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Retired Expat Medical Insurance

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mapper55
  5/11/2015 13:57 EST

At the risk of starting another troll war, I understand that getting medical insurance as we age is difficult (or impossible), and this is not a question of using local medical resources VS running back to the US. I have a question for those of you who are retired and drawing US Social Security benefits. What kind of medical insurance do you carry if any? Do you have emergency medical evacuation insurance?

rtaz
  5/13/2015 15:01 EST

I run back to the US once a year every year for a month.
That, gives me chance to visit my HMO, keep my ailments in check, also, I get to visit my family.

It works out fine.

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rtaz
  5/13/2015 18:54 EST

Sorry, I didn't answer the SS benefits that is part of your question.

Yes, II draw SS medical benefits but they are managed by my former employer(where I retired from) as part of my pension plan.

Besides my US HMO plan, I don't have any other insurance.. No Med. Evac. plan.
I don't advise to retire in Nic. on
SS benefits alone

mapper55
  5/14/2015 12:55 EST

Thanks. I would guess that most SS recipients don't buy regular health insurance in Nicaragua because it too expensive or unavailable shortly after full retirement age. I'll have to investigate the Pelas discount plan. Medical evacuation insurance seems a large expensive (until you need it), but I suspect that very few people really need it. Making an annual or biennial trip to the States to visit family and take advantage of Medicare benefits seems like a sound plan.

KeyWestPirate
  5/14/2015 19:32 EST

That is what I have been doing successfully since 2010

I set up the appointment before I leave Nicolas as the lead times seem to be getting longer.

I have Magic Jacks in Nica and Tucson but you only need one. You can buy yearly or 5 years for $120

You get an area code in your provider location,,, no one knows you are in NicaVille ....I really don'the think anyone cares.

Other ways of skinning the same cat but the Magic Jack plugs into your router. Your corded or wireless phone plugs into the MJ, ,,, so you have conventional phone service.

Your computer Does not have to be on for the phone to work and I always felt like AN idiot talking to my computer with
Skype

iguanalover
  5/14/2015 21:03 EST

The new Military Hospital, right behind PriceSmart, is ready and opening. Anyone can go there and it has a much better reputation than Pellas. Keep them on your list.

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KeyWestPirate
  5/14/2015 21:21 EST

Good idea. I've heard it's good too

There is good medicine in Nicaragua (l've seen it) but there is a lot of inconsistency too

atz111
  5/14/2015 21:35 EST

I heard same thing about Militar..also Baptist..

I think the other part of the puzzle is finding a goo Doc who works at one of the hospitals so you can screen them on some not so serious stuff and get a bit of a relationship going...which here or anyplace is as important as the facility...I been lucky in having some minor stuff done and mostly by luck running into a few..I hateb the though of just wanting in and taking pot luck...

atz111
  5/14/2015 21:37 EST

I heard same thing about Militar..also Baptist..

I think the other part of the puzzle is finding a good Doc who works at one of the hospitals so you can screen them on some not so serious stuff and get a bit of a relationship going...which here or anyplace is as important as the facility...I been lucky in having some minor stuff done and mostly by luck running into a few..I hate the thought of just walking in and taking pot luck...

ricktee
  5/15/2015 00:02 EST

It is a teaching hospital so the care should be top notch.

TerryCicada
  5/15/2015 07:03 EST

For those who are concerned about medical insurance and have Medicare or any other US Insurance. I would suggest buying the US insurance (excl medicare) with the highest possible deductible to reduce premiums.
Dont forget the US is only 2.5 hrs away should you need major medical in Houston or Miami.
For general attention, the medical establishment should handle most of your needs in Managua.
Dont forget as far as regarding the quality of care, the US ranks near the bottom of the list in the world even though it has the best medical technology in the world. From my own experience i had to spend more than 12 hours with a relative before she can get treated or go to triage at a major hospital in NYC.It is a money driven society.
Just be careful enrolling in some health establishments which operates in Miami which bills your insurance while you are resident in Nicaragua. There has been several indictments with such fraudulent billing.
Medicare does provides first 6 months of foreign care under their Part F option when you are out of the country. Look for this option when you buy the US insurance.
I also buy the supplemental insurance which will cover the remaining 20% which medicare does not cover.
If all the above cannot meet your needs due to affordability or other reasons than go with whatever plan is available locally that suits you. I t would still be cheaper than any US plan available.
Cheers to your good health !

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bhjoffe
  5/15/2015 08:13 EST

All things considered, TerryCicada, between your US health insurance (excl Medicare) with the highest possible deductible ... along with the supplemental insurance to cover the remaining 20% not covered by Medicare .. what are you paying (on overage) monthly for health care premiums? Thanks!

atz111
  5/15/2015 10:18 EST

Not quite correct on some important parts.

Part F does not cover anything but Emergency foreign medical care..at least in the 5 plans I looked at. Most Part C plans cover emergency care anyplace in or out of USA. Mine also covers urgent care...such s a bad stomach ache and not a big deal when examined...so not a real emergency. I am not sure of the plan Crickit man quotes here, but he says it covers for 6 months out of USA which is not great for a resident here. There are other F plans without that, but some also have a very low total amout they will cover in a life time or per treatment.

Other than that, art F is very comprehesive and also the most expensive. May not be the best...again depends on what you want....but with some research you can find better options for most people. Lots of very good Part C plans out there and all it requires is a bit of work on line to sort it out.

USA ranks near the top in "performance" but most of the rankings, if not all do not assign a lot of weight to that so USA falls mainly because of access and cost of insurance. you really want to got to Cyprus (ranked way better) for cancer car? France and Spain usually ranked high...France #1 usually. That is all paid with tax money. Spain has 29 % unemployment and not a lot of hope in getting better.

Rankings are alway subject to a lot of debate and a very broad subject...my opinion is they have little to do with the subject of health care in Nicaragua and how to deal with that...just noise and as always with the Chirper man some bitching about the USA.

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