Is healthcare free for colombianos?

arthur brode says on Nov 16, 2006, 20:24:

i have the basic government health insurance(EPS)which covers everything and cost 49,000 pesos per month.

http://www.calirentals.net/

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Lisa Zee says on Nov 16, 2006, 20:38:

Health care If you have a job you have insurance, even some maids get it. Doctors are not cheap. I am not very sabe on this, but I have a sister that sells health insurances for anyone, and with dollars is nor very much. If you are serious I can connect you with her, and this is in Medellin.

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shawkneesea says on Nov 16, 2006, 20:43:

Monthly care? Just visiting some friends and one of them (colombian) is sick and too broke to go to the doctor. I thought they all had health care, but I guess you have to have a job? a good job? or any job?

I don't wanna show up and get sick on my vacation after a long flight. I got nailed in the mountains of panama for almost $100 in Panama. I don't want that again if I can avoid it.

Lisa, what is your sister's contact info?

Sean

Sean

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scotty says on Nov 16, 2006, 21:36:

not free I dont think colombian insurance is free but it is a whole lot cheaper than anything in the USA

Get Rhythm, when you got the blues. Johnny Cash

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Lisa Zee says on Nov 16, 2006, 22:08:

Sean Give me your e-mail and I will tell my sis to contact you. The doctors there charge maybe half than here in the usa, and they take a long time with you. And if you need a very good DENTIST, I know of one also. He worked on my friend for 3 days, 2 to 4 hrs per day and the bill was $250.00 dolars, mas o menos, He does not speak English nither does my sister. I tranlated the whole time for my friend.

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goin_south says on Nov 16, 2006, 22:27:

a.b. is that..... about $21 USD per month? Don't get sick; get healthy and don't worry. There is alot of shit you read about being in a '3rd-World' country, and if you are a healthy individual, like anything else, you are going to be fine in Colombia, barring accidental injury. And, to my amazement, I think I have only seen one accident in the 3 trips to Colombia.

Where do we go from here?

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arthur brode says on Nov 16, 2006, 23:02:

galecito yes,its only like $21/mo.but you need a "cedula de extranjeria" to apply for government heath insurance(EPS). "prepaid" insurance with Coomevas "oro plan" is more expensive,like 173,000 pesos/mo.if you are under 60.but "prepaid" insurance does not require the "cedula de extranjeria".and with "prepaid" insurance you have the option to go whichever hospital/doctor you would like.people usually get healthier when comming to Colombia.iam sure eating healthier since i have been here.i eat seafood almost everyday.i wouldnt be able to afford that luxury in the States.

http://www.calirentals.net/

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aztec says on Nov 17, 2006, 03:45:

Insurance "i have

the basic government health insurance(EPS)which covers everything and cost 49,000 pesos per month.
By arthur brode "

Don't believe it does cover everything. For instance does it cover major medical expenses (catastrophic). If you have a heart attack or leukemia will the high cost treatment required on a long term basis be covered.

When I planned to move to Colombia I discovered the government mandated insurance was only a beginning. In addition, we discovered that the insurance does not generally cover medicines unless administered while in the hospital.

For adequate coverage similar to what one would find in the states You would need to acquire a supplement. While expensive the total cost of the insurance was somewhat less than equal coverage in the States. There are at least two or three Colombian or international insurance companies operating in Colombia that can provide your supplemental coverage.

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juanalejo says on Nov 17, 2006, 04:51:

ISS - Aztec People in Colombia have a choice to join a private or public health care system as part of the mandatory healthcare plan when you are employed. If you want a high up insurance they still will not insure you unless you are part of the mandatory system (even if unemployed). As a normal basis the mandatory system works better in the private companies but when you join the ISS (public) they are by law obliged to cover any catastrophic illness. They sometimes try and avoid it...yes, but that is why most people go to court (tutela) and within a week they have all their medicines paid by the government. It may not be as efficient but in the worst case it does work. The big problem for them as an institution is that many people when the privates don´t cover they move over to ISS, and that is one of the reasons they are totally bankrupt and the central government has to subsidize them.

