Last week in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico …. Over 3,700 people walked through the Medical Matters event and this year like the past 3 years I met some really interesting, kind and energetic people from Canada and the USA.

The thread that linked them all was their interest in Healthcare, Longevity & Security. The beauty of the process was meeting, educating and building personal and professional relationships!

1. Always protect your wealth and accumulation of assets by protecting against CATASTROPHIC Claims. That means annual deductibles of $1,000 or more and creating a strategy that has no holes or the least amount of risk as possible!
2. Make sure you get verification from the company underwriter (in writing) about any exclusions that may affect your policy. If I have questions about a client’s insurability… I don’t like to waste their time…so I’ll ask the client to attain past medical records, present them to the Insurance Underwriter and they can at least give you an idea of what they can offer as coverage, before completing the application and jumping through many hoops.
3. Try to make sure the International plans have a Direct Pay agreement with the top facilities; it’s just more convenient but it’s not the end of the world if they don’t….your broker just has to be active and assist their client. That’s what we are supposed to do!
4. Make sure you have a broker that is informed and educated with the product and process.
5. Develop a strategy and then plug in the products (examples below).

Male — Age 65 / US Citizen with Medicare A & B with a Supplement

He’s healthy but takes a low dosage of cholesterol medication
Height 5ft 10 inches and weighs 180 lbs
His goal is to develop a strategy that covers him outside of the USA, but in case he has a major issue, he wants to go back to the USA:

Insurance Solution # 1:

Get the medical records and do an annual physical exam with blood panel (it’s good to have an annual check-up anyway). Try to secure an Insurance that excluded the USA: The Annual Cost:

• Deductible $250/Care Choice $2,315
• Deductible $500/Care Choice $2,234
• Deductible $1,000/Care Choice $2,079
• Deductible $2,500/Care Choice $1,616
• Deductible $5,000/Care Choice $1,423

Insurance Solution # 2:

If for some reason this person was unable to secure a plan that would cover Cardio (High Cholesterol — Cardio Exclusion-depending on the Daily Dosage)… I would secure an Air Evacuation plan ONLY back to the USA for about $995 per family or $595 for an individual and get him back to the USA and let the Medicare take care of the claims.

He could also secure a Travel Medical with a $50,000 Benefit… in case he had to stay in the hospital any length of time or had a minor arm or leg break or maybe a pneumonia and temporary hospital stay or even a gallbladder issue…

Also I would consider having a Major Medical that has a high deductible… the policy may not cover for the entire $1,000,000 or greater…but may offer a $50,000 or
$100,000 benefit attached because of the meds and controlled condition.

This is where you need a professional to work with and knows how to work with Medical Insurance Underwriters!

Female — Age 70 / Canadian Citizen that has relinquished her Provincial and she has an overactive Thyroid.

She takes a little medication…but is healthy otherwise.

Insurance Solution # 1:

Once a Canadian relinquishes their Provincial coverage, they are basically on their own… So I advise any Canadian that had a prior cancer, heart surgery or takes higher dosages of medications for blood pressure and cholesterol to seriously consider NOT relinquishing their Provincial Coverage and just bite the bullet and take the maximum time outside of Canada, unless you can afford to self-insure up to $1,000,000 cash.

The good thing about the Canadian system is that you can assimilate back into the Provincial system within 2-3 months. The down side is if you have an immediate need, like a heart attack…you’re on your own!

• Deductible $250/Care Choice $2,495
• Deductible $500/Care Choice $2,347
• Deductible $1,000/Care Choice $2,138
• Deductible $2,500/Care Choice $1,784
• Deductible $5,000/Care Choice $1,570

If you are considering new insurance coverage or your policy is coming due, and would appreciate expert help in choosing what’s best for you, your family and maybe your company, please contact our Private Global Medical Insurance Expert John McGee by email here or, visit his website here and get a customized insurance quote.

PS. Note from Scott Oliver – Founder of WeLoveCostaRica.com: Over a period six months I met with – and was very disappointed by – at least 20 insurance ‘experts’ in Costa Rica.

I decided to work with John McGee because he knows the insurance business inside out and, he is a good communicator, the last thing any of us need in a medical emergency is an insurance guy that doesn’t feel it’s necessary to return phone calls promptly.

Our family’s insurance needs are covered by the companies John represents because it’s been my experience that you can rely on John McGee for your insurance requirements.

Andrew Makarik

to@welovecostarica.com

Andrew Makarik is the main editor of WeLoveCostaRica, a fan of this sunny country. He is also a loving husband and a has a lovely daughter. By being a devoted family man and the biggest Costa Rica fan, he wants to make more people feel at home there. WeLoveCostaRica unites people and helps them find new home or a new travel destination. This website is a friendly community where everyone can find not only information, but also new friends and travel pals. Andrew is also passionate about IT and programming, so he himself maintains a friendly atmosphere in this cozy environment of WeLoveCostaRica.com.