Health Care in Argentina - Help Please

[katiiearmstrong]

Thanks to everyone for all the feedback.

I unfortunately got appendicits on my last trip to BsAs in June. It was very unexpected and resulted in a long stay at the hospital Fernandez becasue of associated complications (what an experience!). I recieved excellent care and the doctors and nurses were amazing. No stay in hospital is ever going to nice (that is what i told myself after 16 days of jello and mashed pumpkin, and the screaming lady who was handcuffed to her bed with a police escort because she stabbed someone, in the bed beside me! haha!).

Lucky for me jp! I have super bad eyesight (-5.75 and -5.5)! I will definately have a look into laser as I have thought about doing it here, but the costs are far too outrageous to consider!

Is it best to sign up for a plan when you arrive or did you do it before?

 

[azure]

What a crazy experience! And bad timing.

I waited until a few months after I arrived (after having to go to the hospital a few times for medical issues), and coverage started almost immediately. A woman from OSDE came over to my apartment for a quick and easy interview to go over my medical history, and that was it.

Good luck!

 

[MLK]

You're 23 and looking into medical insurance? I thought you people were meant to be over her for an 'adventure'.

 

[jp]

Lucky for me jp! I have super bad eyesight (-5.75 and -5.5)! I will definately have a look into laser as I have thought about doing it here, but the costs are far too outrageous to consider!

Is it best to sign up for a plan when you arrive or did you do it before?

Hmmm.... I think you need to have OSDE for at least a year before you're eligble for free surgery, which may not be helpful if you're not planning on being here for long. Any major elective stuff usually has a waiting time. For example, if you go for the higher up OSDE plans (410 and 510) you can have an elective cosmetic surgery procedure for free, but you have to have the plan for at least a year before you can do it.

If you're going to be here a while, its definitely worth it. Otherwise the price is around 4000-6000 pesos for the procedure, depending on where you go.

 

[katiiearmstrong]

Haha! Us 'people' still get sick and have poor eyesight! I am coming for the long-term! I learnt the 'if you cannot afford travel insurance, you cannot afford to travel" rule, the hard way! I paid for travel insurance as I do on all my travel,only this time I extended my visit.. but did not extend the insurance.. and what do you know.. appendicitis on the day after my cover ended. Rookie error! I would rather be safe than sorry (ever again!)

 

[katiiearmstrong]

Thanks jp! I am moving for the long-term, so it may be the best thing to do!

 

[syngirl]

Lucky for me jp! I have super bad eyesight (-5.75 and -5.5)!

I feel a challenge coming on!

I'd love to hear from anyone who can beat me -- -8.5 and -10.5

CHALLENGE!!

 

[citygirl]

I can't beat that! Do you have astigmatisms too? I need to buy new contact lens and they don't have my brand here. Any recommendations? (I'm really blind although not as blind as you)

 

[Ashley]

I can't beat that! Do you have astigmatisms too? I need to buy new contact lens and they don't have my brand here. Any recommendations? (I'm really blind although not as blind as you)

Citygirl, try Pfortners (the pueyrredon branch in barrio norte - not any of the other branches). My husband has pretty appalling eyesight (-6, I think with a pretty bad astigmatism) and get's his contacts specially made there...They're soft-lenses, very comfortable (apparently more comfortable than any other brand he's tried) and last for about 6 months a pair! Apparently, he had major problems with his eyesight until seeing an optician there when he was about 10...and hasn't changed places since! I think both OSDE and Swiss are taken there although I'm not sure if they cover those lenses...

 

[A&A]

To obtain some of the coverages mentioned (OSDE, Swiss MEd, or the Medicus one) can you simply do it with a passport or do you need a visa status beyond tourist?

Thanks.