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aztec says on Nov 17, 2006, 05:25:

Thanks for the info, juanalejo... ...It is true that one must belong to the mandated govrrnment system.My wife and I were to be retired and unemployed living in Bogota.

We have outstanding insurance coverage here in ths States. My situation became somewhat complicated when I turned 65 because as you know Medicare in the US becomes your primary insurer. The don't pay out of country bills but my suplementary insurer (Blue/Blue Shield) will pay.

My wife's niece is an insurance broker in Bogota and helped educate us on the intrintricies of the Colombian insurance system. We examined the policies in detail and I can tell you the plans do not cover the major catistropic illnesses. For example my first wife died from leukemia and the total cost at her death was about a million dollars.

Our niece arranged for us to meet with several insurance company representatives who in turn presented plans and their respective costs. I recall that one was a company called Liberty.

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miamimike says on Nov 17, 2006, 08:02:

To get the same Equal Of Blue Cross/Shield Here in The States, it would cost me $900 Monthly(private non group rate). RUBITO-those rates you received are the same Rates I was quoted here in Miami. The same Insurance in Colombia is $100 or less monbthly. The Health Care Situation in the USA is in Dire straits and worsens daily. We now have 46 Million Americans Uninsured, NO coverage at all. With all the Recent Auto plant closings in the USA, this list will expand. Here in Miami Dade county alone, we have over 600,000 uninsured. In Colombia, the Poor have coverage/acess, here in the USA they have no system. The only true healthcare system we have in the USA is Medicare and its only for those Retirees over 62(or if you are disabled, under 62) As every day passes, US Health Insurance Companies look for ways to deny Americans coverage they payed for, be it the form of Higher Co Pays or increased reams of Paperwork aimed at discouraging policyholders from filing claims.

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aztec says on Nov 17, 2006, 08:21:

Rubito , What is included in "FULL COVERAGE for her son and her."? Like more informatio because maybe I have been misinformed.

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arthur brode says on Nov 17, 2006, 08:24:

thanks aztec.you just gave me another excuse to call my insurance Lady :) She says that my government health insurance plan(EPS) covers major medical expenses (catastrophic). If you have a heart attack or leukemia and all medications (generic) inside or outside the hospital.

http://www.calirentals.net/

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arthur brode says on Nov 17, 2006, 09:43:

aztec no its not true.you do not have to be insured with the government heath insurance plan if you are a foreigner.that only applies to Colombians.you can solicit "prepaid" insurance in Colombia with Coomeva.they only require a copy of your passport and a copy of your present health insurance card/document.

http://www.calirentals.net/

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mango says on Nov 17, 2006, 10:12:

Dental and other i would be interested in dental work and possible nose surgery...
who is the dentist you mention in your post? What city are they located?
Any recommendations for an experienced nose surgery doctor?
thank you so much.
bosque777 at gmail.com
is there health insurance if i am only visiting colombia for 2 months at a time.

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arthur brode says on Nov 17, 2006, 10:48:

mango for dental care i go to "Cruz Roja Colombiana"(Colombian Red Cross) its cheap and they do good work. http://www.cruzrojavalle.org.co/

http://www.calirentals.net/

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Mr. Hollywood says on Nov 17, 2006, 11:26:

If you're only visiting your insurance in the US (if that's where you're from and you have it) should cover you for emergency stuff. If not, doctors in Colombia are excellent and, in my experiece, very compassionate and also a LOT less expensive than in the US. Cash is king here.

For example, I had an emergency room visit that in the US would have cost at LEAST $5,000 and probably closer to $10,000. Total bill from one of the best hospitals in Colombia was about $300 US.

Now, if paying $300 for $5,000 worth of medical care sounds undoable, I have to ask what your plan is for medical care in the rest of the world, including your home country?

