Mailin' my meds to me

[cheldear]

Ringo: BTW, antibiotics went prescription in May. It was early May.

[TundraGreen]

Have you looked into the drug benefits of IMSS? The cost of IMSS is only $3375 pesos/year. I don't know how they handle drugs, but drugs are not on the list of things they don't cover. Interestingly, when I signed up they gave me a list of what is not covered, but not a list of what is covered.

Will

[HolyMole]

Originally Posted by cheldear

hehe.
So Mole, do you see a doctor in Mexico? I presume you do, since flying back to see your Canadian doctor would be fiscally challenging.......

Originally Posted by moisheh;

HolyMole: You could see a Dr. at Farmacia Similares ( Dr. Simi!!) for your script. I think they charge about 20 pesos. Other pharmacies must have a Doctor who can do this cheaply. How do you get your (snipped objectionable term) meds to Mexico. I was unable to find a good method.....

I'm still an expat wannabee, folks, as noted in my header info. Can't get to Mexico fulltime unless and until we sell our house here in British Columbia....and the market's gone into the tank for the foreseeable future.

So, we spend 6 months home and 6 months in Mexico. My insurance company lets me claim 6 months' worth of prescriptions just before we go south, so right now we don't have a problem. I'll keep the good "Dr. Simi" in mind, though, for future reference.

As far as seeing a doctor, the last one we saw in Zihuatanejo charged 1200 pesos for a home visit, for which our provincial healthcare plan reimbursed me $38.
In contrast, my wife is currently still in hospital here following an aortobifemoral bypass. The bill for this invasive surgery, 3 days in ICU and another week in hospital recovering? Nada, zilch, zero.
Thank God for socialized medicine.

[cheldear]

Hi Tundra. Here's what I do know.

IMSS does not cover pre-existing conditions. I think that it may have a 3-year condition on that, but regardless, no pre-existing conditions.

As for medications, I will look into that. That may preclude medications that have to do with pre-existing conditions.

Ringo, do you have any information on this? I know you are well-informed on IMSS. Do you know if they cover medications in any capacity? I also know you are familiar with the fact that they don't cover pre-existing conditions. If they do cover meds, do you know if they cover meds that have to do with pre-existing conditions?

Thanks!

M--

PS: Ringo, I do know I have to have my official visa to be on IMSS. When I start my job when I get back, they are putting me through the system.

[RVGRINGO]

IMSS won't cover pre-existing conditions, nor the medications for them. IMSS is in financial trouble and is frequently out of medicines, causing patients to have to buy them out of pocket.
Private insurance usually refuses prior conditions also.
As such, the OP is probably wise to continue to 'vacation' in Mexico and remain eligible for care in Canada.

[moisheh]

IMSS does cover medications. They have their own pharmacies but do have problems. Many times they run out of popular drugs. Can take weeks or months before they are available. The latest and greatest are not on their lists. Be aware that IMSS service and care varies from region to region. I understand that in the Guad area it is acceptable. In some states I would not take my cat to their clinics. Like all socialized medicine the system is short of funding. I have heard rumors that there is a possibility foreigners will not be eligible at some future date. Mexico has a multi tiered system. There is Progresso for the poor. Imss. Then government employees have their own system,ISSTE, and it is very good. When you need a specialist or fancy meds you get a "purchase order" that you can take to any pharmacy. Proper appointments without long waits. Unfortunately none of us can buy into that system. The military has another system and I am told it is excellent . Of course there is also an extensive private health system. Many private hospitals are equal to better US hospitals. Others, especially in the coastal tourist areas, charge outrageous fees for bad care.

[RVGRINGO]

The OP was asking about IMSS medications for pre-existing conditions, I believe.

[cheldear]

Well good news, at least for the next 9-10 months.

I talked to my insurance company. I can indeed get reimbursement for my medications if I get them filled in Mexico, through a prescription written by a doctor in Mexico.

And, they did give me the vacation override for this next three months. So I no longer have to worry about the mail in pharmacy issue about coming back to the states every three months and having to wait at least two weeks for the meds to arrive on my doorstep in the states.

I can get my scripts from my doctor in Mexico, purchase them at the farmacia, and then submit for reimbursement. It ends up being about the same amount of money since the meds are less expensive here in Mexico, even with the buy rate of the dollar.

Of course, as soon as my COBRA runs out... LOL

Thanks everyone for all of your input. I have really appreciated everything you have told me, and I would not have even thought to call about reimbursement for meds in Mexico without your mentioning it.

M--

[RVGRINGO]

I did assume, and hope, that Aetna would do as mine does. It is a hassle and often a long wait, but it does work. That reminds me that I have a stack of receipts to submit before they get a year old and aren't good any more. Check with Aetna to see if they have such limits, or if they limit purchase timing. For example: Today I bought one package of Spiriva, because that's all that was in stock. If I buy another tomorrow, it will not be reimbursed because I have to wait until I use up 75% of today's purchase. Strangely, if I were able to buy ten boxes today, on the same receipt; no problem.

[cheldear]

You mean like, in my limitation, I can't refill until i have utilized 80% of what I have.

For example, when I fill for a month's worth of pills, I have to have utilized 80% of the pills before filling again.

Is that what you mean?

And you are having issues getting a full month's worth at at time, so you have to purchase in such a way that the dates in which you purchase show that you have utilized X percentage of the medication before you purchase more?