Medical Care for Retirees in Cancun

[V]

We've been living and working abroad for many years. Whenever we've thought of returning to the U.S., one of the things that has stopped us is a reluctance to return to the system of health care delivery that exists there- overpriced, overcomplex, and sometimes disappointing.

It's unfortunate when your most important life decisions must be dictated, to some degree, by concerns about where/how you're going to get coverage for health care. But, that's how it often is, for Americans.

Medicare has no extraterritorial benefits, not even for emergency services. The U.S. government could perhaps save considerable money if their retirees, living abroad, could access health services where they live, and receive coverage. But, you've got to return to the U.S., if you want any benefits. Private health insurance for older people can prove expensive; thus, a search for alternatives seems in order.

[V]

Have any of you qualified for coverage from IMSS, while in a FM3 Visitante Rentista status in Mexico; and, if so, could you describe how that's done? The U.S. Consular Agent in Playa del Carmen, Samantha Mason, said she knew of one retiree who had. I got the impression from her that both he, and she, had favorable impressions of the services, there, through IMSS in Playa.

If possible, I'd also like to hear from anyone on this forum who's had a significant amount of medical services from IMSS, to let us know their impressions. (I said, "significant amount" only because learning to efficiently access any medical system usually requires repeated contact to learn how it works.)

I've been in four of the IMSS hospitals, here. Did you know there are ten in all, in Cancun? IMSS, a government institution, is the largest medical provider in Mexico.

Coverage, normally extended to employees of nongovernmental companies in Mexico is, as I presently understand it, phased in over the first two years and has limitations of coverage for some pre-exisiting conditions when an expat, residing in Mexico, enrolls in the system. The annual assessment is approximately $3,000 pesos for a 60 year old person who is not employed here, yet holds an FM2, or FM3, and wishes to be covered. If you're younger, it costs less than that.

Regional General Hospital, Region 17 of the IMSS system is the most impressive to see. It's absolutely modern, and enormous. Four stories high, and covering an entire, large city block in one monolithic structure, it is the local pride. It has been operational for two years, but is still being developed towards its full, designed operational capacity. I was told by one doctor that they perform approximately 300 surgeries a month at that facility: 175 medical residents study there, making it a large teaching hospital, as well. It is locally know as the "District 510 Hospital"; and, as the, "Hospital of Specialities." It is located just behind the "Gran Plaza".

General Hospital, Zone 3, is probably the one most of you have seen, and noticed. It lies between Ixcaret and Coba. Perhaps you weren't even aware that it was a hospital, because it also contains a large polyclinic. But, it is an important trauma center. The ICU there has with four, fully equipped, ICU beds. The chief of the ICU is an extremely pleasant, English speaking doctor.

Now, I've also been in Galenia Hospital, and Hospital Hospiten, one of a chain of international hospitals that started, originally, in the Canary Islands. The later is the only hospital in Cancun (according to the medical director) in which an invasive intervention (cardiac catheterization) can be performed in the event of a heart attack; where a stent is needed; or, as the best possible diagnostic tool for coronary artery disease, all using the same technology. They are justifiably proud of this capacity as it requires expensive and highly specialized imaging equipment, and specialists skilled at doing it. Patients needing any of these procedures are often referred to Hospital Hospiten from other hospitals in Cancun.

The local private hospitals all look nice, and people have used them, and reported on some of them favorably, on this forum. But, I'm concerned about how small they are: in an emergency, you generally have a better chance in bigger facilities, with more staff on hand. Hospital Hospiten is the biggest of the private hospitals, with 59 beds. The others are really tiny, relatively speaking. If I recall correctly, Galenia Hospital has nineteen beds, and Amerimed Hospital, another popular choice among expats, just seven. The actual, effective size of the private hospitals may be even less than they appear if, for example, they typically run low patient counts, as I understand they do. On the other hand, the private hospitals seem to be more heavily staffed with nurses, with as many as one to a patient, and offer "boutique" services, like meals cooked to order.

