Health Insurance

Hi Kevin,

My wife and I just signed up with UniMed and it is indeed local but you will have emergency coverage when you are away from your home area. I do not know of any private national health insurance but UniMed in our (Ipatinga, MG) city is highly rated. Sorry, this is not much help but just my two cents and we have not made any use of the policy as of yet.

Kevin, Paul,

I have National Unimed. OK, it is based locally but it is accepted at any/all Unimed service providers in Brazil.

That said, I've had experience with the Unimed based in my city (Campina Grande, PB) being cantankerous about me using the Unimed in a city not more than 1.5 hours away (João Pessoa, PB) BUT the service was provided.

We find the services provided generally very good.

mberigan

@Paul6611 Thank you! We appreciate your reply, and thoughts.

@Paul6611 Thank you for comments. We have decided to go with Unimed as it has been recommended  by friends and medical professionals, alike.

@mberigan Thanks again! I knew it was you that said you had Unimed National when we were chatting about orthopedists for knees. How did that doc work out for you?

We have been inquiring with Unimed about a National plan, and they are vehement that there is no such plan available. Which is probably true, I guess, in regard to new members possibly.

Hi Kevin,

I got a new Attune prosthetic knee about 6.5 weeks ago. I chose a doctor in João Pessoa who specializes in knees. He has my whole confidence.

Recovery is the battle but it is going well. I just need to focus on fine-tuning posture as I'm now walking [slowly] without a crutch. I found the hiking poles (trekking sticks) help a lot in improving posture and taking longer steps. I also found that a bike trainer (rolo de treino) brings flexibility back more quickly.

What I really like about recovery has been the availability of home providers of physical therapy (not covered by insurance). My first two weeks I had somebody in-home daily (1 hour) to get through the rough part of reteaching the leg to perform normally. I'm down to 3 visits/week but I workout every day.

My wife has also been key to quick rocvery. It would have been a huge challenge to do this on my own.

Some time, early 2025, I plan to do the other knee. There are many walks and bike rides ahead, more travel, more nature to observe, trees to plant and non-native ones to remove........ and staying healthy in one,'s senior years just works better if mobility can be maintained.

mberigan

Having had 2 hips done I know what you mean. Being a PT though, would rather have a hip then a knee. BTW, headed your way in about 4 months! Doing all the paperwork shuffle and making sure we are ready to ship things duty free. The fact that we have a marriage certificate with the Brazlian Consulate helps. Family living down there is also helpful, but the bureaucracy is amazing to say the least. It's challenging, but well worth it. Keeping an eye on the big picture.

@mberigan Yes! PT is a critical factor in the successful recovery.  Strength, but most important, range of motion.

When I had my left knee total replacement in 2009, my rehab schedule was similar to yours. Lots of work, but totally the key to success. Are you using lots of ice, or a cold circulation machine to relive pain and inflamation?

Your experience, so far, gives me hope that i may not have to return to the states for replacement surgery.

Here's to your speedy recovery!

Kevin,

After the first few days, not much pain and regular ice. It has been 7 weeks and the biggest problem is the OTHER leg that still has an old knee which has had to do too much work as of late.

I now walk without the need for a crutch/cane but still prefer to have something that gives me balance if I get thrown off balance.

Folks I know that come regularly to Brazil (snowbirds) tend to get their work done here (PB) and seem to find it better/cheaper than back in the USA. I've heard great stories from family in Curitiba as well..... difficult health needs being resolved efficiently and without huge costs.

mberigan

@mberigan

All those big blocks and heavy duty clutch springs decades ago had nothing to do with it eh lol !!

I got lucky, married a Brasilian PT with 30 years of practice on amps and the neurological elderly. Not even close to that group yet, but, at some point it will come in handy.

Hope you all heal up well !!!