Buying health insurance in Huatulco
Doctors´ visits in Huatulco are very low in price as are dentists.
TRUE – Medical and dental appointments in Huatulco are very affordable compared to similar services in the US, Canada, and Europe.
Costs for common medical procedures such as lacerations and broken bones, and antibiotics for infections are nominal. If we need major surgeries, Houston is only a couple of hours away and has some of the best doctors and hospitals on the planet.
TRUE – Outpatient procedures such as simple lacerations, infections, and other urgent care services in Huatulco are inexpensive, yes, HOWEVER it is a mistake to assume that boarding an airplane from Huatulco to Houston to get medical care will be an option. Major surgeries usually result from an unforeseen medical emergency, which requires immediate local emergency care and does not allow for boarding a plane. Unlike routine medical care, the cost of major surgeries in Huatulco are expensive. One good way to protect your retirement nest egg and savings is to purchase an affordable expat health insurance plan in Huatulco.
I have no health insurance in Huatulco. The cost of medical care and medications is cheap.
TRUE – Doctors in Huatulco charge less than doctors in other cities in Mexico. Medications in Huatulco are less expensive than in other countries, yes, however not investing in a health insurance plan in Huatulco based on the cost of doctor´s appointments and medication costs is an incomplete analysis and estimation. Medical emergencies which result in a hospitalization event can result in thousands of dollars in medical expenses.
In my experience it is cheaper getting health insurance quotes online. Some of the bigger companies offer discounts when ordering online.
FALSE – All expat health insurance rates in Mexico offered on websites and through health insurance agents or brokers are the same. Health insurance companies actually encourage their members to sign up through a bilingual agent who can help them navigate the Mexican health care system. Enrolling through an agent costs the same and customer service, once the plan is in effect, is offered at no additional charge.
It is best to contact several health brokers and agents for the most affordable health insurance rates in Huatulco.
TRUE & FALSE – Although it is important to look for health plan rates within your budget, rates are not everything. It is equally important to review health benefits and to know exactly what it is you are purchasing. Requesting health insurance company reviews will let you know if the company has a positive claims payment history. Finally, not all agents are alike. Some provide no service after they sell you a policy. Finding a bilingual agent who supports you after the sale is essential. This is because in Mexico, you will need help with processing health insurance claims and in medical emergency situations. Mexican doctors and hospitals do not coordinate communication automatically with health insurance companies. Good agents act as intermediaries between Mexican doctors, hospitals, and insurance companies. They assist with facilitating prompt payment and processing of medical claims.
As a healthy male, I should pay less for expat health insurance. People with diabetes, heart disease, and those who have had cancer pay more.
FALSE – Health insurance rates are based on age and sex. Health insurance companies in Mexico don´t charge more for chronic health conditions. On the same note, there are no discounts for healthy individuals. Expat health insurance rates are standard.
Huatulco has few private hospitals and there is better care in Oaxaca. I would need to be air lifted from Huatulco to Oaxaca or Mexico City if I have a major medical emergency.
Contracting an air ambulance service on your own is very expensive. Health insurance plans in Huatulco include air medical transportation to the nearest hospital. If the local hospital in Huatulco is not equipped to treat you, then the health insurance plan will coordinate air ambulance transportation to Oaxaca or Mexico City.
Mexican health insurance plans like AXA, GNP, MAPFRE, and Allianz are cheaper.
Some Mexican health insurance plans may be less expensive; however they have the following disadvantages:
Hospitals are limited to a specific list. Mexican health insurance companies limit access to hospitals as a way to lower premiums. Most Expat health insurance plans offer free choice of doctors, hospitals and clinics.
Rates paid to Mexican doctors are often lower than standard doctor rates. When this happens, the additional cost is passed on to the insured. Expat health plan doctor rates are in USD and this type of problem rarely exists.
Mexican health insurance companies provide documentation in Spanish. Unless you are able to read technical Spanish, you will have to depend on your Mexican agent to translate for you. Not knowing your policy terms and conditions will put you at a disadvantage.
Mexican health insurance plans have 6 months to 4 year waiting periods for coverage depending on the specific medical condition. Unlike expat health plans, coverage for hypertension-related illnesses, diabetes, gynecological issues, hernias, cancer, etc, is not immediate.
Mexican health plans have one deductible per diagnosis, not per year, like expat and international health insurance plans. Each diagnosis, although related, is treated as an independent illness and as such, a separate deductible will apply. This makes the insurance more expensive when the insured has 2 or more diagnosis in the same policy year.
Co-insurance applies and is charged in addition to any per-diagnosis deductible. Co-insurance is a specific percentage of the bill the insured is responsible for paying. Most expat and international health insurance plans have $0 co-insurance.
Most Mexican health plans do not cover preventative health benefits such as vaccines, routine annual exams, and blood tests.
