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I totally get your points made above and I am going to drop this after making a few final points here. This was not a personal conversation between friends or acquaintances. This was an exchange between a business owner and a frustrated prospect. I see nothing wrong in making that exchange public in order to warn others of what they might be in for when dealing with this business owner. Being called a horrible human being and told to go f**k off was so way beyond any level of rudeness contained within my responses that it put me into revenge mode. So yes, sometimes in life, one gets back what one gives out.

Hardly. Lisa has shown herself to fit the SCOTUS definition of obscene - no redeeming social value - time and time again since she arrived in 2012. You haven't been around long enough to appreciate the depths she can navigate.

F the B!

In many retail outlets the owner isn't there and the "manager" is a 17 year old kid who views you as an interruption to their conversation or streaming video on their phone. They could care less that a gringo wants them to put on a mask.

Lakeside7 thanks for the additional details. First off, I highly endorse Spencer's comment to avoid signing any promissory agreement with SAH or other medical provider if they are so certain your Medigap or Advantage Plan will pay for services and is a legitimate insurance claim. That still won't exempt you from an Insurer or Medicare coming after you for filing a fraudulent claim. Specifically on your comment above, that owning a home in the US and Mexico should not exempt you from Medicare...and it does NOT, however it does prohibit emergency Medicare treatment (see above directly from Medicare.gov) unless emergency treatment begins during the first 60 days of your trip, a trip with a date that began in the US, not Mexico or another international location. How do we know? Because Medicare and Medicare Advantage Plans are NOT available outside of the US with very few exceptions. Regarding SAH Lakeside Medicare Advantage Plan presentation, good to hear you thought the sales rep Jeff didn't make any false claims, however just google Medigap and Medicare Advantage Plans and skim though some of the broker ads who want to sell you a policy and nowhere will you find ANY insurer offering any service or treatment that is not emergency and medically necessary, while travelling, all with a 60-day travel window from the US. That's why some of us with knowledge of Medicare are confounded by these claims of service here Lakeside. Who is the insurer Medicare Advantage Plan being promoted by that sales rep?

@Dostortas I can appreciate your position, but I disagree with it, except for the part of it not being funny at all. It's not meant to be funny, and it's no joke. How is it that you came to the decision to avoid her and her ventures? My goal in spreading this around was to inform others of what lurks beneath the façade. The only tool I have to cast a wider net is social media. I wasn't hoping to make her look bad; she took care of doing that herself. If my posts have spared even one person from purchasing a subscription from her, then I'm fine with being considered the bully and the one who looks bad here.

do not patronize the businesses that do not respect the mask wearing and tell them why.. or do not go there at all. they will get the message eventually

I walked over this late morning to Chapala's Centro de Salud. The lady at the door asked me what I needed, I told her, she instructed me to go outside and get in line, and I was third. When it was my turn I entered six feet inside and was inoculated. Total time on site 10 minutes.

Whether it be buying cars, getting the latest home theater gear or taking medicines or vaccines I have found it is best not to be an "early adopter" but rather to observe the subsequent performance after the introduction of any of these. We'll continue sensible precautions, have proven medication on hand just in case, and wait and see how the rather hastily developed vaccines do in the real world. In any case, I'd rather be here in a small town with superb climate and readily available health care than I would be in a big city with the gloomy winter coming on.

When businesses started to reopen, we were encouraged by the ones that were consistently diligent and made a point of patronizing those businesses. One of those was the Riberas Pet Store formally referred to as the animal shelter. Today I was disappointed to find employees with no masks, not even under their chin. The one stocking the cat food was sneezing. Several businesses have loosened up recently and it's disheartening to no longer feel confident with the ones we used to trust with following protocol. This is part of our new reality.

It is a public health facility with no cashier.

There's enough fraud with Medicare in the US to keep every investigator busy 24/7. Can you imagine the fraud if Medicare was ever expanded outside the borders? Fagetaboutit.

If the manager is a 17 year old kid who does not care then do not go there, simple.

I agree, her response was very unprofessional and way over the top. Like using a cannon to shoot a fly. Not that you’re a fly. I’m a Scorpio, I understand revenge mode all too well. Confucius says before you embark on a journey of revenge, dig two graves. Scorpio says dig ten. At any rate, I better understand now your intentions and very much respect your honesty and the manner in which you expressed your views.

