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What are you guys paying for EPS?

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Cruisechef
  7/2/2019 09:37 EST

Also, What do I need to get it? Just a cedilla?

Thanks

Cruisechef
  7/2/2019 09:39 EST

Thanks Cafetero,

Got your message.

https://www.expatexchange.com/expatguide/190/3438134/Colombia/Expats-Living-in-Colombia/Qualifying-for-EPS-basic-health-insurance

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meincolombia
  7/2/2019 10:43 EST

The consensus seems to be that pensionados are paying 103,500 per month for EPS the basic package.

That payment seems to be based on a formula of 12.5% of the monthly minimum wage.

NOT, because any of us make minimum wage. It is just the formula they use. Similar to the formula they use for setting fines such as 1/2 minimo mensual if you miss the deadline for applying for cedula, or 3x minimo mensual to qualify for pensionado visa. Etc.

This formula may vary for other types of visa holders such as investors, business, work, etc.

Cruisechef
  7/2/2019 14:18 EST

Do they grill you on your income?

Thanks

cafetero
  7/2/2019 14:50 EST

Yes, when you apply for a Visa Pensionado you have to show you income to MRE (ministry of foreign relations).

Yes, when you apply for EPS basic insurance you will have to show them your income.

With the Investor Visa you asked about you only have to show the investment in Colombia. A friend recently told me if you purchase $28,000 USD in a Bank or Company traded on the Stock Exchange you can qualify for an investor Visa.

Vikingo
  7/2/2019 14:56 EST

I had a look at the latest membership applications from Sura and also from Medimas and both want you to state your monthly income.
We should also consider that the monthly contributions from Colombians include their old age pension and I doubt any of that portion applies to expats.
I have a feeling though one of these days the insurance commissioners will learn that expats need to prove an income of three times minimum wage to be approved for a retirement visa and that would be the end of the 103,000 peso contribution.

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meincolombia
  7/2/2019 15:14 EST

You may be right Vikingo, which would also make Fecherklyn right. But in my opinion the 103,500 is not about what gringos make, it is just a formula they use to arrive at a number.

In your example, a Colombian who makes minimum wage is going to pay a 1/2 month multa if he or see forgets to renew the Cedula on time. So, a gringo who makes 5x minimum wage would have to pay 5x the multa. Make sense?

Vikingo
  7/2/2019 16:23 EST

Meincolombia, fees for a visa infraction are a one time event and the country doesn't suffer if a gringo renews his cedula or not.
EPS' have serious outlays like salaries for academics, maintaining hospitals, IPS clinics, paying all those outside services like specialists and costly exams, maintaining regional offices and buying sometimes costly medication.
I think in the long run it is safest for low income expats to let the Colombian wife enroll as a minimum wage earner and annex the expat husband as a beneficiary.
If the EPS uses the 103 mil indeed as an overall formula, that would be great news and I will visit a regional office and find out more.
It's just that I've received conflicting information about it in the past.

meincolombia
  7/2/2019 18:05 EST

okay, fees that are set on a percentage of the minimum wage are a one time thing....I get that. I'm just trying to point out that the fees are set arbitrarily and for the moment, for the foreseeable future, the fee for EPS is set at 12.5% of the minimum wage. That seems to be what everyone is paying.

Granted, it may go up in the future. When it does, we will deal with it.

Ten years ago the Study Fee for a visa for US citizens was $0. Now it is $50. It went up. that's to be expected.

Ten years ago the fee for EPS was 77,000. Now it is 103,500. It went up. That is to be expected. Maybe it will go up again in the future. Who knows?

Vikingo
  7/3/2019 21:27 EST

Meincolombia, today I went to the regional office of Sura and asked if everybody pays 103,000 across the board and was told a clear NO, that they pay 12.5% according to their income.
The 103,000 only applies to minimum wage earners, she said.
If something sounds too good to be true, it usually is.
For someone who is struggling it may be best to let the wife or 'compañera permanente' enroll as an independent minimum wage earner and the expat becomes her beneficiary.
It is unlikely that she gets a nasty letter someday to triple her EPS contributions.

fecherklyn
  7/4/2019 08:53 EST

@Vikingo

On other threads you have attacked me as not knowing what I am talking about regarding the EPS payments:

“Good Lord Pardise Lost AKA Fletcherkiln.........don´t be stupid. Your posts are so stupid I don't even both to read them anymore, this is the reality of what gringos are paying for health insurance. , this is the way it is in Colombia. We pay what they tell us to pay and that's it.”

Now you state on THIS thread:

“Meincolombia, today I went to the regional office of Sura and asked if everybody pays 103,000 across the board and was told a clear NO, that they pay 12.5% according to their income. The 103,000 only applies to minimum wage earners, she said. If something sounds too good to be true, it usually is.”

Sounds to me like Trump walking back his previous twitter!

Maybe you should similarly readjust what you said on the other threads on this subject?

Maybe you should give me an apology for all the insults you threw at me?

Maybe Cafetero and some others could also admit publicly they have been misleading the forum on this issue.

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Vikingo
  7/4/2019 10:17 EST

I too am puzzled fecherklyn, why some posters are so abrasive and aggressive toward others.
If it comes right down to it we are all in the same boat, living far away from family and friends, the honesty and helpfulness of our neighbors, our local customs and the food we used to enjoy.

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