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Recently Answered Questions

Will Medicare cover me if I live (even part time) in Mexico?

Cathie Smith LoCicero - Cathie Smith Insurance

Cathie LoCiero giving a seminar on emergency healthcare options, Baja California Sur, Mexico, pictured – Best Places In The World To Retire – International Living

Medicare does not cover Americans in Mexico. Medicare only covers Americans in the United States. It is for people 65 years and older or some people can get Medicare if they're younger depending on certain medical conditions that they may have.

You can still use your Medicare even if you've lived in Mexico either part-time or full time if you have a supplement to your Medicare. This depends on what kind of supplement you have. There's a special package that you can also get in certain types of supplements that would cover you for immediate emergencies only when you're outside of the United States. There are so many types of supplements and insurance in the United States, on a state-by-state basis.

If you have the Medicare supplement called Plan F, this plan would reimburse you for emergencies. For example, you went to an emergency room in a hospital Mexico because you broke a leg or you had a heart attack, you would generally pay that hospital and then file a claim when you get home to the United States. You would have a deductible and Plan F only reimburses 80 per cent of what they allow. It also only covers you to the point that you're stable. The moment you're stable, you're on your own. It helps you a little bit, but it's only good for an immediate emergency. It does not cover any doctor's visits and continuing hospital care.

Plan F also only covers you during the first 60 days of any trip. That's a big misconception that a lot of people have when they move to Mexico. They think, "I've got a supplement that I paid for and I've got Plan F, so if I have a heart attack or stroke, then I'm covered for the emergency part." You must prove to Medicare when you entered Mexico. I know so because I had a claim so I went through this myself. I had to prove what date I entered Mexico so that they knew that I had not been there for more than 60 days. Plan F would only cover the immediate care for that emergency and anything after that you would have to pay out of your own pocket.

(Cathie LoCiero giving a seminar on emergency healthcare options, Baja California Sur, Mexico, pictured.)

What are the best things to do in and around Placencia, Belize?

Frik De Meyere

Placencia Belize – Best Places In The World To Retire – International Living

On a personal level, with three little kids, I am pretty family-oriented and I have my business. I work day and night.

One of my favorite things to do is dining. There is a family coming over tonight to share with us a private cook event for ten people at the beach. The cook will surprise cook for us, most likely it will be fresh fish. That means we’ll have lobster all cooked right on the table on the beach. That’s what we like to do.

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How are the schools in Nicaragua?

Darrell Bushnell

schools in Nicaragua public school children – Best Places In The World To Retire – International Living

I would not say that the public schools in Nicaragua are good, but they are now much better than they used to be.

The education system of Nicaragua is similar to that of the United States in that the students are supposed to go all the way to high school; and actually, they can go through college almost for free. The teachers are not trained very well and there are only a few textbooks. Because they have so few textbooks, a teacher may spend...

How much do healthcare and medical services cost in Panama?

Elcira Maimone

Elcira Maimonte's daughter's tooth comes out, Chitre, Panama – Best Places In The World To Retire – International Living

The cost for private healthcare and medical services in Panama varies depending on where you go. We also have public healthcare services. If you prefer going to a private clinic, you could go to a general doctor Panama City, which costs about US $50 or less, without insurance, out of pocket.

There are also private clinics in Chitré, where I live, about 3 hours by car from Panama City. However, most people prefer going to Panama City because they have greater...

What do I need to know about living overseas and retiring abroad?

Robert Adams - Retirement Wave

The most important things to know when living or retiring overseas is that you have to be adaptable and flexible. It’s the same for everybody. You will be in a new and very nice environment. In many respects, it might be warmer and you might be outside more often. But there are things that will be different and aren’t done quite the same way as it did back in your country, so you just have to adapt.

If you’re inflexible, if you have to have things...

How long can I be in Portugal before I have to apply for a residency visa?

Luis Rodrigues - Gouveia Pereira, Costa Freitas & Associates, Law Firm, RL

Cafe a Brasileira bakery in Lisbon, Portugal – Best Places In The World To Retire – International Living

The short stay visa, which is the visa that is typically granted to tourists, allows you to stay in Portugal for a maximum consecutive period of 90 days. Therefore, in case you wish to prolong your stay you will need to apply for a longer stay visa.

There are several types of visa granted by the Portuguese authorities, but if you intend to move your residency to Portugal, we recommend applying for the residency visa, which can later be converted into a permanent residency...

Recently Posted Expat Stories

Settled Happily Here In Panamá

Having spent around 5 years researching the best places to retire my wife and I decided that Panama was the best place. We arranged an exploratory trip to judge first hand. We selected a bed and breakfast in Ancon which is strategically placed for easy access to the important places of interest and conveniently just 5 minutes drive to the bridge of the Americas. Nearby Albrook airport was the perfect place to rent a car and only 10 minutes away in a cab.

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Historical Ft. San Lorenzo, Colón, Panamá

Fort San Lorenzo, Colon, Panama

Continuing with the history of the beautiful Fort Lorenzo in Colon Panama, looking towards the sea – Best Places In The World To Retire – International Living

Fort Lorenzo in Colon Panama, looking towards the sea – Best Places In The World To Retire – International Living

Caribbean ocean coast of Panama, one of the oldest tourist sites is the San Lorenzo Fort, near Portabelo and Fort Sherman, built by King Felipe II, from Spain in 1598, situated at the entrance of the large Chagres River, in the province of Colon, Republic of Panama.

San Lorenzo Fort was declared a Patrimony for the Humanity by UNESCO in 1980 for several reasons, including it being historically...

Hanging Out on the Amador Causeway, Panama

Located at the Pacific entrance of the Panama Canal is the Amador Causeway, a road and pedestrian walkway that connects the mainland of Panama City with three islands. This causeway was built with material extracted from the Culebra Cut when the Panama Canal was built from 1904-1914. It provided a breakwater for ships waiting to enter the Canal, and to prevent the buildup of sediment. Later the United States militarized the promontory and fortified it with ordnance during the two...