Many of my Mexicans friends have told me they don’t feel comfortable with confrontation. Perhaps some of the store owners and employees don’t feel comfortable enforcing the protocols for that reason. We’ve all read those stories about employees suffering abuse from some patron that became unhinged because they were asked to where a mask. To me it seems pretty simple, if you want to go to a store, wear a mask and keep appropriate distance or if you don’t want to wear a mask, don’t go to the store. For many small businesses here, people live in the same place where they work. I sympathize with the challenges some may face trying to make a living in these times.

What did they say when you asked to speak to the owner/manager....or did you... ?

5Jacks, These unsolicited emails and your private exchange that you’ve published on the web board and Facebook Group pages sure have garnered some reaction from folks. I avoid Jorgensen and don’t support her ventures but posting this everywhere makes you look as bad as you’re hoping to make her look. It’s not funny at all. It’s a bit akin to cyber bullying actually. Know your Netiquette.

(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

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.

Seemed normal this morning. I do feel robbed for what I paid for an ink cartridge though.

Some years ago, I suffered a total blockage from multiple diverticuli. It was an emergency situation, and I called Dr. Hector Valenzuela, who saw me at Quality Care, and removed my colon, with reconnection, in Guadalajara. It worked, and all is well.

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

Simeticona:

Seriously, typing out SMH does not make you look more intelligent or more youthful. Using rarely used and rediculous acronyms is extremely annoying and tiresome to any audience. This ain't the military. I took up the task of looking it up. And I don't know why I did (I certainly don't feel more educated.) But for what its worth, Mr. Google says that SMH just means shaking my head. Wouldn't it have just been better to spell it out?

Or the post from Artsnob from September 26 - just amazing what you can find by doing search

We order from Cocinart and love every bite but, in my mind, there is no such thing as too much butter 😁

You should follow your post from 4 hours earlier today. People have responded. https://www.chapala.com/webboard/index.php?/topic/89053-flu-vaccine/

I spoke with the Jefe of state transito for the Chapala municipality. He told me they will be making changes to the stop light in front of Walmart.

ATMs work fine for me. No charge and I can get 20,000 at a time. I have many problems with my Mexican bank so I am about to give it up even though I can transfer money from Canada to my Mexican account myself at no charge.

Currently 1900 pesos for 24 hours at Quality Care.

Thanks for helping me understand better why some folks feel better banking locally. You are probably in a majority since there are lots of banks trying to cater to expats. It has just never worked for us. Alan

Even before Covid, I prefer dealing with machines! We've lived here a total of 11 years and owned 2 homes and did substantial renovations to each of them, as well as furnishing them. We have yet to open a MX bank account. To us it's a matter of simplification....the fewer financial accounts we need to deal with, the better. Our Schwab account allows for zero ATM fees worldwide. When we lived here 2008-2012 we never used a credit card because MX hadn't yet embraced Chip technology. Well, now they do and we use credit cards for many purchases resulting in a lot of airline miles and fewer ATM visits. I agree with @cookj5 that we all have different experiences and different comfort levels.

Still not sure why any expat needs to bank in Mexico. It is easy to access funds in foreign (non-Mexican) banks from here using ATMs. Any type of check could be deposited in US bank and accessed from here. What kinds of problems or issues are folks dealing with that require local bank accounts? Somebody please explain by example. I guess there might be a one time need for a particular event but once that is done just ignore the Mexican bank and either close the account or leave the minimum balance to avoid fees. Alan

Hmmm! I guess that I don't need their phone #.

Just a question.... if one country is testing a lot and another one barely at all, would that not affect the reported infection cases?

Today's Phonics Lesson: Tea = Ti Wha = jua Nah = na Teawhana = Tijuana Spelling Lesson: INM stands for INMIGRACION

Local merchants and artisans and many other people are suffering whether the NOB visitors come or not. The situation throughout Mexico is pretty bad...and people should protect themselves with masks all over and they are not so it will continue until people get smart about it.. That is life..

If you complain to the owner/manager/employee then at least you have tried to do something So many expats complain on web boards but do nothing in person to rectify the issue.. if no one talks to the business then they don’t know it’s an issue even though we think they should..

Looks more like public shaming than public warning.

I do not see why you couldn't negotiate your best deal;.......then compare it instantly online to see which is actually a better deal? I've tried both ways, and was simply saying what I've found to possibly be a bit better all in cost in the end.