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law254 says on Nov 17, 2006, 19:21:

high health care in the USA There are two reasons why health care cost is high in the USA. The number 1 reason are lawsuits. People sue doctors for anything because people think they can make money out of them for any tiny little thing. The fear of litigation causes hospitals to practice policies of not refusing any patient from emergency rooms and 90% of patients should be refused and refereed to their general practitioner because their problems are NOT emergencies. So what this brings about is every vagabond with a caugh must be treated and every vagabond off the street that walks in with a caugh gets 5000 dollars worth of images and tests so that the hospital can't be sued in the future and these tests are not done in colombia on anyone. Also you would notice that these 90% of the people in the emergency room, who should visit their family doctor are looking for free care and they dont care if they cost the system thousands of dollars. If things were simple like in colombia and people weren't greedy and didn't sue then things would be cheap here also. The second reason is that they are not putting out more doctors at a rate that can properly serve people in the USA. The fact is it's the government's fault in every way that health care costs are high. 1. they allow people to sue for anything and any amount and 2. they don't write laws to force medical schools to increase output or bring about the construction of more medical schools. However, I believe in shared responsibility as well and the people that complain about the health care system and their lack of coverage are at fault as well because they are the most likely to sue and they are the most likely to abuse the system and drive up costs. The middle class family gets the shaft for what other morons do and what the government allows them to do. We just need to restructure things.

Also we have socialized health care in the USA. You just don't see it. No hospital today is able to balance it's budget. That's a fact. When the hospital anounces that it's closing, what do you think the state does? They pay off the balance, thus we have socialized medicine because the government is paying for a large amount of these useless and unnecesary tests.

I'm not saying our legal system sucks, what I'm saying is that we need to organize our medical system and legal system involved in medicine in a better way.

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shawkneesea says on Nov 17, 2006, 19:56:

Thanks for all the info I am very healthy for a 38 year old, but I was healthy this summer in panama when an infection I got in the American River (sacramento, ca) flared up right as I arrived in Panama.

I just felt like spending 21 bucks or so was worth the effort. I am not questioning quality of care. Believe me, not a huge fan of American care or at least the cost of it.

Sean

Sean

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miamimike says on Nov 17, 2006, 21:35:

Lawsuits Affect The Cost Of US HealthInsurance Rates Less Then1% It is a myth perpetuated by Insurance company CEOs in their Quest for ever Higher Rates that Lawsuits drastically raise Health Insurance rates. The Figures do not support this myth. . The CEO of United Health Care(based in the US) was reported to be recieving a Bonus of $1.6 Billion this year. In addition, he will be recieving a Yearly Pension of $5 Million Yearly. And does anyone Now wonder why we have High Health Insurance rates in the USA? a $1.6 Billion Bonus??? On the backs of Middle class Policyholders,,,This does not exist anywhere else in the world, rates and Bonuses such as those found in the US. Many Middle class citizens here in Miami and Ft. Lauderdale go to the Emergency rooms of local hospitals because they 1)cannot afford the monthly rates of Hundres of dollars($400 to $1000) and/or 2)Companies will simply NOT accept many middle aged policy holders due to Pre-Existing conditios such as Diabetes, High Blood Pressure. It has nothing to do with them not wanting insurance, it is simply unattainable. Another reason we have high healthcare Rates in the USA we demand that people be sustained when there is no Hope--Terri Schiavo was a Prime Example. Maintained for Years on Artificial Life Support when she should have been allowed to passed away naturally the way God intended in the big scheme of Life. Another Reason, Americans demand the latest Pills they see on TV when in many cases they are not needed. This inturn causes Pharmaceutical Companies to jack up their prices to pay for all this advertising. I see a lack of Real Competition, competition for prices say of Operations, as another reason for High Rates. As a Healthcare Provider myself, I have not experienced any shortage of Doctors. In some Specialties, there is a Surplus of Doctors the truth be told. These are but a few of the Reasons for the High Cost of Healthcare in the USA, there are many other reasons. These health Insurance Companies are out of control, couple that with Florida Homeowners being informed Today they will be facing Rate Hikes for their Home Insurance of up to 603% to Insure their Homes and Businesses,,,

On the rate hikes:
http://winningargument.blogspot.com/2004/09/losing-argument-medical-malpractice.html

