Health Insurance Puerto Rico

0POSTS

11 years ago

My family and I are hoping to move to Puerto Rico around September 2015 and I'm hoping someone can share with me an affordable health insurance? Thanks

The Puerto Rico expat guide

Comprehensive and free

Read it now

suzanne12345 Contributor

163POSTS

11 years ago

Our family of 5 is moving from VA to PR in 2 weeks. We just purchased MCS PPO and the cost is about $750/mo. It's less than we are currently paying, and the coverage seems good. I can let you know in 6 months if it is working out.

Schuttzie Serial expat

824POSTS

11 years ago

Suzanne, your family must be so excited on your upcoming move. I know you are probably very busy with all the details of packing and what not. Are you shipping anything and are you renting a furnished home? It sounds like your health insurance is reasonable. Good luck with the move~

GreggK Serial expat

509POSTS

11 years ago

Hi Suzanne. Best of luck on your move to PR. Where in VA are you coming from? We moved there from Newport News, VA. Concerning healthcare. I have no idea how good your health coverage is or what it covers. But I would suggest that you read back through some past posts concerning peope's experiences with the healthcare system in PR. Without trying to sound disparaging I'd just like to say that you shouldn't expect to get the same level of care that you get in the states. Understand this before and and expect to excersizie a bit more patience when seeing a doctor or going to the hospital. But reading the past posts should enlighten you and help prepare you mentally.

trekrider520 Serial expat

257POSTS

11 years ago

Hi Suzanne:

I use the SALUS clinic next to the American Military Academy, on the border of Bayamón and Guaynabo. It's a one-stop-shop for all physicians, dentists and specialty services. I've had pretty good experiences - feel free to PM me and I can give you details. They schedule appointments and, for the most part, stay fairly close to schedule. I always budget an extra hour past my appointment time to actually get seen by the doctor/dentist. Hope this helps!!

Schuttzie Serial expat

824POSTS

11 years ago

Trekrider, that is good to hear some positives about the healthcare

Michellehodges Guest

0POSTS

11 years ago

Thanks Suzanne, I'll check them out. Patience is definitely needed in the Caribbean, it was the same when I lived in the British Virgin Islands. In fact, many expats, including me, will see specialists in Puerto Rico and don't give birth in the BVI as the health system is worse there than in Puerto Rico. Both my boys were born at Pavia, Santurce and I had complications for both. Without the Dr's at Pavia and Ashford Presby, both myself and my 2nd child wouldn't be hear today. I'm certainly not saying that the health system is rock solid, however in my case, I had a good experience. It's certainly great to have recommendations, thanks Trekrider. The Neonatologist that took care of both my boys is now a very good friend of ours, so I feel more comfortable in knowing someone has our back.

suzanne12345 Contributor

163POSTS

11 years ago

I've spent half my life expat so I am good to go where patience is concerned

We are moving from Ashburn in Northern VA, where it is freezing cold right now. Renting a furnished apt in Ocean Park and USPS-ing about a dozen boxes of "stuff". My kids (3 teen girls) will have to find a way to survive with that! I am not about to let "stuff" control our lives to we will go relatively sparsely. Counting down the days - we fly out January 3rd!

marathomama Member

19POSTS

11 years ago

#10

Hi Suzanne
you said previously that you are sending your kids to St. John. Do you have a contact there and an email you can send my way. I tried emailing the admissions department but the email came back as undeliverable. My husband and I will be down January 28 - 31st to tour through schools and St. John's is the only one I cannot seem to contact. Thanks in advance for your help!

suzanne12345 Contributor

163POSTS

11 years ago

#11

Yes, I've been chatting with Annette Hequin and her email is ahequin@sjspr.org. Schools are all closed till the 8th at least, so don't be surprised if no response till then. I also talked to Jovita Casanova at TASIS mailto:casanova.j@tasisdorado.com and thought they were super disorganized, and Paola Donzalez PGonzalez@robinsonschool.org at Robinson, who was very helpful but did not have the classes we needed. I didn't go to Baldwin but I emailed with Ely Mejias emejias@baldwin-school.org who was very responsive. Good luck!!!

Michellehodges Guest

0POSTS

11 years ago

#12

Hi Suzanne,
I hope you and your family had a lovely Christmas? Would you mind providing me with the contact details for your insurance? Thanks so much.

marathomama Member

19POSTS

11 years ago

#13

Thanks a ton! I sent my emails out so we will see what response I get. I already have Robinson and Parkville scheduled.

suzanne12345 Contributor

163POSTS

11 years ago

#14

Michellehodges wrote:
Hi Suzanne,
I hope you and your family had a lovely Christmas? Would you mind providing me with the contact details for your insurance? Thanks so much.

