Obras Sociales when retired with pre-existing medical conditions?

[charlesfradley]

Hi all,

I am thinking to move to Argentina to retire and apply for Pesionado visa.

I have some pre-existing medical conditions, e.g. Type-2 diabetes.

Can I get covered by an Obrias Sociales since I will not be working ? Or is that only for those who are employed/self-employed?

The nomad type international health insurance policies are way too expensive for me because of my pre-existing conditions, e.g. U.S.$1,500 per month.

 

[Alby]

Just quickly, yes, you will be able to purchase private medical insurance. My provider (Medicus) sells it to foreigners as soon as they reach the precaria stage of their residency application. Other providers probably do as well. You do not have to be employed.

Others can comment on how these providers handle pre-existing medical conditions and the cost of the policies, which increase for the client's age, and, in any case, are currently being sharply increased as a result of the changes to government economic policy.

 

[charlesfradley]

It looks like the prices of Obras Sociales for me in Argentina will be much more expensive than Medicare in USA.

USA Medicare costs me about US$300 per month, including Supplement.

Prices I have found for Obras Sociales are these for a 40 year person, so for somebody older and with pre-existing conditions I expect it will be a lot more.

What I found so far:

¿Cuáles son las prepagas más caras de Argentina?

¿Buscar la mejor atención posible? Mira nuestro listado de las más caras y lujosas prepagas que podes conseguir en Argentina, actualizado al 2021.

www.miobrasocial.com.ar

The 5 most expensive health plans are:​

1. Osde 510 from $544,965/month
2. Swiss Medical SMG 70 from $327,923/month
3. Omint Premium from $321,609/month
4. Galeno 550 from $296,389/month
5. Sancor Salud S6000 Exclusive from $242,889/month

I looks like medical plans are get what you pay for, the cheaper plans have less coverage, the expensive ones, better coverage.

One small advantage of the Arg plans is that it looks like they cover dental implants, which are very expensive in USA and not covered by any insurance (you have to pay cash up front for implants in USA and they cost tens of thousands of dollars US). Fortunately my teeth are in decent shape and I do not think I will be needing implants. So that is not enough of a reason to justify moving to Arg.

But if I ever did need implants, then from New Mexico I could hop across the border and get them done in Cd Juarez - Mexico fairly cheaply.

The price of medical insurance is a big obstacle for me, and will offset against the lower cost of rent in Argentina.

My comparison currently of living costs between Las Cruces New Mexico (USA) and Buenos Aires Argentina are about the same.

In USA it looks like it will cost overall about the same for me as BAs, and I will not have to learn a new language.

The option of moving to Argentina is rapidly becoming less attractive for me.

I would like to get some idea of the Argentina medical coverage costs BEFORE I go to the trouble of travelling there. Right now the quoting services refuse to quote unless I have Argentina phone number.

There is no point for me to travel to Argentina then find that the medical premiums are completely unaffordable and I would have been better off staying in USA.

 

[charlesfradley]

What is the maximum age for Obras Socialis / Prepaga? Is there an age above which it is impossible to continue the medical coverage?

In order to become Arg citizen I must stay in Argentina without leaving for two years. I think this might be difficult for me to achieve if dependent entirely on the free state health care system.

In USA, the Medicare premiums do not increase with age nor pre-existing conditions, so seem to be a much better deal than the Args Obras Socialis/Prepagas for somebody of retirement age.

 

[Aron]

It looks like the prices of Obras Sociales for me in Argentina will be much more expensive than Medicare in USA.

USA Medicare costs me about US$300 per month, including Supplement.

Prices I have found for Obras Sociales are these for a 40 year person, so for somebody older and with pre-existing conditions I expect it will be a lot more.

What I found so far:

¿Cuáles son las prepagas más caras de Argentina?

¿Buscar la mejor atención posible? Mira nuestro listado de las más caras y lujosas prepagas que podes conseguir en Argentina, actualizado al 2021.

www.miobrasocial.com.ar

The 5 most expensive health plans are:​

1. Osde 510 from $544,965/month
2. Swiss Medical SMG 70 from $327,923/month
3. Omint Premium from $321,609/month
4. Galeno 550 from $296,389/month
5. Sancor Salud S6000 Exclusive from $242,889/month

I looks like medical plans are get what you pay for, the cheaper plans have less coverage, the expensive ones, better coverage.

One small advantage of the Arg plans is that it looks like they cover dental implants, which are very expensive in USA and not covered by any insurance (you have to pay cash up front for implants in USA and they cost tens of thousands of dollars US). Fortunately my teeth are in decent shape and I do not think I will be needing implants. So that is not enough of a reason to justify moving to Arg.

But if I ever did need implants, then from New Mexico I could hop across the border and get them done in Cd Juarez - Mexico fairly cheaply.

The price of medical insurance is a big obstacle for me, and will offset against the lower cost of rent in Argentina.

My comparison currently of living costs between Las Cruces New Mexico (USA) and Buenos Aires Argentina are about the same.

In USA it looks like it will cost overall about the same for me as BAs, and I will not have to learn a new language.

The option of moving to Argentina is rapidly becoming less attractive for me.

I would like to get some idea of the Argentina medical coverage costs BEFORE I go to the trouble of travelling there. Right now the quoting services refuse to quote unless I have Argentina phone number.

There is no point for me to travel to Argentina then find that the medical premiums are completely unaffordable and I would have been better off staying in USA.

