Alto Al Crimen Medical Discount Plan Announcement

[NewsLady]

Alto al Crimen announces a very economical medical discount plan---Ready Now!!

 

A big thanks to the large crowd who attended our presentation at the Tuesday Meeting this week. But even a large crowd at the BCP theater is only a small fraction of the people in Boquete's expat community. Consequently, we're sending this announcement via local internet media to be able to reach a much larger segment of the expat population here.

This is a long announcement; please bear with us and read it all the way through. We need to convey this information to all expats who need a low-cost medical discount plan.

What we targeted was an extremely affordable medical discount plan that will give people access to good medical care from good doctors and a good hospital

First, think about this. If you want to fly from New York City to Bangkok, you can fly on Emirates Airlines business class for more than $7200 or you could book economy class on another airline for a little over $500. Emirates would lavish you with luxury, including cold, scented towels to put on your neck, but the bottom line is you would get to Bangkok either way.

I say that to say this. You can have a high end luxury medical discount plan or insurance policy if you want it and can afford it. Or you can have a fully adequate plan with low prices and large discounts. Most of the time people pay insurance premiums on their houses and cars while sincerely hoping they don't have a car accident or a house fire or a burglary. Most of the time they win their bets and have no claims during the year. The same is true with medical insurance or other plans. But if you DO have a problem, it is good to have a way to keep your costs as low as possible.

The plan Alto al Crimen is able to make available to our existing “members” and others in the community who wish to sign up for our AAC Hotline service is with a hospital you possibly have not even heard of. The hospital is Hospital Cooperativo, and the plan is called “Medicina Solidaria.” A good translation of “Medicina Solidaria” is people supporting and backing up medical care for themselves and other people. Hospital Cooperativo is truly a cooperative organization which charges low prices and operates on a truly cooperative, non-profit basis. At each year's end any gains that might otherwise be thought of as profits are used for developing and improving the hospital and its services and not paid to any investors.

Hospital Cooperativo is a small hospital. It has ten hospital rooms (There are 12 rooms at hospital Mae Lewis.) There are 15 to 20 affiliated doctors, a small staff of nurses and an administrative staff.

 

The hospital has an emergency room, a pharmacy, a small cafeteria and a laboratory capable of performing most normal laboratory functions. It has a well-equipped operating room, an X-ray facility and an untrasound room. Most of the staff speak no English, but many of the doctors do speak English. The hospital director has a son who is a doctor in David who could be called on to translate for emergency room patients. Also, Franc Lugo, our AAC Hotline operator can call ahead for people enroute by ambulance, explain the nature of the medical problem and stand by to translate by telephone.

 

The hospital offers services in the following medical areas: General Medicine, Internal Medicine, Emergency Room, Pediatric Medicine, Surgery, Gynecology, Cardiology, Cardiovascular Medicine, Otolaryngology, Radiology, Orthopedics, Reumatology, Dermatology, Physical medicine and Rehabilitation, Physical Therapy, Nutrition and Psychology

 

As I have mentioned, every effort is made to keep prices low because the mission of the hospital to to provide good medical services at prices people can afford. There is emphasis on not ordering unnecessary laboratory tests or X-rays---only what is needed.

 

Here is a list of applicable discounts for group members.

 

Emergency Room – 50%

Operating Room – 30%

Hospital Rooms – 30%

Injections – 30%

Medicines in the Farmacy – 25%

Specialist Consults -- 20%

Laboratory Tests – 30%

Ultrasound – 20%

X-rays – 20%

Intravenous fluids – 20%

 

As an example to put the discounts in context, the cost to a group member for Emergency Room service is $7.50, and the daily cost for a hospital room is $42 to $49.

 

As more members are added to the group, the hospital will continue to improve and expand its facilities. When the group (including Panamanians and expats) reaches 2,000 members, there will be a reduction in the already-low cost. There are already plans for next year to add 4 to 5 more beds, to enlarge the laboratory and to add three offices for doctors.

 

Hospital Cooperativo is the ONLY cooperative hospital in Panama, and it has been in operation for thirty years.

 

If you are well-off financially and want full medical insurance with all the bells and whistles, that is very reasonable for you. But if you are looking for a way to have quality medical care at low and discounted prices the Medicina Solidaria plan Alto al Crimen can make available is very possibly your best choice. If you are paying or considering paying $2,000 to $5,000 per year for medical insurance, instead you could become a member of the AAC/Hospital Cooperativo plan and put the insurance premiums in a savings account for medical contingencies. All your routine medical care could be taken care of through the very inexpensive discount plan. If you need no expensive procedures, your money will still be in the bank for future use, and you can add more every year. If you were paying medical insurance premiums, they would be gone whether or not you had any major expenses..

