Health Care in Colombia

Gator says on Dec 10, 2007, 16:19:

you talking about cost or quality???

"Brevior Sltare Cum Deformibus Mulieribus Est Vita!" .

BAQ says on Dec 10, 2007, 16:46:

Colombia, you got a major health problem and money, you will probably be OK, you got a major health problem and NO money, well, check the yellow pages for the local funeral director and start to hagle over the price, saving your family the grief

Semper Fidelis !

jorgegdiaz says on Dec 10, 2007, 17:24:

Hmmm... I felt really compelled to reply.
About 2 weeks we watched SICKO (thanks to P2P technology) and made us think about health rankings in the world. We searched and surprinsingly we found this:
http://www.photius.com/rankings/healthranks.html
Look at at 22, 30, and 37.
If you think tha´t not official, look at:
http://www.who.int/whr/en
My wife did not get yellow fever shots and that sort before moving to Locombia. When we got here I took her to the city`s health office and we got all kinds of shots for free.

Trivia: Has any of you read The Rainmaker by J. Grisham? Very appropiate for this thread

Man with hole in pocket feel cocky all day.

Atrevido says on Dec 10, 2007, 17:33:

US coverages don´t hold a candle. My Coomeva policy covers scopalamine attack!

David Pristupa says on Dec 10, 2007, 18:06:

It is my understanding you can take out
private insurance or pay into a public
system. I mentioned Canada first an US
last as a case of argument and comparison.
Canadians are often placed on long waiting
lists and often have to go to the states
because the treatment they need isn't
available or allowed. The US generally
has superior care but finances dictate
whether you can get it.
My point is this. Is Colombian health
Insurance affordable and adequate in
covering emergency care that is up to
standard. It would be better than being uninsured in the US generally. Any
opinions based on experience?

expatriate says on Dec 10, 2007, 18:17:

We pay Coomeva about USD 160 total every month for the two of us, and I am very pleased with the service. Our general practitioner always schedules an hour to see just one of us, rather than seeing how many patients she can see in an hour.

The specialist doctors that we have seen take as much time as is needed with us, though that can mean that the doctor may not be ready when we arrive at our appointed time. I can't think of any complaints about the health care service that we have had, except that there seems to be no other way to make the monthly payment besides driving over to their payment office and paying in cash.

Since moving from California, it feels like I finally have authentic health care for the first time.

Trivia: Our doctor drives a Renault Twingo.

miamimike says on Dec 10, 2007, 18:39:

No system is perfect but the
System in the states can be a real problem
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

DP- here in the states, we have no Standard System (state to state)excluding Medicare for those 65 or over or if you are younger and disabled. BTW, you have to have payed the sufficient quarters into SS or no Medicare. My Elderly Cousin( a Navy WW2 Veteran) receives NEITHER Medicare or a SS Check. Why you ask; she didn't pay enough Quarters into SS to receive coverage(never mind cubans who wash up on miami's shore via a smuggler's boat who are over 65 march into the local SS office the next day after they arrive and file for SS and Medicare benefits even though they never worked a day in their lives here in the USA). Medicare is the only functioning health care entity that you could label a "System" Medicare has standardized coverage across any state or commonwealth in the Union. All payments are governed a large group of DRGs(diagnostic related groups, over 400 at last count). This DRGs tell a Hospital or Doctor how much they can be reimbursed for a Medical Procedure. They are established by the Federal Goverment and work quite well. For those critical of Medicare which is adminstered by the Federal Government, they do a good job! Ever see a Retiree wanting to give up his Medicare Coverage?? Hint, you never will! Other then this System, its one Mismash of various private insurance, Cash payments, combinations of Insurance and Cash, one big disaster that results in a Huge amount of Waste, inefficiency and Fraud. Coverage varies between states as do copays. We in the USA spend TONS of $$$ but service is lacking. We spend more $$$ then most countries in the world but our life expectancy is only like 4 months longer then Cuba who spends around $550 per citizen. We average yearly around $6500 annually per citizen but in Infant Mortality it does not show in the results, Cuba conversely has a Better rate for much less money spent. Then to, Many countries don't have CEOs of insurance(health) companies receiving $4Million annual salaries and $1.6 Billion in stock Options( McGuire CEO united health group). You have to work in the US Health Care Arena(I do) to truly see just how mixed up and lacking our Coverage is,,,US Citizens are paying Big Bucks but we aren't getting what we pay for,,,Our Vets using the VA system are also getting screwed; 3 Years our "BOY" in Washington tryed to kick several hundred Vets off the active roles in the VA system so they wouldn't receive care. A Big protest stopped much of it but some Vets still lost out,,,Shame