The private hospitals are not inexpensive. My neighbor, who has an FM3 with permission to work, here, broke her collar bone, and went to the emergency room at Galenia Hospital. An xray, cloth sling for her arm, and a physician's assessment of her condition cost a total of 6,000 pesos, I was told. By contrast, when my five year old nephew from Connecticut, fell out of a hammock, landing on his head, at Isla Mujeres, he was seen at the emergency dept of the Isla Mujeres General Hospital. An xray; attendance by several physicians (all of whom spoke English and acted appropriately), with suturing of his wound, cost just $18 USD, at that State of Quintana Roo sponsored hospital.

Doctors whom I've interviewed, locally, have, without exception, said the best doctors, locally, are those who work full time in the government institutions where they see lots of patients and perform lots of procedures- keeping their skills up; then, operate small, private clinics, where you can conveniently see them, during their off duty hours. There is an appealing logic to the suggestion.
___________________

No matter where you receive medical care, the provision of medical care is- very uncomfortably- not always even, with one person reporting a sterling experience, and another a "nightmare". My last contact with the U.S. in this area was at George Washington Hospital, Washington D.C., the home of the George Washington Medical School. I had one of the medical professors for my doctor. He was very skillful and knowlegeable, but the system broke down in every other way possible, and I came out of it feeling lucky not to have suffered any lasting harm. It was also very expensive, with a single night in the hospital, with treatment, costing $30,000 USD. So, we have to accept that, if some share their experiences with the medical services here, in Cancun, we can also expect to hear some good, some bad.... That's life, isn't it.

[mixz1]

As a point of information, Blue Cross/Blue Shield of California (my medical plan carrier) lists these hospitals and physicians as part of their "Coverage Outside the USA".

HOSPITALS

Hospital Americano
General Hospital Retorno Viento #15, Super Manzana 4
Cancun, Mexico

Hospital Total Assist
General Hospital Claveles No. 5
Cancun, Mexico

Hospital Quirurgica Del Sur
General Hospital Av. Lopez Portillo 872
Cancun, Mexico

Hospiten International S.L.
General Hospital Av. Bonampak Lote 7
Cancun, Mexico

Operadora De Hospitales Cancun
General Hospital Av. Tulum Sur 260, Manzana 4,5 Y 9, Sm7
Cancun, Mexico

PRACTITIONERS

Albarran, Miguel
General Practice Claveles #5 2nd Floor
Cancun, Mexico

Alvarez, Victor
General Practice Amerimed Hospital
Cancun, Mexico

Hidalgo, Daniel
General Practice Amerimed Hospital
Cancun, Mexico

Paz, Raul
General Practice Amerimed Hospital
Cancun, Mexico

Bravo, Fermin
Respiratory Therapy Av. Tulum Esquina Nizuc Mz. 1
Cancun, Mexico

Solis, Gabriela
Dermatology Ave Lopez Portillo
Cancun, Mexico

Rosine, Alain
Internal Medicine Calle Nachi Cocom
Cancun, Mexico


Curiously, they only list one hospital and one practitioner in Merida:
Clinica De Merida
General Hospital Av. Itzaes 242
Merida, Mexico

Morales, Salvador
General Practice Centro Medico Las Americas
Merida, Mexico

[RiverGirl]

I'm covered by ISSSTE here.

I was refused treatment by them when I had pneumonia. It was a paperwork issue, as in, the patient files were in a truck and not in the hospital building at the time I was seeking treatment. The doc refused to look at me without my paperwork in her possession, because that would be illegal. I was welcome to wait until the truck arrived and was unpacked and they found my file...after that they would treat me. But they figured it would take a couple of hours before the truck even arrived. So I left and went to see a private doc the next day.

It was the biggest crock of bureaucratic bullsh*t I've ever encountered anywhere, ever. It was also a one-time thing I suppose (they were remodeling the clinic and had moved the files temporarily off-site for that process).

I think the IMSS here in QRoo is supposed to be a bit better than ISSSTE, here, though I understand that in other parts of Mexico ISSSTE is supposed to be much better than IMSS.

I have heard terrible stories here of people needing to be in line at IMSS at 6 am in order to make appointments, not cool at all.

[V]

Hi, Rivergirl. As always, I appreciate your contribution (and, of course, this is an open forum which allows people to post, freely, pretty much anything they like, so long as it complies with Steve's rules for the forum); but, I was hoping people would contribute mainly first hand information, from actual and significant contact with IMSS, and other medical providers, and avoid, where possible, filling the thread with too many "terrible things I've heard" comments. Please forgive me, but I'm hoping the contributors will help put together a useful body of info on this thread, as a result. Without a doubt, you have had many first hand experiences with medical care in Cancun, having lived here for six years, as you have, and will have some significant information and impressions, of your own.

