figleyrich
6/1/2015 14:41 EST
Can anyone tell me what the approx cost for health ins would be. I am seeing numbers all over the board. I am just looking for a general idea of the cost either private and / or state
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GringoinQuito
6/1/2015 16:27 EST
It depends how old you are. If you are 65 or above insurance can cost $250 per month. There is usually a 90-180 day waiting period depending on the plan. Private doctors here in Quito cost about $40 a specialist $60.
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cccmedia
6/2/2015 02:02 EST
The OP is correct, prices ARE all over the board.
While GringoinQuito is also correct, consider that other factors will influence the numbers. Pre-existing conditions. Deductibles. Age -- it is not as simple as under or over 65. Whether you buy into a wide insurance plan or the plan of a single hospital.
The IESS government plan is currently $73 a month for an individual and, after the 90-day waiting period, covers doctors and hospital charges without a copay required.
iess.gob.ec
cccmedia in Quito
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OceanHideaway
6/3/2015 18:57 EST
For awhile well meaning ...and not so well meaning...gringos were trying to set into place private health plans. The not so well meaning, took advantage of them when in place and basicaly bankrupted the few that could have placed the gringo community in good shape (along with helping some needy kids)
... that pretty much describes the BMI/Friends of Padre Simon plan from last year... for example...
Those who paid into that plan (with the exeption of the one woman who pretty much bankrupted the program) are still waiting to get their money back...
Like many mistakes by gringos who arrive here and become "instant experts" who are going to "fix everything wrong" after less than a year of experience in the country because "they know how to do this and can make it happen" based on some minor knowledge back in the USA, a belligerant Gringo attitude and pretty much the inability to take any direction or notice of fols who have real knowledge of the way things happen --- discussion of Private Health Plans is one of those items that will be met with a LOT of misinformation as many of those involved with setting these up and dealing with the failures and loss of peoples money are now doing a bit of "covering up" (like a dog pooping under the stairs).
Bottom line ... don´t expect to get a straight answer...
...especially not in the Salinas are ...most especially not from the denizens of the Redneck Riviera
So what is your best bet?
1. Find out if your current USA insurance can cover major medical in Ecuador and if so which hospitals. (some of the local hospitals have affiliations with USA and even Canada)
2. Speak to your health care provider and doctor about increasing prescriptions so you have more medication with you and need deliveries from overseas less oftn.
3. Schedule deliveries to coincide with friends and relatives visiting.
4. Get to know the docotrs and specialists you may need in Ecuador as well as if your medications are available in Ecuador by visiting pharmacies and hospitals as part of your "tour" of your perspective new home.
5. Find out which medical health plan services the hosptials and doctors youwill need and then contact those health plans to see if they can take you with your age and medical condition.
BE AWARE that some conditions such as high blood pressure, diabetes and some forms of depression will NOT be covered. Some illnesses such as certain cancers will require extra coverage. Find out what the coverage will include and if you desire more services before a condition strikes!
Lastly IESS, the national health plan is more of a stop gap then a "good plan" --it is a plan everyone should have once becoming a Resident and holding an ID (cedula) because in case of emergency, any hospital will admit you and serve you knowing at least IESS will pay them.
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scottiestogether
6/4/2015 08:16 EST
Why do so many gringo's think they can sponge of health system without really contributing .The health systems in the developed countries requires you to pay in a certain amount before you get any real benefit .not $70 a month and the think your entitled to surgery worth say $1000 .The amount of gringo's coming for medical reasons seems to be increasing is that because usa rips you off.Personally i think all gringo's should pay in a payment of $1000 before major surgery into the iess
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kmoriarty45
6/4/2015 10:37 EST
Susan,
As usual, a very informative and thoughtful post. Thank you for taking the time and trouble to explain Private Health Care insurance pros/cons ( and there unfortunately, are a lot of cons in our expat community ).
Hopefully, newbies and wannabes will get the picture. For the rest of us, you are either preaching to the choir or attempting to reason with the unreasonable.
