Any Advice On Getting An Mri In Buenos Aires?

[polostar88]

Guys thanks again so much for this info.; while I myself don't much care for health insurance, this will be very reassuring to family, etc., and will set them at ease. It sounds like Argentina really does have a great situation in this regard and I don't need to worry about it. Now if only they would fix their Italian food problem!

 

[Ceviche]

Guys thanks again so much for this info.; while I myself don't much care for health insurance, this will be very reassuring to family, etc., and will set them at ease. It sounds like Argentina really does have a great situation in this regard and I don't need to worry about it. Now if only they would fix their Italian food problem!

Do not ever ignore health insurance

 

[jamila]

Hi Sher, it is great if it is incorrect, but when I went to inquiry about a month ago (at their office in Once) they were fine with just the passport but she said that they didn't accept cash, and that I should ask a friend with a bank account here to do the transfers for me. Maybe that was specific to that office? Or maybe I got it wrong, which is quite possible. Definitely makes it a lot easier for those of us without local bank accounts when we can pay in cash!

I just signed up with OSDE two months ago.. I paid my bill at rapipago...



For the original poster... i think paying for the insurance it the way to go. you can get your MRI and physical therapy while you wait for the results all for the cost of the month. Actually with OSDE i started receiving services the day after I signed up.

 

[Killarney]

So just to clarify. I am also looking to get an MRI on my back. Old injury from 20 years ago but back again. I will only be here for 2-3 months also debating this insurance thing. Had no idea you could get the insurance and then go get the MRI immediately.
So instead of going and paying the hospital for the MRI it is better to go get insurance and then go? I guess it's a pre-existing condition. They'll ask me of course no? I'm Canadian so not used to buying insurance. I'm 42 and otherwise perfectly fit (knock on wood).

 

[Killarney]

And sorry forgot to ask. Can you get a copy of the MRI (on a disc) as it's always nice to get second opinions.

 

[DontMindMe]

And sorry forgot to ask. Can you get a copy of the MRI (on a disc) as it's always nice to get second opinions.

I got an MRI in Buenos Aires a few weeks ago. You always get a printout of your medical exams in BA. It's nice, because you can travel with them when you move, etc. I got the big printout of my MRI plus a sheet of paper with the info about what was up with my spine and a signature from the doctor who made the diagnosis. I was also able to go back to the guardia (ER) I initially visited and request a printout of the x-ray they took when I was there. I told them my name and the date the x-ray was taken, and I was out the door in about 15 minutes.

If anyone out there is claustrophobic-- Centro Médico Deragopyan in Belgrano (Amenábar 1331) has an open MRI machine. They took Medicus and I'm sure they take other plans, too. I did not know I was claustrophobic until I was at IADT and they put me in the regular machine...ugh, it felt like being buried alive. They will tell you that you have to go to a médico clínico (general practitioner) or a psychiatrist if you want any sort of sedative. A traumatologist WILL NOT prescribe this type of thing to you, even if you only want one pill. (I asked three and they all said the same thing.) I didn't have time to do all that and I was in extreme pain, so I looked for an open machine at the suggestion of a friend and this clinic was the first one I found. I put on an airplane sleep mask and meditated, and got through it. The top of the machine was still extremely close to my face, but it was open at the sides, and that was a huge help.

EDIT: I should add that part of what made the MRI so hard for me is that they don't pipe music through the headphones or anything like that. Those are just to block noise. Then they leave you alone in the room, and all you have is the panic ball. There's no way to talk to the technician or for him/her to talk to you. It's not like in other countries where they play the radio or something to distract you.

Hope this helps someone.

 

[Killarney]

Ok thanks for that. Don't think I am claustrophobic but we shall see. Anyone have any experience receiving a disc of the MRI? For ease of travel I don't want the huge envelope of films.

Really need to get something done, didn't sleep a wink. I have a spondylolysis for any medical types out there.

And still find it hard to believe you can sign up for insurance and start receiving these costly things immediately. Seems too good to be true.

 

[citygirl]

Why don't you just pay for the MRI? You will need a doctor's visit prior who will write the order for you. Probably cheaper and certainly easier than dealing with the insurance stuff.

PS - I don't think there is a wait on MRIs but you should confirm that if you do go the insurance route. There are waiting periods on some things and with the costs increasing and services getting cut, it is wise to check.

 

[Noruega]

I agree with Citygirl, just go pay for it. Even though it is easy to sign up for insurance here, it does usually start from the 1st of the month, so it would be November 1st...

Go to a doctor and get a script, and then call a few places to ask for prices. www.cdrossi.com have several centers, a good place to start. Most private hospitals also have imaging services but there is usually a longer wait. But if you call somewhere smaller and less central it might be cheaper. Last year in April I had an MRI in Montegrande (I was living in the province at the time), at Clínica Montegrande, and it was only 600 pesos, while the Hospital Italiano charged 1200. Of course the prices will be up a lot now but there could still be a big difference.

 

[Killarney]

Thanks guys. I guess I am thinking that even with the MRI I am going to need to see someone for all this to get injections or heaven forbid something more and that's all money too. Anyone have any specialist recommendations for orthopedic surgeon?