Some of my Experiences with Health Care

[Rogbo]

At home today recouping from a minor surgery, so I thought I would post a few of my experiences and thoughts with health care here in Cali Colombia.

I had a basic health care insurance plan here with Comfenalco, but it required preauthorization’s and referrals that required navigating allot of red tape, and waiting in many lines, I upgraded to there “Integra” plan last year. This plan costs me $50.00 USD a month, and I can see the Doc of my choice, not much red tape no referrals necessary and no lines. Authorization was needed for the surgery. I am by no means plugging for any company, You may know a better plan and I would be interested in hearing about it.

I also carry a high deductible plan with Anthem in the USA, It has been my plan that if something serious where to occur I would try to get back to the states for treatment.

At 59 I have a few issues so I see an internist regularly for routine stuff such as monitoring Blood pressure, cholesterol etc. I also see a specialist for arthritis. Both docs always order lab tests, and meds for maintenance. The co pays and cost of my Meds are minimal, More on buying Meds later.

In January 2009 I started feeling some minor pain / discomfort around the pubic region, I saw my Internist he referred me to a urologist, and he went straight for the prostate, blood tests, Ultrasound and Yikes! Up the urethra with a scope, He ruled out cancer but wanted to surgically trim the prostate. Trimming the prostate can put an end to your sex life. I put the surgery off as I was planning a trip to the states. In June I saw my Doctor in the states of many years, and he also ruled out cancer and told me that my prostate was within normal limits for a man of 59, and surgery is not indicated. In fact he advised that I switch urologists as “he is to quick with the knife” He gave me some Flowmax but it had some side affects that where intolerable for me. Okay so I occasionally get up at night, I can live with that.

While in the states 2 other issues literally popped up, swollen thyroid, cancer ruled out via ultrasound and biopsy, the swelling went down and no more symptoms. Also while at my favorite gym in the states my umbilicus extended, a hernia. My U.S. doc told me that this would be a minor surgery and would be easily done in Colombia. So yesterday I had the procedure done at Centro Medico Imbanaco, There nurse visited me this morning for follow up. All appears well.

I also visited the ER at this clinic last year with a fever that lasted 4 days and would not go down, they diagnosed Dengue fever. While I was there the fever went down on its own. I had not yet installed screens on my windows, and since I have, not many mosquitoes sneak in.

So far my experiences with Centro Medico Imbanaco have been positive. I would say on par with care in the USA.

Buying medicines can be very inexpensive in Colombia as many Laboratories produce generics. If you want to save money it is wise to shop around, prices can vary allot at the different pharmacies, and It is my impression that the folks behind the counter make a commission as they push the more expensive brands. If you are willing to accept generics you will need to ask for them most of the time.

I normally check out the Drogas La Rebaja website ( www.larebajavirtual.com ) to get an Idea of the cost and if generics are available before I buy. But I have found that La Rebaja is more expensive than others. I have found good value at Drogas Economicas , several locations around the city, and the pharmacy at La 14. but shop around.

A few examples: name brand antibiotic Keflex Cefalexina 500mg. 24 tabs at La Rebaja=$ 81,950 COP , I found the same name brand at another Pharmacy at about $35,000 COP, and the Generic form of cefalexina, for $12,000 at La Rebaja, and at La-14 much less. Name brand Viagra 50mg x 2 tabs at La Rebaja $53,700cop. Generic is $2,400cop The generic brands vary in price also.

Take Care
Roger

[JMitch1959]

Thanks Roger,
Very interesting post. It's too bad medical services are such a racket sometimes.

Sorting through the bull**** of daily life can be a fulltime job anymore.

[Rogbo]

yeah wow! rather a long winded post for me, the pain meds must have kicked in while I was writing.

[48 And Holding]

Excellent information. Thanks Rogbo.

[AltoHombre]

So let me get this straight. Your health care costs you $50.00 a month? What kind of deductible? Who's your agent? ;-)

[Rogbo]

Yeah the plan I have is about $50.00 USD per month now and for the past year, no deductible, no agent. There are small co-pays, In March my premium will increase about $4.00 and when I hit 60 in it will go up again by about $42.00. So after August I will be paying about $95.00 a month.

[48 And Holding]

Good deal. I pay about $400.00 monthly to AvMed Health Plans. I am single, 48 years old, single and good health with one pre-existing injury.

[John Wayne]

I go to my family Doctor here and she charges me 3 dollars a visit...

Stiched up my daughter for 4 dollars.... was 6 stiches.....