Hi Michelle-
Here is what we received - her email address is included!

From: Melissa Rexach Urgell [mailto:rexachinsurance@outlook.com]
I looked for options on the market and MCS (Medical Card System) is the insurance company with the best offer on the market; best benefits, best price.
Total monthly premium will be $676.55 for the five members.
This option includes Medical, Unlimited RX, Dental, Vision and a life insurance of $25k.

Michellehodges Guest

0POSTS

11 years ago

#15

Thank you so much for sharing that with me, I really appreciate it.

1 member reacted to this post

Michellehodges Guest

0POSTS

11 years ago

#16

suzanne12345 wrote:
I've spent half my life expat so I am good to go where patience is concerned We are moving from Ashburn in Northern VA, where it is freezing cold right now. Renting a furnished apt in Ocean Park and USPS-ing about a dozen boxes of "stuff". My kids (3 teen girls) will have to find a way to survive with that! I am not about to let "stuff" control our lives to we will go relatively sparsely. Counting down the days - we fly out January 3rd!

Hey Suzanne,
I just wanted to wish you the very best of luck with your move to Puerto Rico tomorrow. May it be everything you hope for a more. It's an exciting chapter for you and your family and may 2015 be an amazing one. Take care.

Schuttzie Serial expat

824POSTS

11 years ago

#17

Hi, Suzanne, I just wanted to wish you safe travels today and wish many blessings to you and your family on this new journey in your lives. How exciting it must be!

suzanne12345 Contributor

163POSTS

11 years ago

#18

Thanks for all the good wishes! We arrived - with the 2 dogs - yesterday, just in time to escape the polar plunge in the US, and everyone is happy. Now we need to hit Costco and Walmart to stock up the apt!

Gary ViP

1845POSTS

11 years ago

#19

Welcome to the island! I hope you guys are going to be happy here!

BearNVa Active member

66POSTS

11 years ago

#20

I live in Hampton Roads at the moment and we are planning to move this year... I saw you moved with 2 doggies... how did they get there? I have a 12 yr old min schnauzer and he is my 2 legged child in a 4 legged schnauzer form ;o) I want him to be safe and as comfortable as possible or "daddy" can get quite nasty when it comes to his baby. We've thought about driving to FL and chartering from there so that he can be with me on the plane. He's never been on anything besides my lap in the front seat of the car and traumatizing him isn't something I'm wanting to do.

suzanne12345 Contributor

163POSTS

11 years ago

#21

BearNVa,
We flew the dogs from Dulles on a direct flight with United. Just the week before someone tweeted a pic of a dog cage left on the tarmac in the rain for hours (and caught lots of flak), so I think (hope) that United got the message to take better care of the animals. we have an 11 year old Brittany who is my baby and she had no problems. I totally understand the concern, though, and iif you can swing the short charter flight i'd go for it.

Hector Pagan Member

10POSTS

11 years ago

#22

We use Triple S BC/BC and it is less then half of what we paid in NJ.

Schuttzie Serial expat

824POSTS

11 years ago

#23

Thank you, Hector Pagan, for the information~

frogrock Serial expat

509POSTS

11 years ago

#24

I came across this lecture and thought it might be of interest.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JCxqThb … e=youtu.be

Schuttzie Serial expat

824POSTS

11 years ago

#25

Thank you, frogrock, for the video. I just got around to watching this, interest video. It seems we are covered as we have Blue Cross Blue Shield but I need to check with them to see what kind of coverage we have in PR. I'm bookmarking this thread for further reference

ReyP ViP

5509POSTS

11 years ago

#26

suzanne12345 wrote:
Michellehodges wrote:
Hi Suzanne,
I hope you and your family had a lovely Christmas? Would you mind providing me with the contact details for your insurance? Thanks so much.

Hi Michelle-
Here is what we received - her email address is included!

From: Melissa Rexach Urgell [mailto:rexachinsurance@outlook.com]
I looked for options on the market and MCS (Medical Card System) is the insurance company with the best offer on the market; best benefits, best price.
Total monthly premium will be $676.55 for the five members.
This option includes Medical, Unlimited RX, Dental, Vision and a life insurance of $25k.

Now that you have been in that program for a while, how about letting us know how happy are you with it and what do you not like?

One point of confusion (on my part) I was under the impression that MCS was for medicare beneficiaries, you look too young for medicare. Do they cover regular folks not on medicare?
Thanks