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Cautionary Hospital Tale from PV


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https://www.vallartadaily.com/american-tourist-in-puerto-vallarta-stuck-in-hospital-for-non-payment/

AMERICAN TOURIST IN PUERTO
VALLARTA STUCK IN HOSPITAL FOR
NON-PAYMENT
 DECEMBER 14, 2021 i VALLARTA DAILY NEWS m PUERTO VALLARTA NEWS, SPOTLIGHT
 
Another tourist is facing the reality in Mexico that hospital bills must be paid in full
before being discharged or face criminal charges.  What was supposed to be a dream vacation turned into a nightmare for a couple from
Oregon. David and Christina Deloyola planned for months for their pre-Christmas vacation to Puerta Vallarta, Mexico. “We saved up all year for our dream vacation to come here for a week,” said Christina, David’s wife of 21 years.

On their last day of vacation, the couple went horseback riding. But not long into their excursion, the horse David Deloyola was riding bucked him off, then fell on top of him. David Deloyola was rushed to a local hospital, where he underwent imaging and tests to determine the extent of his injuries. 
“He’s immobilized right now. He can’t move at all,” said Christina Deloyola. David luckily wasn’t paralyzed and didn’t break any bones, but the incident left him
with multiple tears in his thigh.

The Deloyola’s now have to come up with the money for first-class, non-stop flights with medical supervision to get them back to Oregon, where David Deloyola will likely undergo surgery.  On top of that, they will have to pay for their hospital bills in full before they’re discharged. Their insurance will not cover any of the costs upfront but will likely reimburse them at some point in the future. That means the couple has to find a way to pay for the thousands of dollars in medical bills, on top of the $4,500 they’ve already spent
 
“They demand payment in full before they release him. They will actually get the police involved and won’t let you leave the hospital unless your bill is paid completely,” said Christina Deloyola.  According to AAA Oregon, this is something all travelers should be aware of, especially when traveling abroad.
“Unfortunately, this is something that a lot of travelers don’t think about. Your health insurance will often not cover an injury or an illness if it occurs outside the U.S.” said Marie Dodds with AAA. 

Some health insurance companies will reimburse you once you’ve returned from your trip and provide receipts of your medical bills. But not all companies will reimburse you. That’s why, Dodds said, it’s critical to check with your medical insurance coverage before you travel, and get travel insurance with a medical policy.
The Deloyola’s had travel insurance, but no supplemental medical coverage. 

The couple is trying to stay positive while they figure out how to come up with the money to pay their hospital bills and get home to their three daughters in
Oregon.  “There’s no one I’d rather be stuck in Mexico with than my husband,” said Christina.

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16 hours ago, lakeside7 said:

Maybe time to contact Spencer who has indicated the hospital can not legally do this...correct or not???

I live off SS and I don't have bank--I live in PV--Medicare doesn't work here so I'm on my own--BUT-I have over a hundred dollars in credit cards-with 0 balances- let's say I do credit cards-call me crazy--the bill was $4,500 -I have over five cards with a $1000 limit--"  to the hospital" ; put the bill on my credit card ;I'm out of here--I don't let anyone get over on me--Well call me  ?  Well I guess I am- " and as a post script"-- I'm an anti-vaxxir --   fuchi that; "little rat bitch;; can go to hell"-- why do you think I immigrated to Mexico--the US tried to kill me the day I was born--started with Vietnam-  yes- I'm a" Veteran"-

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As a Veteran 'I feel sorry for all the Veterans  of the 1st gulf war; the Iracqi war; the Iraqui war 11; the Afgan war; the solomi war; the libyia war; and I can't keep up- and don't forget about the poor Palestians suffering under  aparthied- if I was young again I would fight for the Palestians. When is this madness going to stop-now the Jews want to go after Iran and make America pay AND- fight it--well sorry-- When is this going to end -A little sorry; I lost it-- off topic--

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I just couldn't resist.

13 hours ago, bobby brown said:

I remember when I was younger I got on one of those tourist horse rides --What a bunch of old nags--when it was time to go back to the ranch; that horse finally came to life---HA

With you in the saddle, I can understand the horse's motivation.

SunFan

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Can't stop myself. I get the situation was awful, but really...... I don't know of ONE Mexican hospital who lets a person out the door until the bill has been paid. And WHY would people not protect themselves especially when being in a "foreign" country? 

So   IMO ---- you're welcome to yours---that was a rather gratuitous and in some ways unreasonably slanted piece.

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I break more people out of hospitals than jail.   Hospitals cannot hold people hostage and it is a game we need to play to get people out but some abuse foreigners and others have been stiffed by foreigners.  An easy way to avoid hassles is to get international travel health insurance.  I buy it for the US if I go for a week, it is cheap like $40US and avoids problems.  

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On 12/20/2021 at 12:39 PM, Natasha said:

Can't stop myself. I get the situation was awful, but really...... I don't know of ONE Mexican hospital who lets a person out the door until the bill has been paid. And WHY would people not protect themselves especially when being in a "foreign" country? 

So   IMO ---- you're welcome to yours---that was a rather gratuitous and in some ways unreasonably slanted piece.

Well; if those people had money to  go on vacation they should of least bring a few credit cards for insurance--That's called being responsible--At least have enough money in the bank to use a debit card--

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15 hours ago, Intercasa said:

I break more people out of hospitals than jail.   Hospitals cannot hold people hostage and it is a game we need to play to get people out but some abuse foreigners and others have been stiffed by foreigners.  An easy way to avoid hassles is to get international travel health insurance.  I buy it for the US if I go for a week, it is cheap like $40US and avoids problems.  

Yes I agree---As they say--" hindsight is 20/20--

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