Medical Insurance for RVer while in Mexico
There is a discussion on the BajaNomad site about someone having a major medical event while on vacation in Cabo, http://forums.bajanomad.com/viewthread.php?tid=74155. The outcome was less than favor...
Forum Discussion
We purchase emergency medical insurance for all of our trips outside of our home province. As a Cdn,this is second payer insurance, so may be different for US folks. There are numerous sites online that sell such policies but you need to read the fine print very carefully, and answer all questions totally honestly, to avoid misunderstandings.
Most Med Evac policies cover you ONLY if you are admitted as an in-hospital patient and require emergency evacuation home. You're responsible for all hospital charges up until the time they take over. If, for example, you have a stroke or heart attack, that bill could be VERY sizeable before they are able to take over and evacuate you. The GoodSam travel assist policy will transport you only TO THE NEAREST FACILITY CAPABLE OF TREATING YOUR AILMENT, and that may not be anywhere near where you want to go.
Mexican IMSS hospitals range from very good to places where you wouldn't take a sick animal. I would not take a chance with them in almost ANY situation.
If you go to a private hospital or facility, be prepared to pay costs very close to that of an American hospital.
As for the story link posted by the OP, that's the type of thing that happens when you travel uninsured. I don't see anything that was out-of-line by the medical facilities that apparently SAVED HIS LIFE. Maybe he and his family should be thankful that they were able to do that rather than grousing about having to pay for it.
Best bet......buy Emergency Medical Insurance.
Most Med Evac policies cover you ONLY if you are admitted as an in-hospital patient and require emergency evacuation home. You're responsible for all hospital charges up until the time they take over. If, for example, you have a stroke or heart attack, that bill could be VERY sizeable before they are able to take over and evacuate you. The GoodSam travel assist policy will transport you only TO THE NEAREST FACILITY CAPABLE OF TREATING YOUR AILMENT, and that may not be anywhere near where you want to go.
Mexican IMSS hospitals range from very good to places where you wouldn't take a sick animal. I would not take a chance with them in almost ANY situation.
If you go to a private hospital or facility, be prepared to pay costs very close to that of an American hospital.
As for the story link posted by the OP, that's the type of thing that happens when you travel uninsured. I don't see anything that was out-of-line by the medical facilities that apparently SAVED HIS LIFE. Maybe he and his family should be thankful that they were able to do that rather than grousing about having to pay for it.
Best bet......buy Emergency Medical Insurance.