Finally, I'd like to say I do not wish to limit anything anyone wants to post and, in general, I'm grateful for that freedom; but, I did have a rather serious object in mind with this thread.

Thanks, Rivergirl, and thank you Mixz1, for your contributions, thus far. The list of hospitals approved by your insurance company includes two or three that I may not be aware of, at this point. Perhaps we'll learn more about them from other posters.

[RiverGirl]

That was a graceful slam, thanks.

[V]

I hope you understood it in the very gentle, and respectful manner that it intended, with appreciation for your many contributions to this forum.

[RiverGirl]

I know you didn't mean to offend me.

[Life_N_Cancun]

A big shocker to most Americans here is that many of the private hospitals will LET YOU DIE in the waiting room if you dont have cash.....

About 6 months ago a friends wife was going into premature labor and the assholes at Galenia wouldn't even let them see a doctor until he came up with $30,000 pesos CASH!! and this was at midnight on a weekend... so he had to run all over town while his wife was bleeding in the waiting area at Galenia. Upon his return with the money, they treated her and delivered her VERY premature baby who proceeded to spend the next month in their version of a NICU. All told the bill was in the $50,000 DOLLAR range. Had they seen her when she walked in, they very well might have delayed her giving birth....

The baby boy is home now and doing ok, but there are concerns about possible heart issues, thanks in no small part to the outrageous behavior by the Galenia staff.

My point is AVOID THAT SORRY EXCUSE FOR A HOSPITAL AT ALL COSTS!!!!

PS: I know that some of you had have good experiences with the doctors at that place, but in an emergency situation they don't give a $hit about you unless you have cash in your hand! :evil: :evil: :evil:

[Steve]

I was admitted to Galenia as an emergency case with a Deep Vein Thrombosis. I wasnt once asked for any money until I was discharged 4 days later, although If I recall correctly they did ask for proof I had a valid credit card on admission.

As for public hospitals I have heard enough horror stories that I would avoid at all costs.

[Life_N_Cancun]

Without putting too fine of a point on it.. your non-Mexican complexion might have had something to do with the easier admission... that and the major credit card....

Maybe my friends experience was a fluke... but its enough that I will never recommend that hospital to anyone... It just disgusts me that any hospital would refuse to offer basic emergency assistance because of money... IMO they should be shutdown and held criminally liable for their (lack of) actions!

[mixz1]

I'm going to jump in on the Galenia discussion too. Just a few months ago a neighbor had a really bad fall from about 3 meters above the ground. This happened around midnight. I was second on scene. An ambulance had already been called. Two very competent young men, both 2nd year medical students earning some summertime cash, got him stretchered and loaded. The neighbor asked me to accompany him and requested Galenia.

There was never a discussion of credentials, credit cards or anything else until 3 hours later when he was discharged. The emergency room was small, 3 slots I think, but fairly well equipped and close to radiological facilites. The staff was competent and caring. While we were there a patient in an adjoining bed coded and the response was well organized and successful. There were sufficient reserves of personnel to provide continued care for my neighbor and manage the crisis next door.

The charge, including the bus, was a little under 200 USD, including 2 liters of fluids and bandages, Visa and Matercard accepted. Fortunately no bones were broken and he didn't land on his head. The Lord watches over children and drunks.

[V]

Thanks, everybody, for your contributions, thus far. They illustrate, to a degree, one of the issues I mentioned, earlier.

No matter where you receive medical care, the provision of medical care is- very uncomfortably- not always even, with one person reporting a sterling experience, and another a "nightmare".

Thus, with a single medical provider, experiences and impressions can vary widely. I suppose it isn't easy, even when all the parties are well intentioned, to consistently deliver high quality medical care. Take my experience at George Washington Hospital, in Washington, D.C. It is the same place Dick Cheney has been treated for decades and, if you know his medical history, it has been something approaching a miracle they've worked on him. My experience there was decidedly different.
__________________

The second issue raised by these posts is the one cutting closer to the core of my intent in starting this thread, that of "access". Your ability to access medical care is a product of many variables. But, the aspect of access that the posts seem to raise, thus far, is related to payment. Under what conditions of payment will a medical provider agree to extend their services to you.

