The Value of Free MX Health Insurance

[Jzmackenzie]

We got our Seguro Popular May 1, 2011, but never used it until yesterday. Our advice - GO GET IT TODAY. For three years we paid $321 each a year for ISSS and never used it either, but we were certainly glad we had Seguro Popular coverage yesterday.

Don has been having excessive pain around his heart for the last three days. I have been trying everything to get him to rest more. But, the house is nearly done. The family was due to move this coming Sunday. However, two days in a row we ran out of critical items; we had the long, hard, stressful ride to Leon to make - both of us exhausted. Three days in a row, the man who was supposed to dig the ditch for the electrical cable did not show up with the trencher (nor did he call and say when he would). We had to get more tile, more paint, more copper fittings, you get the picture. Don said he felt like he was driving in his sleep!

At 1:30pm yesterday, Don experienced "the pain" not only in his heart but down his left arm. It took is nearly an hour (40 minutes) to get to the hospital from our home; normally the drive is about 15 minutes. The traffic at the hub to the hospital was bumper to bumper for 30 minutes. We sat in our car watching the "critical hour" passing us by with no medical help.

Our "Public Security" Seguro Popular insurance made the hospital visit flawless and totally free. Of course, "flawless" is a relative term in Mexico. We arrived at 3pm and left just before 1am. In those eight hours we were always treated with respect and kindness. Don had two EKGs and two blood studies. He was placed on oxygen, in-line saline drip, blood pressure monitor, respiratory monitor, and medicated for pain. No less than seven doctors examined him. Two nurses and and two medical interns (doctors not yet on their own to practice as doctors) assisted him.

The final conclusion was that once again, Don "ducked" the "big bullet." He was on the verge of a heart attack or stroke; his brain is not getting enough blood, nor was his heart, due to stress. He was told to "Eat and sleep and nothing else for three days." After that, rest every day regardless of what is going on. Obviously, buying tickets last week to spend a month on the beaches of Ecuador was a smart move, but we probably would have been smarter to do that a month ago.

We appreciate the excessive efforts by others to help us. Jolene was absolutely priceless in her translating for us. The bilingual intern could not have been more kind. The entire experience was so unlike what we have seen, heard, and felt in the USA for his Veterans Administration medical care. The summary is, of course, that free or not, the causes were environmental, so slowing down we both now must, especially Don.

Now, get in your car and go get the free insurance for your loved ones. I am sure glad I did.

[jesm]

Very glad his health is ok. You make a convincing case as to having the health insurance. Can you advise where one applies and offer information on documentation needed,etc. mil gracias.

[mr bill]

Info here Slide show and also click the Afilicion tab for How to and Costs. Apply at office at entrance to Hospital General - guard will point you in the right direction

[roberb7]

I signed up for IMSS back in March, when my Canadian Medical Service Plan ran out.

However, I'm still unclear on what the differences or non-differences between IMSS and Seguro Popular are. I have read that Seguro Popular has an "income test". If so, what is the maximum income to be eligible for Seguro Popular? And if you're over that maximum, do you just get IMSS instead?

[mr bill]

robert7 For SP you have to declare that you have no other coverage [at least in MX]
Go back to my earler post re Afiliacion and you can see the price schedule [which to my surprise did not apply - I expected Decile X but my family of four were placed in Decile I ]

Also on the SP webpage there is a link to its booklet and the coverages which are quite extensive.

You can find a more chatter on the subject on a thread at Chapala .com

[raquelita]

There are two reasons I have been paying for IMSS instead of going the Seguro Popular route but I am not sure either are valid.
1. IMSS applies wherever you are in Mexico such as an accident while traveling.
2. I've heard IMSS has very good specialists available on a national basis. For example, someone who lives in Queretaro was treated in Mexico City for a serious eye injury.

My IMSS coverage expires in September so . . . I'd like to know.

[The Duck]

Seguro Popular is a Federal program but administered at state level by each of the 32 entidades federativas.

See their Preguntas Frequentes [#15 in your case] for more info and also their GTO web page

[jesm]

You are correct regarding IMSS use of medical specialties. They have established regional "centers of excellence" where key physicians with experience and expertise for a particular disease are located. The coverage includes transportation from your local provider to the regional specialty center which can be some distance.