I ( so far ) have been blessed with good health and have no medical or medicinal needs. I am sure that in the next 20 or 30 years ( I'll admit to 70 in Oct. ), that I may need more than a tooth pulled or a cataract removed. I have prepared for that with both private insurance, (which in spite of my age and because I have no preexisting conditions, is far more reasonable here), and pay $72 mth into IESS in case I get hit by the cross-town bus in Ambato and need emergency treatment. Social Security in the U.S. still takes their monthly cut for Medicare but I don't mind. I wouldn't want to get sick on a visit to the States and not have at least some backup.
While our aging baby boomers are more and more fixated on themselves and their real and imagined medical issues, I firmly believe that the best way to keep well is to keep away from doctors. When they say that they're practicing medicine, that's exactly what they're doing - practicing ! And they bury their mistakes.
My wish for everyone is health and happiness !!
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DocStJohn
6/4/2015 12:21 EST
If you can catch the program on the History Channel, 'Hillbilly, The Real Story.' This program will tell you in detail where the term 'Redneck' came from. Briefly, it involved unionized West Virginia coal miners going up against the coal company thugs. This was as close to a war as you could get. The unionized coal miners wore red handkerchiefs around their necks to identify themselves. Thus the term 'Redneck.' This is a conflict that not too many people are aware of. Eventually, the US president ordered federal troops in to bring the conflict to a halt.
http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qa3732/is_200601/ai_n17174894
http://tvlistings.zap2it.com/tvlistings/ZCProgram.do?method=getDetail&pgmId=SH009473950000&lineupId=NY31519:X&zipcode=10010
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LADDIED
6/4/2015 12:32 EST
One of your better posts and good advice for anyone. I have an M.S. in biology and have independently studied health, nutrition, alternative medicine, and exercise physiology for 35 years.
I find that most traditional MD's are ignorant beyond all belief, and some are greedy and dishonest. They have never studied nutrition, or pharmacology, but are welling to share their ignorance and superstitions with you while the kill you for your insurance money. They cause more problems then they cure, and when they make a mistake and cause you problems they are impatient to get your money. They bury their mistakes and try to shake down the family to pay for them.
Like you, I am 76 and all my organs are in good shape. No health problems. I have been fortunate to have spent many hours talking to some of the best alternative doctors in the world and they solved all my health problems when the traditional MD's did not have a clue. Good health and good fortune to you.
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Whisperer
6/5/2015 09:47 EST
DocStJohn:
I will have to read that article a little later, in the meantime, I often wondered, and still do wonder, why the area we live is Red Neck Country. I always though it is because it is the old hippy era, here you don`t wait for the law, (they aren`t close enough anyway) you are the law on your own property. Here you live life loose and free, dressing, working and living as you want.
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windshadow
6/5/2015 20:43 EST
Scottiestogether,
I would be more than happy to oblige you if I ever need surgery. You are more than welcome to pay the first $1000 of my costs. Thank you very much! No really, I get your point but everyone's situation is different. There are many ex-pats that cannot afford $1000. Then what?? Return to the USA and have Medicade pick it all up? Ok, that will work.
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JasmineinNM
6/6/2015 10:42 EST
Oh you are too funny!! LOL! But you are so right about the doctors and staying away from them and that they bury their mistakes.... I just had to laugh at that!. You made my day! Cheers to you!
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Expatsooner
8/1/2015 04:13 EST
Ahhh...Allopathic medicine, where the motto seems to be "A patient cured is a patient lost".
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SWIRLZ
8/1/2015 08:39 EST
Figleyrich......my wife and I enjoy good health but use IESS as "back-up" for major issues. With IESS we pay a total of $82 a month for full coverage including prescriptions with no co-pay.
However....for all our day to day sniffles or sneezes we use private doctors which on-average cost $30 and continue to buy our one medicine for about $5 a month.
IF....you have current medical issues requiring constant check-ups/treatments/ medications etc.....Ecuador may not be for you. As healthy individuals we feel medical service is BETTER here....but if we were gringo hypochondriacs we would probably be greatly disappointed.
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LADDIED
8/1/2015 08:52 EST
A patient cured stops the cash flow. An illness prevented prevents the cash flow. Healthy patients interfere with that luxury retirement and that country club membership.
A doctor might not be able to fly first class.
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