Moish, please reread my postings. No where did I suggest or intimate that anyone nof purchase travel insurance. That is their right and business. I really appreciate all of the homework Tequila is doing on the subject and sharing.
OK, about the "minor" orthopedic event. It wasn't minor. I still believe that if you can't produce, one way or another $3,500 USD, you may not belong traveling in Mexico. What happens if you are in a big coach like your former Trek or your cool Bluebird ( I'm jealous, always wanted one) and lost all 4 rear tires? That's a huge chunk of change assuming the tire size is available here If not, the cost to buy them out of country and have them shipped is a killer. Yes, we did in the 90's manage to lose 11 tires in one trip, mostly because our size wasn't available here.
We are still strong believers that if you really can't afford to do something, maybe you shouldn't.
OK, US insurance stories. We lost our medical insurance coverage in 1983. We welcomed in Obamacare in 2014. We dashed in and got all of our immunizations. He was worried about his stiff lower back, had an x-ray and was told their was not even any arthritis. Exercise controls it. Did we have any issues during that time? Yes, three major ones. I got encephalitis from a mosquito in Mazatlan. That was exciting, but cheap in Mexico. I fractured my wrist slipping down the back of the mountain behind Palenque. Also cheap. He got shingles of the face and brain in the states. Not terribly expensive once they accepted that he was not being hospitalized. I'll be canceling our very minimal coverage in the US November 1 so there will be no penalty for not carrying health insurance.
What do we do? All we can. Vitamins since our early 20's, Lots of exercise, avoiding stress, eating well, relaxing, moving to Mexico. When we are eligible for Medicare, we'll sign up for the free part, knowing it is of no use to us. We won't buy B,C,Q or Z. Medicare is only available in the US.
Yes, something major could happen. Hope not, but until then, we are fighting as hard as we can to stay as healthy active and happy as we can.