 

HOW MUCH? We will offer the group plan and include your AAC Hotline service for $150 per year. For other persons in the same household, the cost will be $125 per year. Because of the very low cost, there are no other family discounts. We need to require annual payments to minimize bookkeeping costs and administrative hassles. There is no waiting period, and there are no pre-existing condition restrictions. Also there are no age limits.

 

We have an enrollment open season through January 17, 2017. Thereafter membership renewals will be due in January every year. Each group member will be issued a wallet card for use at the hospital, and each doctor's office and other hospital office that provides services will have a list of all annual-paid members to verify their status.

 

Signing up involves executing a simple contract, providing personal information for your wallet card and paying $150 by check or cash. If you are not already registered for the AAC Hotline service, you will need to sign up and provide information for our data base, including detailed directions for finding hour home.

 

Depending on the level of demand, we will have one or more sign-up opportunities before the last sign-up day on 17 January 2017. Several ;people did not have their money of check books this week, so another sign-up opportunity is being scheduled for December 20 at the BCP market, where we will have a table.

 

Below is an English translation of the Medicina Solidaria contract. For legal reasons, the actual contracts will be in Spanish.

 

PLAN SOLIDARIO OF COOPERATIVE HEALTH

In the city of David, Province of Chiriqui, Republic of Panama, on the _______ day of the month _________ in the year ______---. between the COOPERATIVO DE SALUD CENTRAL DE URGENCIAS MEDICAS, R.L. (CUMECOOP, R.L.) a non-profit entity located in the district of David, Barriada Manuel Quintero Villarreal, Avenida Tercera  West and C Street North, represented in this act by Dr. Ruben Dario Corre, male Panamanian, adult, married, with cedula #6-9-101 in his position of President of the Directors of the Cooperative. The following are the clauses & conditions of the plan.

FIRST CLAUSE: The COOPERATIVO DE SALUD CENTRAL DE URGENCIAS MEDICAS, R.L. (CUMECOOP, R.L.) will offer the USER of the PLAN SOLIDARIO OF COOPERATIVE HEALTH that credits your status such that the Medical Servicess stipulated in CLAUSE 6 of this agreement & whose scope of coverage is established only within the installations of Hospital Cooperativo, located in the city of David, Province of Chiriqui, Republic of Panama.

SECOND CLAUSE: in order to credit your status as a USER of the PLAN SOLIDARIO OF COOPERATIVE HEALTH, you commit to pay $10.00 monthly for the direct discount _______ or pay voluntarily through the window _____ to the COOPERATIVO DE SALUD CENTRAL DE URGENCIAS MEDICAS, R.L. (CUMECOOP, R.L.) (AAC NOTE: AAC members will only make annual payments, and no monthly payments will be involved.)

THIRD CLAUSE: The COOPERATIVO DE SALUD CENTRAL DE URGENCIAS MEDICAS, R.L. commits to furnish an ID card to identify you as a beneficiary of the services. It will also furnish a card for registering payment & health services received at Hospital Cooperativo.

(AAC NOTE: AAC members will not need the payment record card. In actuality, it does not have spaces to show health services received. A list of annual-paid members will be places in every doctor's office and other service location in the hospital to verify your paid status.)

FOURTH CLAUSE: This cooperative health plan agreement grant the benefit of discounts only to the person who signs this contract and is not transferable. In order to receive the benefits authorized to the USER of the PLAN SOLIDARIO OF COOPERATIVE HEALTH, the person must present his card & the card that also lists the monthly payments. (AAC NOTE: AAC will arrange for an official annotation on the card to show payment has been made until a date one year after the date of the contract.)

FIFTH CLAUSE: The user of the plan must complete his monthly payments of $10.00. If that is not done, he will lose coverage, and the contract will be terminated without any refunds. (AAC NOTE: This will not apply except after the date one year after the date of the contract when another annual payment will be due. If that payment is not made, the services will be terminated.)

SIXTH CLAUSE: The COOPERATIVA CENTRAL DE URGENCIAS MEDICAS, R.L. commits to give discounts for the following health services offered at Hospital Cooperativo:

 EMERGENCY ROOM CONSULT ….50%

 OPERATING ROOM ….....................30%

 HOSPITAL ROOM….........................30%

 START IV (VENOCLISIS).................30%

 MEDICINES FROM PHARMACY ....25%

 SPECIALIST CONSULTS ..............20%

 LABORATORY TESTS …...............30%

 ULTRASOUND TESTS …...............30%

 X-RAYS …........................................30%

 INTRAVENOUS APPLICATIONS ...30%

After reading this contract and its clauses and in witness whereof, the parties hereby proceed to sign the same.

