Global Expat Forum - Injury

National Medical Insurance for Expats Living in Mexico

I have been researching the availability of Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social (IMSS)or Mexican "Medicare" for U.S. Expatriates moving to Mexico. A recent expatriate living in Mexico post the following:

'I just renewed my IMSS after completing two years now. not one, then and only then does it cover (my) preexisting conditions."

The IMSS is socialized medical plan for Mexican citizens, but Mexico has allowed expatriates and foreign residents to buy into the plan. It costs around $3000.00 per person per year for someone 60 years of age. There is a medical questionnaire you have to answer and there are some pre-existing medical conditions which could prevent you from qualifying. There is an article at mexconnect which lists what pre-existing medical conditions are covered and which medical conditions are not. You can read all the details of the IMSS benefits at http://www.imss.gob.mx/.

Words of warning for newbies to IMSS coverage: This is NOT medical care like you’re used to up north. (Which is good and bad.) Your first clue is when you are asked for a urine sample and they hand you a small mayonnaise jar (sans label) with a big “M” on the red lid (McCormick). I’m sure they are sterilized, but still it is different than the sterile cups up north that come complete with instructions for a “clean catch” and include a handy wipe, all sealed in plastic. - www.mazinfo.com

Another Expatriate blogger writes:

My personal wish for everyone who comes to live or retire in Mexico is that they don’t have to use IMSS. I had IMSS as a “benefit” when I worked as a regular, full-time employee (this is called nomina) at a language school in Cuernavaca.

All IMSS personnel and facilities are serving about 5 times as many people as they should be expected to serve. Under these conditions, even professional, kind people cannot give good care.
http://www.home-sweet-mexico.com/retire-in-Mexico-healthcare-IMSS.html

Our friends at Med To Go have received varying opinions on the quality and user friendliness of the IMSS system and caution:

...the following interesting health-care statistics might help you decide what is best for you:

Although less than 3 percent of the Mexican population possesses a private medical insurance policy, 52 percent of the country’s total medical expenditures are for private medical services. In fact, more than 25 percent of Mexicans with IMSS insurance pay for their medical expenditures out of pocket. As a general rule, Mexicans tend to prefer private health care to the state-run system.

When we speak with our clients who plan on moving and/or retiring in Mexico, we recommend identifying your insurance needs and checking all your options. You want to be comfortable and confident you will receive adequate medical care from doctors you trust in a timely matter. Please also be aware that the IMSS does not cover you outside of Mexico. If you plan on returning to the U.S. or your home country to receive periodic medical care, then it might be wise to purchase a private international health insurance policy.

October 15, 2009 Time to Pay or Pray for US Expatriates

If you are a U.S. Expat, the Internal Revenue Service is giving you one more day to decide if you are going to report all your income generated or held in an offshore bank. The recent scrutiny of UBS, a major Swiss bank, has closed many accounts and mailing their holding back to their client's US address.

The IRS is offering some leniency. You will only receive a 5 to 20% penalty if you claim your offshore income and holdings prior to October 15 and you will only be assessed one fine rather than the 50% interest penalty and additional penalties for each year not filed.

Read more at the New York Times website, http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/13/business/13irs.html?_r=2

Retiring Abroad.. What about your Medicare benefits?

An excellent artcile for any US Senior Citizens planning on moving abroad.

http://www.escapefromamerica.com/2009/10/medicare-overseas/#comment-559

British Expats “Scrounging” Health Care?

Are British Expats “scrounging” health services in Spain? They are according to the media and certain doctors in the Alicante area. The doctors insist that a growing number of British expats are showing up in their operating rooms to avoid lengthy delays in the U.K. Read More...

Moving to Ecuador? Read this post!

