Required health insurance to visit as tourist?

frankg69 wrote:

Can tourists buy health insurance after arriving in Ecuador! If so,which company is best for a 71-year-old man?

On my recent trips outside Ecuador, I have been buying a monthly insurance plan (for tourists) from International Medical Group or IMG. 

Google:  IMG travel insurance

My current IMG plan has a $2500 deductible and a half million dollar (US) maximum payout .. and covers me while traveling in this hemisphere although not in the USA.  The premium is under $100 a month.

IMG sells plans online regardless of your location at time of purchase.

I have found the IMG system to be user-friendly and have been a customer off and on since last July.  I have not needed to file an insurance claim.

cccmedia, in Lima, Peru, until January 15, 2019

Thanks for this invaluable info, cccmedia!!

First off we weren't asked about insurance when we arrived last Wednesday so I think that's off the table.
My wife and I are in the middle of dealing with the insurance issue. I`m 72 and she is 70. We are planning to become permanent residents. We have been looking at an insurance company (as far as we know we must get a policy from a private vendor) that charges $540 for the year and also has a monthly rate of $45/pp/month.
If you want more info please let me know.
We're still researching.
Bob

Mr. CCC Media,

Once we are living in Ecuador full time, now only part time, do we need an additional insurance plan if we have IESS? 

Right now we have health insurance through my husband's work.  If he can work full time in Ecuador as of later this year, we will still have his insurance in the USA.  The company VP has to approve.  Don't know why really.  He already works remotely - never goes into the "office."  We will have residental visas if he works in Ecuador, should we get IESS?  Thoughts?

Robin

Bob Read wrote:

We have been looking at an insurance company (as far as we know we must get a policy from a private vendor) that charges $540 for the year and also has a monthly rate of $45/pp/month.

Bob

The government health plan available to Expats via IESS is more expensive than the private policy you discuss, Bob.  I have been paying in the  $70 to $80-something range per month since becoming an IESS subscriber in 2014.  Couples can expect to pay about ten to 12 percent more than an individual.

The IESS plan covers pre-existing conditions after the first couple of months, which private plans in La República almost uniformly do not.  IESS also has no deductibles .. typically assigns your doctor(s) based on availability .. and the website signup requires knowledge of español.

With IESS coverage, age has historically not been an issue for Expats to enroll.

The IESS website was www.iess.gob, though it may have changed.  Google iess ecuador if necessary .. to locate the current site.

cccmedia in Quito

You seem to have some knowledge on things. I have 3 questions. Does the IESS plan pay up front (most plans say you pay up front and they will reimburse you).  When entering the country and planning to stay permanent, do you need any paperwork to bring personal items in your luggage tax free (bigger TV) or do something before hand? Lastly, all my money is currently in my TD Ameritrade account and I can withdraw via ATM with no fees and write checks, do I need an Ecudorian  bank account if I stay permanent?

We're having a meeting with someone with better knowledge than us, a local,today or tomorrow. I'll get back with the findings.

Bigbrad2008 wrote:

Does the IESS plan pay up front? (most plans say you pay up front and they will reimburse you).

Dear Brad,

Other than the monthly premium, there is no payment for care under IESS and thus no reimbursement issue.  Also, as mentioned, there are no deductibles.

Medicines are covered too, although some hospitals in the system run out of some medicines at times.

cccmedia

Bigbrad2008 wrote:

When entering the country and planning to stay permanent, do you need any paperwork to bring personal items in your luggage tax free (bigger TV)...?

Provided you are evidently bringing items only for personal use, historically no paperwork has been necessary upon arrival at the airport for such items.

If you are bringing three-months worth of medicines, it's recommended you also bring your North American prescriptions.  These will also aid in having a doctor in La República refill and adjust your prescriptions as needed later on.

As for bringing in a large TV, if it's really oversized, the Dogs of SENAE might start sniffin' around as to whether some fancy duty might be assessed.  Those critters are unpredictable when non-standard circumstances arise.  I'd bring the receipt of such an item if you still have it so they don't invent an inflated value and base a tax on it.

cccmedia

Thanks, iess sounds like the way to go. Plus I need to get my disability status formalized in Ecuador and this likely is the best route as well.

Bigbrad2008 wrote:

Lastly, all my money is currently in my TD Ameritrade account and I can withdraw via ATM with no fees and write checks.  Do I need an Ecuadorian bank account if I stay permanent?

I was glad to answer the previous question right on this healthcare thread since part of my response touched on a medical issue.

However, this banking question has been transferred to the Fielding Your Questions thread, where I answered it in two posts to avoid going completely   on this thread. https://www.expat.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=477389

You may go to the last page of the Fielding thread and then scroll down to the latest posts.

  -- cccmedia