a month's supply at a local pharmacy OR I can get a 90-day supply of it mailed to me for $0. Some meds are higher... $10-$40 co-pay.... at a local pharmacy but certainly not outrageously high unless one is on a exceedingly expensive drug like maybe for RA. And for all of this I am paying nothing extra for Plan D drugs. But with an APlan I can't just waltz into a doctors office or hospital for a non-emergency reason in, say, Poughkeepsie N.Y., and expect to not pay an arm and a leg for that visit. But I CAN do that with Original Medicare/Supplement...assuming that particular Doc in Poughheepsie is taking new Medicare patients!...and not pay a dime as it is covered by those policies. It's part of why one is paying up to $300 per month. I could go on but these are I think the highlights of the differences between an APlan and Original Medicare w/Supplement as you are doing with Aetna. So why would the 22-million-in 2019 citizens change to an APlan with all these extra restrictions? Well IMO it is usually because of the cost differential.... the monthly premium is usually between $0-$50 per month with these plans... mine has been $0 for the last 14 years.... instead of maybe $150-$300 per month depending on one's exact Medicare Supplement Policy coverage. So if one is fairly healthy, why pay $150-$300 per month for something one will rarely use when one can pay $0 plus a few minor charges occasionally. I can tell you that I am multi-thousands ahead of the game... let's call it $40,000... but I've been a pretty healthy guy. IF something BIG were to happen to me... heart attack or cancer.... I am still covered quite well by my APlan, cannot be charged more than $7,400 annually and can always change back to Original Medicare "any" time I wish without penalty. In those 14 years I have never paid out more than about $500 a year for all my medical needs and most years it is only about $200 total. 4) loopholes: you are speaking here of life in Mexico and yes there seems to always be a loophole one can test. BUT this discussion is about United States Medicare insurance. IMO trying to come up with loopholes with one's medical insurance is playing with fire. Trust me, there is no better qualified entity than Medicare or an Insurance company in finding their own loopholes with which they can try to deny payment. Why serve them up with an easy one. Hope this helps lakeside7
    2 points
  6. Starting this process today, using Ocotillo corn from Oaxaca milpes. Using food grade lime, made from quicklime, not hydrated lime ( powder). Wish me luck! https://www.mexicanplease.com/homemade-masa-dough-using-yellow-field-corn/
    2 points
  7. Seemed normal this morning. I do feel robbed for what I paid for an ink cartridge though.
    2 points
  8. I think that this discussion, while interesting and with many twists and turns, has drifted from the basic thought: Can a US citizen use either their Original Medicare w/Supplement coverage or the newer (2003) Medicare Advantage Part C insurance coverage for other-than-Emergencies while traveling abroad. That's it. That's the question. And the answer is a resounding NO! There are no Medicare programs or laws or policies that are in place.... and ever likely to be put in place.... that will allow it. No matter how much we wish we could, or how many people think/hope/have been told they can, and even have 'authorities abroad' telling them that they can 'arrange it', it just isn't going to happen outside of the allowed Emergency option. And any attempt to pretend like they are traveling when they are really living Abroad, even if for only several months out of the year, and then attempt to use use their Medicare coverage could be construed by the insurance company and/or Medicare to be Insurance Fraud. Lakeside7, we are just trying to help, but WE aren't the ones who will/can determine your fate if you try to use Medicare other than as described. Jubilacion has given you the 'golden recommendation'. And IT is the only way you are going to be sure about any of this. His recommendation started off by saying "I highly encourage you to call her Advantage Plan insurer (not your broker/agent) and get it straight from them, etc etc..." Peace
    2 points
  9. My office will fax ballots for free while you wait and give you confirmation or give you free US stamps to be able to mail.
    2 points
  10. Yes illegal for hospitals to do that and some retain documents, people will do illegal things unless challenged and with an overburdened and underfunded legal system with a 1% conviction rate for reported crimes many with low moral standards will take their chances.
    2 points
  11. After receiving unsolicited emails over the past week from the latter 2 media outlets and finding that the "unsubscribe" links within them led to "page not found" errors, I had the following email exchange with the "staff" there: I'm just reporting the facts as they appear in black and white and you all can draw your own conclusions. Funny, I just tried the "unsubscribe" links again and they are now working.
