To anyone who has or is thinking of purchasing Universal medical insurance.
In Oct last year(2009) my wife was rushed into hospital.
Although on arrival at the hospital it was discovered that they were not affiliated to Universal we were told that she was not stable enough to be moved to another hospital as the move could kill her. We were then told that the law in this country states that any hospital can be used in an emergency and the insurance company have to pay.
After two emergency operations in one week i approached Universal who refused to pay as they did not consider it an emergency.Even though the doctors at the hospital stated that it was, Universal were not interested.
During the operations, it was discovered that my wife had cancer so i asked Universal what their stance was on this?
"No problem", they replied. as we cover 80% of the treatment up to 250,000 pesos. I also told them that it was impossible for her to travel to Santiago for treatment as she was to ill. I also informed them that a doctor was willing to travel up from Santiago but we would have to pay for treatment up front.
Once again, "no problem amigo", Just get it sorted then come back.
After spending in excess of 1,000,000 pesos i went back to Universal.
"Sorry", i was told. "You should have taken your wife to Santiago"
After explaining again what they had told me(to the same person) they just said next time get a better policy as they do not re-emburse and there was no point me talking anymore.
The fact that we were sold our policies by the very people that i was talking to on their advice made no difference. Even though i was only trying to claim the 250,000 pesos that we were entitled to.
I would urge anyone with or thinking of using Universal to go to a different company as i,m sure they have done this to plenty of people out there.
Also if there,s anyone out there that knows of a good lawyer,( and not one of the usual ones who just want money and do nothing ) in the Puerto plata to Caberete area then please pass on their phone number and address.
Twallace56
In Oct last year(2009) my wife was rushed into hospital.
Although on arrival at the hospital it was discovered that they were not affiliated to Universal we were told that she was not stable enough to be moved to another hospital as the move could kill her. We were then told that the law in this country states that any hospital can be used in an emergency and the insurance company have to pay.
After two emergency operations in one week i approached Universal who refused to pay as they did not consider it an emergency.Even though the doctors at the hospital stated that it was, Universal were not interested.
During the operations, it was discovered that my wife had cancer so i asked Universal what their stance was on this?
"No problem", they replied. as we cover 80% of the treatment up to 250,000 pesos. I also told them that it was impossible for her to travel to Santiago for treatment as she was to ill. I also informed them that a doctor was willing to travel up from Santiago but we would have to pay for treatment up front.
Once again, "no problem amigo", Just get it sorted then come back.
After spending in excess of 1,000,000 pesos i went back to Universal.
"Sorry", i was told. "You should have taken your wife to Santiago"
After explaining again what they had told me(to the same person) they just said next time get a better policy as they do not re-emburse and there was no point me talking anymore.
The fact that we were sold our policies by the very people that i was talking to on their advice made no difference. Even though i was only trying to claim the 250,000 pesos that we were entitled to.
I would urge anyone with or thinking of using Universal to go to a different company as i,m sure they have done this to plenty of people out there.
Also if there,s anyone out there that knows of a good lawyer,( and not one of the usual ones who just want money and do nothing ) in the Puerto plata to Caberete area then please pass on their phone number and address.
Twallace56