Mainecoons Posted February 2, 2017 Report Share Posted February 2, 2017 We signed up for Seguro Popular this morning as an additional backup for emergency situations. We will continue to get our routine and major non-emergency health care either privately here or from the Doctors we have established in the U.S. The question is, what should we carry on our persons that show our SP membership in the event we need emergency care from them? They gave us one copy of a stamped and signed one page "policy" that has our information and their number on it. They apparently do not provide wallet cards like U.S. insurers do. Should we both make copies of it and carry it while keeping the original in a safe place? Thanks for your help. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dave0415 Posted February 2, 2017 Report Share Posted February 2, 2017 I believe that you can have it tattooed on your butt. I guess that in an emergency you could carry copies in the car or on the moto. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CHILLIN Posted February 2, 2017 Report Share Posted February 2, 2017 You need to get the next step, which is like a passport document. This has been covered elsewhere on this forum. They have to open a paper file for you in the clinic where you signed up. The SEMA numbers are tied to this file. You need a SEMA number for each ongoing treatment, tests, scans, etc. This is part of the oversight and accountability process. You arrange to see a nurse at the clinic or hospital, and they will issue a SEMA number and appointments if you have to see specialists. The facility in Jocotepec is best for this, because they are actually a hospital, but not a full hospital. They can bring in the specialists/surgeons, etc., or transport you to Guadalajara by ambulance. They say the ambulances serve the entire Lakeside area - that is their mandate, but Jocotepec got the plum. They say they will even meet you at your home for pickup to Guadalajara. They say they even have their own helicopter if that fits the bill. No one has really tested these claims. Amazing really. Superior to anything we experienced in Canada for example. The real big difference from private care is that Seguro Popular is triage based - you can't junp the line by flashing the cash. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mainecoons Posted February 2, 2017 Author Report Share Posted February 2, 2017 OK let me try and clarify this. We wouldn't be going there for routine treatment. I am thinking in terms of what we need to carry in the event of something like a car or moto crash which results in one or both of us being transported to a SP facility for emergency treatment. That's not something one arranges in advance. At this point we are planning on making copies of the original paper and carrying that on our persons along with other ID. We'll keep the original in a safe place at home. Will this suffice in case of emergency? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RVGRINGO Posted February 2, 2017 Report Share Posted February 2, 2017 Chillin seems to have given the complete procedure. Just being enrolled is not enough. You need to establish a record, with the SEMA ID number, a visit or two, etc. IMSS was similar; you had to have “a file“. It is that “passport document“ that you will probably present when you need care. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CHILLIN Posted February 2, 2017 Report Share Posted February 2, 2017 30 minutes ago, Mainecoons said: At this point we are planning on making copies of the original paper and carrying that on our persons along with other ID. We'll keep the original in a safe place at home. Will this suffice in case of emergency? I don't really know. Hire a medical facilitator and ask these questions. I think a SEMA passport is still necessary. Private medical care has become extremely expensive locally. While you might need for emergency, they are also extremely capable of dealing with common senior ailments, such as falls, gall bladder removal, hernias, chronic arthritis - all those things which make aging such a blessful experience. The Seguro Popular cuts into their "senior" program at the age 60 and above. You might have to pay a small amount if you are under 60. You may have to pay for some prescriptions, especially if you want non-generic for example. You want titanium screws in your knee replacement - extra. You want a fancy European pacemaker or cataract lens, instead of the ones SP buy in bulk purchase - extra. If your gall bladder punks out on you, and you are in excruciating pain, you are not going back to the U.S.A. - the choice is a $7 - 10,000 U.S. operation in a Guadalajara private hospital, or free in the same size Jocotepec hospital, $450 U.S. extra if you want the surgeon to rent the "no cut" equipment. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mainecoons Posted February 2, 2017 Author Report Share Posted February 2, 2017 OK, in other words we need to use it in a non-emergency manner first to establish the ongoing relationship and coverage. Do I have that correct? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CHILLIN Posted February 2, 2017 Report Share Posted February 2, 2017 8 minutes ago, Mainecoons said: OK, in other words we need to use it in a non-emergency manner first to establish the ongoing relationship and coverage. Do I have that correct? I believe so. And as active in community fundraising as you are, you may find that Seguro Popular is in need of volunteers in many areas. The Bomberos in Guadalajara are trying to fund raise a new burn unit especially designed for kids for example. Sure the 16% I.V.A. pays for it all, but it is really the love and volunteering that keeps it going, and really makes it work. That is how us seniors using this system pay back - or at least don't feel so guilty using public healthcare. IMSS has no love. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
