sun starved Gayle
TUG Member
She didn't blame anyone for her injuries.It's definitely a disturbing story:
What the heck was she doing up on that small platform (mantel?) getting photos? Did she have approval from the shop owner before she did this? (Unlikely, IMO.)
And she had no travel insurance.
Let's see, who else can she blame?
I am wondering if we could have a sticky in the Mexican forum that lists recommended doctors or medical providers? I would be interested to know the name of the hospital restaurant staff recommended in Puerto Vallarta.
From reading other news articles, it seems like some Mexican hospitals have decided to go after tourist dollars, and we should be aware of which ones to avoid if at all possible.
I am wondering if we could have a sticky in the Mexican forum that lists recommended doctors or medical providers? I would be interested to know the name of the hospital restaurant staff recommended in Puerto Vallarta.
From reading other news articles, it seems like some Mexican hospitals have decided to go after tourist dollars, and we should be aware of which ones to avoid if at all possible.
There actually is already a sticky that contains some medical provider information as well as other safety issues and you can find it here. That would be the place to add any other lists of medical providers that people may come across. Thanks to Bill (easyrider) for all the great information he has provided.I am wondering if we could have a sticky in the Mexican forum that lists recommended doctors or medical providers? I would be interested to know the name of the hospital restaurant staff recommended in Puerto Vallarta.
From reading other news articles, it seems like some Mexican hospitals have decided to go after tourist dollars, and we should be aware of which ones to avoid if at all possible.
ALWAYS HAVE OUT OF COUNTRY MEDICAL COVERAGE WHEN TRAVELLING .
The reason the hospital administrator said " they did not have problems with Canadians" is that
(generally) Canadians know that their provincially run health plans **do not cover out of country
services . MANY have heard of the cost of American hospitals and health care .
She is lucky she can recover in Mexico and then fly home on a commercial airline .
The cost to air ambulance fly someone individually from Florida to Toronto is likely close to $ 30,000.
The few times we have had walk-in medical care in the states - a credit card was required . ( In Ontario it would not cost me any payment -just show & scan your provincial OHIP card )
My son paid $ 400 to have a finger cut looked at in San Antonio . The care was excellent , and the staff
member was nice enough to tell him that if it ever happened again - crazy glue would work
(basically - said they used medical crazy glue on his finger)
- if she had gone from Spokane to Vancouver BC and ended up in a hospital -$$$ payment would be required . I am not sure how much - but not cheap for the injury she had .Hospitals in Canadian Provinces require payment from non residents .
.******
FYI - ** : hospitals in Canada have boards of directors etc . and operate as non profits . Each province has a health plan and it operates as a single payer system . Provinces get some federal funds in the form of transfer payments .
The Canadian federal government has rules in order for provinces to get these payments . One of the rules : no extra billing by doctors or hospitals . A province could choose to allow extra billing ; BUT it would lose something like (40+)% of the current yearly provincial health care budget .
< Items deemed " cosmetic " such as Lasik eye surgery are not covered & you pay out of pocket .
Routine Dental care ,chiropractic care etc is generally not covered by provincial health care / hospital plans.>.
There are reciprocal agreements between provinces for coverage while travelling within Canada . If you move to another province , you have to get a new drivers licence and a new health card .
The reason it operates this way is that in 1867 when the British North American Act passed , the Canadian federal government was given responsability for " important " things like armies and issuing currency . Less important items like health care and roads and schools were provincial or local.
An American comparison would be the drinking age and highway speed limits . In theory states could lower the drinking age to 18 or raise the speed limit to 90 . They would then lose the revenue from the federal government that comes via the Interstate Highway Trust Fund.( not likely to happen as the revenue is significant )
My Blue Cross/Blue Shield policy covers me out of the country. In addition to carrying my insurance card, I carry a letter from them.
I think with GeoBlue Trekker insurance, the participating doctors bill GeoBlue directly. I think you said you have GeoBlue Trekker or maybe I am mixing TUGger up, and we are planning to buy next month with a start date of 1/1/2018 so that it covers the entire year and with an easy to remember renewal date.Seems to me I've posted this before. I don't have BCBS, but my Medicare Supplement provider says they cover up to what Medicare covers BY REIMBURSEMENT on any billing presented, itemized, and IN ENGLISH.
When traveling internationally, it pays- or at least gives you peace of mind- to call your insurance carrier before you leave home. Even travel insurance health plans reimburse for expenses you pay the provider upfront.
Jim
We have used our insurance in Mexico, as we used to live in Guadalajara. It depends on the hospital if they take the insurance. If they don’t my insurance will reimburse me.Although I'd suggest double-checking to make sure it's not a "you pay first, and we reimburse you".
You may be "covered" but you may also have to fork out the cash/credit cards first and then submit the forms for reimbursement later. A lot of hospitals in Mexico don't tie into the insurance systems here in the US to be able to bill directly.
I think with GeoBlue Trekker insurance, the participating doctors bill GeoBlue directly. I think you said you have GeoBlue Trekker or maybe I am mixing TUGger up, and we are planning to buy next month with a start date of 1/1/2018 so that it covers the entire year and with an easy to remember renewal date.
We do like Geo Blue (Trekker) because it does cover pre-existing condtions.I didn't know that this could be bought annually. I'm going to check it out. I have been purchasing individual trip policies from Geo Blue because it is the only policy that covers sudden onset of pre-existing condition.
Bill
Many hospitals in Pennsylvania are non-profit. They play games for tax filing purposes. The hospital CEOs are still making millions dollars just like for-profit Silicon Valley tech companies. The cost of xray and MRI at non-profit hospitals are far more expensive than small for-profit imaging companies. I stop now because this thread isn't about hospitals.hospitals in Canada have boards of directors etc . and operate as non profits