Health Insurance in Argentina

[El Perro]

Finally got my "international" Swiss Medical coverage squared away today. Went to the office at Pueyrredon 1441 with a friend to help translate. The international coverage is predominantly for those covered to use while traveling out of the country temporarily. They will cover you for four consecutive months, and then nada. The idea is that you will return to BA. The plan is not set up to cover globe trotting expats indefinitely. I paid 4 months of monthly premiums today plus an extra 13p a month (that added on the foreign coverage) In addition, once you "return" to BA you are expected to pay the 13p monthly for a year. That seemed a little strange, but I believe I got that right. You are given a phone number to call if you have a problem while out of BA. There is a small deductible. They also provide you with a pamphlet explaining the ins and outs. As Moore reported sometime back he used this coverage while in the states with excellent results. Seems like a great deal to me. It will cover me in Spain until I get something arranged there.

[Moore]

To John Holmes, I mean Dirk Diggler (who had the bigger schlong?), I mean Brad Pitt, no, much studlier than that...

To God-


SF1707 is open from about 11am to at least 4am except Sundays. That fits almost anyone's schedule. If you can make it till 11am it's a good place to go if you didn't have any luck with the regular portenas that night, but that never happens to God right. Actually its a good place to go even if you were lucky that night and aren't God.

What time is it right now? Hey I got an idea.

[Rock Harders]

Moore-

I cannot say that I have ever payed a visit to Santa Fe 1707, or any other private apartments, so I honestly could not say if I would be able to pull a discount off the "book rate". It seems to me that private apartments work out best for guys who adhere, more or less, to a US time schedule in that they go to sleep and wake up at hours comparable to US standards. I, however, am definetly a night guy in that I go to bed very late (sometimes 8am) and sleep well into the afternoon, and the only activities I can fit in before the Buenos Aires night comes calling are eating several times and going to Megatlon. My sleep and social schedule usually only permits me to to "go mongering" at the very late night spots.

As for "donkey slongs", come on Moore, give me a little more credit than thinking I would talk about the size of my member in order to impress or intimidate other men on a forum about scoring chicas. Only a insecure fool would do something like that.

The "Dirk Diggler Discount" is a satirical allusion to my previous posts that so infuriated you and has no proveable means of exposition, whether I believe it actually exists or not (whether I think I can score a puta for less than an older guy doesnt matter, because I can't prove it and what difference does it make anyway)

Suerte,

Dirk Diggler

[Moore]

Accuvues cost about the same here as in USA (about US$50 for a 6 pair). I did pay for them out-of-pocket. The contact lenses and a rare dentist appointment were the only things I ever recall having to go out-of-pocket for (the dentist is 100% covered by the same Docthos plan although dentistry is a separate administration/sector here as in other countries). Note - vision is not separate here, unlike USA. I was promptly reimbursed 100% in both cases. One other thing I do pay for is an occasional prescription but the plan discount is 50% off of already rockbottom prices.

US$50 is 2 sessions at SF1707, and I mean actual fucking not whacking, except the last part when I whack all over them.

[Hunt99]

Thats why I still carry a major US plan (US$50/ mo) with a 10k deductible just in case I get run over by a truck in Germany or Cleveland or something. Medical disasters are one of the leading causes of bankruptcy for Americans you know. Id hate to have a 2million dollar bill running up while lying in a coma in a Cleveland hospital, "assuming" that Docthos is gonna pick up the tab.

Assuming such a stay results in you getting back to normal (doubtful) you need do only a little planning with your estate lawyer to avoid the hospital picking you clean after you wake up. And if you don't wake up, who cares what they take?

Keep in mind a lot of U.S. major medical plans have a maximum, oftentimes $1,000,000.00.

Also, if you don't want to spend your last days or weeks hooked up to a ventilator or other machine, you need to get that estate planning lawyer to prepare some other documents for you as well (varies depending on state), and have those in the possession of your next of kin (NOT in your private papers or safe deposit box - who's going to get them for you?) whose judgment you trust.

[Moore]

I have the all-inclusive, zerodeductible plan with Docthos/SwissMedical for p269/month. I do have to pay for only one thing which is for a doctor to come to my house. That costs 5 pesos per visit.

I think my invoice says the plan is for a 25-45yo male. You go to just about any hospital or doctor (the network is enormous) and just flash your card. I find Hospital Italiano and the SwissMed Center to be excellent. If I have a flu or something I go to the guardia area there and rarely wait more than 15 minutes. Did I mention that many female Argentine doctors are quite young and sexy as hell? My optometrist was a knockout. And even my contact lenses were 100% covered.

Regarding international coverage, you call them and say you're leaving the country and they "activate" your plan globally for 1 year at no extra charge. So you could just call once per year and you're always covered. I will believe this when and if I actually see it work abroad though. Thats why I still carry a major US plan (US$50/mo) with a 10k deductible just in case I get run over by a truck in Germany or Cleveland or something. Medical disasters are one of the leading causes of bankruptcy for Americans you know. I'd hate to have a 2million dollar bill running up while lying in a coma in a Cleveland hospital, "assuming" that Docthos is gonna pick up the tab.