Some of the experiences talked about are reminiscent of the U.S., where there is a risk you will be refused service. Appear at any doctors office, or emergency room, and the questions begin, "Do you have insurance?", "What does your insurance cover?", "How are you going to pay, if you don't have insurance?", "Who is going to be responsible for this account if you don't pay?", etc.

With the IMSS system, available to retirees in Mexico, you do not have this issue because, having paid the annual premium, there are no other charges. Whether you visit the clinics to see a doctor, have medical tests performed, receive treatment or have a drug prescription filled, there are no other charges. In this system, the issue of whether you can pay is removed from the equation.

Money solves many problems: have enough of it, and worries about being able to pay for medical care of your choosing, far into the future, can disappear from your list of concerns. But, I believe there are retirees now living in Cancun, and others who will come in the future, for whom this could quickly become an issue, if they developed a serious health condition after settling in Mexico; and, for whom, having a viable, affordable, and permanent health care option- in place before that happens- would be welcome.

The IMSS system meets the second two of these criteria. It is whether IMSS meets the first of these criteria that is the issue, here.

There is a chance, perhaps small, that there are expats who read this forum who have had significant contact with the IMSS system, themselves- enough contact to have learned how to efficiently access the system- and have experienced the level of care you can reasonably expect there.

[cunspin]

In the last year an 3 months I have had experiences with family and close friends being hospitilized in Galenia Hospiten and the IMSS.
A friend had a heart attack at the gym and was taken to Galenia by the Red Cross he was then switched over to Hospiten for Surgery having a stent placed and saving his life all before noon. (Galenia, it seems did Not have the equipment necessary to perform the surgery)
My BIL had a stroke last September at 5 am and was rushed to Galenia, He recieved excellent care, MRI's and Catscans, He was not denied any treatment (He is and looks Mexican) We were advised of costs up front but that was because we asked.
My MIL had a Stroke this past March and was taken to the IMSS Reg. 17. She had a terrible previously existing case of Shingles due to this she was seen by different doctors for her different illnesses who all prescribed meds it was a free for all with no comunication between Physicians. Neurology and Dermaotology never conferred, I am not a docter nor do I work in Healthcare however I knew that My MIL was prescribed meds that conflicted and IMO could cause more harm, I was right.
In the end the best thing you can do is be as informed as possible and do not just follow Doctors orders, ASK QUESTIONS!!!it could save your life.

[V]

So true, Cunspin. In this day and time it is possible for a patient to be well informed regarding their disease, treatment options, etc., via the internet. Especially in the area of drug interactions, you may need to protect yourself. For some reason I've never understood, doctors just don't seem to be careful enough, in this area of their practice. Several times I've had doctors prescribe medicine that I never took because, after filling the prescription, I'd found that it was contraindicated for some reason or the other.

Doctors in America, especially the younger ones, are getting very attuned to the fact that their patients may be well informed. In the first meeting I had with the medical professor at George Washington Medical School, he started the consultation by saying, "I know you must use the internet, so, tell me everything you know."

The modern view of the patient-doctor relationship is one of a partnership. It makes perfect sense, since a well informed patient has much to contribute; and, will cooperate/participate more fully in the healing/treatment process.

[cunspin]

Right thats why when I come across a Doctor with a GOD complex I run the other way.

[V]

PRESCRIPTION DRUGS
I've appreciated how, through the years, my getting away from the U.S. system of medical care delivery has simplified access in a variety of ways. For example, perhaps most drugs- those which would require a doctor visit, and a prescription, to get in the U.S.- are sold over the counter, in Mexico. For those who are taking certain medications, regularly, on doctor's advice, this one thing can represent a considerable savings of time and money.

LAB TESTS
Something you may not be aware of is that a wide range of laboratory tests are also available "over the counter". In Mexico, you can simply tell the lab what tests you'd like to have and they'll do it, within reason. You do not need a prescription, if you know what to ask for.

We've done that, here in Cancun, when we needed blood tests prior to getting married. Then, recently, when I needed a routine, annual lab test done, I presented myself to the lab at Galenia Hospital, and told them what I wanted. They did it, quickly and relatively inexpensively, and handed me the results, later in the day.