Reprinted from ExpatExchange.com


Moving Household goods to Quito Before moving your household goods, have an agent in Quito, Cuanca, Guyaquil or elsewhere in Ecuador, who will advise you on the latest laws and procedures. There are several things that you should not plan to be shipped. These include: Firearms and ammunition Vitamins and nutriceuticals Items that make the list appear they are for resale Cosmetics including tooth paste, makeup, etc. Automobiles Some Electronics The laws are changing weekly. It has been the law that the goods could not arrive in Ecuador prior to your arrival or they would have to be shipped out and shipped back in to Ecuador. That may have changed recently. Small shipments may be cheaper by air-freight, UPS or DHL. We just shipped our household goods to Quito in September 2009. We did the shipping ourselves as the lowest price quoted for approximately 700 kilos weight was $4800 sharing a container. We decided on LAN CARGO as they quoted $2.90 per kilo and we estimated 700 kilos It actually weighted 660 kilos and cost $1800. We spent 2 weeks sorting what we really needed and what we could do without. The next week we inventoried and boxed 40 boxes approximately 12X12X24. They filled 2 pallets 40 by 48 by 60 inches high. We had a garage sale and sold the rest except a few items we donated to a church thrift store. I then typed the inventory lists for the 40 boxes, separated by box in English and Spanish. The Consulate didn’t like the format and required us to retype the info on a list for which they supplied a sample. Since this included a weekend, this required an extra 4 days hotel and food in Miami, 4 days extra truck rental due to not being able to unload at LAN Cargo, and rescheduling our air flight tickets for a week later. We found a small old hotel for $52 a night near the airport, and the truck rental return point, a Burger King, Denny’s and Pizza Hut were with-in walking distance. Across the street was an Irish Pub with great food, a ½ pound Angus burger with fries and coleslaw was $4.00 during the Saturday and Sunday football games. I want to thank good friend, JP – yes that JP, who came to our hotel, helped with copying the documents, had dinner with us two days and brought very thoughtful gifts. Our door in Ecuador will be open for you anytime JP. Upon return to the consulate Monday, the papers were notarized, cost $10, and stamped by the consulate, cost $100. They only reviewed and stamped the Spanish copies. The shipment was dropped off at LAN Cargo and the truck returned. LAN wanted the English for shipping and made a copy of the Spanish for Customs. We stayed over night at the hotel and next day a taxi took us, and 6 suitcases, plus carry-on bags about 5 miles around the airport to the departure gate for $16.00. We checked the bags and had 2 carry on bags each. 4 suitcases were at the 22 kilos max and 2 were over weight costing $120 extra. BTW, one carry on was 14 kilos and they only allow 8 kilos due to the overhead rack restrictions on the plane. They gave us a plastic bag to remove personal, expensive items from the carry-on. They checked that bag and allowed us to carry the plastic bag. Upon arrival in Quito, we discovered the airline had given us 6 baggage receipts for 7 bags. This caused a big problem with security at Quito. Finally I took my passport and showed them that all four of my bags had my name on the baggage slip they removed from the bags and agreed with my passport. Then they left us go through. After arriving at the Hostal where we were staying, we found Homeland Security had opened 4 bags of the 7, even though 3 of the 4 bags had been wrapped with plastic “for security”. They dumped a plastic bag of vitamins and minerals, unavailable in Ecuador, and threw the plastic bag back into the suitcase, and a MP-3 player was missing. However they left a card saying for our safety and protection, our bags had been randomly selected for inspection and all items had been replaced in the bags. Yes, our tax dollars at work for us. I feel so much safer now knowing that HLS inspectors are enjoying my MP3 player, and my health suffers from a lack of needed vitamins and minerals. In Quito I contacted an agent to see if he could get things through customs easier than we could. We were just too tired of the whole process. We should have done this before we left Ecuador for the US. He told us to wait a couple days until he could find out what was happening with our shipment. Well, it arrived OK but we needed some additional documents before customs would look at the shipment. 1. I had to sign a statement that I was moving to Ecuador as I had received my Cedula and provide a copy of the Spanish documents stamped by the consulate in Miami, my passport and cédula. 2. I had to provide a copy of the letter from Social Security, or my bank, stating that was receiving a monthly pension and the amount. This is the same document I needed to get my Cedula. The various departments of the government do not communicate and share information. Fortunately, I had the document with me. 3. I needed another document signed in person before an Ecuadorian Notary and stamped by them. This required an appointment for Friday afternoon. I was notified by the agent that at 1 PM he called to verify the appointment and was told the Notary had decided to take the afternoon off and cancelled all appointments. Thus I would have to wait until sometime next week so an appointment could be arranged. This would require 4 days extra lodging and food. So we decided to take the bus to home Saturday and I would return to Quito by bus next week to sign the document. So we are now packing everything at home so we can move to a new house Tuesday for the next year. Tuesday night I will take the night bus at 9 PM to Quito, see the Notary at 9:30 AM, and return home on the 12 noon bus and get home about 10 PM Wednesday. The bus ride is about 8 to 9 hours each way and costs $18 round trip. Good news, I showed my Cedula rather than the passport and got the bus tickets for half price. All went well and all paperwork is now in Customs. Now we wait until the agent calls and tells us every thing is OK or not and do we ship the goods from Quito to home or need some thing else to clear customs. Also he will tell us how much the duty is and how much his fee will be, based on what he has to do for us. Are we having FUN yet? At this point I recommend anyone coming to Ecuador bring everything in your suitcases. Don’t ship anything unless absolutely necessary. Even if you had to return back to your original country and bring several new suitcases full of necessities, it would be easier and probably cheaper. More to follow.

HGTV Wants New Expatriate Home Buyers

Have you relocated abroad with the last 2 years? Or have you bought a holiday home in a beautiful exotic location? HGTV's "House Hunters International" (http://www.hgtv.com/house-hunters-international/show/index.html) is looking for families or couples (ages 25-50, fluent in English) to feature on our popular television program. Participating in our show is a lot of fun and then you have a professionally made documentary of your exciting move abroad! We also offer some compensation for your time. If interested, please contact internationalhunt@gmail.com