How to pay for Gringo Medical Care in DR?

[Castle]

So a public hospital can turn you away if you are a gringa, thus leaving you shot/bleeding or whatever, outside of their walls ?

They won't turn you away because you are a gringa.
See, the DR is a poor country, public services are not world class. I think that's a fact everybody should know before coming here. However, I think it is good to have free, universal health care, even if it is less than great. If you go to an emergency room for something they can't treat you for, they will tell you to go somewhere else. However, and as I stated before, most people go for things that can be treated anywhere, at least up to a stabilization point: traffic accidents, heart attacks, gunshot, stab wounds, etc. I've been to emergency room at hospitals several times (not as a patient), and they don't ask anybody for money or any identification whatsoever in order to treat you. Some hospitals are even very nice. I've been to hospitals in the so-called developed world that don't look as good as some SD hospitals, and they were very expensive. I can't talk about the rest of the DR, just SD.

 

[Matilda]

So a public hospital can turn you away if you are a gringa, thus leaving you shot/bleeding or whatever, outside of their walls ?

I was shot through the throat. I really needed chest drains as the bullet went through lungs and I had 2 collapsed lungs. The public hospital did not know how to do chest drains and knew I would snuff it and did not want the responsibility of my death. The doctor in charge would have been arrested. The local private hospital did a tracheotomy in the wrong place and cut through my vocal chords. They also did not know how to do chest drains hence was sent to the capital.

Matilda

 

[young seniors]

I was shot through the throat. I really needed chest drains as the bullet went through lungs and I had 2 collapsed lungs. The public hospital did not know how to do chest drains and knew I would snuff it and did not want the responsibility of my death. The doctor in charge would have been arrested. The local private hospital did a tracheotomy in the wrong place and cut through my vocal chords. They also did not know how to do chest drains hence was sent to the capital.



OMG, what a terrible ordeal you had to endure. Sounds like you had an angel on your shoulder. If you dont mind me asking.......What exactly happened to you Matilda??

 

[bronzeallspice]

I was shot through the throat. I really needed chest drains as the bullet went through lungs and I had 2 collapsed lungs. The public hospital did not know how to do chest drains and knew I would snuff it and did not want the responsibility of my death. The doctor in charge would have been arrested. The local private hospital did a tracheotomy in the wrong place and cut through my vocal chords. They also did not know how to do chest drains hence was sent to the capital.

Matilda

This is good to know.I for one intend to go to the states for any major surgery.

 

[dv8]

it ain't that bad. you have to remember that mat's "local hospital" was only a small clinic in juan dolio (or boca chica, whatever). i had my surgery done in clinica union santiago and damn it was much nicer that a polish hospital! sure, hospitals back home are bigger and probably better in many ways but they look nasty all the same: pale green chipping paint half way down the walls, packs of cables running near the ceiling, small and grim bathrooms and general morgue feel to it. add grumpy smileless nurses and the picture is complete - a place you go to die.
dominican private hospitals are more like hotels. you pay? you are served well.

 

[bronzeallspice]

I am an American and I had my lazik surgery done in Colombia and my triple bypass and my hemorhoids (sp) taken care of there also. I ewouldn't leT USA doctors at me again for nothing.
I've told the hemorhoid story here previously. I'm probably the only person you know who paid cash for a triple bypass surgery. No insurance, just $9000 USD.
Der Fish

Wow! I'm sorry to hear that.I don't have any complaints so far with the level of care
I've received in the states.I've been very satisfied.I've had very good doctors.

 

[Criss Colon]

After working in what is arguably one of the best hospitals in the WORLD in Boston for 25 years, and then working in what is arguably the best hospital in the Dominican Republic for 10 years,
Boston is BETTER!
One of the biggest problems in the Dominican system is, after the Doctor treats you, there are no trained nurses, techs,or aids to continue your care.
Number two is, after your surgery, if all goes well, great.
If it doesn't, like an infection,you are in trouble.
I have EMERGENCY care here, for ANYTHING else, I'm in Boston!
When it comes to my advice about medical treatment in the DR, it's the following:
"Yankee GO HOME!!!!!!!"
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[La Profe_1]

Quick story to illustrate what CC just posted:

I was hospitalized in 2008 with a gangrenous infection after a traffic accident in which a guagua knocked me down, broke three ribs and ran over my leg. Went to Bournigal in Puerto Plata and the "trauma specialist" there paid no attention to the broken ribs or to the fact that I told him that the guagua had run over my leg twice. I was sent home after the road rash was cleaned out.

