Health Insurance - Are the Higher End Plans Worth It?

[jkreisler]

I know there have been some threads on this before but all the threads I've found were more about specific companies than plans. Do most of you recommend the more expensive plans or the basic ones? OSDE, for example, has 5 plans 210-510. If I'm understanding the difference correctly, the biggest difference seems to be that the most expensive plans cover plastic surgery? Does anybody know what this actually covers? The cost difference seems to be pretty significant. Any thoughts, suggestions, or recommendations would be appreciated.

Thanks, Jeremy

 

[captdave]

JK
Check the handouts to see what the exact differences are, but (more important then plastic surgery and dental implants), the higher price plans allow access to some of the more prestigious hospitals and clinics.
I have the basic Osde 210, which is certainly fine for everyday stuff, but if you're planning on having a heart attack or stroke you might perhaps opt for something more opulent!

Saludos,

David

I know there have been some threads on this before but all the threads I've found were more about specific companies than plans. Do most of you recommend the more expensive plans or the basic ones? OSDE, for example, has 5 plans 210-510. If I'm understanding the difference correctly, the biggest difference seems to be that the most expensive plans cover plastic surgery? Does anybody know what this actually covers? The cost difference seems to be pretty significant. Any thoughts, suggestions, or recommendations would be appreciated.

Thanks, Jeremy

 

[soulskier]

I too have the 210 and don't plan on a heart attack any time soon.

 

[jimdepalermo]

Here's my summary of the differences in the OSDE plans.

210 allows access to the entire Cartilla of providers but limits hospital access to basic facilities.

310 adds most of the best hospitals in the capital

410 and up add cosmetic surgery and cosmetic dentistry

I chose 310, and I was glad I had done so when my appendix ruptured some months back and I needed emergency surgery. My experience with the OSDE folks was incredible, and I received care so far beyond what would have happened in the US that I was shocked. There was even an OSDE care coordinator who visited me twice a day to confirm that everything was OK and intervene if I needed anything more.

The total cost to me was A$R 105 in take-home meds. House calls, ambulances, a night in the emergency room with a dedicated team of specialists, radiology including an MRI, my hospital stay in a private room far better than I've ever seen in the US (with a nurse dedicated to 4 such rooms), the surgery, triple IV antibiotics for several days - all were fully paid by OSDE.

The cost difference between 210 and 310 isn't great, but access to the Hospital Aleman, the Sanitorio de la Trinidad, and their equals adds real value.

 

[erindanelle]

I also have OSDE 210 which is supplied by my work. I know of a colleague who has opted to pay the extra to have a higher plan but that is due to coverage for eye specialists and such as he wears glasses and has poor eyesight. I have used the medical clinics for regular types of checkups and when I was ill and was very happy.

What jimumberger mentions however is really helpful. And perhaps I may consider paying the difference to up my plan to 310. I'll have to read up on this.