    1 point
  12. I have found for relatively easy things like this and even not so easy I can usually find a UTube video showing me exactly how to do it. For example:
    1 point
  13. Yes, I have heard nothing of robberies. At this time I am more worried about how I get out of the parking lot and head back west to Ajijic.
    1 point
  14. Update: I just successfully created my cuenta "Llave CDMX" The website is impressive. I entered my CURP and it auto-filled my data. Then I uploaded: (1) Color pdf of front and back of INM card, (2) photo of a recent foto tamanno credencial, and (3) An estado de cuenta from my bank. Documents are under review and when approved, I will have a full account that *should* be sufficient to request a Carta de No Antecedentes Penales at the federal level. **edit - Nope! This appears to be a solicitud for a Carta de No Antecedentes that is equivalent to the State-level Carta. In other words, if you reside in the CDMX, this would be the state letter of no criminal records, and not the letter you get in Coyoacan. In the "Alcaldia" section of the solicitud, the only listed options are neighborhoods of Mexico City.
    1 point
  15. @Bisbee GalActually, one of her newsletters is called "Guadalajara Reporter." It has no connection with the weekly, The Guadalajara Reporter, that most of you pick up at a store or subscribe to online. Hers is guadalajarareporter.mx whereas the reputable one is theguadalajarareporter.net.
    1 point
  16. What robberies? We are shielded from reality here and wondering.
    1 point
  17. Dr Daniel Briseño. Yes works at SAT hospital. He is at Quality Care. 376-766-1870.
    1 point
  18. Lakeside7, I admit at one time I could say with 100% certainty you are being mislead, but today out of the business for a few years that certainty may be only 85-90%, but I'm fairly current since I have been reviewing lot of plans lately because I come of Medicare age in November. What SAH told you was correct with your Medigap coverage, foreign coverage begins during the first 60 days of your trip, BUT I don't know how in the world it would ever cover you in MX you if you are living here unless you (or SAH which is also you authorizing the insurance charge) fictitiously claim you were only traveling. I'm aware of a Medigap insurer asking for proof of travel like the departure date with airline ticket, gas receipts, hotel recipts etc. Remember, insurers do not want to pay claims and are naturally suspicious of foreign travel claims. The intent of international emergency coverage is that your trip begins in the US, not in Mexico or another foreign country. It's essentially travel insurance only from the US. Your wife's Medicare Advantage policy where someone (I think SAH) told her she has routine coverage in Mexico outside of similar emergency coverage as your Medigap policy... I just don't believe it. I highly encourage you to call her Advantage Plan insurer (not your broker/agent) and get it straight from them. Play a "what if" game with them. Don't just ask if she has emergency coverage (she does) but spell out some questions like, "What if we snowbird in Mexico... or "What if we're going to spend a few months travelling internationally... etc. ...does my Medicare Advantage plan have coverage for non-emergency procedures? Followed by, "What coverage does my Advantage Plan have internationally if we're away from the US for OVER 60-days?" If the answer is positive to either of the above from the insurer, please let us know the name of the insurer, it would certainly change my tentative decision on the Medigap or Advantage Plan for my personal Medicare. Good luck! I hope we're proven wrong.
    1 point
  19. My 2 pesos...I usually buy my meds at Farmacia Guadalajara and they almost always have a generic, which my GP will ask for to save some money. Once, they did not have any lisinopril and I bought a very cheap generic at Farmacia Similares. Very cool, I thought! 3 weeks later, I was in the emergency room at Ajijic Clinic with severe vertigo due to my BP having gone through the roof. When I got to my regular GP, I recieved a stern lecture about buying generics anywhere other than FG. If not buying brand name, he does not trust anyone other than FG with generics. You can also get hidroclorotiazida 25mg there. Just need to cut it for 12.5. That's my story, take it for what it's worth. I like to save a little cash, but not with something I have to ingest for my health.
