How much do healthcare and medical services cost in Chapala and Ajijic, Mexico?
Richard Tingen - Coldwell Banker Chapala Realty
Here in the Chapala / Ajijic area, I a doctor would probably charge between 500 and 1000 pesos (US $28 to $55) for a consultation. Personally, I had a cardiologist in Guadalajara that charges me 800 pesos, but he’s a topnotch cardiologist.
Medical care here is very inexpensive. There is a medical insurance here called Seguro Popular, which was instigated by one of our former presidents.
One of my...
Here in the Chapala / Ajijic area, I a doctor would probably charge between 500 and 1000 pesos (US $28 to $55) for a consultation. Personally, I had a cardiologist in Guadalajara that charges me 800 pesos, but he’s a topnotch cardiologist.
Medical care here is very inexpensive. There is a medical insurance here called Seguro Popular, which was instigated by one of our former presidents.
One of my sales people found that his wife had a lump on her breast and had no insurance. He went to Seguro Popular, registered, and in 3 days they had removed the lump and did a biopsy within a week and it didn’t cost him any more than probably about $100 for the whole treatment plus the medication that she had to take after that treatment.
The same coverage is available to expats. They would have to register and get the insurance and of course, they’re going to ask you for your visa.
In our case, as a business, we’re obligated to ensure our employees in Seguro Social, which is another benefit that they would get. Not everybody has Seguro Social, but if you don’t have Seguro Social, you have Seguro Popular. You can get Seguro Popular or you can go directly into the Hospital Civil. The Civil Hospital in Guadalajara is an amazing and great, great hospital, and you don’t even have to have any insurance at all and they will take care of you there. It’s really good care. A paint contractor I know who does a lot of work for us needs a kidney transplant and he is going to go to the Seguro Social hospital. His brother is going to donate him a kidney, and it will cost him very little, if anything. This hospital in Guadalajara happens to be one of the best transplant hospitals in the whole country for kidneys.
Another thing that’s very interesting that not so many people know is that any woman or child that has cancer gets free treatments through the social security hospitals. They will even rebuild a breast free. It doesn’t cost them anything.
(Doctor and patient in the Seguro Popular program, pictured.)
Are there tax advantages or disadvantages if I retire, work or live abroad?
Jay Butler - Asset Protection Services of America
If you are U.S. citizen with foreign earned income and are (or will be) a bona fide resident of a foreign country for any entire year, or physically present in a foreign country for no less than 330 days during a year, then you may qualify for the "Foreign Earned Income Exclusion" as allowed by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS):
Advantage to Working Abroad - The Foreign Earned Income Exclusion
If you are a U.S. citizen or a resident alien of...
If you are U.S. citizen with foreign earned income and are (or will be) a bona fide resident of a foreign country for any entire year, or physically present in a foreign country for no less than 330 days during a year, then you may qualify for the "Foreign Earned Income Exclusion" as allowed by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS):
Advantage to Working Abroad - The Foreign Earned Income Exclusion
If you are a U.S. citizen or a resident alien of the United States and you live abroad, you are taxed on your worldwide income. However, you may qualify to exclude from income up to an amount of your foreign earnings that is now adjusted for inflation:
$91,400 for 2009
$91,500 for 2010
$92,900 for 2011
$95,100 for 2012
In addition, you can exclude or deduct certain foreign housing amounts. You may want to research or inquire about IRS form 2555 for more information.
Disadvantage to Retiring Abroad - Receiving SSI and Medicare
Although you should still be eligible to receive Social Security (SS) irrespective of where you live, if you are a U.S. citizen and move offshore Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Medicare payments will cease to be paid. SSI is taxpayer funded program which assists the blind, elderly, low income and disabled and is not available to U.S. citizens living abroad. Likewise, Medicare provides no coverage overseas but may be available for those who are living in a foreign country for an undetermined period of time and have plans to return.
As with any tax matter, it is always advisable to seek the competent advise of a tax professional.
What’s my best strategy for health insurance for retiring in Belize?
Maria Gomez
The best strategy for health insurance for retiring in Belize is you should purchase your coverage in the US that has air ambulance coverage attached to it. Most of the time that insurance will work to take you to Mexico or Guatemala, and those areas are as good as the US and they're fairly nearby.
They have hospitals in these places that are up to US standards, and Belize also has transportation to these areas about an hour away. There's transportation by air...
The best strategy for health insurance for retiring in Belize is you should purchase your coverage in the US that has air ambulance coverage attached to it. Most of the time that insurance will work to take you to Mexico or Guatemala, and those areas are as good as the US and they're fairly nearby.