"Wait a minute. What did you just say? You're predicting $4-a-gallon gas? ... That's interesting. I hadn't heard that." -- Feb. 28, 2008 --George W. Bush, Washington, D.C.,

Atrevido says on Dec 10, 2007, 18:45:

Expatriat I imagine that$160 includes the Coomeva premium plus obligatory EPS. Correct?

expatriate says on Dec 10, 2007, 19:02:

Atrevido, I don't know, since my wife is the Spanish speaker and set us up with the health care company, but I know that we only pay that one bill for health coverage. Come to think of it, that $160 also covers my wife's mother for emergencies only, and for us, we get free house calls if we are too sick to come in. The family chips in for the regular check-ups for my mother-in-law.

She's a great mother-in-law. She's 95, can barely move, I don't understand anything she says, and the only English she knows is "Thank you very much."

miamimike says on Dec 10, 2007, 19:21:

EXP-that coverage, on a Private pay== Non Group rate policy here in the USA would easily run over $1500 monthly conservatively. That is if you could even get the Insurance,,,If you have Pre-Existing conditions(hypertension, Diabetes ect) you cannot buy it at any price say if your are over 45 years of age,,,US Health Insurance Companies(in private single insurance) like to Cherry Pick only the youngest healtiest customers to insure,,,

"Wait a minute. What did you just say? You're predicting $4-a-gallon gas? ... That's interesting. I hadn't heard that." -- Feb. 28, 2008 --George W. Bush, Washington, D.C.,

BAQ says on Dec 10, 2007, 20:28:

Wife and I are paying 56.000.00 a month for Coomeva, yes service is ok, only downside to Colombian healthcare is no prescrition coverage above basic antibiotics ect and a fairly high co pay for MRIs other procedures that are considered expensive. Then again, you cant beat 56.000.000cop per month.

HINT, if your spouse is COLOMBIAN, get the insurance in her name at the minimum pay scale, as an independent worker then add you as a dependant on her primary coverage and you will be paying 56.000.00 per month.

Semper Fidelis !

gold digger says on Dec 10, 2007, 22:14:

I also watched that sicko movie. It was good. I thought it was funny that they ended up going to Cuba to get treated.
In the US, it's all about the mighty dollar. What our hospitals charge are rediculous also. I figured out what I was paying the last time I went to the E.R. $2.75 a second!
I paid over $400 for travel shots, then found out I could get them for free in Bolivia.

miamimike says on Dec 10, 2007, 22:42:

GD-a few years back when I needed some extensive Dental Work, I had Estimates of $10K to $13K here in Miami. In Bogota, I had it done for $2050 approx. Quite a savings and quality work to boot!

"Wait a minute. What did you just say? You're predicting $4-a-gallon gas? ... That's interesting. I hadn't heard that." -- Feb. 28, 2008 --George W. Bush, Washington, D.C.,

Robert Jorge says on Dec 11, 2007, 00:02:

I met a couple of doctors in Colombia. One has a fairly late model BMW 5 series. That is big-time baby in Colombia - which most of you know. The other is actually a dentist and orthodontist. She doesn't even have a car, lives with her mom. Her mom drives a '05 Chevy Malibu.

--"I believe in making the world safe for our children. But not for our children's children, because I don't think that children should be having sex." - Jack Handy

tomtom33 says on Dec 11, 2007, 01:51:

My Coomeva agent stole my premium and left me without coverage. I have been trying for nearly 2 years to get Coomeva to make good. They keep saying that they will but never actually get around to giving me the money.

Don't drop a bar of soap in Colombia.

miamimike says on Dec 11, 2007, 03:38:

How much did you loose Tom?

"Wait a minute. What did you just say? You're predicting $4-a-gallon gas? ... That's interesting. I hadn't heard that." -- Feb. 28, 2008 --George W. Bush, Washington, D.C.,

elk says on Dec 11, 2007, 04:31:

I also have the Coomeva insurance policy here in Medellin. As an independent I'm allowed to make advanced payments using my coupon book. I pay three months at a time to avoid the monthly trip to the bank.

