It is wise to have a PLAN in place for emergencies. A heart attack or car accident may leave you with the only EXPENSIVE option. Doctors take vacations, friends are traveling, and you have an emergency — who will you call? My suggestion for all people who live around Chapala Lake, is that they JOIN Lakeside Medical. Call with any emergency and they send Ambulance.  After 5 hospital stays and 4 cardiologists, and lots of pesos out of pocket, I highly recommend joining Lakeside Medical.  Dr Sergio Morret Rivera, Cardiologist. Office visits are 100 pesos.

1) Medicare on its own will cover zero without a supplement. If you have an emergency hospital visit, you will be required to pay UPFRONT in pesos for the entire anticipated stay.

2) Enroll in Medicare at your selected retirement age and do not drop it, otherwise you will pay a penalty for every year you skipped away to get back into the Medicare system.

3) There are insurance agents that lives in the USA who know nothing about International health insurance. Seminars are conducted at Lakeside Medical Group to explain options. Lakeside Medical Group files all insurance forms which is a HUGE benefit.

4) United Healthcare Advantage – is the supplement plan that we chose. The cost is zero to enroll, and zero per month. We just pay our Medicare premium. Lakeside Medical did all the paperwork, and filed the claim with United Healthcare. Our co-pay $150 for 3 days at RMC hospital, which is in the Lakeside Medical Network.

5) Join Lakeside Medical in San Antonio, Tlayacapan for any EMERGENCY medical care. It is a FREE enrollment, and zero monthly fee. They verify your insurance then you get a Lakeside membership card and are in the system.  Zero deductible, Zero Co-Insurance, with minimum co-pay fees. www.lakemedicalgroup.com

You can call and make inquiries from USA 1-888-449-7799 or from Mexico 01-800-681-9396.  They accept over 350 American Health Care Insurance Companies. United Healthcare, Blue Cross, Cigna, Tricare, Medicare Advantage Plans.  MOST IMPORTANT! For any emergency you MUST call Lakeside Medical first as they prearrange what NETWORK hospital to take you to depending on your emergency. 

Lakeside Medical Hospitals in the Network: 1) Riberas Medical Center RMC address is Libramiento Carretera 153 Ajijic, Jalisco 45922. 24-7 Emergency Services, Board Certified Specialists, Emergency Room, Advanced ICU, Intermediate ICU, Urgent Care, surgical rooms, labs and diagnostics, pharmacy, primary care, ambulance services,CT Scan, MRI, Ultrasound, Hemodynamic Unit. 2) Hospital Santa Maria Chapalita address Ave Niño Obrero 1666 Colonia Chapalita Zapopan, Jalisco 45040 Offers 24-7 Emergency Services, Board Certified Specialists, Emergency Room, Advanced ICU, Intermediate ICU, Urgent Care, surgical rooms, labs and diagnostics, pharmacy, primary care, ambulance services,CT Scan, MRI, Ultrasound, Hemodynamic Unit. 3) Hospital Justo Sierra address Calle Justo Sierra 2420 Guadalajara, Jalisco 44130. Offers 24-7 Emergency Services, Board Certified Specialists, Emergency Room, Urgent Care, surgical rooms, labs and diagnostics, pharmacy, primary care, ambulance services, CT Scan, MRI, Ultrasound. 4) Hospital Pablo Neruda address Ave Pablo Neruda 4150, Universitaria Guadalajara, Jalisco 45110. Offers 24-7 Emergency Services, Board Certified Specialists, Emergency Room, Urgent Care, surgical rooms, labs and diagnostics, pharmacy, primary care, ambulance services, CT Scan, MRI, Ultrasound

The benefit of having a LAKESIDE MED membership is found in my experience listed below. Your personal Lakeside membership card is to be carried with you and the ER numbers are on the back.  If you get in a car accident in Manzanillo, or in Guad, call Lakeside Medical FIRST. They have a network of hospitals throughout Mexico that will admit you with minimum paperwork – you are in the system.

• Dr Morett, Cardiologist phone 331-656-5307 for appointment. Dr Morett is now a member of Lakeside Medical. Schedule through his office or Lakeside Medical. Dr Morett have a casa at Lakeside and are ready and available.
• EMERGENCY PLAN

LAKESIDE MEDICAL Join and get your insurance pre-approved 376-766-0395

EMERGENCY Oxygen can be delivered to your home CALL Aurora Empresa Oxigeno 333-104-5218

DRUGS: IF YOU LIVE ALONE and NEED prescription filled and delivered, it will COST extra, but it is worth it when you cannot breathe and your friends are not available. CALL IVAN who speaks ENGLISH and delivers all the way to Mazamitla. 331-712-2093 or 376-765-5827

WHEN TRAVELING: I keep this blog post HANDY in case I get in an accident in PV, or Manzanillo. Just saying stash the info so you have QUICK ACCESS.