Fred Habacht Posted March 11, 2014 Report Share Posted March 11, 2014 Following our problems with COPD it will be necessary to go to two different hospitals in Guad...on Wednesday. One for a special test and one for a 3 day hospital stay. Our agent, Andre Bellon, will meet us and escort us to the first hospital and handle all paperwork and he will then wait till the first test is completed and then take us to hospital number two for room check in and tests...upon release at the end of the week...he will re-appear and handle check out and all paperwork. Extra charges for this service were and are ZERO. Real cost of such service is PRICELESS. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
simpsca Posted March 11, 2014 Report Share Posted March 11, 2014 Good luck with your tests. Yes that kind of service is priceless! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fred Habacht Posted March 11, 2014 Author Report Share Posted March 11, 2014 AND THANKS for your help! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lakeside7 Posted March 12, 2014 Report Share Posted March 12, 2014 Barbara, from previous posting I thought that you have received good service from IMSS..why not for this aliment Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wookie Posted March 12, 2014 Report Share Posted March 12, 2014 The way we are taken care of here is amazing and I sure hope it lasts. This service that is being provided by your agent has been provided by our physicians each time we have had to be hospitalized in Guadalajara. It is rather unbelieveable but it sure does make a person feel secure. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dr.Santiago Posted March 12, 2014 Report Share Posted March 12, 2014 As a physician I have my reservations about an insurance agent being present in some of the medical treatment areas etc. I had a couple run-ins with some agent(s) who tried to steer the care and treatment I indicated to my patients to people HE preferred, rather than those I choose (even if they are within the insurance companies network of doctors). In one particular instance, this insurance agent kept calling my patient during an ambulance ride (which I was on board) to try to convince her to go to the doctor he recommended. It was very much to our surprise when he showed up at the ER, trying to get his hands on the patient's medical chart and was present while my patient was being examined in the Emergency Dept. My patient was appalled and very uncomfortable. I had to be very stern and asked him to please leave. In the U.S. an insurance agent has no place in dictating the course of a patient in such a manner as is here. It's even unethical, in my opinion. I do appreciate the fact that patients have a language and cultural barrier when it comes to navigating the healthcare system down here but I remind the patients that it is the insurance companies who pay the agents, when all is said and done. I assured the insurance agent that no language or cultural barriers exist when I am coordinating the care of my patients. In the end, he stepped aside and allowed us (healthcare providers) to do our job unhindered and with a very successful outcome. So, just make sure that the insurance agents aren't overstepping any boundaries or (IMHO collecting information that will help the insurance company deny a claim). Their presence in certain situations can be considered a conflict of interest. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fred Habacht Posted March 12, 2014 Author Report Share Posted March 12, 2014 WELL...Doctor...we appreciate your views but since my wife's condition may have been caused by an incorrect usage of medicine on a doctor's orders....I can't say who is welcome in our lives but I do know that a man who is willing to help us move between two hospitals in one day and is allowing us to use our own choice as to doctors and hospitals does seem to be someone we should stick with. Perhaps having someone helping filling in forms an arranging payment is out of line...but not the line that we welcomed him to follow. I wish someone, including this agent, had suggested changing our doctors but they stayed neutral....my wife is not a commodity and we both welcome the assistance we've gotten from friends and our insurance agent....I think that rather than suggest "conflict of interest" that maybe you could have added something more helpful with your vast medical knowledge than a suggestion that everything was maybe "not right" but you did seem to push your own agenda as well as sowing doubt. Doctor's are not Gods nor are insurance agents but our agent seems to be leaning towards angel status...he always wishes us a happy and healthy day and does whatever he can to help that wish come true....you may have noticed that you didn't bother to offer any good wishes to my wife on her visits to the hospitals where she will be facing a pretty rough time. Maybe you should not have missed that elective class on "bedside manner" it would have done you a world of good. For my part we will not be adding you to our Christmas card list. As a side note...we do hope that tight control of your patients keeps your bottom line as healthy as you hope for...A Votre Sante! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fred Habacht Posted March 12, 2014 Author Report Share Posted March 12, 2014 Lakeside...we dropped IMSS. They would not have been willing to treat this condition nor do they have access to the new equipment necessary for the testing requirements. Our insurance coverage, after our necessary pre-pays, will take care of everything with no upside limits. In no way are we suggesting that IMSS or Segura Popular is wrong or unnecessary....but they have limitations and they would be the first to say that getting the best of help should be your priority if you can afford it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mainecoons Posted March 12, 2014 Report Share Posted March 12, 2014 Tell us more about this Met Life policy. What are the age limits to start? What is it costing you for the two of you? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
freshjuice23 Posted March 12, 2014 Report Share Posted March 12, 2014 MIND SET................................What has age to do with health insurance.........I am 89 and can't health insurance because of MY Age..... Why I am healthier than some people at 65...... Are people brainwashed by the insurance companies? Sorry, but a new fhread has to be started... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RVGRINGO Posted March 12, 2014 Report Share Posted March 12, 2014 Best wishes for a good outcome Fred & Barbara. We are rooting for you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cbviajero Posted March 12, 2014 Report Share Posted March 12, 2014 For my part we will not be adding you to our Christmas card list. As a side note...we do hope that tight control of your patients keeps your bottom line as healthy as you hope for...A Votre Sante!Have you been a patient of Dr.Santiago?I've heard nothing but good things about his practice,maybe your attack on him is unjustified? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wookie Posted March 12, 2014 Report Share Posted March 12, 2014 cbviajero, I have sent you a PM. Fred and Barbara, good luck and there will be extra prayers for both of you. I think it is wonderful of your insurance agent to help you in this manner. Ours is also very helpful each time we go to the hospital, though the doctor is the one that has gone with us or met us there in times of crisis, our insurance agent also comes and makes sure all the papers are filled out correctly so that there is not a problem when it comes time for the insurance company to pay. Also, we have in the past relied very heavily on the recommendations of our agent in helping to pick specialists as they have knowledge that sometimes the average person does not have regarding doctors and their success rates... or at least how successful they have been with the agent's clients. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dr.Santiago Posted March 12, 2014 Report Share Posted March 12, 2014 barbara habacht As I guess I did not make myself clear and I apologize if my comments may have upset you. Let me be direct. In addition to being a physician I have been trained and certified as a Medical Interpreter in the U.S. and have trained many others to do so while in the process of my U.S. board certification. It is this training that has made me very aware of the vast cultural and language barriers that can exist between doctors and patients in the U.S. and more so for EXPATS here in Mexico. The U.S. federal government under president Clinton instituted steps to overcome these barriers by training and putting in place CERTIFIED MEDICAL INTERPRETERS to help with the entire process of getting healthcare from checking in at an institution to signing out after seeing your healthcare provider and everything in between. An interpreter is meant to be a conduit. The system does have it's flaws but has done away with many conflicts of interest and has also helped cut down on many costly medical errors. Sadly, no such system is in place here in Mexico. I applaud the following from your insurance agent: Going above and beyond what is standard customer service here driving you and accompanying you at the hospitals Helping you interpret/translate (LEGAL) documents that you were signing. I'm quite happy you have somebody whom you regard as an angel who seems to be helping your both thru a difficult time. The concerns I have noted are the following The insurance agent of my patients trying to steer my patients to another healthcare provider they never met. My patients never asked for his advice or recommendation. People often don't like to be told which doctors they can or cannot see by their insurance companies/agents. Showing up unannounced or uninvited in the Emergency Dept. and refusing to leave when asked by staff and patients alike Opening my patient's private medical chart and records without prior authorization These are grave errors and overstepping of boundaries. In the U.S. these actions would merit an immediate dismissal from the agent's position and in some U.S. states these actions can be criminal actions. I state again, this is not in reference to YOUR MET LIFE agent. I do wish you and your wife well. I'm quite happy with the manner my patients do rate me on my style and bedside manner but more importantly, my results and the results of those whom I have on my team of doctors. A simple thank you from my patients and recommendations have sufficed in the past and there has been no need for gifts or cards from them to acknowledge my work. I truly do wish you all the best in health. à votre santé Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wookie Posted March 12, 2014 Report Share Posted March 12, 2014 It is very curious to me why there is only one doctor out of many here at Lakeside that insists on sharing his particular attributes and achievement on this forum. I wonder if most of them are too busy to do so or maybe they think it is not their place. