Hospital

[Coopie]

Just curious if anyone has had to use the services for any hospital in either the Caribbean or the Bahamas? Saw/heard a horror story on the Doctor's on TV about a gentleman and makes me a bit concerned.

 

Thanks

[sparks1093]

One can find horror stories from any US hospital when it comes down to it. I have read of no complaints of treatment but of course CC is a limited resource.

[Clarea]

Just curious if anyone has had to use the services for any hospital in either the Caribbean or the Bahamas? Saw/heard a horror story on the Doctor's on TV about a gentleman and makes me a bit concerned.

 

Thanks

Travel insurance with Emergency Evacuation coverage.

[MedicKenK]

we had the occasion to use the services of the hospital at St. Maarten. In a nutshell, we should have stayed on the ship. Before I launch into my story I must give you an idea of our, DW & my, medical backgrounds. My DW has spent all of her adult life involved in an Orthopedic practice and I spent 40+ years as a Paramedic and now work in a major hospital Cardiology Department.

 

We went to infirmary on the ship where DW was diagnosed with possible pancreatitis and advised to leave the ship in St. Maarten for "definitive" care. The Ambulance crew arrived at the ship to take us to the hospital. On our arrival at the hospital I was directed to present myself to the billing office to arrange payment for DW treatment and a $100 hold was put on my credit card. Every test that was ordered for DW was accompanied by her going one way and me going another to pay for it. When we left the hospital, against medical advice, I had to settle the ER fee before we could leave. BTW, the shipboard MD, originally said my wife had overindulged in alcohol, she doesn't drink. The MD at St. Maarten implied her condition was due to the "rich food" on the ship, she hadn't eaten any thing but broth for two days.

 

Please feel free to draw your own conclusion.

[klfrodo]

I've heard horror stories about Walter Reed, right next door to you.

 

Not sure what you're looking for.

[GeezerCouple]

we had the occasion to use the services of the hospital at St. Maarten. In a nutshell, we should have stayed on the ship. Before I launch into my story I must give you an idea of our, DW & my, medical backgrounds. My DW has spent all of her adult life involved in an Orthopedic practice and I spent 40+ years as a Paramedic and now work in a major hospital Cardiology Department.

 

We went to infirmary on the ship where DW was diagnosed with possible pancreatitis and advised to leave the ship in St. Maarten for "definitive" care. The Ambulance crew arrived at the ship to take us to the hospital. On our arrival at the hospital I was directed to present myself to the billing office to arrange payment for DW treatment and a $100 hold was put on my credit card. Every test that was ordered for DW was accompanied by her going one way and me going another to pay for it. When we left the hospital, against medical advice, I had to settle the ER fee before we could leave. BTW, the shipboard MD, originally said my wife had overindulged in alcohol, she doesn't drink. The MD at St. Maarten implied her condition was due to the "rich food" on the ship, she hadn't eaten any thing but broth for two days.

 

Please feel free to draw your own conclusion.

 

Very difficult to read your large print and especially the bolding.

[SuiteTraveler]

This is why most people purchase travel insurance that includes evacuation insurance. If you need to visit a hospital in the Caribbean, these 3 are among the better ones:

 

BVI: Peebles Hospital on Tortola

St. Thomas: Roy Lester Schneider Hospital

San Juan: HIMA San Pablo

 

for serious emergencies, you are best off going straight to Miami - usually to a Center of Excellence such as Jackson Memorial.

 

If you have serious health issues where you might need hospitalization, I recommend choosing a different vacation stateside so that a good hospital will be immediately available without having to take a ferry or flight (or both) to get to one.

[buggins0402]

Doesn't the run of mill trip evacuation included under a general trip medical just include evacuation to a hospital that can provide appropriate care as determined by the insurer?

[GeezerCouple]

Doesn't the run of mill trip evacuation included under a general trip medical just include evacuation to a hospital that can provide appropriate care as determined by the insurer?