As they get older, many people need certain, routine lab tests done, periodically. Not having to see a doctor, either to get a prescription for the test, or to get the results of the test, can also represent a considerable savings of time and money.

YOUR MEDICAL TEST RESULTS
In every foreign country I've lived in, and Mexico may be no exception, x-rays, lab results, CT scans, MRIs, etc., are routinely given to the patient, upon request. This can be a considerable convenience if you should need these records, later, for any reason, and have relocated, or changed medical providers. Asking for them soon after the tests are concluded will probably mean they'll be much easier to locate.

[mixz1]

And just to tack on to V's informative post, the lab we've dealt with, right next to Pasteleria, will email you your results, usually on the same day as the tests were done. I believe most of the non-hospital based labs offer this service.

[Life_N_Cancun]

No matter where you receive medical care, the provision of medical care is- very uncomfortably- not always even, with one person reporting a sterling experience, and another a "nightmare".

Very true...

As to lab tests, they are MUCH cheaper here.. assuming you do them in one of the many smaller labs around town. $200 pesos blood test here vs. $200 DOLLARS for the same in the States.... one downside to the smaller labs is many of the newer clinical tests that require high dollar machines, are not available here or cost a fortune since they have to pay for the machine.

Another friend's young son broke his forearm recently in a fall... total costs including two fiberglass casts, 3 sets of x-rays (before,during, & after treatment), pain medicine, and all of the doctor/nurse time at a private clinic...
$2,000 PESOS!!!!

Try doing that in the States! :wink:

[V]

I've read that medical expenses is a factor in approximately 60% of all personal bankruptcies filed in the U.S., annually, and that of those, 78% had medical insurance at the time they began to incur large medical expenses. Exclusions, limitations of coverage, and life-time or annual maximum benefits written into the policies resulted in large, unpaid sums. Many, who were insured through their employer and became too ill to work, later lost their insurance, with the same result- large, unpaid sums for medical expenses.

Recently, I met a long-term, expat resident of Cancun who had been devastated in a similar fashion by medical expenses resulting from emergency surgery performed in a local, private hospital. Eligible to apply for coverage through the IMSS system for a number of years, as a holder of an FM3/FM2, this person had chosen not to. The surgery, although done on an emergency basis, was of a routine type, easily performable by any general surgeon/general hospital combination.

Had this person been a member of the IMSS system, and been treated at one of their facilities, they would have left the IMSS hospital owing nothing.

[RiverGirl]

A family member of mine recently had surgery in the US. The bill was around $80,000 USD. After the insurance negotiated with the hospital the hospital accepted a reduced fee of $16,000 USD. The moral of that story is that even if you don't have insurance in the US there is room to negotiate prices and you should always do so.

I have read that the primary precipitating causes of bankruptcy in the US are: sudden high medical bills, job loss and the birth of a child.

[V]

Rivergirl, insurance companies have never been shy when it comes to protecting their own interests!

Here's something everyone should be aware of, because having a case of the flu, with serious respiratory complications, here in Cancun, could leave a person in a financial position similar to that of the long-term expat I mentioned in my last post, above.
____________________

As a part of a bold program to control the spread of H1N1 influenza, all units of IMSS, nationwide, will treat any person presenting symptoms of flu, for free.



The sign reads, "Be informed, that persons who present with symptoms of flu have the right to medical attention in all units of IMSS, whether or not they are residents with privileges at IMSS. The symptoms include fever, runny nose, headache, and cough." These signs appear on all IMSS facilities, near the entrances. The photo on the right shows you the entrance to the unit of Family Medicine of General Hospital, Zone 3 (the one between Coba and Ixcaret), where you could go if you had flu-like symptoms and wanted to be seen by a physician.

To confirm that it means what it says, I spoke with an attending physician from the intensive care unit, and he confirmed that it meant everybody, regardless of status in the country, who was present on the territory of Mexico.


In the photo on the left is an intensive care bed in IMSS General Hospital, Zone 3, where you might be cared for if the need arose (at the left is a monitor of heart function and, at the right, a respirator, should you need one). In the photo on the right, an intensive care physician attends a patient in the Intensive Care Unit.
____________________

From the Ministry of Public Health, here is an update on the situation regarding N1H1 Influenza (swine flu) in the state of Quintana Roo, thanks in part to Rivergirl's diligent research.

http://portal.salud.gob.mx/sites/sal...mia_211009.pdf

The two tables, p.2 and p.7, appear to cover the period from March through October, this year, and show how many cases occurred, week to week.

