orizababoy23 Posted September 2, 2021 Report Share Posted September 2, 2021 Hi all! Temp. resident here in Mexico, trying to figure out what to do about emergency medical insurance. I used to buy travel insurance, but now I wonder if I'd better go with a national provider (VUMI, etc.)? It seems a lot more expensive, but I'm not sure that, living here, I would even be eligible for travel insurance still. What do you do? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
artsnob Posted September 2, 2021 Report Share Posted September 2, 2021 IMSS Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RickS Posted September 2, 2021 Report Share Posted September 2, 2021 Out of pocket. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
happyjillin Posted September 2, 2021 Report Share Posted September 2, 2021 2 minutes ago, RickS said: Out of pocket. Indeed! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
orizababoy23 Posted September 2, 2021 Author Report Share Posted September 2, 2021 As far as out of pocket, I understand that a lot of medical services in Mexico can be on the cheap side, but what about emergecy surgery, for example? An unforeseen accident that lands you in a hospital that charges you an obscene amount of money? Should I not be worried about that? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobby brown Posted September 2, 2021 Report Share Posted September 2, 2021 1 hour ago, RickS said: Out of pocket. everything is out of pocket in Mexico. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobby brown Posted September 2, 2021 Report Share Posted September 2, 2021 1 hour ago, happyjillin said: Indeed! out of pocket--SI !--but goooood price--so go for it-- Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bisbee Gal Posted September 2, 2021 Report Share Posted September 2, 2021 8 hours ago, orizababoy23 said: As far as out of pocket, I understand that a lot of medical services in Mexico can be on the cheap side, but what about emergecy surgery, for example? An unforeseen accident that lands you in a hospital that charges you an obscene amount of money? Should I not be worried about that? Be prepared for it. If you don't have cash reserves for medical emergencies you can try to get private insurance if you qualify; many companies reject or financially penalize those with pre-existing conditions. Joining the MX public health system may be an option, if temporary residents qualify (I don't know if they do). Most travel insurance plans have limitations on the time you are outside of your 'home' country and most are very explicit in stating their coverage is not meant for expats. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gringal Posted September 2, 2021 Report Share Posted September 2, 2021 Out of pocket. Any insurance is obscenely expensive as one gets older or has any pre-existing conditions. Set aside the funds you would spend on it and you'll find that you're way ahead after a few years, even after any out of pocket costs. 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mostlylost Posted September 2, 2021 Report Share Posted September 2, 2021 If you are under 70, a legal resident, and have no pre-existing conditions you can join IMSS. It does require an exam. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lakeside7 Posted September 2, 2021 Report Share Posted September 2, 2021 GOFUNDME , Seriously talk with a Insurance broker, if you are going the perms will be reasonable. Go to Lakeside Medical Services and let them check your current insurance. Sadly what maybe good today can change next week, good luck Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lakeside7 Posted September 2, 2021 Report Share Posted September 2, 2021 10 hours ago, artsnob said: IMSS Ken would you seriously use IMSS for an emergency operation? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ibarra Posted September 2, 2021 Report Share Posted September 2, 2021 We had Seguro Popular which is now INSABI. We used it for emergency surgery on my husband's knee. No problems, no out of pocket expenses. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mostlylost Posted September 2, 2021 Report Share Posted September 2, 2021 Many people might not aware the the majority of surgeons working in IMSS are in private practice as well. Some of the most respected surgeons in Guadalajara work 4 hours a day with IMSS and then 4 hours in their private practice. That way they will receive a pension from IMSS. I have family members had major surgery with IMSS. One surgeon actually had the follow up visits at her private office because she knew that it was very close to where my brother in law lives. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndyPanda Posted September 2, 2021 Report Share Posted September 2, 2021 As I understand it, Federal law states that no doctors can have a practice until/unless they work for IMSS. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mostlylost Posted September 2, 2021 Report Share Posted September 2, 2021 7 minutes ago, AndyPanda said: As I understand it, Federal law states that no doctors can have a practice until/unless they work for IMSS. Not exactly. After you graduate from med school you need to donate one year of service to the government. Could be a local clinic, INSABI, IMSS, etc. Only after that can you practice. My nephew spent a year in a very small town as the only doctor. His clinic was one room with a bathroom and a closet for medicine, and he lived in a house furnished by the town. That requirement also applies to foreign students who graduate in Mexico (there are many). 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ferret Posted September 2, 2021 Report Share Posted September 2, 2021 Thanks MostlyLost. That was my understanding also Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndyPanda Posted September 2, 2021 Report Share Posted September 2, 2021 I wasn't sure of the length of time, but exactly as I stated, no doctor can practice until they work for the IMSS. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
happyjillin Posted September 2, 2021 Report Share Posted September 2, 2021 1 hour ago, gringal said: Out of pocket. Any insurance is obscenely expensive as one gets older or has any pre-existing conditions. Set aside the funds you would spend on it and you'll find that you're way ahead after a few years, even after any out of pocket costs. Exactly! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
artsnob Posted September 2, 2021 Report Share Posted September 2, 2021 I have had IMSS for 21 years and Have had emergency procedures done there very successfully...I am very happy with my asthma doctor and my general Cookie... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
orizababoy23 Posted September 2, 2021 Author Report Share Posted September 2, 2021 Heard from a few people that INSABI seldom works when needed. Anybody able to share their knowledge or experience with INSABI? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mostlylost Posted September 2, 2021 Report Share Posted September 2, 2021 1 hour ago, AndyPanda said: I wasn't sure of the length of time, but exactly as I stated, no doctor can practice until they work for the IMSS. Not just the IMSS Any government Medical service.... could be a local clinic, INSABI, IMSS, etc. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndyPanda Posted September 2, 2021 Report Share Posted September 2, 2021 Nope, never heard that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mostlylost Posted September 2, 2021 Report Share Posted September 2, 2021 21 minutes ago, AndyPanda said: Nope, never heard that. I would kindly suggest that your knowledge of this requirement is incomplete. You need to hear a bit more. As I stated my nephew served in a small village his obligatory year. The clinic had no connection to IMSS in any way. A couple of years ago there was a young female doctor from the USA serving with the Cruz Roja in Chapala for her obligatory year..Also no connection to IMSS. In the 70's I visited a doctor in Ajijic who was from the USA working a clinic in Ajijic that was in no way a part of the IMSS. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndyPanda Posted September 2, 2021 Report Share Posted September 2, 2021 All I said was, never heard that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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