The following actually happened as the woman in the story happens to be my next door neighbor. The person who sent this is a friend who used to live on my block a few years ago. The question is does the new healthcare package proposed by our 'friends' in Congress and the White House cover emergencies that occur outside of the United States? I am sure that someone is going to ask does private or company sponsored health insurance providers cover emergencies that occur outside of the United States. And in response to that question, I do not know. But with all the discussions, debates, knock down dragouts that are going on regarding healthcare, I do not recall this situation being addressed.
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My wife and I recently went on a cruise to Mexico with six other people. Very early in the cruise one of the women experienced some health problems and had to be transported to the hospital once we docked in Cozumel. She entered the emergency room about 8 AM. A number of tests were run and it was determined that she had a heart attack. While she was in for tests her husband was arranging for payment with his Medicare and AARP supplementary insurance. He was told that Medicare is not accepted in Mexico. Since Medicare is not accepted the supplementary insurance isn't accepted either.
It was determined that the best course of action was to get her back to the US for medical care and where Medicare is accepted. The medical staff would only release her to travel via Air Ambulance since commercial flights are not equipped with medical personnel.
Carnival Cruise Line arranged for the Air Ambulance and she was transported back to Miami at about 6 PM the same day. The cost for the emergency room fees were $5156.00 and the Air Ambulance cost was $10,950.00.
Here's the bottom line if you are on Medicare or are going on Medicare. If you travel outside the US and get sick for any reason, check into getting medical insurance with your travel agent. So we found out, (after the fact) Carnival Cruise Lines sells medical insurance for customers for about 90 bucks. None of us ever gave it a thought to purchase the insurance. If you don't want to spring for the insurance make sure you have a hefty credit line on your credit card. You'll need it !! That's how the whole thing was paid for.
The woman ~~~ back home now and doing well !!
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My wife and I recently went on a cruise to Mexico with six other people. Very early in the cruise one of the women experienced some health problems and had to be transported to the hospital once we docked in Cozumel. She entered the emergency room about 8 AM. A number of tests were run and it was determined that she had a heart attack. While she was in for tests her husband was arranging for payment with his Medicare and AARP supplementary insurance. He was told that Medicare is not accepted in Mexico. Since Medicare is not accepted the supplementary insurance isn't accepted either.
It was determined that the best course of action was to get her back to the US for medical care and where Medicare is accepted. The medical staff would only release her to travel via Air Ambulance since commercial flights are not equipped with medical personnel.
Carnival Cruise Line arranged for the Air Ambulance and she was transported back to Miami at about 6 PM the same day. The cost for the emergency room fees were $5156.00 and the Air Ambulance cost was $10,950.00.
Here's the bottom line if you are on Medicare or are going on Medicare. If you travel outside the US and get sick for any reason, check into getting medical insurance with your travel agent. So we found out, (after the fact) Carnival Cruise Lines sells medical insurance for customers for about 90 bucks. None of us ever gave it a thought to purchase the insurance. If you don't want to spring for the insurance make sure you have a hefty credit line on your credit card. You'll need it !! That's how the whole thing was paid for.
The woman ~~~ back home now and doing well !!








