caribmike, I would strongly suggest you reconsider.
I wholeheartedly recommend ARS Constitucion and their add-on plan (compelmentario) Clasico II which is RD$470 per month and covers 100% everything with the only exception of special studies (80%). Also it has RD$5400 per day in hospital room. This is a very good plan, and I have one, and I am not sorry.
Humano has strong name. The basic plan is the same with all ARS. But the add-on plans differ, Constitucion has the only one that covers virtually 100% everything (with the exception mentioned above). Humano has NOT so good (price/benefit) add-on plans, neither does Universal (price/benefit). Universal does not have any add-on plan which would cover 100%, Humano might have, but very expensive compared to add-on by Constitucion.
For a private plan (voluntario), I would choose between Universal and Constitucion.
For TSS basic plan (contributivo), there is no difference.
For add-on plan (complementario), I would chose 100% ARS Constitucion.
To get into any other ARS than you have been before, visit the ARS BEFORE you get reinserted into TSS. You fill out the application form. Reinsert into TSS about 3-5 working days after filling the form, so they have time to enter you into system as "pending". Once the first TSS payment is made (by the 3rd of the month the following month), on about the 10th or 11th of that following month the payment will be reported to TSS and you will be "fully affiliated". Then you get your carnet.
After you are "fully affiliated" and always before the 20th of that month, you fill out form for add-on plan. You can pay that monthly or quarterly, directly to the ARS. The add-on plan will be effective on the 1st of the following month.
Suppose you go today (June 20th) to ARS.
1. You affiliate today.
2. You reintroduce the person into TSS in 5 business days.
3. By the 3rd of July (next month) you pay your June 2013 contribution (which should be from 20-25th to 30th of June, prorated).
4. On the 10th or 11th of July the payment will be reported, and your policy will become effective immediately. You get your carnet in about 1 week at the ARS branch, but you can get your policy (carnet) number immediately so you can use it if you have any emergency and need to get medical attention.
5. Immediately once your policy is active, you subscribe to the add-on plan (e.g. on July 15th, but before July 20th).
On August 1, 2013, your add-on policy is active.
Remember, TSS contributions must be paid by the 3rd of the month, reporting and paying for the previous month.