Quintana Roo, with 630 confirmed cases, total, for that period, p.8, was among the least affected of all the states of Mexico. Yucatan, on the other hand, with 3,088 cases, was among the hardest hit, with only the D.F., and Chiapas, having more cases.

The pattern of older people being largely immune to this new flu held up in this data. Of 47,788 cases in Mexico, only 783 cases were of people 60, and older, nationwide, p.3., with those representing, perhaps, persons who managed to make it through both the Asian Flu epidemic, 1957, and the Hong Kong Flu epidemic, 1968, without having been exposed to those diseases, or immunized, at the time.

There were 278 deaths attributed to the swine flu, nationwide, during the approximately six month period covered by this data.

[V]

Although "retirees" are not likely to need this service, IMSS has a program aimed at reducing premature births, life-threatening complications of pregnancy, and injury or death of mother/child.



The sign, posted at the entrance to the Emergency Department of General Hospital, Zone 3, which lies between Coba and Ixcaret, reads, "General Convention of Inter-Institutional Collaboration for the Reduction of Maternal Deaths, Notice to Patients who do not have the rights of those enrolled in IMSS, this hospital treats emergencies relating to pregnacies that present the following symptoms- preclampsia, high blood pressure, constant headache, swelling of the face and hands, blurred vision, ringing in the ears, excessive vaginal bleeding, purile fever, malodorous vaginal secretions, intense colic following delivery or caesarean, difficulties breathing.

These signs appear on every IMSS hospital, of which there are a total of ten in Cancun. Should you need an emergency C-section, you might be treated in this surgical suite, one of three, in General Hospital, Zone 3, photo on right.

[V]

These views are from IMSS General Hospital Zone 3, on Avenida Coba. This hospital is an important part of the system, with ER, ICU, surgical suites, both medical and surgical hospital beds, a Family Medicine unit, and a large Polyclinic of medical specialties, and specialists.



To the left, the information desk; to the right, the Family Medicine Clinic waiting room.



On the left, three doctors consult regarding a new patient in the ER; on the right, one of the x-ray machines in General Hospital Zone 3.



On the left, a CAT Scan machine; on the right, an intensive care bed awaits a patient, General Hospital Zone 3.

The main administrative offices of IMSS are located in this facility. You will often see a long line waiting outside the administrative offices, early of a day. These are the people who wish to sign up for IMSS benefits. They come early, hoping to get through the process, and back, without missing too much work. Come a few hours later, and you will find no line, and an administrative office that looks like this: overhead displays show who's next! If you're not working, why not come just a little later in the day, and be served without having to wait.



As soon as I have my FM3 in hand, it's my plan to go to these offices to enroll in IMSS. I have a fine policy of international health insurance, but I plan to have this as a supplement. I will pay 3,000 pesos per year for the privilege of being seen at any IMSS hospital, anywhere in Mexico.

In the next installment, I plan to show you scenes from the cadillac of hospitals in the IMSS system, occupying an entire, large city block, Regional General Hospital, Region 17.

[Life_N_Cancun]

While IMSS clearly has better equipment and facilities than many small clinics or the public (general) hospitals... I can think of several instances involving people I know where the service they received was a joke... like not being able to see a heart specialist for 4 months.. meanwhile you're risking a heart attack.. or not being able to get a corrective stomach surgery for A YEAR! meanwhile you suffer in pain.... and so on.

For ER care, its a good thing to have the IMSS access.. but for medical issues that are not deemed "critically urgent" you'll run into long waits to get appointments or have procedures done.. which leads many people who have IMSS to seek treatment at private practices. So unless this has changed in the last few months.. the IMSS system isnt a replacement for general medical care for most people....

[V]

Thanks, Life, I've been told something like that by physicians in the system. It doesn't apply to all services, but does to some.

They told me they don't have enough orthopaedic surgeons to accommodate the demand, resulting in delays for surgery, and longer waits for consultations, for one example.

Over time, we'll learn more- the good with the bad, as usual, right?

