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Am I getting ripped off?


gwynne

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We've recently come to the realization that driving around Guadalajara looking for obscure clinics and other places is not good for our mental health.

So when my husband decided he wanted information on cataract surgery, he asked his current GP if he had a recommendation for an ophthalmologist.  Of course he did.  He recommended a doctor I've never heard of and offered to drive us to Guad for the appointment.  Cost of the appointment will be $1,000.  Cost of driving us there (in our car) and translating will be $1,500.  That's $2,500 for a consultation and I want him to get at least 2 opinions.  

Is this a typical charge, or is someone taking advantage.

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Someone taking advantage. Go to Claudia Camacho's office in Chapala and you will be in good hands. They will arrange and do it all-including a driver.

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Search this forum and you will find all kinds of posts relating to this. Pick a couple that you want to check and make appointments yourself.

Consider shopping GP's as well.

 

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f you want a driver why don´t you hire a driver rather than a doctor to drive you around.. Of course a doctor  taking his time to drive you around will not be cheap.. Also apparently he must not be very busy if he can do that or he is charging you for driving what he can make as a doctor.. He will also get his fee for recommending that doctor whether you know it or not,  you will pay for it. Ask people who had that surgery for recommendation pick 2 and get a driver to take youaround or drive to Guadaljara, park the car and get UBER to take you to the appointments. or hail a cab.

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47 minutes ago, gwynne said:

We've recently come to the realization that driving around Guadalajara looking for obscure clinics and other places is not good for our mental health.

So when my husband decided he wanted information on cataract surgery, he asked his current GP if he had a recommendation for an ophthalmologist.  Of course he did.  He recommended a doctor I've never heard of and offered to drive us to Guad for the appointment.  Cost of the appointment will be $1,000.  Cost of driving us there (in our car) and translating will be $1,500.  That's $2,500 for a consultation and I want him to get at least 2 opinions.  

Is this a typical charge, or is someone taking advantage.

Way too expensive. Dr. Claudia Camacho  (33) 3403 3857 does cataract surgery. She will do the consult in her clinic in Chapala above the immigration building. and you can hire a driver to Guadalajara and back for the surgery. I think Dr. Camacho charges 800 to 900 pesos for the consult. Miramontes 766-1142 has many drivers who will take you in and bring you back and all speak English. 

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I think it's all too expensive.  I would also go to Dr. Camacho.  She has great references from anyone that has used her services. I have also been to her for eye exams.  I agree that you can get someone else to drive you to Guad for much less.  I do realize that if the driver must wait for you, then you pay more for that waiting time.  You can just get an Uber on the way back without having someone wait.  I used to take my spouse to Guad for treatment twice a week and never paid that amount. 

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2 hours ago, simpsca said:

Way too expensive. Dr. Claudia Camacho  (33) 3403 3857 does cataract surgery. She will do the consult in her clinic in Chapala above the immigration building. and you can hire a driver to Guadalajara and back for the surgery. I think Dr. Camacho charges 800 to 900 pesos for the consult. Miramontes 766-1142 has many drivers who will take you in and bring you back and all speak English. 

Excellent advice! Camacho and Miramontes!

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Many specialists at Lakeside are charging $1000 peso for a consult now..  $1500 pesos for a doctor to drive you there and possibly attend the consult with you is not out of the ball park...

Some expats who are offering  rides from the airport or rides to the new bus station in Guadalajara are asking $600 or 700 peso.., So I wouldn’t say $1500 pesos for possibly a 4 hour trip is ripping you off....expensive yes.. ripoff no..

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Sounds reasonable to me, maybe there are lower prices but a round trip to more than one location with translation in GDL is well worth the 1500.  $1000 for the consultation itself is only slightly above average but not by much for a quality specialist

 

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There is no reason to do that and as many have said, there are Ophthalmologists like Dra Camacho right here in town who speak perfect English.  A translator is unnecessary.  In fact Dr Rios of Alta Retina in Mirasol can consult with you in perfect English (755 1521) and then does the surgery here in town too at the new hospital in San Antonio.  That's another option.

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53 minutes ago, RIlady said:

In answer to your question … Yes.  Go to Dr. Claudia and be done with it.  You will be pleasantly surprised and come away with great vision.

Sorry...that may be good advice for trying out a restaurant but for your sight?? What if they don't come away "pleasantly surprised"? It's your vision...do your due diligence. Dr. Claudia may well be your ultimate choice but look and listen.

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12 minutes ago, pappysmarket said:

Sorry...that may be good advice for trying out a restaurant but for your sight?? What if they don't come away "pleasantly surprised"? It's your vision...do your due diligence. Dr. Claudia may well be your ultimate choice but look and listen.

Enough of us who have been positively treated for various eye problems by her have posted in many threads on here. My pool game has improved immensely  and I  can see the puck on a TV hockey game and I am not a danger on the road.

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1 minute ago, happyjillin said:

Enough of us who have been positively treated for various eye problems by her have posted in many threads on here. My pool game has improved immensely  and I  can see the puck on a TV hockey game and I am not a danger on the road.

Yes, I had a great result also from a Dra. in PV. I can now tell if the traffic light is green or red but I'm not sure if that makes me a safer driver (in Mexico). But even with 20/20 now some of those lights in PV still use 10 watt bulbs that nobody can see in bright conditions.

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