Question: any suggestions from people who have a positive experience getting out of country emergency medical care actually paid by the insurance carrier vs paying up front and waiting for reimbursement? I am hearing lots of issues lately from Mexico/Costa Rica in regard to the insurance company refusing to pay for treatment.

Theresa Lynn
My mom was hospitalized in playa del Carmen Mexico in Jan 2023, insured through AMA. They were great to deal with and right on top everything. Although we did use a credit card to expedite her treatment, by her second day admitted the hospital had a pre authorized amount for four days, and AMA increases that as was required. They also paid my expenses for staying with her.

Biggest thing I've seen is getting pre-auth when possible. Don't call 3 weeks after to report going to the hospital. Call as soon as you can and before any procedure.
Only issue we ever had was in a US hospital, every department billed separate. Some submitted to insurance and some didn't so it was a nightmare getting it sorted.

Karla this, most companies in their policy require you to call them unless it’s obviously extreme circumstances so that they can send you to a location they accept billing from

In 2018 I broke my leg in Cabo. I had CIBC travel insurance and when I called them to explain what was going on they asked if I wanted to them to direct bill or pay myself and get reimbursement. Worth checking them out.

I had a medical emergency in Mexico last December and am insured through Sunlife. We called prior to going into Emergency and had a claim opened. When we were seen by a doctor we gave them the claim number and everything was billed through the insurance. It's VERY expensive in Mexico compared to Canada for some things but they were quicker than AHS. I was admitted at 11am and I was prepped for surgery by 2pm on December 23, but my 4 day stay was 100k CAD.

L us hospital!

Yvonne it was a private hospital so most likely US. Even prescription drugs and OTC at the many pharmacies are more expensive compared to Canada.

My husband had a medical incident in Mexico City - he went to a local hospital (not an American affiliate). He had numerous tests, treatment, ambulance, CT & Doppler and 4 days in Hospital. They were excellent- Specialists educated in US - one practices in Dallas as well as MX - super clean. They spoke English, nurses, aides, cleaners not so much but Google translate to the rescue. Paid up front $5,000 remimbursed fully and quickly by Allianz.

My dad had a stroke on the plane on the way to Hawaii his 3 day hospital bill was over 250,000 he never paid anything but a prescription that was reimbursed, he had medical through manulife this was in 2023

My husband had a medical emergency last spring. We contacted our travel insurance provided prior to seeing a doctor.
It was on Sunday morning of their long weekend.
We had to pay in advance, then we were in and out in less than an hour. He could have had an ultrasound the next morning but we weren’t going to be in town.
Doctor wrote a prescription and advised us of the closest pharmacy that would be open.
We were reimbursed by insurance company within 2 weeks for the prescription, and by AHS within 3 weeks for doctors visit.

Used AMA/Orion and got hit by a motorcycle in Kenya. Honestly, the healthcare was inexpensive (but TOP NOTCH) so I paid out of pocket without thinking (clean up, stitches, an X-ray). I got about 130$ cdn back out of roughly 200$ I spent after the fact.

My spouse had hospital expenses in Kuala Lumpur several years ago. We had out of country medical through manulife. We had to claim with AHS first as per the manulife process. AHS reimbursed us $50. and took 2 months to process. Then we submitted to manulife. They settled the claim. Within three business weeks the money was deposited direcly in our bank account.

I was ill - we went to an emergency clinic and despite having my travel insurance plan card (annual program), they would not look at it - or me - until the insurance company sent a fax letter that I was covered. I now request an annual letter from MEDOC to carry with me that I am covered and all their contact info (despite being on the card). Just a thought

I had blue cross pay for stitches in the states