Free Health Coverage For All In The City Of Buenos Aires

[jantango]

My first appointment with the dentist under the Coberatura Portena de Salud plan was today at 16 hs. I was greeted at the door by the dentist with a handshake and a smile. He said he takes appointments under the plan on Mon/Wed/Fri only, but asked me to wait in the reception area while he finished with his patient. A few minutes later I entered his office. He examined my teeth and reviewed my last dental x-rays even though I didn't have an official appointment with him. When I told him that I'm from Chicago, he immediately changed to English because he wants to practice. We had the standard conversation about why I'm here when so many Argentines want to live in the USA. He knew more about me in ten minutes than my Chicago dentist did in 25 years. He has practiced for 25 years after graduating from the University of Buenos Aires. He asked me to return next week on Friday at the same time for a cleaning, since his next patient arrived.

Yet another good experience with doctors on the CoPS plan.

 

[jantango]

I went this morning to Hospital Ramos Mejia with an order from my gynecologist for an ecografia. I thought I would get the appointment at the window for CoPS, but remembered going directly to the departments for test appointments. I didn't bother to get in line where doctor appointments are given, and instead went directly to the window where ecografia appointments are made on the main floor.

There was a sign on the window about 50 appointments given out per day in order by number. A woman on staff explained that the technical equipment needs repair and apologized for it. They expect to be giving appointments again by October 5. She told me to return early in the morning to take a number for an appointment.

The hospital equipment problem is delaying appointments, so I decided to make an appointment at a clinic two blocks from my apartment and pay for a test. I got an appointment within a few days. I paid cash (332AP) for the ecografia, waited to be called, presented my previous study, had the test done, and the doctor handed me her complete report before I walked out the door. There was no need to wait a few days and return for it.

I called 147 for an appointment with my gynecologist and got one in a few days. This was my second visit with her, so I knew the location of her office inside the clinic. I waited a few minutes while she was seeing another patient. She called my name, reviewed the results, did an examination, wrote a prescription, and I was back home in less than an hour. I'll see her again in December when she has the laboratory results.

I signed up six months ago for the Coberatura Portena de Salud plan. I am completely satisfied with the doctors and how things are done. That's why I've recommended the CoPS plan to friends.

 

[jantango]

It's been a year since my last appointments. I called 147 to schedule them with my doctors. There was a new head physician at the office, so I had to make the change at the neighborhood office where I signed up for CoPS in order to get an appointment with him which took time. The 147 appointment system is available 24 hours. I got an appointment in September. He took my history, wrote orders for a ear cleaning, eye exam, and blood/urine analysis, all which are done at the local hospital. His assistant took my pulse, weight, height, and blood pressure before I saw the doctor. I was in and out of his office in 15 minutes.

Getting an appointment for the ecografia ordered by the gynecologist requires showing up at the hospital very early in the morning on the first three days of the month. I went on two consecutive mornings in early September hoping to get an appointment for the test in October. They make only 50 appointments each day; I didn't make the cut. I went to the clinic near my apartment with the order, got an appointment for the next day, and paid 420 pesos. I met a neighbor in line who has to wait until October 23 for the test. I'll get another appointment with the gynecologist in October for an exam and bring the test results.

I went to the hospital another day at 9am with the blood/urine test order and got an appointment for December 14. It was the same situation last year -- my appointment was in 3 months.

I presented the ORL ear exam and eye exam orders at the CoPS desk for appointments that were scheduled in two weeks. I had both last week. The ORL doctor told me to use drops for two days in my right ear and then return on Friday morning for removal. I've had this procedure done with an instrument by my OSDE doctor, and by flushing with water by the nurse at the hospital. This time a vacuum was used to remove the wax; definitely not my favorite with the noise in my ear. On Thursday I had a complete eye exam and a prescription for bifocals which I must pay for. The doctor gave me another order to return at my convenience early in the morning to check the back of each eye. I'll need to go accompanied for this procedure since my vision won't return to normal for hours.

The hospital has a staff of doctors in each department, so there is almost no waiting for the appointment. I always waited a half hour to see the ear and eye doctors on the OSDE plan.

 

[Rich One]

For an alternatives to a Health Plan Emergencias.com offers a Less expensive plan.

For about $500 per month you get the
Emergency ambulance service 24 hours a day
Referals to doctor, dentists and pay $100 pesos per visit
Medical Tests at home and at Centers
Medications at a 40% discount at Farmacity.

• Emergencias médicas las 24hs.
• Médicos clínicos, pediatría y odontología a domicilio las 24hs.
• Radiología y análisis a domicilio y en consultorios con turnos en días.
• Hasta 40 % de descuento en medicamentos.
• Consultas en centros médicos y más de 2.000 especialistas.

 

[Rich One]

For an alternatives to a Health Plan Emergencias.com offers a Less expensive plan.

For about $500 per month you get the
Emergency ambulance service 24 hours a day
Referals to doctor, dentists and pay $100 pesos per visit
Medical Tests at home and at Centers
Medications at a 40% discount at Farmacity.

• Emergencias médicas las 24hs.
• Médicos clínicos, pediatría y odontología a domicilio las 24hs.
• Radiología y análisis a domicilio y en consultorios con turnos en días.
• Hasta 40 % de descuento en medicamentos.
• Consultas en centros médicos y más de 2.000 especialistas.

Its $500 PESOS per month.

 

[another]

Its $500 PESOS per month.

The website is dead...

 

[steveinbsas]

The website is dead...

So are a lot of people who relied on "free" health care.

 

[Rich One]

The website is dead...

Had no problem try http://www.emergencias.com.ar/

 

[Ceviche]

So are a lot of people who rely on "free" health care.

YOU MADE MY day... STEVE IN BUENOS AIRES

 

[Rich One]

For an alternatives to a Health Plan Emergencias.com offers a Less expensive plan.

For about $500 per month you get the
Emergency ambulance service 24 hours a day
Referals to doctor, dentists and pay $100 pesos per visit
Medical Tests at home and at Centers
Medications at a 40% discount at Farmacity.

• Emergencias médicas las 24hs.
• Médicos clínicos, pediatría y odontología a domicilio las 24hs.
• Radiología y análisis a domicilio y en consultorios con turnos en días.
• Hasta 40 % de descuento en medicamentos.
• Consultas en centros médicos y más de 2.000 especialistas.

The Plan 605 Complete for seniors costs $610 pesos per month and the Cost to see a private Doctor is $130 pesos