Job Discussion Forums

[New2Colombia]

What would you do?

I currently carry a USA health insurance policy that costs about $100 per month, but is almost worthless outside the USA (if my medical bills top $7500 in one year, they will pay 70% of further costs). The only reason I keep it is because I am not keen on returning to the USA someday as un-insurable (a near certainty if I drop this policy).

I am in Colombia, but I am not sure if I am going to be able to get a job here, and even if I do get a job here, I may not be able to get a work permit.

So I have a few questions:

(1) Would you even bother trying to get Colombian medical insurance, when you don't have a job, a work permit, or are not even certain of staying here long-term?

(2) If one gets seriously ill and has to go to a hospital, are they going to get stuck with a "gringo price" in the event that they don't have such insurance?

(3) If one choses to travel between countries every 6-9 months and only taking short-term jobs due to visa restrictions or simply by choice, is one literally putting their own financial life at risk (by not carrying local health insurance, do you risk inflated "gringo" prices for local emergency services that could wipe out all your savings)?

(4) Do you think I should continue to carry this USA policy and pay month after month after month even though I am not in the USA?

(5) Do you know of any "broader focused" good expat forums where I can ask these similar questions?

Before I left the USA, I tried to get global coverage plans, but EVERY ONE of them turned me down due to health reasons. I am as healthy as a horse right now, but that is irrelevent to insurance companies.

I looked into all of the travel insurance plans, but obviously they don't suit the needs of long-term expats (you must be physically inside your own home country to apply for them anyway).

Can you think of any ideas or angles I am not considering?

[Insubordination]

You could risk just getting travel insurance since you are not on a work visa but if you are hospitalised and they find out you're working, you're in the shit. I bought a one-year travel insurance policy and it cost me about US$700 (bought it in Australia) last year. Didn't need to claim luckily. So I guess you'd need a good reason for being in Colombia as a tourist that long. They might check out your address etc.

Q4. You should probably keep your US policy because it sounds like it will cost you more in the long-term if you don't. You can always change your mind after a year or so if you decide to stay in Colombia. Ring your insurance company. Can you take a break from the policy because you're on holidays?

I would definitely investigate a Colombian ex-pat forum (hopefully, someone knows a link) and find out what they do. Sometimes, foreign health care isn't too expensive without insurance but there sure would be a big opportunity to fleece a foreigner.

[naturegirl321]

Sometimes, in the case in Peru, it's pretty cheap to get medical stuff done in country, even without insurance.