Jump to content
Chapala.com Webboard

Hospital San Antonio


Recommended Posts

My wife had a misfortunate health issue last week and was admitted to this new hospital to spend a few days recuperating after experiencing a life threatening emergency condition. The facility is very nice - at least the part that is completed so far.  The doctors seemed to be very good, the nursing staff - not very good yet.  The prices seemed to me to be extremely high - probably gringo rates.  The charge for a room is $3,480 per day!!  Last time we were in Puerta de Hierro it was $2,000 but this was a couple of years ago.  I don't think many lower income people will be using this facility.  I would be interested to know if anyone else has had any similar experiences so far. 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Wrote something similar on facebook, where all the newcomers are saying its so cheap compared to wherever they come from.

Its crazy, we are in mexico, its expensive for here,no wonder we constantly get ripped  off lakeside.

New hospital wanted 800 pesos for a consult, not even a specialist. No thanks.

I paid 2000 pesos per night in santa margarita hospital in guadalajara.

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

18 minutes ago, barcelonaman said:

New hospital wanted 800 pesos for a consult, not even a specialist. No thanks.

If you want a consult go to your own doctor; why waste the hospitals time. Like going to the ER when you have a sore throat.
I've paid anywhere from $500 (GP) to $1000 (specialist) lakeside and GDL.  If it means I don't have to spend an hour + each way driving to GDL for surgery or to see a specialist, I don't care what it costs. 

Same as when your shopping, if you REALLY want or need to have something specific, you don't look at the price you just suck it up and buy it.
FYI 1.5 yrs ago San Javier charged $3400 for a standard room - small & farthest from the nursing station.
 

  • Like 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites

If you want a consult go to your own doctor; why waste the hospitals time. Like going to the ER when you have a sore throat

 

I am recieving chemo in gdl and wanted to know if they could do it here.

Reception told me to make an appt with doc, who would then advise. 800 pesos.

The prices are gringo land rip off, why dont they charge reasonable gdl prices?

 

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

We aren't in the U.S. or Canada.  Start thinking in pesos.  What are the comps locally for a Hospital stay overnight?  Only one I can think of is Ajijic Hospital.  What do they charge?  That is your comp so far until the new Hospital on the Libramiento opens.  Comparing prices to GDL doesn't do anyone any good if you don't want to go there, or can't.  Comparing prices to other Cities in MX doesn't do anyone any good, we live here, not there.

My opinion...

  • Like 4
Link to comment
Share on other sites

1 hour ago, barcelonaman said:

If you want a consult go to your own doctor; why waste the hospitals time. Like going to the ER when you have a sore throat

 

I am recieving chemo in gdl and wanted to know if they could do it here.

Reception told me to make an appt with doc, who would then advise. 800 pesos.

The prices are gringo land rip off, why dont they charge reasonable gdl prices?

 

My friend, you already know the unfortunate answer to that question.  The guys that are building this facility are the same ones who have been targeting those with U.S. health insurance plans and/or large (in terms of dollars) incomes for years and years.  Sadly, you'll have to keep going to Guad.

  • Like 3
Link to comment
Share on other sites

We no longer drive in Big City downtowns, not here or in the US.  Over the past 11 years we were sent separately to a specialist and to a lab in downtown Guadalajara.  As I recall, we paid Ajijic drivers 800p and 900p for these round-trips which included apprx. 2 hour wait times for our visits/tests.  

If I see a specialist or have a test done at the San Antonio Hospital, I would compare their medical charges versus the Guadalajara medical charges PLUS the cost of carfare.   

Those of you who drive downtown will view this differently.  

 

  • Like 3
Link to comment
Share on other sites

I'd like to know how they can advertise out front that they can accept Medicare as well as all those other insurance companies.  This would have to be a scam, something that was also tried years ago where the patient's bill "somehow" went through a U.S. associated facility.  It didn't last.  The only way Medicare pays for treatment done in Mexico is when it's emergency treatment for visitors.

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

24 minutes ago, gringal said:

I'd like to know how they can advertise out front that they can accept Medicare as well as all those other insurance companies.  This would have to be a scam, something that was also tried years ago where the patient's bill "somehow" went through a U.S. associated facility.  It didn't last.  The only way Medicare pays for treatment done in Mexico is when it's emergency treatment for visitors.

Actually Medicare Parts A and B do NOT pay for emergency treatments for visitors to Mexico (rare exceptions listed below).  However, many Medigap policies will, often with higher than normal deductibles and a lifetime cap, and only within a certain time-frame outside the US (most are 60 days).  Medigap policies (aka Medicare supplementals) are purchased separately from the private sector. 

Medicare Parts A and B pay only in these atypical situations for services outside the US.  These are Medicare rules from their website (medcare.gov) re: travel:

Quote

 

Medicare usually doesn’t cover health care while you’re traveling outside the u.s. There are some exceptions, including some cases where Medicare Part B (Medical Insurance) may pay for services that you get on board a ship within the territorial waters adjoining the land areas of the U.S.

Medicare may pay for inpatient hospital, doctor, ambulance services, or dialysis you get in a foreign country in these rare cases:

  • You're in the U.S. when a  medical emergency  occurs, and the foreign hospital is closer than the nearest U.S. hospital that can treat your medical condition.
  • You're traveling through Canada without unreasonable delay by the most direct route between Alaska and another state when a medical emergency occurs, and the Canadian hospital is closer than the nearest U.S. hospital that can treat the emergency.
  • You live in the U.S. and the foreign hospital is closer to your home than the nearest U.S. hospital that can treat your medical condition, regardless of whether an emergency exists.