A month later, I was running a very high fever, the area where the tires passed over was bleeding badly and my leg was oozing pus. Went to a different hospital where I was immediately admitted and the gangrene was debrided. I had IV antibiotics running for seven days straight while a patient. Each day, the orthopedist who did the debriding came into my hospital room to clean and dress the wound. He had a nurse with him and was using proper sterile technique.

One day, he told the nurse that he was ready for the sterile gloves. The nurse promptly opened the package, picked up the glove with her bare fingers and handed it to him. He, obviously, refused to use it and make her get a fresh, sterile package.

As CC said, the nurses and techs and follow-up leave much to be desired.

 

[rubio_higuey]

OH, BTW did you all know, that the small print of MOST voluntary insurance plan contracts you have all signed (not the PSS insurance that is via TSS through your employer) EXCLUDES coverage for traffic accidents?

 

[Castle]

OH, BTW did you all know, that the small print of MOST voluntary insurance plan contracts you have all signed (not the PSS insurance that is via TSS through your employer) EXCLUDES coverage for traffic accidents?

Correct. That would be covered by your car insurance.

 

[rubio_higuey]

See, the DR is a poor country, public services are not world class. However, I think it is good to have free, universal health care, even if it is less than great. If you go to an emergency room for something they can't treat you for, they will tell you to go somewhere else.

One thing should be set straight. NO HOSPITAL in the DR, even PUBLIC one, NONE IS FREE. It's just that public hospitals are much cheaper (obviously) and they give free care to SENASA SUBSIDY INSURANCE holders. No SENASA SUBSIDY INSURANCE - you pay! The Haitians etc who do not have neither private (voluntary or TSS/employer) nor subsidy insurance DO HAVE TO PAY in public hospitals. The Dominicans etc who do not have neither private (voluntary or TSS/employer) nor subsidy insurance DO HAVE TO PAY in public hospitals. Public hospitals are crowded with lots of poor people because it's the ONLY place where they can have free care IF they have SENASA SUBSIDY INSURANCE, and for the rest (non-insured) it's the place where they can get some cheap care compared to private insurance. BUT GO TO SEE ANY PUBLIC HOSPITAL, they have insurance desk and "caja" to pay your dues as well.

 

[Castle]

BUT GO TO SEE ANY PUBLIC HOSPITAL, they have insurance desk and "caja" to pay your dues as well.

which almost nobody pays and nothing happens. Still, I think what you said applies for IDSS hospitals (hospitales del seguro) not for all public hospitals.

 

[Castle]

Here's what the dominican constitution says about it:

1 Art?culo 61.-Derecho a la salud. Toda persona tiene derecho a la salud integral. En consecuencia: 1) El Estado debe velar por la protecci?n de la salud de todas las personas, el acceso al agua potable, el mejoramiento de la alimentaci?n, de los servicios sanitarios, las condiciones higi?nicas, el saneamiento ambiental, as? como procurar los medios para la prevenci?n y tratamiento de todas las enfermedades, asegurando el acceso a medicamentos de calidad y dando asistencia m?dica y hospitalaria gratuita a quienes la requieran; 2) El Estado garantizar?, mediante legislaciones y pol?ticas p?blicas, el ejercicio de los derechos econ?micos y sociales de la poblaci?n de menores ingresos y, en consecuencia, prestar? su protecci?n y asistencia a los grupos y sectores vulnerables; combatir? los vicios sociales con las medidas adecuadas y con el auxilio de las convenciones y las organizaciones internacionales.