 

Yes, although the specific wording about "appropriate" might vary - and likewise interpretations may vary.

 

But this is *exactly* why we got MedJetAssist.

(The annual policy isn't that much, and it also covers us for *any* travel more than 150 miles from home, such as regular business or family visits, etc.)

 

The big benefit of MedJetAssist is that *IF* one is admitted as an inpatient to a hospital, then YOU can have MedJetAssist take you to the hospital of YOUR choice in your home country - as long as you are medically stable enough to travel.

 

They'll use means ranging from business class seats with an accompanying RN to a full medevac flight with specialists.

 

The main point is that there is no need to argue with insurance bean counters about "whether or not" the current care is "appropriate".

 

And one doesn't need to expect the local medical staff to declare themselves as "inadequate" for the medical needs.

 

Finally, if one "just wants to go home" to one's own medical care and/or your traveling companion doesn't want to stay in some foreign location for a duration... you can use this.

 

Or ("finally" finally!) one could use it to be transferred to a specialty hospital instead of one's home hospital.

[dd likes to cruise]

Very difficult to read your large print and especially the bolding.

 

Might be your computer. His post looked and read normal to me. Nothing in bold. Now maybe he edited it and it's different then when you read it.

[GeezerCouple]

Might be your computer. His post looked and read normal to me. Nothing in bold. Now maybe he edited it and it's different then when you read it.

 

Odd.

 

It's ONLY his post (including where I quoted/copied it).

 

All the others look "regular".

 

???

[NW SOUTHERNBELLE]

Might be your computer. His post looked and read normal to me. Nothing in bold. Now maybe he edited it and it's different then when you read it.

 

 

Looks normal to me as well.

[GeezerCouple]

Looks normal to me as well.

 

Might be your computer. His post looked and read normal to me. Nothing in bold. Now maybe he edited it and it's different then when you read it.

 

Ah... the poster changed the font in his/her post to

 

""

 

So... I guess you both have your default font set to that, and we don't.

 

Maybe?

 

Thanks.

[sherryf]

Odd.

 

It's ONLY his post (including where I quoted/copied it).

 

All the others look "regular".

 

???

 

For me, the post in question is very large font in a BRIGHT blue. It is a bit straining to the eyes to read.

[MedicKenK]

As an addendum, in a milder font and not blue.

 

We exercised our health insurance here at home and all but $100 was covered. All other expenses were submitted to our travel insurance company with all but a $35 cab fare being paid. One key word is "REIMBURSED".

[GeezerCouple]

As an addendum, in a milder font and not blue.

 

We exercised our health insurance here at home and all but $100 was covered. All other expenses were submitted to our travel insurance company with all but a $35 cab fare being paid. One key word is "REIMBURSED".

 

Thank you for the font change.

 

So much easier to read :)

[Treven]

Another recommendation for MedJet Assist. They have policies for a single person or couple, or family, plus a policy for a single trip or an annual policy for those folks who travel a lot. Their prices are quite reasonable. I always get a policy for all my cruises.

 

Medical evac is what they do, but you must be admitted to a hospital in a foreign country, not just seen in the ER; when I say "foreign country" that's not quite right, but you must be a certain number of miles from home. Most of the time it's going to be from a foreign country tho. They are quite well known here on CC.

Edited July 8, 2016 by Treven

[DRS/NC]

TREVEN --"Another recommendation for MedJet Assist. They have policies for a single person or couple, or family, plus a policy for a single trip or an annual policy for those folks who travel a lot. Their prices are quite reasonable. I always get a policy for all my cruises.

 

Medical evac is what they do, but you must be admitted to a hospital in a foreign country, not just seen in the ER; when I say "foreign country" that's not quite right, but you must be a certain number of miles from home. Most of the time it's going to be from a foreign country tho. They are quite well known here on CC."

 

May I ask -- what medical insurance do you use in addition to MedJet? They cover evacuation only -- right? I'm looking for more medical coverage than

$20,000.