In some cases, Medicare may cover medically necessary health care services you get on board a ship within the territorial waters adjoining the land areas of the U.S. Medicare won't pay for health care services you get when a ship is more than 6 hours away from a U.S. port.

Medicare drug plans don't cover prescription drugs you buy outside the U.S.

Medicare supplement insurance (Medigap) policies may cover you when you travel outside the U.S.

 

 

 

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Correction - the guys building this facility are NOT the same as the ones who have advertised for years that they can process your paperwork for U.S. health companies.  However, that medical service is now renting space in the new facility and has moved their office from further east in Riberas.

  • Confused 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Which brings us back to the question:  Coverage under Medicare Advantage while living outside the U.S.

https://www.medicareinteractive.org/get-answers/medicare-health-coverage-options/medicare-and-living-abroad/medicare-advantage-and-part-d-for-those-who-live-abroad

Something is sorely amiss.  The patient is required to pay the hospital for any services and then must apply for reimbursement by Medicare Advantage Plans.  Sounds like this is a misleading come-on which falsely gives the impression that the patient will be reimbursed...when they clearly won't be.

Bad starting policy for a new hospital.

  • Thanks 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

7 hours ago, Bisbee Gal said:

Actually Medicare Parts A and B do NOT pay for emergency treatments for visitors to Mexico (rare exceptions listed below).  However, many Medigap policies will, often with higher than normal deductibles and a lifetime cap, and only within a certain time-frame outside the US (most are 60 days).  Medigap policies (aka Medicare supplementals) are purchased separately from the private sector. 

Medicare Parts A and B pay only in these atypical situations for services outside the US.  These are Medicare rules from their website (medcare.gov) re: travel:

 

I boarded a ship in Florida, and then went onto Panama. I came down with the flu. All the medication I received was not covered by Medicare or supplemental because I was in foreign waters. All the medication was brought on ship in Florida. BUT you see, I swallowed the pill in foreign waters.

  • Haha 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

7 hours ago, Bisbee Gal said:

Actually Medicare Parts A and B do NOT pay for emergency treatments for visitors to Mexico (rare exceptions listed below).  However, many Medigap policies will, often with higher than normal deductibles and a lifetime cap, and only within a certain time-frame outside the US (most are 60 days).  Medigap policies (aka Medicare supplementals) are purchased separately from the private sector. 

Medicare Parts A and B pay only in these atypical situations for services outside the US.  These are Medicare rules from their website (medcare.gov) re: travel:

 

Travel but not live right?

  • Thanks 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

9 hours ago, MtnMama said:

I know 800 pesos seems like a lot, but in USD it's $42.00. Not that much to see a doctor in the scheme of things.

But people budget in pesos. There is also the ethical part of this. I had an infection, I was just going for a follow up. I can read the lab report, it said NO bacteria. I waited an hour, asked to take my own weight, sat 7 minutes while I was told there was no ,ore infection. At the desk I was told $700p. I was in a rush but when or if I go back, I plan to discuss this with the doctor.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

13 hours ago, Ellie said:

Correction - the guys building this facility are NOT the same as the ones who have advertised for years that they can process your paperwork for U.S. health companies.  However, that medical service is now renting space in the new facility and has moved their office from further east in Riberas.

At least among veterans eligible for Tricare, the ones you mention have a reputation for billing for services NOT rendered. Steer clear because once a cheat, always a cheat.

  • Thanks 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Went for a procedure a couple of weeks ago.  Not a bad experience and certainly better than going to Guad since I wouldn't have been permitted to drive afterward so would have had to taxi and bus.  However, it was I thought on the pricey side and both the doctor and anesthesiologist required that I pay them cash after the procedure apart from the regular hospital bill which I was able to pay by credit card.  I'll probably go to Guad if the need arises in the future but it's nice to have the new facility here for emergencies.  

Link to comment
Share on other sites

2 hours ago, bojackson said:

Went for a procedure a couple of weeks ago.  Not a bad experience and certainly better than going to Guad since I wouldn't have been permitted to drive afterward so would have had to taxi and bus.  However, it was I thought on the pricey side and both the doctor and anesthesiologist required that I pay them cash after the procedure apart from the regular hospital bill which I was able to pay by credit card.  I'll probably go to Guad if the need arises in the future but it's nice to have the new facility here for emergencies.  

Generally speaking,hospitals in Guadalajara can be paid with credit card and the doctors with cash or cheque from a Mexican bank account if you have one, so that's the same.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

$700 or 800 pesos is what I pay in Tuxtla Gutierrez to see a specialist and there are no gringos  so I would think it is the price.. Meanwhile my neighbor in San Cristobal is a GP who caters to indigenous. He is very good and he charges 200 pesos a visit... Specialists as a rule are more expensive no matter where you live.

A private hospital down there is 1000 pesos a day for that price you get a decent private room  with so so service..and manmany many things are just not available.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Hey folks, we now have a CHOICE of hospitals here.   You can exercise that choice and go elsewhere.  In my opinion, this hospital is long overdue and I applaud the doctors who conceived and built it.  This is a very good thing. 

  • Like 2
  • Thanks 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites

20 hours ago, MtnMama said:

I know 800 pesos seems like a lot, but in USD it's $42.00. Not that much to see a doctor in the scheme of things.

I agree it's not unreasonable for a specialist (although I use two in Guad who charge less) but in this case the point was the receptionist would not tell Barcelonaman whether they are equipped to do chemo or not..... only a doctor could tell him.  Is there something wrong with this picture?  Of course, there is every chance the answer could be dependent on his particular case, BUT the recep should still have been able to say "yes, no or maybe".

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Guest
This topic is now closed to further replies.
×
×
  • Create New...