 

[Criss Colon]

"Come On Castle", you know what the "Dominican Constitution" is worth?????
The paper it's printed on!
The "Dominican Constitution" is not any more than what the then current political party wants it to be. It is changed more than my underware!
Then there is the "Select enforcement of all "Laws/Rules/and Regulations" here.
I worked in the "Health Care System" (OXYMORON?) here in SD for ten years.
There is no "FREE" health care here!
The treatment you MAY receive in any public hospital here is NOT "Health Care"!
It's, "You might get well, not Because of what the do, but INSPITE of what they do!!!"
Sad, but TRUE!
But, you can always go to a MALL!
MUCH cleaner than a hospital!
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[Castle]

"Come On Castle", you know what the "Dominican Constitution" is worth?????
The paper it's printed on!
The "Dominican Constitution" is not any more than what the then current political party wants it to be. It is changed more than my underware!
Then there is the "Select enforcement of all "Laws/Rules/and Regulations" here.
I worked in the "Health Care System" (OXYMORON?) here in SD for ten years.
There is no "FREE" health care here!
The treatment you MAY receive in any public hospital here is NOT "Health Care"!
It's, "You might get well, not Because of what the do, but INSPITE of what they do!!!"
Sad, but TRUE!
But, you can always go to a MALL!
MUCH cleaner than a hospital!
CCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCC

Agree 100%. I was just stating that if they try to charge anything at a hospital you can just walk away and there's nothing they can do to stop you.

 

[Hispanola]

One thing should be set straight. NO HOSPITAL in the DR, even PUBLIC one, NONE IS FREE. It's just that public hospitals are much cheaper (obviously) and they give free care to SENASA SUBSIDY INSURANCE holders. No SENASA SUBSIDY INSURANCE - you pay! The Haitians etc who do not have neither private (voluntary or TSS/employer) nor subsidy insurance DO HAVE TO PAY in public hospitals. The Dominicans etc who do not have neither private (voluntary or TSS/employer) nor subsidy insurance DO HAVE TO PAY in public hospitals. Public hospitals are crowded with lots of poor people because it's the ONLY place where they can have free care IF they have SENASA SUBSIDY INSURANCE, and for the rest (non-insured) it's the place where they can get some cheap care compared to private insurance. BUT GO TO SEE ANY PUBLIC HOSPITAL, they have insurance desk and "caja" to pay your dues as well.

So much conflicting reports in this thread.
Free health care, not free health care.....

Tell me this, if someone just crashed their Moto and are completely unconcious on the pavement, where will they be automatically taken and by whom (any public Ambulances) ?

Nobody knows that persons financial info like, insurance or not, etc...

 

[Matilda]

So much conflicting reports in this thread.
Free health care, not free health care.....

Tell me this, if someone just crashed their Moto and are completely unconcious on the pavement, where will they be automatically taken and by whom (any public Ambulances) ?

Nobody knows that persons financial info like, insurance or not, etc...

If they are obviously foreign will be taken in back of police truck usually to a private clinic or public hospital. If Dominican then to public hospital. If totally unconscious by the time they arrive at clinic, especially if have been taken by police, will have been relieved of all jewelry, mobile phone, wallet and any other valuables - never to be seen again.

Matilda

 

[Hispanola]

If they are obviously foreign will be taken in back of police truck usually to a private clinic or public hospital. If Dominican then to public hospital. If totally unconscious by the time they arrive at clinic, especially if have been taken by police, will have been relieved of all jewelry, mobile phone, wallet and any other valuables - never to be seen again.

Matilda

So if you fall off a Moto and broke your neck, no-one should move you, so I guess if the fall won't finish you off the police lifting you onto a truck will finish you off for sure or at-least paralize you for life from the neck down.


And we thought the D-R is all about Sun and Surf and Bachata.:ermm:

 

[CaptnGlenn]

When I was shot there were no local ambulances. Taken to nearest hospital on motoconcho and then by car. It took 3 hours to find an ambulance in order to be transferred to the capital, and they would only go if we paid to fill up with diesel and paid 30,000RD$. On arrival at hospital, they insisted on proof of insurance plus a RD$30k I think it was deposit before they would admit me to the ER. There was a cash point nearby luckily.

If you are going to have an accident or be shot, make sure you have access to cash!

Matilda

$760 U.S. for an ambulance??? PLUS GAS???? that's an expensive ride!!!

 

[bronzeallspice]

So if you fall off a Moto and broke your neck, no-one should move you, so I guess if the fall won't finish you off the police lifting you onto a truck will finish you off for sure or at-least paralize you for life from the neck down.


And we thought the D-R is all about Sun and Surf and Bachata.:ermm:

It's an eye opener.It's not just fun in the sun.