It will take time to learn where it is most useful, and where it is not, as a practical matter. My problem is that no expats seem to have used the system enough to really know how well it works. For example, not a single poster has come on here to tell us about their use of/experience with, the IMSS system. That's why I think it's important for me to move forward on this.

We're still trying to get info. Is it viable, as a resource worth having, for an expat? We already know it is affordable, and permanent; but, will it really work for those who are not forced to rely on it, exclusively, by financial necessity. If other options are simply too expensive for a given expat, then it represents a fallback position they could end up being thankful for. Based on what I've seen, so far, I think it could prove to be much more than that. Over time, I'll share what I've seen, and experienced, personally.

[Life_N_Cancun]

Originally Posted by V

My problem is that no expats seem to have used the system enough to really know how well it works. For example, not a single poster has come on here to tell us about their use of/experience with, the IMSS system.

That's probably because most of us have heard the stories of how long the waits are for service, and therefor don't bother with it.... since we tend to be an impatient bunch

If you are someone who is expecting to need expensive emergency treatment due to health issues or a family history, then by all means get signed up with it and have it as a plan B, but from what I've seen/heard you'll need a plan A for most other things.

BTW If you're working here... your employer is supposed to be paying IMSS for you as thats the law. So if that's the case there isn't any reason not to go ahead and get the membership card thing....

[V]

As Life has pointed out, IMSS covers those employed in Mexico. It is also available on an elective, self-sponsored basis- in which you enroll yourself and pay an annual assessment- to those with permission to live in Mexico, holders of FM2/3.

No one likes to wait, and I'm no exception. But, waiting is one thing for a person who has a job, and quite another for a retiree, if we're talking about sitting in a doctor's office, or clinic, for example, waiting to be called.

Then, there is waiting for a procedure, like a hip replacement that, while needed, is not critical; versus, waiting for an angiogram when you have crushing chest pain; again, two different types of waiting, to be sure.

In Cancun, I've repeatedly been told Hospital Hospiten is the only place, in Cancun or anywhere nearby, that has the capacity to do an angiogram (to look at the arteries of the heart), or to implant a stent. So, for as long as I could maintain insurance that would cover the cost of the procedure, I'd ask the ambulance to take me there, if I had severe chest pain, and suspected a heart attack.

The nearest IMSS hospital with this capacity is IMSS Regional Hospital No 1, in Merida. I've not talked with them, there, but they probably have a backlog of non-urgent procedures, while keeping the equipment available for true emergencies. (For example, a patient with bouts of angina that he's had for several years, and might benefit from a stent, would be put on a waiting list.)

Procedures to implant stents in blocked coronary arteries are not cheap, if performed in a private hospital. I've not asked Hospital Hospiten what the total cost is for a routine case, there; but, in the U.S., the range is $40,000 to $100,000 for a single vessel procedure, with the low end being a city in the midwest, the high end a city such as San Francisco. (These figures are from a website which allows you to compare the average cost of medical procedures in the U.S., in different parts of the country.)

What I feel we're looking at, among other things, is how to be sure that if, as we age, we will have affordable, comprehensive health care available to us. IMSS can represent that, as a fall back position, but only for those who've prepared themselves for that eventuality. I'll explain why.

As I currently understand it, if you applied today, your benefits would be phased in, so that you would have full coverage only after the first two years. As generous as the system is, to allow aging foreigners to enroll, they are not prepared to accept seriously health impaired refugees from the U.S. health care system without limitation.

Not only is the coverage phased in, you will never receive coverage for serious health problems that existed at the time of enrollment. So, there is a big incentive to enroll now, while you're still in relative good health, if you have any thoughts of living, permanently, in Mexico.

We still don't have good information about the true accessibility and quality of the services at IMSS, that is what this thread is principally about. But waiting too long to decide to enroll could leave a person, financially, where the individual I spoke of earlier on this thread was left, after they'd had surgery at a private hospital while having, for a number of years, though eligible to enroll as a holder of an FM2/3, chosen not to.

[Mellow_in_Puerto Morelos]

I know that the application process for retirees in the IMSS system requires a letter written in Spanish requesting the enrollment. I understand it has specific language that need to be in it. Does anyone on here have a ample of the letter?

[V]

Hi, Mellow, I'll see if I can find out something, this week.

V