Frustrated with Public Health? Discouraged with Medical Insurance? – Discover a Better Alternative with Austro Medical Center
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- October 19, 2024
Discover the Solution at Austro Medical Center
Photos Courtesy of Austro Medical Center
Living in Cuenca has been an eye-opening experience, especially when it comes to medical insurance. When I first arrived, I wanted to replicate the medical coverage I had in the U.S. Little did I know, the insurance system here in Ecuador is vastly different. Unlike the convenience of U.S. systems where the doctor’s office handles all insurance matters, in Ecuador, you often need to pay the doctor upfront, handle the paperwork yourself, and then wait for reimbursement.
My first claim submission was a nightmare. I gathered all the necessary documents and made an appointment with the insurance company, only to be told that my paperwork was incomplete. This led to a series of back-and-forth visits between the doctor’s office and the insurance office. After submitting the documents, I waited for a month without reimbursement. When I called to inquire, I was informed that all my paperwork had been lost, and I had to start the process from scratch!
Next, I tried the public health system. After fulfilling the mandatory waiting period and making monthly payments, I attempted to fill my prescriptions. I was told I needed to see a doctor first, but there were no appointments available. Eventually, I secured an appointment and got the green light to collect my medications. However, when I went to the their pharmacy, many of the drugs I needed were out of stock.
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My experience didn’t end there. When I went for a blood test, I had to endure a long wait in a crowded queue. The blood draw was so poorly done that it took nearly half an hour to stop the bleeding in my arm.
Like many expats, I resorted to “self-insuring”—paying out of pocket for medications and doctor visits. While this option is prohibitively expensive in the U.S., it’s relatively affordable here in Cuenca. Some of my friends retain their public health coverage for catastrophic events but pay for everything else themselves. Many of us consider returning to the U.S. for major medical needs, where we can use Medicare.
So, how can you affordably self-insure in Cuenca? One solution is the Austro Medical Center, a fairly new clinic offering a range of services. They make it easy to book appointments in English and have an English-speaking general practitioner who can handle most of your needs. Lab work is done in-house (at lower cost than other labs), as are the X-Rays. And if you require a specialist, they have 33 available. If the specialist doesn’t speak English, an English-speaking doctor will accompany you to ensure you fully understand the diagnosis and treatment plan.
Having a “one-stop” service with English-speaking assistance saves time and money, eliminating the need to visit multiple locations around town. It also saves you the cost of hiring a facilitator who may not have the medical expertise to translate accurately.
Join the growing number of expats who have found Austro Medical Center to be their solution for medical care in Cuenca.
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