They have hospitals in these places that are up to US standards, and Belize also has transportation to these areas about an hour away. There's transportation by air to Guatemala, Cancun or Merida, and to Mexico City. It's about an hour away where you can get medical attention. Some people go to these areas for a more reasonable cost. Tropic Air Belize goes there every day.
Retirees, especially over 60 or 70 years of age, need to keep their doctors in the United States or wherever they’re from, and try to make an annual visit just in case. Even if they don't have a major problem, it is a good idea just to keep in touch with your home country doctors because we always want to get a second opinion.
Medical insurance can be bought locally and it can be an international policy that will cover you in Belize and take you abroad.
We have group policies that are much cheaper than personal policies; but it’s used for employees of a business only. Group policies could run you about BZ $ 300 (US $150).
Panamá, as a very well known international business center, offers all kinds of interesting business opportunities. Therefore, many major corporations, and some banks, large law offices, among others, offers banking transactions in
U.S. dollars, as well as (European) Euros.
Even though the official currency of Panamá is called the "Balboa," the normal currency around the country is the U.S....
Panamá, as a very well known international business center, offers all kinds of interesting business opportunities. Therefore, many major corporations, and some banks, large law offices, among others, offers banking transactions in
U.S. dollars, as well as (European) Euros.
Even though the official currency of Panamá is called the "Balboa," the normal currency around the country is the U.S. dollar, which has the same value. You can get Panamanian coins as change, or for souvenirs. If you want to transfer money, or purchase and international money order, no "Balboas" are mentioned, just US dollars.
The economy in Panamá has been very stable since Panamá is a republic, and the economic growth continues at a very high speed every year, offering multiple opportunities to those who want to invest, or open businesses here. As a matter of fact, a large industrial area, called "Panamá Pacífico" hosts over 140 multinationals that have decided to transfer their headquarters offices to Panamá because of the enormous benefits and stability in the country.
(The logo for the pharmaceutical company, Pfizer Inc. which has a branch in Panama, pictured.)
Is it safe to drink the water in Granada, Nicaragua?
Paul Daemen - Aurora Granada
Drinking water from the local tab in Granada is very safe. We have been here since 2015 and have had no issues drinking tab water wherever we go. Safe travels and enjoy your stay.
Drinking water from the local tab in Granada is very safe. We have been here since 2015 and have had no issues drinking tab water wherever we go. Safe travels and enjoy your stay.
How are Americans and British in Portugal treated? How are expats in Portugal treated generally?
Carol Bartlett Ribeiro - Carol Bartlett Ribeiro, Property Consultant
It is important to note that the Portuguese are extremely helpful and respectful towards foreigners. Obviously, if an American or English person or other foreigner spoke to them badly or rudely a Portuguese person would reply in kind. But in many cases the Portuguese are far nicer to foreigners and more helpful to them than they are to many of their own people.
Here’s a story to illustrate the point. We have a bridge here that goes over the...
It is important to note that the Portuguese are extremely helpful and respectful towards foreigners. Obviously, if an American or English person or other foreigner spoke to them badly or rudely a Portuguese person would reply in kind. But in many cases the Portuguese are far nicer to foreigners and more helpful to them than they are to many of their own people.
Here’s a story to illustrate the point. We have a bridge here that goes over the river that is like the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco except that it’s about 2 meters longer. An American company contracted to build it. At the time our president was Antonio de Olveira Salazar, who said, “I would like you to do this so that one day they’ll be able to put a railway line underneath it.” That day came about 15 years ago when they put the railway underneath. Many of the same people that did the original construction came here and I was going around with a lot of them looking for accommodations. Many of the Americans were a little bit surprised because they kept saying (about the country in general), “This isn’t like America.” And I said, “Well, it’s not America but if I could offer some advice it would be to find something to like.” I’ve lived in quite a few countries and I think it’s so important from the minute you arrive to find something to like—bottle of wine, a person, a place.
(Antonio de Olveira Salazar in 1940, Prime Minister of Portugal from 1932 to 1968, pictured.)
A couple of months later, one of the people I offered this advice to called me and said, “Caroline, I was riding my bicycle and had an accident. This Portuguese couple stopped and took me to a hospital. The man took my bicycle to have it fixed and the woman called me every day to ask me how I was recovering. And the only thing I could think of was to phone Caroline to say thank you I found something to like.”
There’s a lot more English spoken here now than there was several years ago. If a Portuguese person doesn’t speak English well, they will still try. And most of the people now speak English so they are very, very nice to all foreigners.
The sun is barely peeking over the horizon as I grab a cup of coffee and step into my yard. There are a few clouds and as the sun catches them they light up and create a spectacular sunrise to start the day. As I sip my coffee, I enjoy a multitude of vibrant and colorful flowers and lush foliage.
The air is sweet and clean (not much pollution here). I love the fragrance from the flowers and some...
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