    1 point
  20. And you are woefully paranoid and I am quite well informed through a vast amount of sources as we all are without reading the constant barrage perpetrated by someone that seems unable to think of anything else. Perhaps in deference to that poster and others like yourself this board should change it's years old premise and become a one trick pony-eh!The 2 with masks were in the process of serving at other tables when we called them over for the foto. as for the sneezing on us,I merely posted that as humour, a concept which seems to have escaped many of you. pedro kertesz
    1 point
  21. The IMSS clinic in Chapala is a awful. Under the AMLO administration all federal services have worsened. (for him unneeded railroads and refineries are more important) It is much easier and quicker for minor services and emergencies to pay a couple of hundred pesos at one of the many 24 hour clinics here. Leave the IMSS clinic for those that can't afford a clinic visit. As to using IMSS for major problems or catastrophic events ... I have experience with 2 different IMSS hospitals. Number 89 in GDL and number 180 in Tlajomulco (used for Chapala residents) . My wife had spinal surgery in GDL. The doctor was one of the top spinal surgeons in GDL. Like many doctors he works 4 hours a day at IMSS and thus will get a government pension. Then he goes to his office from 4pm until 8pm. My wife's follow up appts were at his office as it was close to our apartment in GDL and he thought it would be more convenient. She did her rehab at the swimming pool in the hospital. Thousands of Mexicans have major medical treatment at IMSS hospitals. Are there ever problems?? .. sure.. but as you can read on many posts on this board there are problems with private hospitals as well.
    1 point
  22. When a business owner deals with negative comments by accusing those who have complained as being some sort of conspiracy by the competition, that doesn't say much for the business owner's professionalism, nor does saying you'll pay anyone who has a bad experience. Know what a professional approach is? "I'm quite distressed to read that some of the posters here have said they had a bad experience at my restaurant. Please, if you ever experience poor food or service at my establishment, let me know right away, so I have a opportunity to get to the bottom of what might have happened, as it's of utmost importance to me to provide a consistent high quality product and service." Defensiveness, accusations, and denial in response to customer complaints will cause me not to patronize a business just as much as poor quality product, service, or workmanship will. Whereas a business owner being open and responsive to complaints will often encourage me to give that business a second chance.
    1 point
  23. Pancho's emporium is the single best thing that has happened in Lakeside in years. Great food, great variety, great staff and a "go to necessity" for the best all round grocery and beverage selection anywhere. He's put himself on the line and in difficult times he's doing all of us a service. Yes, there are wrinkles along the way for any new business and not every day is filled with perfection........but take a good look. Pancho's will, with very little doubt, be around a long, long time.....and he has a son who'll likely take over when Pancho gets a little tired!
    1 point
  24. I used LMG for surgery earlier this year. Very good service. I paid cash.
    1 point
  25. Yes, but many people are watching how things were done in Sweden, and they like the results. Sure, their death toll initially was much higher than that of their neighbors (but so is their population.) Now their casualty rate is much lower than that of their neighbors, and their population never had to suffer the draconian hard core measures of lockdown nor did they suffer from the psychological damage and economical damage that lockdown brings. Those that unfortunately did die were mostly in nursing homes and the majority of those vulnerable have already been exposed to it or have already died so their lives are allowed to continue as normal in Sweden. I would not want to be anywhere near Madrid right now since they are going back in to fruitless lock down.
    1 point
  26. Free https://www.eluniversal.com.mx/english
    1 point
  27. I had been going to a certain clinic for years and they recently told me that my U.S. insurance was no longer paying for my office visits because the visits were no longer connected to my surgery. What one has to do with another I do not know? They would no longer see me for any visits. Shortly thereafter, I received a call from my insurance's fraud investigation department saying that they were investigating the clinic. Apparently, the clinic was charging my U.S. insurance company $450 USD for office visits, which is usually MUCH less in Mexico. They also charged them $45,000 USD for a surgery that they arranged, which really only cost $15,000 USD, a $30,000 mark up. The insurance company was also under the impression that the surgery and office visits were being done in the U.S. and not Mexico. They do not pay for office visits or surgery in Mexico unless it is an emergency, which they were was not. I had no idea this was going on. Fortunately, I am not being held responsible for any of the fraudulent charges. On an added note, if you do a Google search on a doctor that runs a clinic, you can find out his previous criminal background in the U.S. This may help you figure out what they are up to.
    1 point
  28. And you just hijacked it. No intent, so it just happened on its own. SMH
    0 points
  29. Also, several months ago I was in the bakery section and told him that one of the signs on the bakery items (in French) was misspelled. On another visit, I noticed it had not been corrected.
    0 points
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