Tomtom33: Sorry to hear of your problems. It's best to handle your own business affairs, especially when it comes to money. ("no dar papaya" = no problems) I've had similar situations since moving to Colombia resulting in the loss of several Colombian friends???
It's simply a learning process.

tomtom33 says on Dec 11, 2007, 04:42:

I lost around 1 million pesos to Coomeva.

Of course that's cheap compared to the theft from my novia's Bancolombia account. Avianca only got me for a little over US$100.

It's a learning process alright. Somehow I don't think I'm through paying tuition yet.

Rob77 says on Dec 11, 2007, 05:36:

Interesting info from the 2000 WHO report:

"Fairness of financial contribution: When WHO measured the fairness of financial contribution to health systems, countries lined up differently. The measurement is based on the fraction of a household’s capacity to spend (income minus food expenditure) that goes on health care (including tax payments, social insurance, private insurance and out of pocket payments). Colombia was the top-rated country in this category, followed by Luxembourg, Belgium, Djibouti, Denmark, Ireland, Germany, Norway, Japan and Finland.

Colombia achieved top rank because someone with a low income might pay the equivalent of one dollar per year for health care, while a high- income individual pays 7.6 dollars."


I don't doubt Colombia will always fair better in economic comparisons. But, being used to top quality care with the best doctors money can buy in the states, Colombia still has a way to go when comparing the best facilities and care in each country.

BOYCOTT CITGO - CHAVEZ SUCKS!!!

Gator says on Dec 11, 2007, 08:04:

My two cents worth-We also have Coomeva right around 165 USD a month-no complaints-covers Mrs. Gator and I.

"Brevior Sltare Cum Deformibus Mulieribus Est Vita!" .

Atrevido says on Dec 11, 2007, 11:52:

Coomeva offers different plans at different prices. We have Plan Oro at $264.000 per month then another $54.000 for obligatory EPS. I use debito automatico for Coomeva so no trips to the bank. EPS I have to pay in person.

aztec says on Dec 11, 2007, 12:30:

Gator does the policy cover catastrophic and long term medical problems?

tomtom33 says on Dec 11, 2007, 12:51:

I had Oro for 6 months. Of course I paid for 12 months. But there was no drug coverage.

goin_south says on Dec 11, 2007, 23:14:

To tell the truth... outside a few specializations... HEALTHCARE IN COLOMBIA SUCKS. from the personal reports I've heard... many of them.

and, thank you.

Rob77 says on Dec 12, 2007, 05:12:

There have been many posts on PBH about great quality health care experiences. Since I have been lucky enough to stay healthy, I have not had to experience much here.

This week I got a taste of what is considered better health care in Colombia. A family member of a good friend became ill. I accompanied the family to the hospital and stuck around quite a while. There is no doubt things have modernized a lot over the years. But, no fancy building will ever outweigh the quality of care and the amount of attention given by health professionals.

In this facility, patients were stuffed into hallways on hospital beds. The excuse was they were waiting for a room to become available. But days go by and they are still waiting in the hallways. Patient info is taped to the wall behind each patient, next to elevators. Nurses and doctors make their rounds as if it was a normal practice. But the sanitary conditions are dubious.

My best guess is the hospital is so greedy they made deals with too many EPS. So, they get flooded with far more patients than they can handle. Since, for most people this is better than how things used to be, people don't complain much. But, anyone on PBH who thinks this is what quality health care is about really never experienced top medical care in their own home country.

BOYCOTT CITGO - CHAVEZ SUCKS!!!

robi666 says on Dec 12, 2007, 05:38:

Rob, you get what you pay for.

EPS is just 60K per month for the whole family and it gives you an excellent coverage for the price. Beds for EPS are limited: if it is full, they send you to another hospital or you have to wait.

Prepagada is charged for each person and varies with age and it is in the range of 100K - 600K per person per month. It also gives you a lot for the price and be sure that you'd find a bed immediately in the same hospital.

"I am a citizen of the most beautiful nation on earth. A nation whose laws are harsh yet simple, a nation that never cheats, which is immense and without borders, where life is lived in the present."

