Is there any advantage to me buying medical insurance there before I turn 65?

[Silvie]

I'm not 65 yet and at this point OSDE's fees are excesive and out of the question. Also they won't even let me enroll in the cheapest plan.

 

[steveinbsas]

To whom it may concern:

If no private plan will take you or if they are all too expensive, you may be able to take advantage of the "free" health care system in the city of Buenos Aires:

Free Health Coverage For All In The City Of Buenos Aires

It pays to browse the city website for information. http://www.buenosaires.gob.ar/salud/cobertura-portena-de-salud How can I access it? What documentation do I need to apply for coverage? requirements: a. A resident of the City of Buenos Aires. b. Not have health coverage of any kind...

baexpats.org

I only used the public system in BA once, shortly after my arrival as a tourist in 2006. I went to the emergency center at the Facultad de Medicina in Recoleta and received excellent attention. I was appalled at the lack of cleanliness and I enrolled in a private plan soon after.

I have been using the "public" system in Punta Alta for about six years. I do have to pay a small fee for lab tests and ultrasound exams and I must buy all medicines at a pharmacy, as opposed to getting them without charge at the hospital (I'm not complaining).

I have never been charged for surgeries, ekg's, a cat scan or a colonoscopy, though I had to pay for the "kit" to prepare fo the latter.

There is a clinic just over 1 KM from my house where I can see a doctor to get "recetas" to make a turno to see specialists at the hospital in Punta Alta. The doctor is there four days a week and it is possible to go the the clinic early in the morning to see him on the same day (before noon).. I then have to go to the hospital in Punta Alta to make the turno to see the specialist. Turnos are usually given for the following week.

The hospital in Punta Alta is modern and the staff is wonderful. Almost everyone there knows who I am.

In Punta Alta, nobody forgets the yanki.

 

[steveinbsas]

I am moving to BA in August...

Which medical insurance should I get in your opinion? I'm mostly interested in major medical or catastrophic coverage.

As you will be required to have health insurance coverage in Argentina even before you arrive, you might consider keeping the international policy you buy to fulfilll that requirement, at least for as long as possible.

 

[steveinbsas]

I am moving to BA in August but in July I turn 65. I want a local policy in Argentina I think, lol.
Sometimes with insurance like medical, there is an advantage to buying it before you turn 65 like guaranteed renewals for a longer time. Is that the case with Argentine insurance?
Which medical insurance should I get in your opinion? I'm mostly interested in major medical or catastrophic coverage.
I would come earlier if I need to buy it before July.

You probably already know that you will be required to have health insurance coverage in Argentina even before you arrive. As you are already past the 64.5 year mark, and if a "local" policy is too expensive, perhaps you could continue paying premiums for the "international" policy you buy to fulfilll the requirement, especially if it provides the coverage you desire.

 

[oldgringo]

Could anyone help me get a price estimate for a 66 year old male with no health problems. I know it varies but I am looking for a ballpark price foe a private plan . I know this varies on the plan but maybe just an average . Thanks

 

[Johnny]

Could anyone help me get a price estimate for a 66 year old male with no health problems. I know it varies but I am looking for a ballpark price foe a private plan . I know this varies on the plan but maybe just an average . Thanks

Hi OG, I'm guessing Hospital Italiano would be between $20,000p and $25,000 a month. There have been sharp increases over the past four months as the government approved increases for health insurance companies.

 

[Johnny]

Hi OG, I'm guessing Hospital Italiano would be between $20,000p and $25,000 a month. There have been sharp increases over the past four months as the government approved increases for health insurance companies.

And that is for the "basic" plan.

 

[steveinbsas]

Hi OG, I'm guessing Hospital Italiano would be between $20,000p and $25,000 a month. There have been sharp increases over the past four months as the government approved increases for health insurance companies.

And that is for the "basic" plan.

That's only about $100 USD per month. Medicare part B in the USA is significantly more than that, and you can opt out of it (which makes sense if you plan to live in Argentina for the rest of your life).

 

[lunar]

That's only about $100 USD per month.

This sounds way too low to me. Could anybody else confirm, please?

 

[Brian_is_here]

my wife and i are in our late 30s, if we were to split our time between Argentina and another country, would it behoove use to maintain Argentine prepagas just to not worry about losing coverage? Its not _that_ expensive.