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Robert Jorge says on Nov 17, 2006, 21:36:

Not trying to hijack the thread, but I agree with those who said you get healthy going to Colombia. I was there 4 months. The only time I got sick, was because I ate a maracuya and street vendor peanuts. I was on the toilet every hour for four days. Day and night. It took me 2 days just to pass all those little black seeds. I cured it by drinking copius amounts of Aguila cerveza. But seriously, I never felt healthier in my adult life, than when I lived in Colombia. My fiancee's mom got pretty sick my last week there. She is quite poor, but works. I know her insurance was government, but provided through the employer, and she went to the medico coop (sp?) 5 nights in a row without spending anything except taxi-fare.

BEWARE of gold diggers.

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bonnielass says on Nov 17, 2006, 22:49:

Really? That cheap? I've been a lurker in these parts for a few weeks now, but the cheap dental care really grabbed my attention.

I'm in need of some work (Several thousand dollars worth, by U.S. standards) and I keep putting it off because I just can't afford anything more than what my insurance will pay ($1500/year).

If anyone has any information, please, please let me know. I was hoping to visit Colombia next year anyway, but now ... I mean, really. I'd be willing to go just for the dental work.

Thanks so much ...

bonnie.lassie at gmail.com

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aztec says on Nov 18, 2006, 05:56:

This thread has... ...prompted me to meet with my Department of Human Resources for a discussion about insurance reimbursement for health care while visiting or living out of the country. Have already learned some things that I will share later when confirmed.

Thanks everyone for the advice. Insurance is a mess here and I certainly don't want a bigger problem with it in Colombia. At my age I can't afford not to be covered.

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arthur brode says on Nov 18, 2006, 10:10:

Rubito Iam almost positive that my 49k monthly payment includes emergency care and extended hospital stays but i will call my insurance lady on monday to verify this.I also pay another 15,000 pesos per month for a private emergency service called "EMI".In case of an emergency you call "EMI" and an ambulance comes to your door with a nurse,doctor and paramedic.Doctors non-emergency visits with this plan are only 3,000 pesos.The doctors non-emergency house calls are 10,000 pesos.

http://www.calirentals.net/

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miamimike says on Nov 18, 2006, 15:59:

The way Many of US saw that in the news Tinto was $1.6 Billion and while there may have been a contraction later, it was a scheme to fleece the public. He may have come up with this other scenario after the Fact. Not to mention the $5,000,000 Yearly Pension. Think these don't affect the price of health insurance?? Think again!

On the Florida Insurance, Jeb Bush and his Senate both knew in advance on these rate Hikes but witheld them until after the Nov 7 election. Had they not, Nov 7 would have resulted in more or a Bloodletting then what already occurred that day. A small business owner who resides above her business in my neughborhood stands to have her rates escalate up to 603%(you read that correctly).This year we had np Hurricanes and still we get slammed with more rate hikes, ON TOP of rate hikes of 50-100% last year. Why do these Big Insurance companies keep posting record profits (like this year) if they are down as they claim??? Lies,,,BTW, the Florida Governor Elect (charley crist)accepted $5,000,000 in Campaign contributions from the Insurance Company Lobbies this election season so what can you expect in the future on Insurance reform? More of the same crooked business we have gotten from the current florida governor the last 6 years,,,
"Even though Citizens' planned commercial insurance increases aren't tied to the new insurance legislation, lawmakers "knew this was going to be the result of the bill, yet Republicans voted for it and Gov. Bush signed it into law," Gelber said.

And if Citizens substantially increases its rates, Gelber said private insurers will continue to do the same.

"Citizens ... creates almost an upward draft for rates across the state," Gelber said. "I think you can probably expect the private market to follow suit."





