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Melanie_In_Mexico wrote:

I choose not to have Seguro Popular, because it was designed for poor Mexicans who cannot afford private medicine. I would not feel right using Seguro Popular knowing that as a gringa, I might be receiving care while others are still waiting in line.Ìý

Both IMSS and Seguro Popular services cannot be compared to private health care due to their overcrowding, bureaucracy, and overall lack of resources (staff, medicine, diagnostic equipment, etc.).

Your description of Seguro Popular and IMSS is way off. Maybe 10 years ago or before but now it has only long wait times to see specialists where private insurance does not. If it is life threatening there is no wait time to get diagnosed at either of these socialized medical plans. The federal govenment has poured in billions of dollars into these systems in the last 10 or so years. Many highly skilled specialists perform the operations and diagnosis at these 2 socializedÌý hospital and specialty clinic systems as well as at private hospitals. You might be paying for the same quality of care that the Seguro Popular and IMSS provides as your private insurance covers these days. It all depends on location. Just not all the frills of being in a private hospital.

travellight wrote:

I don't think you will have the problems you did in Japan . There is sort of a great expectation here. I am 5'9 the closets are so tall, I have to reach up while on my toes at times. The clothes have had to be altered on two occasions because the pants were too long. Everyone seems to feel they are much taller than they are. Women compensate by buying very high heels. Its rare to see a women with flat shoes.

As for waist sizes Mexico has grown in other ways also. I have to do some searching at times to find an item small enough to fit me. There are lot's of large sizes. Shoes may be a problem, I know they have size 10's

As for shipping FED-EX is fast, there is a Amazon Mx. you can check out. It's the standard mail that is glacial ( about 1-3 months. Some stores won't ship to Mexico from the U.S. but many will. I tend to use Amazon or on occasion Mercado LibreÌý Ìýwhich is e-bay like. Some won't use mercado, but I have never had a problem. You credit card may not want to deal with mercado though, so you may have to pay through an OXXY ( 7-11 like) . Credit cards can be odd.

That reminds me of another issue be sure you let your bank and credit card carriers know you are in Mexico.Ìý I had to inform my bank every 6 months that yes I was still in Mexico. If they are not kept informed you won't be getting money out of that ATM.

OK. That is good to know. There might be some hope. . . and if there is not, then there is Fed-ex orÌý Amazon.mx and merado libre. Ìý

And, of course, I will go with lots of clothes and all my electronics when I finally move down.

Melanie_In_Mexico wrote:

Hello Travel Light, I beg to differ. I have lived over 12 years in Mexico, am completely bicultural & bilingual, and as such, can point to numerous news articles over the past few years (in Spanish of course) which state that IMSS and Seguro popular are in financial crisis. Some even point to the privatization of social medicine programs in Mexico in the near future due to this crisis. .

Totally not true as IMSS got a large federal low interest loan a couple of years ago [their pension plan needed money to be solvent to the end of 2016 at that time, not their medical plan] and has been restructuring for about 5 years and has no financial crisis. Seguro Popular is financially solid and ever expanding and has about 50,000,000 members. IMSS has aboutÌý 59,000,000 members. I know what I am talking about. Both have built many new state of the art hospitals and added clinics, upgraded medical equipment, administration, tranportation, added treatments and upgraded existing facilities all over Mexico.. A few projects were put on hold last year because of federalÌý financial problems, not all or the majority.There is no talk of privatizing or merging the 2 plans either, just rumors. Where are you getting this false or outdated "news" from?

travellight wrote:

Melanie, your argument is with Alleycat 1 and gudgrief I have not been part of the discussion I am a medical professional (retired) who pays cash when and if I need anything, so I know about the care but not about the insurance programs.

Are you or Christine claiming that medical care after age 60 is not essential?

Under other topics, it's obvious that some members are on tight budgets.

I am happy for you that you can pay cash for you medical care.Ìý Others are not so well off.

IMO, it's essential that all healthcare options be fully discussed along with the costs of other things down here.

gudgrief wrote:

travellight wrote:

Melanie, your argument is with Alleycat 1 and gudgrief I have not been part of the discussion I am a medical professional (retired) who pays cash when and if I need anything, so I know about the care but not about the insurance programs.

Are you or Christine claiming that medical care after age 60 is not essential?

Under other topics, it's obvious that some members are on tight budgets.

I am happy for you that you can pay cash for you medical care.Ìý Others are not so well off.

IMO, it's essential that all healthcare options be fully discussed along with the costs of other things down here.

When I was 20 years younger I did not think like you do but now that I am collecting social security etc. I have to agree. Wasting money to me now is a sin. Giving away money because I am too lazy to get to the bottom of things here in Mexico is not always the best plan if you are thinking of staying. If you are a Snowbird or just taking a few years break from NOB that is different, I feel. The longer I live here the more obvious it becomes some NOBers have very little information about most of Mexicos completely alien to themÌý systems. More rumors and misinformation than facts.

alleycat1 wrote:

gudgrief wrote:

travellight wrote:

Melanie, your argument is with Alleycat 1 and gudgrief I have not been part of the discussion I am a medical professional (retired) who pays cash when and if I need anything, so I know about the care but not about the insurance programs.

Are you or Christine claiming that medical care after age 60 is not essential?

Under other topics, it's obvious that some members are on tight budgets.

I am happy for you that you can pay cash for you medical care.Ìý Others are not so well off.

IMO, it's essential that all healthcare options be fully discussed along with the costs of other things down here.

When I was 20 years younger I did not think like you do but now that I am collecting social security etc. I have to agree. Wasting money to me now is a sin. Giving away money because I am too lazy to get to the bottom of things here in Mexico is not always the best plan if you are thinking of staying. If you are a Snowbird or just taking a few years break from NOB that is different, I feel. The longer I live here the more obvious it becomes some NOBers have very little information about most of Mexicos completely alien to themÌý systems. More rumors and misinformation than facts.

I wonder how many would be able to stand an expense of 250,000-500,000 pesos.Ìý A bad accident, heart attack or open heart surgery and follow up care could run that much in a private hospital.Ìý I wouldn't hold my breath getting a settlement from someone's liability insurance.

stinkyboy1 wrote:

In right there with you travelight,I just pay cash also.Although would like to look into something as I get older.I think if someone was to till the ground in respect to private health insurance the SMA forum would be the place to go.

I'm a bit confused as to your situation, Stinky. If you don't mind me asking, what is your situation? You don't sound old enough to be retired, and yet seems that you've been around the block a time or two. How did it come to pass that you ended up in Mexico at his stage in your life? (If you don't mind me asking - I am very interested in the expat experiences of others).