[David Ross]

I also have OSDE and the monthly premium is $AR399. It covers everything, incluiding dental, glasses, and no copay. If I leave the country I am covered in that country during the time spent outside of Argentina. I am allowed to pick the physician and hospital in case of illness or routine exams. It appears to have some of the same coverage as Blue Cross / Blue Shield of the USA.

[Member #1164]

I have health insurance with OSDE not sure how much it is a month cause company pays for it but can pretty much go to any hospital and from what I am told its one of the best insurances.

[El Perro]

Signed up today with Swiss Medical. Walked in to the entrance on Arenales as advised in an earlier post. In and out in less than an hour. 244p a month for a plan that has a 10p copay. They also offered a plan with zero copay for just over 300p a month. Based on my age of 53. Seeing as how I couldn't decipher all the castellano describing pre existing conditions- I now have none. Covers Argentina, and there is a way to use the coverage if you go to the states. Apparently you pay before you leave. I didn't get the details as I hope not to be going back often. When I do I'll get the skinny then.

[Stowe]

Hi Guys,

Regarding the monthly medical premiums quoted here, were they in US dollars or Pesos?

Thanks.

Suerte,

Stowe

[Thomaso276]

I spoke with someone last year who was here for a couple of months and used the German hospital for coverage. I don't have the details but he was pretty happy with their service (just basic exams) If you have USA civerage it should cover you for emergencies or you can by the short term trip insurnace.

Of course, if you are here for only 4 weeks you should be spending your time at the Chica Hospital - full coverage, amount of co-pay varies!

[Metkim]

I will be in BA for 4 weeks starting on Sunday. My travel agent in BA told me that I should go to the German Hospital about getting Health Insurance. Can anyone tell me from their past experience what type of coverage I would receive. For example, is it just for medical emergencies or does it cover Doctor visits? Appreciate all the!

[Bacchus9]

Now 3 months into my plan with Swiss Medical and I've got a swell doc who I picked out of their directory 'cause he's nearby. Lucky pick. He operates out of a non showboat office on Ayacucho just of Santa Fe, basically a one bedroom apartment converted into a medical office. He's assigned me a battery of tests to get a baseline of my health and all the tests are done at Swiss Medical's battery of clinics around the corner of Pueyreddon & Santa Fe. Modern, efficient, short waits, nice staff.

But the great story for myself is the fixing of a back tooth that needed repair for months and San Francisco dentists had proposed procedures costing $5,000 and up and no guarantees they would solve the problem. Here in BsAs one dentist wanted to put in an implant. I had to wait one month after my SMG plan started to qualify for dental.

My dentist, again in a non showboat office, converted 2 bedroom apartment, had a technician pull off the crown, clean the inner channels and kill an infection and then installed a temporary crown. If all goes well, I'll get a permanent crown in 10 months. He actually made the temporary including grinding it down to fit perfectly sitting next to my dental chair while I waited. Total charges to date: 150 pesos and 200 more pesos when I get the permanent.

My point to this long tale is that they're pretty practical, no drama and approach their work like craftsmen instead of running up the bill with fancy gear and over the top fees. I was tentative at first but happy as a clam now. Chewing my Bife de chorizo on both sides.

[Thomaso276]

My coverage is about $140 (53 years old) I think the non - international coverage was about $100. Vero and daughter $100 (both dollars not pesos) Not a family plan I have two contracts. Upcoming dental work on the daughter involving operation, I hope it goes as well.

In States as a single in group plan I was $328 monthly with $20 dollar co-pays everytime I walked into an office.

[Thomaso276]

I bought coverage for my girlfriend several months ago. Overall service is excellent. This weekend she had serious stomach pains so we called the clinic / office. My diagnosis was gall bladder problem based on my personal experience. They explained that due to the late hour to go to the Italian Hospital where they have a contract. After several tests they realize it is serious and transfer her to Sanitoria Guemes (3900 Cordoba) by ambulance becasue they are full. Guemes is a first class building and staff.

Guemes rents out floors to Swiss Medical so she is in a private room, 15th Floor. Saturday afternoon time for the old appendix operation. No problems, english speaking surgeon, great nurses. Doctor explains that her appendix had moved up and behind some other stuff (accounting for my misdiagnoses of gall bladder) so the operation was a little more complicated. Arthroscopic proceedure. Recovers for 2.5 days in private room. Aunt stays each day and night in room. Waiter on the floor takes food orders! A civilian employee of Swiss Medical is in on the floor to coordinate and answer any questions. Whenever we push the button a nurse shows up in seconds.

Whenever I entered the building to visit (even after visiting hours) all I had to say was "Swiss Medical" piso and I was waived right in.

I know in the States you get sent home about 10 minutes after surgery and I understand that in public hospitals that can happen as well because they need the rooms.

I bought Swiss Medical for myself three months ago and have not been disappointed.

I looked into OSDE but they did not have international coverage for travelling back and forth to the States.