On the Fl rate Hike: http://www.sun-sentinel.com/business/local/sfl-zcitizens17nov17,0,2337801.story

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Lisa Zee says on Nov 18, 2006, 17:21:

Mango / bonnielass A VERY GOOD DENTIST!!!. this is in Medellin, he is wonderful, he will teach you how to brush your theet, and floss. This man is an artist, he paints and does sculptures?, he gradueted form Universidad De Antioquia. I had a thooth that need it some cosmetic, here it costs $150.00 but he worked for few days on my mouth and the bill was only $200.00!!! dollars!. His name is Doctor SIERRA.
phone# 250-1064. HE DOES NOT SPEACK ENGLISH. If you are REALLY interestd. Tell him. "la senora R. Elkins lo recomendo"

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poco says on Nov 18, 2006, 18:13:

Almost correct Medicare and its only for those Retirees over 62

That number is 65 for medicare, probably 66 for those born around 46. 62 is early retirement age,, yep you can retire but you can't get medicare until you are 66. What the heck a single person can still find good insurance for $400 per month.

Remember, the U.S. has gradually upped the full retirement age.

"When you men get home and face an anti-war protester, look him in the eyes and shake his hand. Then, wink at his girlfriend, because she knows she's dating a pussy." Quote - General Tommy Franks

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miamimike says on Nov 18, 2006, 22:36:

Poco,You can retire Before 66 on SS but you get a Reduced Check and you take the Hit for the rest of your life if you retire and take SS early at 62. If you become disabled, you can collect SS Disability at any age. The Hit for Early retirement is Approxiately a 25% Reduction. I know, my Brother in law retired at 62 and I become familiar with the process at that time.66 (used to be 65)is for Full Benefits. Poco, BTW, you will NOT find any Health Insurance here in Miami, NY or Penna for $400 monthly, not at age 62 and if you have pre-existing conditions, you won't find it at any price,,,Blue Cross/Blue shield is around $900 monthly here in Miami for a Single Policyholder, non group rate with NO pre-existing conditions,,,

"Early retirement
You may start receiving benefits as early as age 62. However, if you start your benefits early, your benefits are reduced permanently. Your benefit is reduced about one-half of one percent for each month you start your Social Security before your full retirement age. For example, if your full retirement age is 65 and 8 months and you sign up for Social Security when you are 62, you would only get 76.7 percent of your full benefit."







SS Link on retiring at 62 yrs of age(early)

http://www.ssa.gov/pubs/10024.html#apply


Who is Eligible for Medicare???--by the SS Website, anyone eligible for SS Benefits.

"Who is eligible for hospital insurance (Medicare Part A)?
Most people get hospital insurance when they turn 65. "You qualify for it automatically if you are eligible for Social Security" or Railroad Retirement benefits.
Or you may qualify based on a spouse’s (including divorced spouse’s) work. Others qualify because they are government employees not covered by Social Security who paid the Medicare tax.

If you get Social Security disability benefits for 24 months, you will qualify for hospital insurance.

Also, people who have permanent kidney failure that requires maintenance dialysis or a kidney replacement or who have amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (Lou Gehrig’s disease) qualify for hospital insurance if they have worked long enough or if they are the spouse or child of a worker who qualifies.

Who can get medical insurance (Part B)?
"Almost anyone who is eligible for hospital insurance can sign up for medical insurance". Part B is an optional program. It is not free. In 2006, the monthly premium is $88.50 per month. Most people sign up for this part of Medicare"

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shawkneesea says on Nov 19, 2006, 08:43:

Lisa Zee Lisa,

I would like to speak to your sister about some health care options. I can write in Spanish pretty well if her English is a problem.

Sean Cunningham
seanpcnv at gmail.com

Sean

Sean

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Lisa Zee says on Nov 22, 2006, 21:48:

Mira tu correo Te escribi a tu e-mail.

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lpdiver says on Nov 23, 2006, 01:44:

Back to the original post... My mother in law who live in Colombia is low income...probably Estrata one or two. She has some form of governmental insurance I really don't know which. She has been throwing up blood and passing blood rectally for six months and can get no help.

I will look into a better insurance plan when we are there soon.

tony

"cook some rice!"

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lpdiver says on Nov 23, 2006, 07:04:

problem is she isn't "sick" enough to qualify for the medical testing...


t

"cook some rice!"

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