getting sick in the DR

amstellite

Bronze
Sep 5, 2007
565
12
0
I am pushing 50 and work in NY. I am in love with life in the DR and cannot wait till I am 65 and getting medicare to move to the DR. I want to go when I am 55 , take whatever I can from the 401 k plans and CDs I have and start up shop in La caleta or Boca Chica. I know some people there for a while now ( Dominicans) and I am sure they would help me get around. However, what worries me is the health system and what I might or might not be entitled to. I am in fairly good health, no major problems,yet....but who knows? If I should get sick over there, would they take care of me? Would I need totake up residency and pay taxes to get the benefits- which I would gladly do? Any advice is much appreciated as I want to start my building plan right now... cheers MIke
 
May 8, 2009
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insurance?

Have you looked into full coverage health insurance in the country? It is very affordable. The better doctors are in the bigger cities as well, (S.D. and Santiago.) Something you want to keep in mind.
 

pelaut

Bronze
Aug 5, 2007
1,089
33
48
www.ThornlessPath.com
I've got years of medical use while residing in Asia and several Euro socialist states.
Now I've got 30 years of experience with DR medicine.
I can't get Medicare without well over $1000 travel expenses for only one week.
Bottom line:
You can visit 5 doctors here for the price of one in the US, then decide what to do.
Many specialists here with decades practicing in the US - came home for better life.
As in most countries but the US, you can get any lab work without Dr. interference.
As with Drs., some clinics are better than others. It's up to you (isn't that great?).
Costs will run 15-40% of the US, some lab work as low as 1%.
Insurance is available, but get some experience without it before thinking you need it.
See "Healthcare Experiences in the DR" at http://www.thornlesspath.com/healthcareexperiences.pdf
 

Hillbilly

Moderator
Jan 1, 2002
18,948
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I would disagree about living in La Caleta or Boca Chica, just because that is about the grungiest of places in the beautiful country. Now if you said San Juan de la Maguana, or Bani, or La Vega, I'd say: "All right!!" At least you'd have real people around you with some education and some facilities...

Sorry, do not like the area. But by the time you get here, it will probably be part of East Santos Domingo ( Oh God!!) and even worse...I mean, schitt, man, find a place with at least good water and electricity!! Even Mao or Santiago Rodriguez is better than those places...

Any way, it is said that HOMS in Santiago will be working with Medicare and Medicaid shortly.

And by the time you get here I probably won't even be here to say "I told you so!!"

HB
 
May 12, 2005
8,564
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I would disagree about living in La Caleta or Boca Chica, just because that is about the grungiest of places in the beautiful country. Now if you said San Juan de la Maguana, or Bani, or La Vega, I'd say: "All right!!" At least you'd have real people around you with some education and some facilities...

Sorry, do not like the area. But by the time you get here, it will probably be part of East Santos Domingo ( Oh God!!) and even worse...I mean, schitt, man, find a place with at least good water and electricity!! Even Mao or Santiago Rodriguez is better than those places...

Any way, it is said that HOMS in Santiago will be working with Medicare and Medicaid shortly.

And by the time you get here I probably won't even be here to say "I told you so!!"

HB


HB, it could be worse, the OP could be moving to Villa Altagracia.
 

dv8

Gold
Sep 27, 2006
31,266
363
0
you can get a decent dominican health insurance. there are many companies to chose from: humano, seguros universal, la colonial and many more. monthly payment depends on the plan.
 

bienamor

Kansas redneck an proud of it
Apr 23, 2004
5,050
458
83
you can get a decent dominican health insurance. there are many companies to chose from: humano, seguros universal, la colonial and many more. monthly payment depends on the plan.

HB has there been anymore info about HOMS taking Medicare there was a large discussion over this last year and if I remember correctly the final upshot was not going to happen.

http://www.dr1.com/forums/living/97...e-reform-could-mean-us-citizens-living-dr.htm Tread more than just the one post
 
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pelaut

Bronze
Aug 5, 2007
1,089
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www.ThornlessPath.com
Every time I investigate use of Medicare in the DR, it turns out to be the clause that says you must lie and pretend to be on a brief vacation with an emergency trauma or some such, and get follow up from your own Dr. back at your home in the U.S.

Well, which Americans still have their own Dr. and a home in the U.S. if they live here?
The ones that are willing to lie, of course. Liberal, well off 'elites' like Charlie Rangel.
 
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bienamor

Kansas redneck an proud of it
Apr 23, 2004
5,050
458
83
Every time I investigate use of Medicare in the DR, it turns out to be the clause that says you must lie and pretend to be on a brief vacation with an emergency trauma or some such, and get follow up from your own Dr. back at your home in the U.S.

Well, which Americans still have their own Dr. and a home in the U.S. if they live here?
The ones that are willing to lie, of course. Liberal, well off 'elites' like Charlie Rangel.

From what I have researched in the other thread, and the links that were posted, even the short vacation idea won't work for Medicare coverage. the only place that even looked like it would work, was an emergency in either Canada, or Mexico, where the medical facilities could handle it and the patient could not make it back to a us facility.

http://www.insubuy.com/guide/medicare-coverage-outside-the-us.jsp
http://www.tripinsurancestore.com/5/medicare.shtml
http://questions.medicare.gov/cgi-b...er/std_adp.php?p_faqid=59&p_created=994075483
 

TOOBER_SDQ

Bronze
Nov 19, 2008
708
212
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...... it will probably be part of East Santos Domingo ( Oh God!!) and even worse...I mean, schitt, man, find a place with at least good water and electricity!! Even Mao or Santiago Rodriguez is better than those places...

HB

Wow HB. When was the last time you visited? I love living in "East Santos Domingo", or parts of it anyway. If you look hard enough, you'll find good water and electricity service. Not to mention the advantages of being 30 minutes in either direction of the Airport and Downtown Santo Domingo. This area has built up nicely recently, and you can really get more for less.

On the insurance subject, look into Cigna International and see if it works for you.