Edited July 9, 2016 by DRS/NC

[GeezerCouple]

TREVEN --"Another recommendation for MedJet Assist. They have policies for a single person or couple, or family, plus a policy for a single trip or an annual policy for those folks who travel a lot. Their prices are quite reasonable. I always get a policy for all my cruises.

 

Medical evac is what they do, but you must be admitted to a hospital in a foreign country, not just seen in the ER; when I say "foreign country" that's not quite right, but you must be a certain number of miles from home. Most of the time it's going to be from a foreign country tho. They are quite well known here on CC."

 

May I ask -- what medical insurance do you use in addition to MedJet? They cover evacuation only -- right? I'm looking for more medical coverage than

$20,000.

 

We've purchased our travel insurance (regular policies) from

 

http://www.TripInsuranceStore.com

 

Steve there (and his crew) are terrific.

But CALL, don't just read the summaries online.

The "fine print" is very important, and also - they'll help you select a policy that includes what you need for your situation, but they won't try to oversell.

 

We've purchased mostly policies from Travelnsured.

Importantly, we've had two claims, and both have been paid promptly, with no nonsense. That's what counts!

[Flatbush Flyer]

One can find horror stories from any US hospital when it comes down to it. I have read of no complaints of treatment but of course CC is a limited resource.

 

 

Unless we're talking about emergency rooms in teaching hospitals in major American cities, the quality of care across the US is a real crap shoot - everything from class A to barely passed the MD licensing exam. Overseas is no different. "Luck of the draw" rules. If you have a serious pre-existing condition and have insured for that (along with medevac) what you want is stabilization in a local ER and agreement of the attending MD that you require care at the hospital of your preference in the US (or wherever you know you'll get A-1 care.

[Flatbush Flyer]

TREVEN --"Another recommendation for MedJet Assist. They have policies for a single person or couple, or family, plus a policy for a single trip or an annual policy for those folks who travel a lot. Their prices are quite reasonable. I always get a policy for all my cruises.

 

Medical evac is what they do, but you must be admitted to a hospital in a foreign country, not just seen in the ER; when I say "foreign country" that's not quite right, but you must be a certain number of miles from home. Most of the time it's going to be from a foreign country tho. They are quite well known here on CC."

 

May I ask -- what medical insurance do you use in addition to MedJet? They cover evacuation only -- right? I'm looking for more medical coverage than

$20,000.

 

 

The issue is not so much "how much coverage." Rather, it is whether you regular insurance covers international (this includes Medicare supplements- you want a supplement that converts to basic coverage once you step out of the US. Also nice is a travel policy that is a primary payer (I.e., you use their $ immediately to get care before your own insurance kicks in.

[DRS/NC]

Thank you both so much!

 

your information is greatly appreciated! Now I know what to ask "Steve" for. My Medicare supplement pays 80% out-of-country but has a lifetime limit. I'd rather protect that for a while. :)

[margeecruiser]

I'll answer the original question, not comment on insurance. One of our cruise friends had a heart attack just before we got to Grand Cayman. He was taken to the hospital in Georgetown. He got excellent care, was treated by English-trained physicians and got appropriate cardiac support. The hospital is not the same as a large teaching hospital with cardiac specialists and cardiac transplant experience, but my hometown hospital doesn't either.

 

Margee

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums mobile app

[Treven]

Thank you both so much!

 

your information is greatly appreciated! Now I know what to ask "Steve" for. My Medicare supplement pays 80% out-of-country but has a lifetime limit. I'd rather protect that for a while. :)

DRS/NC: MedJet Assist only handles medical evacuations only. I highly recommend you check out their web site, http://www.medjetassist.com.

[dickinson]

Many years ago an old school friend told me that while they were on vacation in St Lucia her dh had a heart attack. She said it was awful being in a hospital in a 3rd world country. I don't know the hospital nor what specifically was horrible but I thought I would share that as that seems to be the kind of info you were looking for.