barcelonaman Posted February 2, 2017 Report Share Posted February 2, 2017 just to confuse matters, i signed up with sp two years ago in chapala. no mention on doing anything else. but as i had read something on here i went to local clinic in sat to register, but was told not required ! maybe spencer or sonia could chip in. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JerryS Posted February 2, 2017 Report Share Posted February 2, 2017 I have S.P and I use it. You will have to make copies of the original S.P and copies of your curp and img papers. You will need these papers to get service from your local clinic, joco hosp and Hosp Civil in GDL. Also to get your drugs from S.P pharmacies. I signed up for S.P as a back up but once I signed up and used it at the Ajijic clinic and the care that I received I quit going to the local doctors. After my second appointment with a blood test I was referred to specialists at Hosp civil in GDL for lung and kidney problems I see them every three months and my primary dr. once a month at the local clinic. Most of the speciallists will be at Hosp civil. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AlanMexicali Posted February 2, 2017 Report Share Posted February 2, 2017 I helped a US friend sign up in August, They signed him up in 30 minutes from the time we arrived at one of their "modulos". They gave him the affilication document you got. They told him to make a copy and carry it. They also gave him the name and address of his local clinic. They told him to go there to the administration desk to get a "carnet" or a small appointment booklet /"card" for ID and take it to all appoinments. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wookie Posted February 2, 2017 Report Share Posted February 2, 2017 JerryS, would you mind telling us where the clinic in Ajijic is located? We signed up with Spencer and they had the "passport" type books for us but did not know the locations of the clinics. I know we can go to Joco Hospital and know that location but do not have actual addresses or directions to the one in Ajijic or San Antonio or Chapala for that matter. Thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JerryS Posted February 2, 2017 Report Share Posted February 2, 2017 The AJijic clinic is located at six corners. Obregon and ocampio Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wookie Posted February 2, 2017 Report Share Posted February 2, 2017 Thanks much, JerryS. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sparks Posted February 2, 2017 Report Share Posted February 2, 2017 They give you a full page approval paper that I had laminated. That is all. The expiration date is on the back Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CHILLIN Posted February 2, 2017 Report Share Posted February 2, 2017 3 minutes ago, sparks said: They give you a full page approval paper that I had laminated. That is all. The expiration date is on the back Have you ever used the system Sparks? I wonder if by carrying your "carnet" you might benefit from your emergency care providers who will know what you have, or are currently being treated for. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Argus Posted February 2, 2017 Report Share Posted February 2, 2017 The same with us. We signed up, went to the local clinic, and was told by the person, nurse? named Nancy, that it wasn't necessary to be there. She gave us booklets and we left. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CHILLIN Posted February 2, 2017 Report Share Posted February 2, 2017 O.K. I asked Ms. Chillin, she has been to Chapala SP a few times now, also helping elderly neighbours to sign up. She says if you go to a clinic or hospital you are supposed to bring your "carnet", your original contract, and multiple copies. There is very definitely a central paper file where everything you have had done ends up. One of the parts of the SP contract is that they pledge to protect the confidentiality of your medical records. We talked about emergency, say a car/motorcycle crash, and we both agreed if the first responders see gringo blood, you will wake up in the most expensive, private hospital nearby. Maybe they get some sort of finder's fee? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mainecoons Posted February 2, 2017 Author Report Share Posted February 2, 2017 Well, a buddy of mine crashed 6 months ago and the first responders took him to a SP clinic in Cocula where he received great care. Had to pay a little cash out but for what they did for him, it was truly minimal. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CHILLIN Posted February 2, 2017 Report Share Posted February 2, 2017 I forgot something important with Seguro Popular. They want to open a central file for you, with your blood type, preconditions, etc. If you have had tests done, they may want them redone with their own people. The idea is to create a holistic health care strategy, utilizing not only drugs but lifestyle and diet for example. Again, I have never seen such a concept in Canadian public medicine, but I believe this is the norm in the U.K. Makes a lot of sense, and probably saves a lot of money over the medium and long term. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fred Habacht Posted February 2, 2017 Report Share Posted February 2, 2017 I was in an accident...needed stitches....They were willing to treat me at the hospital in Joco BUT if I did not produce my current 3 yr CONTRACT....I would have to pay for treatment...and that would have been at a fair price. I did have the contract, which was covered in plastic and I know the doctor who we had been assigned to and I had my booklet with my appointment shown.. I was treated at no charge and was asked to return a week later to have stitches removed. I did so....showed my contract and had my stitches removed. Fred Habacht Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mainecoons Posted February 2, 2017 Author Report Share Posted February 2, 2017 Very good information Fred, thanks. Can we assume that only the original will do? Not sure how to manage this for emergency care when traveling. That was the purpose of getting this, we don't want to burden the system for ordinary care. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JerryS Posted February 2, 2017 Report Share Posted February 2, 2017 You don't need the original. Make copies of the orignal, curp and img papers and put them in cars glove box. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
barcelonaman Posted February 3, 2017 Report Share Posted February 3, 2017 looks like the correct thing to do jerry.i have no appointment book or passport type document so hopefully with all those will be acceptable for emergencies. now to find the original !! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fred Habacht Posted February 3, 2017 Report Share Posted February 3, 2017 I never carry the original and was never asked for anything other than the copy I carry. Fred Habacht Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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