Medical Expenses

[nikad]

There is a constant shortage of sheets and pillows in all public hospitals that has been ongoing for years. I do not understand no washing or disinfecting wounds after MRI/ CT scan though. Tetanus vaccine being unavailable and zero analgesia is also unacceptable.

 

[landrew]

Helpful info. I'm getting the best of care now (at FLENI, Fleming, and Azikna) thanks to my local EM colleagues. But it has been an adventure.

 

[kre8ivelyXposed]

I have the cheapest plan on the highest tier at Swiss Medical. My bill is 600,000 pesos for March (I’m 63 and enrolled at 59). They told me yesterday I could drop down to the next tier and save 100,000 pesos per month but it would only cover in CABA. Not the rest of the country. Sounds odd. Could that be right ?

 

[FrankPintor]

I have the cheapest plan on the highest tier at Swiss Medical. My bill is 600,000 pesos for March (I’m 63 and enrolled at 59). They told me yesterday I could drop down to the next tier and save 100,000 pesos per month but it would only cover in CABA. Not the rest of the country. Sounds odd. Could that be right ?

That sounds very restrictive. There are two of us on our OSDE 210 plan (I signed up in 2017, when I was in my early 50s, Mrs. Pintor is a few years younger), we pay about 600k Pesos as well, and we get coverage in all of Argentina, and it can be extended to neighbouring countries as well. And while I'm sure Swiss Medical have excellent clinics, I was taken care of in one of the best cardio clinics anywhere, ICBA, in Belgrano.

 

[nikad]

I have the cheapest plan on the highest tier at Swiss Medical. My bill is 600,000 pesos for March (I’m 63 and enrolled at 59). They told me yesterday I could drop down to the next tier and save 100,000 pesos per month but it would only cover in CABA. Not the rest of the country. Sounds odd. Could that be right ?

It really is not a good deal at all. Depending on how much you use it, I would actually consider getting a higher plan with copays ( really it all depends on how much you use it, how much you travel, and your existing conditions ).

 

[GabrielT]

Question for those of you in BA with medical insurance. I’m 62 and planning to move with my wife to BA over the next year or so. I’m Argentine but have lived abroad most of my life. My wife isn’t and will get her permanent residency through me.

What are the best options for medical insurance? I live in the US and so my views on what’s normal may be warped. Last year we spent a few months in BA as tourists and had no local medical insurance. I went to several
Doctors and found that even paying “private” was cheap compared to US (several doctors appointments cost me the same as what a copayment would cost in the states). Is there a catastrophic only insurance option if I’m willing to pay for my regular checkups out of pocket ? What have others used?

 

[Triceydicey]

I turned 64 in July. I’ve had Swiss medical for 5 years. Because of my age (birthday July ) they are increasing my monthly premium from about 700,000 pesos (July ) to 900,000 pesos in August. This seems really outrageous. Is this normal ? I do have a DNI if that matters.

 

[Caribbean Cool]

Tricare. Isn't that military? why worry?

 

[Caribbean Cool]

I have medical insurance and it is exportable overseas with one catch. I have to pay for medical treatment up front and then get reimbursed later. I'm wondering if anyone has any experience with using Tricare Overseas for their insurance in Argentina? What do common things like eye exams, MRIs, and doctor's visits cost? What would it cost if I had to go to the emergency room?

There are no Charlie pat answers to your question.

 

[LuckyLuke]

I turned 64 in July. I’ve had Swiss medical for 5 years. Because of my age (birthday July ) they are increasing my monthly premium from about 700,000 pesos (July ) to 900,000 pesos in August. This seems really outrageous. Is this normal ? I do have a DNI if that matters.

Howdy Tricey,

This might help:

Cuándo puede una prepaga aumentar la cuota por edad - Justicia de Primera

La Justicia advierte que el incremento no es automático en un duro fallo a favor de una afiliada

justiciadeprimera.com

As covered in the article:

• Prepaid cannot automatically increase the quota by age.
• The increase is only valid if it is expressly agreed in the contract.