The MOST important thing to me as a new retiree seems to be community, intellectual stimulation, and harmony. Both Argentina and the US are struggling with inflation and politics that seem stupid/corrupt/dangerous. I’m from a blue (historically purple) state, recently relocated to live in nature in a bucolic place that is in the last red county in NJ.

My sense though is that Argentina, that is those who aren’t rapidly falling through the cracking social net, is practiced and able to handle social change, economic chaos, a changing world, and loons and a**holes in government better than US. People seem to mostly deal.

My better half is pushing us to move to California- we have adult sons there. I’m finding peace here weirdly and the place tempts me enormously.

You need to live where your needs are met financially, but as long as you aren’t struggling that doesn’t seem to be the critical thing.

If you can find a life that makes sense to you and a community that you engage in deeply and happily you have something that to me is critical. Many of us discuss some sort of geographic arbitration for costs - but most have enough resources to choose a place that is not the most efficient financially. These conversations are useful only when you understand your priorities.

What gives you peace? I’m finding it here in BA in many ways and have found a refuge here from the discord of the US

 

[charlesfradley]

I am starting to think that since insurance premiums for me in Arg will likely be north of U.S.$1,000/ month, then I might be better off simply to pay cash every time I see a doctor in Arg, I heard visits are typically $25 to $50.

My typical regime goes like this:

I need blood drawn about every quarter to test for Diabetic Panel, and Kidney Function Panel, need to doctor to order the lab tests and to review the results with me, and adjust medications according to the results.
Then need doctor to prescribe several medicines, the most expensive one is Ozempic.
I have seen that Arg prices for Ozempic at my current dose level would run about U.S.$400 per month (a quarter the list price of USA, but in USA I only pay U.S.$75/mo under my Medicare prescription plan).

Then if an unexpected emergency or something urgent comes up I will have to go to emergency room and hopefully they will treat me for free.

So far I do not have cancer or heart conditions, but I guess if I develop something like that I would have to return to the USA. As a diabetic there is elevated risk of heart attacks and strokes.

So I guess my vision is to try and survive on the Arg medical system somehow for 2 years without returning to USA for treatment and without breaking my budget.

 

[charlesfradley]

I am increasingly getting the feeling that I have missed the boat with regard to retiring in Argentina. The private medical system seems to be completely inadequate for retirees, e.g. when you get into your 70's and 80's.

I have heard that the cutoff of Obrias socialis is 69 years. Then even by then the premiums for somebody like me will be north of U.S.$1,000/month or ARS 1000,0000 / month, if it is even available at all.

As I get older the risk of serious medical issues increases.

The idea of spending my 70's and 80's in a country where I have to rely on a dysfunctional public health care system is not an attractive prospect.

Compare that to my $300/month (THREE HUNDRED PER MOHNTH) medicare in USA for excellent cover which does not increase with age, and access to care for any major problems which arise.

Am I missing something?

It would be nice to enjoy the laid back life style of Arg, but not if I have to put my life at risk.

 

[charlesfradley]

also, I am married, so my wife and I would both have to pay the U.S.$1000/month Obrias socialies premium ..... this is would be more than the budget for rent...... I really do not see how this works for retirees in Arg ....

 

[zensailor]

I am starting to think that since insurance premiums for me in Arg will likely be north of U.S.$1,000/ month, then I might be better off simply to pay cash every time I see a doctor in Arg, I heard visits are typically $25 to $50.

My typical regime goes like this:

I need blood drawn about every quarter to test for Diabetic Panel, and Kidney Function Panel, need to doctor to order the lab tests and to review the results with me, and adjust medications according to the results.
Then need doctor to prescribe several medicines, the most expensive one is Ozempic.
I have seen that Arg prices for Ozempic at my current dose level would run about U.S.$400 per month (a quarter the list price of USA, but in USA I only pay U.S.$75/mo under my Medicare prescription plan).

Then if an unexpected emergency or something urgent comes up I will have to go to emergency room and hopefully they will treat me for free.

So far I do not have cancer or heart conditions, but I guess if I develop something like that I would have to return to the USA. As a diabetic there is elevated risk of heart attacks and strokes.

So I guess my vision is to try and survive on the Arg medical system somehow for 2 years without returning to USA for treatment and without breaking my budget.

Health care here is excellent and very affordable from a self-pay perspective ( personal experience ) ..... my US physicians have expressed admiration for the health care I receive here, as well as the cost .... Like a lot of important things in Argentina, YOU NEED AN ARGENTINE SHERPA ..... the person who introduces you is significant in Ar ..... established and repeat business is still the holy grail here .

 

[Johnny]

I am increasingly getting the feeling that I have missed the boat with regard to retiring in Argentina. The private medical system seems to be completely inadequate for retirees, e.g. when you get into your 70's and 80's.

I have heard that the cutoff of Obrias socialis is 69 years. Then even by then the premiums for somebody like me will be north of U.S.$1,000/month or ARS 1000,0000 / month, if it is even available at all.

As I get older the risk of serious medical issues increases.

The idea of spending my 70's and 80's in a country where I have to rely on a dysfunctional public health care system is not an attractive prospect.

Compare that to my $300/month (THREE HUNDRED PER MOHNTH) medicare in USA for excellent cover which does not increase with age, and access to care for any major problems which arise.

Am I missing something?

It would be nice to enjoy the laid back life style of Arg, but not if I have to put my life at risk.

I think you'll find getting decent coverage at a reasonable price at your age is extremely difficult regardless of the country chosen. I researched that well a few years ago.

The issue in Argentina is complicated by changes in the exchange rate. Lately it is not working in our favor. Who knows what the future will bring?