PORTIMOM Posted June 4, 2016 Report Share Posted June 4, 2016 My premium increase notice arrived today, hiking the cost up $600.00 USD what it was last July/2015. AND... the deductible up another $1000.00 over what it was last year. AND.. (here is the icing on the cake... tadaaaaaa) The notice came in today to my email June 3rd. Giving me notice that I must renew or cancel by June 15th, and submit a payment no later than June 24th, a total of: 2016 Annual Premium: $1940.51 USD I just think that is terribly unethical. Now I ask you, If you were not young and without health to go elsewhere, and the extra funds to push out, maybe you might have to let your insurance expire or beg of relatives? Thankfully I am not in that position, but my heart goes out to those who are in that situation, and received this short notice. I emailed Bellon Insurance, which comes highly recommended. I asked how they handle their rate increases, and what type of notice they provide to customers, before the due date. They not only responded quickly via email and then phone, but the response confirmed my thoughts: Bellon provides 60 days notice for a rate increase. I have my appointment with Bellon this week! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
camillenparadise Posted June 4, 2016 Report Share Posted June 4, 2016 You will not regret it! Some of the very BEST people I have dealt with in Mexico...... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PORTIMOM Posted June 4, 2016 Author Report Share Posted June 4, 2016 56 minutes ago, camillenparadise said: You will not regret it! Some of the very BEST people I have dealt with in Mexico...... He was prompt in contacting me. I gave him an option of phoning me, with advance info prior to our upcoming meeting. He did phone. He was informative. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Al Berca Posted June 4, 2016 Report Share Posted June 4, 2016 Both Boomers and Focus on Mexico group insurance participants received extremely short renewal notice this year from Blue Angel. I wasn't happy, either. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sm1mex Posted June 4, 2016 Report Share Posted June 4, 2016 All I can tell you that I have been with Bellon since 2012. My rates have gone up each year with Met Life because I have had serious medical problems, a lot of claims so I have the lowest deductible because my past illness demons may come back on me. The customer service with Bellon is his main focus, to serve their customers 7/24. I have been in the hospital for many days and Andre has always come to check on me, making sure my discharge bill is correct and getting me checked in and out of the hospital. At one time in an emergency he arranged for an orthopedic surgeon to meet us at San Javier at 6:30 at night in a terrible rain storm with an umbrella to help us out of the cab and stayed with us until 11 p.m. to see what the diagnosis was and got us admitted. No matter what, I will always stay with Andre Bellon. He will be there for me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PORTIMOM Posted June 4, 2016 Author Report Share Posted June 4, 2016 31 minutes ago, Al Berca said: Both Boomers and Focus on Mexico group insurance participants received extremely short renewal notice this year from Blue Angel. I wasn't happy, either. Agreed. But for some, it is an economic strain and one that you should prepare for. You don't want to read a letter saying that the incredibly low rate last year should have been 300 more.... and read on to hear that that equates to 600 increase this year... and then see an increase in the deductible of another 1,000 (That's right WEA'rs your deductible is now 3,500). I can imagine what this will do to a tight budget, this increase and short notice combined. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PORTIMOM Posted June 4, 2016 Author Report Share Posted June 4, 2016 7 minutes ago, sm1mex said: All I can tell you that I have been with Bellon since 2012. My rates have gone up each year with Met Life because I have had serious medical problems, a lot of claims so I have the lowest deductible because my past illness demons may come back on me. The customer service with Bellon is his main focus, to serve their customers 7/24. I have been in the hospital for many days and Andre has always come to check on me, making sure my discharge bill is correct and getting me checked in and out of the hospital. At one time in an emergency he arranged for an orthopedic surgeon to meet us at San Javier at 6:30 at night in a terrible rain storm with an umbrella to help us out of the cab and stayed with us until 11 p.m. to see what the diagnosis was and got us admitted. No matter what, I will always stay with Andre Bellon. He will be there for me. I hear many good things about Bellon and the care they take. Thank you for your review. I like a company that sends adequate notice of an increase, even if it is a mere 5 or 10%. Bellon's moe than adequate notice of 60 days is good by me. Under two weeks, is not. If they were having trouble with the rates, and I cannot believe they didn't know there would be a huge $600.00 USD premium increase, there is only one reason why the members would not be forewarned. Less time to shop, change and prepare in ways that this provider did not want to afford those members. I am sure it worked, but did it really? For now those that were trapped, and stressed, feel a loss of trust? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sm1mex Posted June 4, 2016 Report Share Posted June 4, 2016 My rate has gone up with Bellon yearly but when i first started paying my premium, the dollar was 9 pesos to 1 dollar, now it is 18.57 pesos to 1 dollar, so of course since the dollar is strong and the peso weaker, the price in pesos has jumped. If the peso gets stronger and the dollar weaker will the premiums come down? I doubt, but the premiums are in the computer from the insurance company you choose and the agent has nothing to do with the price, it is set by the insurance company and the agent has to quote what the insurance company has listed in the computer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PORTIMOM Posted June 4, 2016 Author Report Share Posted June 4, 2016 25 minutes ago, sm1mex said: My rate has gone up with Bellon yearly but when i first started paying my premium, the dollar was 9 pesos to 1 dollar, now it is 18.57 pesos to 1 dollar, so of course since the dollar is strong and the peso weaker, the price in pesos has jumped. If the peso gets stronger and the dollar weaker will the premiums come down? I doubt, but the premiums are in the computer from the insurance company you choose and the agent has nothing to do with the price, it is set by the insurance company and the agent has to quote what the insurance company has listed in the computer. Yes, we discussed that during the phone call. It is confusing, but its how the rate affects the cost of medical equipment/supplies. Interesting. Thank you for that info! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bontekoe Posted June 4, 2016 Report Share Posted June 4, 2016 Join IMSS about 11000 pesos per year for 2 and NO deductible Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Floradude Posted June 4, 2016 Report Share Posted June 4, 2016 I think that $1940 USD is a good price. I paid $76,000 pesos this May for my annual MetLife policy. I have been insured here to 13 years and never used it. I am 73 years old. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fred Habacht Posted June 4, 2016 Report Share Posted June 4, 2016 Just a BIG thought to those of you who think you can keep changing agents and insurance companies as the rates move up....after you are seventy years (70) old or have a serious illness.....few, if any companies except for the ones that wouldn't pay a claim anyway....will look at you or consider you for coverage and to those who think that IMSS will give you great service for much less money....try sleeping in a ward, getting any nurse to help you or getting many of the meds you might need. Better also consider how long it takes to get to see that IMSS doctor or get into the hospital....and lest you forget...spanish is the way you communicate at that IMSS hospital. As for customer service...Bellon has taken me into Guadalajara and picked me up after an eye procedure that wasn't covered by my policy and to a surgeon for another minor proceedure....when choosing an agent...ask...."Do you take me to the hospital, do you take me to a specialist or assist me in checking out or provide translations and do you fill out my forms in spanish? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gringal Posted June 4, 2016 Report Share Posted June 4, 2016 42 minutes ago, Bontekoe said: Join IMSS about 11000 pesos per year for 2 and NO deductible There is a great deal of difference between IMSS and what you get with your private insurance. If in doubt, visit the IMSS general hospital and check out the facilities. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lulugirl Posted June 4, 2016 Report Share Posted June 4, 2016 My premium alone with Met Life via Bellon was 23,058.62 pesos last year with a 55,000 peso deductible at 71 years old. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
congodog Posted June 4, 2016 Report Share Posted June 4, 2016 My husband's Metlife policy through Bellon increased (in pesos), quite a bit from last year even though he didn't submit a claim at all. But because of the exchange rate with USD, we paid with today's exchange rate and it costs us LESS than last year. It's my understanding that they increase year to year due to age as well as other factors. So just living another year causes an increase. All that being said, I also appreciate the prompt and diligent service you get from Bellon. They help you even in situations which are not covered by your insurance (happened to me this year), just as a courtesy. Love that customer service! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yo1 Posted June 4, 2016 Report Share Posted June 4, 2016 It doesn't matter what the exchange rate is because the yearly premium is paid in dollars. I'm not particularly thrilled that if I use my WEA insurance this year it will cost me $3100US more than last year; $600US more for premium, $1000 more for deductible and and a co-pay of max $1500 because the policy no longer pays 100% of all charges but 90%. But I would rather stay with a group policy than go out on my own with an individual policy with one of the major carriers available here in Mexico. IMHO Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PORTIMOM Posted June 4, 2016 Author Report Share Posted June 4, 2016 2 hours ago, Lulugirl said: My premium alone with Met Life via Bellon was 23,058.62 pesos last year with a 55,000 peso deductible at 71 years old. How long have you been with Bellon? Anyone else other than Lulugirl, care to share their premium/deductible costs with Bellon, I would really appreciate it. (even in a PM thx) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lulugirl Posted June 4, 2016 Report Share Posted June 4, 2016 3 years with no claims. with Bellon but I had Met Life for 3 years before that with another agent who tacked on a huge commission to the policy along with her cute little sign about a 200 peso service fee. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PORTIMOM Posted June 4, 2016 Author Report Share Posted June 4, 2016 23 minutes ago, Lulugirl said: 3 years with no claims. with Bellon but I had Met Life for 3 years before that with another agent who tacked on a huge commission to the policy along with her cute little sign about a 200 peso service fee. Thanks for the info. I haven't had any claims for health insurance and believe a higher deductible with a lower premium is the way to go. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PORTIMOM Posted June 4, 2016 Author Report Share Posted June 4, 2016 Thus... in regards to this... how high a deductible can you do, and what type of premium comes with Bellon's insurance for that (High deductible / low premium) Feel free to PM if you prefer not to post here. Just now, PORTIMOM said: Thanks for the info. I haven't had any claims for health insurance and believe a higher deductible with a lower premium is the way to go. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fred Habacht Posted June 4, 2016 Report Share Posted June 4, 2016 With Met Life...you can always pick a high deductible BUT then you can not ever lower it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PORTIMOM Posted June 4, 2016 Author Report Share Posted June 4, 2016 31 minutes ago, barbara habacht said: With Met Life...you can always pick a high deductible BUT then you can not ever lower it. That was going to be my next question... Good to know! thx Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CHILLIN Posted June 4, 2016 Report Share Posted June 4, 2016 As far as I can tell, Mexican insurance companies are just another layer of corruption. The commission based agents will tell you that any insurance company operating in Mexico cannot raise the policy rate more than the cost of "medical inflation". This is administered by top level government bureaucrats. Then why was medical inflation in the U.S.A. under 4% last year, while Mexico approved increases for the various companies from 18% to 30%. They claim it is because they have to order supplies from the U.S., but I think there is just something about this which has a stink that I have smelled many times before Here is an old article from 2007 - so don't get too excited about the rates they are quoting. The lead is to Puerto Vallarta, to see if this company/service is still around. http://banderasnews.com/0709/nb-mexmedinsurance.htm Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RVGRINGO Posted June 4, 2016 Report Share Posted June 4, 2016 The current US/Peso exchange rate is having an inflationary effect upon prices of everything in Mexico which is produced in, or passes through, the USA. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
El Saltos Posted June 4, 2016 Report Share Posted June 4, 2016 Chillin 3 hours ago, CHILLIN said: As far as I can tell, Mexican insurance companies are just another layer of corruption. The commission based agents will tell you that any insurance company operating in Mexico cannot raise the policy rate more than the cost of "medical inflation". This is administered by top level government bureaucrats. Then why was medical inflation in the U.S.A. under 4% last year, while Mexico approved increases for the various companies from 18% to 30%. They claim it is because they have to order supplies from the U.S., but I think there is just something about this which has a stink that I have smelled many times before Here is an old article from 2007 - so don't get too excited about the rates they are quoting. The lead is to Puerto Vallarta, to see if this company/service is still around. http://banderasnews.com/0709/nb-mexmedinsurance.htm The insurance companies being discussed are NOT Mexican companies. Best Doctors is a Florida company and WEA is a BVI company. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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