I guess I am just an outlaw....

[DrLife]

Thanks Rogbo, great post.

Can you please clarify something?

You orignally had EPS Comfenalco. How much did you pay? 64.000 pesos?

Then what did you upgrade to for $50? Perhaps Comfenalco Medicina prepagada, Plan Integra? How much is the current prima in pesos? Do you have a link to the benefits and exclusions?

Thanks again

Originally Posted by Rogbo

At home today recouping from a minor surgery, so I thought I would post a few of my experiences and thoughts with health care here in Cali Colombia.

I had a basic health care insurance plan here with Comfenalco, but it required preauthorization’s and referrals that required navigating allot of red tape, and waiting in many lines, I upgraded to there “Integra” plan last year. This plan costs me $50.00 USD a month, and I can see the Doc of my choice, not much red tape no referrals necessary and no lines. Authorization was needed for the surgery. I am by no means plugging for any company, You may know a better plan and I would be interested in hearing about it.

I also carry a high deductible plan with Anthem in the USA, It has been my plan that if something serious where to occur I would try to get back to the states for treatment.

At 59 I have a few issues so I see an internist regularly for routine stuff such as monitoring Blood pressure, cholesterol etc. I also see a specialist for arthritis. Both docs always order lab tests, and meds for maintenance. The co pays and cost of my Meds are minimal, More on buying Meds later.

In January 2009 I started feeling some minor pain / discomfort around the pubic region, I saw my Internist he referred me to a urologist, and he went straight for the prostate, blood tests, Ultrasound and Yikes! Up the urethra with a scope, He ruled out cancer but wanted to surgically trim the prostate. Trimming the prostate can put an end to your sex life. I put the surgery off as I was planning a trip to the states. In June I saw my Doctor in the states of many years, and he also ruled out cancer and told me that my prostate was within normal limits for a man of 59, and surgery is not indicated. In fact he advised that I switch urologists as “he is to quick with the knife” He gave me some Flowmax but it had some side affects that where intolerable for me. Okay so I occasionally get up at night, I can live with that.

While in the states 2 other issues literally popped up, swollen thyroid, cancer ruled out via ultrasound and biopsy, the swelling went down and no more symptoms. Also while at my favorite gym in the states my umbilicus extended, a hernia. My U.S. doc told me that this would be a minor surgery and would be easily done in Colombia. So yesterday I had the procedure done at Centro Medico Imbanaco, There nurse visited me this morning for follow up. All appears well.

I also visited the ER at this clinic last year with a fever that lasted 4 days and would not go down, they diagnosed Dengue fever. While I was there the fever went down on its own. I had not yet installed screens on my windows, and since I have, not many mosquitoes sneak in.

So far my experiences with Centro Medico Imbanaco have been positive. I would say on par with care in the USA.

Buying medicines can be very inexpensive in Colombia as many Laboratories produce generics. If you want to save money it is wise to shop around, prices can vary allot at the different pharmacies, and It is my impression that the folks behind the counter make a commission as they push the more expensive brands. If you are willing to accept generics you will need to ask for them most of the time.

I normally check out the Drogas La Rebaja website ( www.larebajavirtual.com ) to get an Idea of the cost and if generics are available before I buy. But I have found that La Rebaja is more expensive than others. I have found good value at Drogas Economicas , several locations around the city, and the pharmacy at La 14. but shop around.

A few examples: name brand antibiotic Keflex Cefalexina 500mg. 24 tabs at La Rebaja=$ 81,950 COP , I found the same name brand at another Pharmacy at about $35,000 COP, and the Generic form of cefalexina, for $12,000 at La Rebaja, and at La-14 much less. Name brand Viagra 50mg x 2 tabs at La Rebaja $53,700cop. Generic is $2,400cop The generic brands vary in price also.

Take Care
Roger

[Rogbo]

I have been on EPS since 2002 under my ex wifes family plan, not sure what EPS costs my ex never removed me from her family plan. I upgraded to Intigra two years ago, and for the most, I have been satisfied. A big jump in price this year 2011, and I hit 60 years of age, my portion is now about 280,000cop , about $157.00usd at todays exchange rate. They have a website, Bienvenido a Comfenalco Valle give the costs. I just returned to Colombia from the Philippines and been seeing my docs, lab, ekg, some xrays, I have found that Clinica Imbinaco and Clinica Valle de Lili to be much more extranjero friendly. the copays vary and are minimal. hope that helps