Rob77 says on Dec 12, 2007, 05:47:

I agree EPS is very cheap for what they offer you. Are you sure just paying the extra cash for prepagada would move you to the front of the line for a bed, etc? Do you really feel they differentiate in that way in the hospitals?

I'm going to visit the hospital again and ask them how they would handle this guy's situation if he had prepagada.

BOYCOTT CITGO - CHAVEZ SUCKS!!!

robi666 says on Dec 12, 2007, 05:56:

Absolutely, try it.
Each hospital has a fixed number of beds for EPS.
My guess is that they must have it by law, but they would prefer to live without it.

Even at urgency, if you have prepagada you go in first.

"I am a citizen of the most beautiful nation on earth. A nation whose laws are harsh yet simple, a nation that never cheats, which is immense and without borders, where life is lived in the present."

aztec says on Dec 12, 2007, 06:55:

"In this facility, patients were stuffed into hallways on hospital beds. The excuse was they were waiting for a room to become available. But days go by and they are still waiting in the hallways. Patient info is taped to the wall behind each patient, next to elevators. Nurses and doctors make their rounds as if it was a normal practice. But the sanitary conditions are dubious." Rob77

You have to see it to believe it. My wife's sister's husband never did get into a room. His condition was critical and he eventually died in the hall waiting for room and treatment from doctor. It can be terrifying because so much is happening in the halls.

My own personal experience with La Fundación Santa Fe de Bogotá was at least as good as my time in US hospitals. As indicated, this is where one would go if you can afford it.

Rob77 says on Dec 12, 2007, 07:10:

aztec, did your sister's husband have prepagada?

BOYCOTT CITGO - CHAVEZ SUCKS!!!

aztec says on Dec 12, 2007, 08:41:

aztec, did your sister's husband have prepagada?

No he did not. He was only covered by the "Social Security" system. Which is worse if you are ever in medical need.

Chriscan says on Dec 18, 2007, 15:16:

I just bought insurance with Saludcorp for 50000 cop /month for me my girlfriend and her daughter. I haven't used it yet though. I think Colombia is retarded for copying the american system but at least it's cheaper.

I'll take the Canadian system over them all hands down.

************* WARNING ************* my words often come from my ass

tomtom33 says on Dec 18, 2007, 16:59:

And you are entirely welcome to the Canadian system.

goin_south says on Dec 18, 2007, 17:23:

I like my personal health care system best.
What most are referring to as 'health care' is really 'sick care'.
And, with only a few exceptions now and then, for accidents...
The more I adhere to my 'health care system', ... the Less I need of "their" sick care.
I wasn't born with the best genes...
scarlet fever...chicken pox... both to the Nth degree...and 'diagnosed' with Hodgkin's Disease at the age of five...
I enjoy as good or better health than most...
only been to see a medical dr maybe FIVE TIMES IN 25 YEARS JUST PAST.... and three of those trips were for Insurance physicals.
How many others you know go to a medical dr for help once every five years...?
and are in real good health?
Most here, there, and everywhere, I think go to pay their sick homage to the meds about five times a year instead.

So,... you can have it all.

exp... an hour per visit with your dr?
Por que?

and, thank you.

Rob77 says on Dec 19, 2007, 06:16:

I didn't understand the "my health care system" concept...

BOYCOTT CITGO - CHAVEZ SUCKS!!!

lampltr says on May 13, 2008, 19:38:

Sorry guys...with the "Networking Scenario" I have been going through the local system and paying out of pocket (No insurance/researching much)....With my wife (and immediate family with rare blood disorder), have been paying direct. Local office billing me direct after 3 months (even on payment terms), this beats all you have mentioned. I have been through open heart, Caderact (spelling) and a couple others out of pocket, and still come out ahead. Now my wife and I are pulling deep within (Mentally). This very difficult, but financially so much better than anything I have ever seen. Get away from the thinking of the norm and dive into society....Give back to society and the medical society who desire to improve the mass!!

Rubito says on May 13, 2008, 20:03:

Chriscan you must have very little actual experience with medical care in Canada. I'd just about rather die in the street than get treated in a Canadian hospital again. EVER!

Frankly I could care less if I die in a hallway or in a hospital room. Hopefully if I get that sick I'll have a chance to eat a gun, or somebody will have the right to do it for me at my request without legal repercussions so I can die nice and cleanly, like my hero Hunter Thompson!

---Violence is the price of freedom.---