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mad_Max Posted March 12, 2014 Report Share Posted March 12, 2014 - in answer to Luke's comment about Dr posting being the only doctor posting on local webforums - Dr Sam also posts Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wookie Posted March 12, 2014 Report Share Posted March 12, 2014 Well, so glad to know that it has been declared that "enuf said" since Mad_Max has her opportunity. Geez. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fred Habacht Posted March 12, 2014 Author Report Share Posted March 12, 2014 Maincoons: The rates for my Met Life Insurance are based on age, amount of deductibles that you choose to pay and your age as well as the hospitals that you wish to be able to use. There is age limit as to where you are not accepted even if you are healthy and that is 70, if you are already in the plan then there seems to no upside limit. I suggest you stop by to see Andre Bellon at his office near SuperLake or you might call me to learn of our particular plan....both of us are over 70 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fred Habacht Posted March 12, 2014 Author Report Share Posted March 12, 2014 We returned from the two hospitals. One took my wife as an outpatient and the charges were greatly reduced because of that but the other one has admitted her for a very short few days. Dr. Santiago, I would be remiss in not thanking you for explaining your comments and your reasons for making them and also for sending best wishes to my wife. As you said...cultural differences can make for misunderstandings. Mad Max....sorry that you wanted to close my post which was meant to share a situation that many of you may one day face. I have always been happy to learn from this forum...I have noticed that you already are aware of nearly everything so feel free to block any future posts I might choose to make. "enuf said." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mainecoons Posted March 12, 2014 Report Share Posted March 12, 2014 Maincoons: The rates for my Met Life Insurance are based on age, amount of deductibles that you choose to pay and your age as well as the hospitals that you wish to be able to use. There is age limit as to where you are not accepted even if you are healthy and that is 70, if you are already in the plan then there seems to no upside limit. I suggest you stop by to see Andre Bellon at his office near SuperLake or you might call me to learn of our particular plan....both of us are over 70 Thank you Fred. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fred Habacht Posted March 12, 2014 Author Report Share Posted March 12, 2014 I do not wish to be considered a "tout". "one who tries to sell or push a product that may or may not be what is promised ." I do not suggest auto legalization by anyone nor do I suggest that you only buy from Met Life...I do admit to saying that all of us should consider health insurance and that can be from IMSS; Seguro Popular; GNP; Plan Seguro; Qualitas; Bupa; ANA or Met Life...any coverage is better than none....some of these plans will take clients into their 80's...Barbara and I only wanted to share what could, might or might not happen. We never expected to need insurance at this early point in an otherwise healthy life...nor would we expect an auto accident...but it could happen and that is why we chose protection...the choice is not ours but yours to make. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MtnMama Posted March 12, 2014 Report Share Posted March 12, 2014 I am sincerely glad to hear that Met Life is paying for a treatment that they could consider pre-existing. I have not heard positive things prior to this. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
simpsca Posted March 13, 2014 Report Share Posted March 13, 2014 Most insurance companies here cover pre-existing conditions after 3 years of being covered. At least that was the case with Seguros Monterrey New York Life when I had a policy from them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fred Habacht Posted March 13, 2014 Author Report Share Posted March 13, 2014 We have 5 years with Met Life and are covered but this was supposed to be a call for people to buy ANY health insurance not to put down the company you may not have heard good things about... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
holdrja Posted March 15, 2014 Report Share Posted March 15, 2014 Appreciate the information you shared, and best wishes for your health. Wanted to say "speedy recovery" but not sure that applies to COPD....... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.