Given in the city of David on the __________________ day of _________________

of the year _____________

__________________________________       ____________________________

USER OF THE PLAN SOLIDARIO DE . Dr. Luis Wong to. CDD: 4-95-987 SALUD COOPERATIVA CUMECOOP R.I. Administrative Director

 

“COOPERATIVE MEDICINE:   The Alternative Model of Health Services Management in Panama”

 

If anyone would like a copy of the PowerPoint slides from the presentation on Tuesday, please send an email request to rhgusn@yandex.com, and one will be sent to you. This is a bit cumbersome, but I don't yet have the PowerPoint file posted on a web site.

 

 

Alto al Crimen is a non-profit foundation which provides valuable community services and is funded by donations. We need and solicit your support. We need you to help us so that we can help you.

[Keith Woolford]

Detailing the benefits of a first class flight to Bangkok in a discussion about group health care services seems more characteristic of a red herring than an analogy,   but in any case, the efforts by AAC are appreciated.

 

Edited December 16, 2016 by Keith Woolford

[Admin_01]

On 12/15/2016 at 7:00 AM, NewsLady said:

If anyone would like a copy of the PowerPoint slides from the presentation on Tuesday, please send an email request to rhgusn@yandex.com, and one will be sent to you. This is a bit cumbersome, but I don't yet have the PowerPoint file posted on a web site.

Bob,

Send a copy of the PowerPoint to support@chiriqui.life and I will get it posted here for you.

[Moderator_02]

The 27 page PowerPoint presentation discussed above has been forwarded to CL for posting. In order to maximize the number of readers who can access that content it has been converted to a PDF format.

If you would like to provide this document to friends and family, then note two important points:

1. Use the link http://www.chiriqui.life/topic/4359-alto-al-crimen-medical-discount-plan-announcement/?do=findComment&comment=12309
2. Only registered CL members can download content. Registration is free, and requires only a few bits of information. Once registered on CL, then you may download any of the public content that has been posted.

Click on this link to download the presentation materials ==> MED PLAN PRESENTATION 12-16.pdf

[Bob G]

14 hours ago, Keith Woolford said:

 

 

Quote

The point of the Emirates Airlines analogy was to show that people can do what they want or need to do expensively or inexpensively.  Where is the fallacy in that?  People who have plenty of money can very reasonably decide to do something the expensive way.  But people who don't have a lot of money are usually better off choosing a way to do something that is affordable for them.  If I had lots of money, I would fly from New York to Bangkok on Emirates and pay $7,500.  But I don't have lots of money, so I would take a $500 flight.  The same applies to medical discount plans or medical insurance plans.  If people can easily afford $5,000 a year for high-end insurance, there is no reason that they should not buy it.  But for many people it makes more sense to use a low-cost discount plan like the AAC--Hospital Cooperativo plan and put the insurance premiums saved into a savings account.  Every year, the insurance premiums are just gone, even if you had no significant medical expenses.  But if you set the money aside and don't need it, it's still there the next year.  And you can add some more to it.  

In over eight years, all my bills for doctors, hospitals, tests, etc. have totaled less than $3,000.  I would feel pretty bad if I had been paying $2,000 annual insurance premiums for eight years.

The goal of Alto al Crimen is to provide a non-profit community service bilingual emergency Hotline so that people can call for assistance in cases of police, fire or medical emergencies.  We operate only on donations.  We have found and arranged for a low-cost, non-profit source of medical services because it is in agreement with our concept of helping people with quality services at very low costs.  If you see and like the wisdom of this approach, join and support Alto Al Crimen and become a member of the Hospital Cooperativo medical services discount plan.

 

 

Quote

 

 

[Bonnie]

Bob, I'm unclear on something. The discount list indicates a 20% discount for "specialist consults." Are other visits to a doctor at Hospital Cooperativo discounted as well? Am I correct in my understanding that consultations with specialists outside the Hospital Cooperativo network are not discounted?

In the presentation on Tuesday Dr. Wong said that cases which cannot be handled by Hospital Cooperativo would be referred to another hospital, probably nearby Hospital Chiriqui, There was some confusion about whether such referrals would be discounted under the plan. The translator indicated they would be, but I believe you said they would not. Did I understand you correctly?

I suggest that you put the information about the plan on the AAC website where people can access it without searching.

[JohnF13]

So now the elephant in the room.  $80/yr for RD, $150 for AAC coverage plus donations.  Seeing as I cant fly Emirates, I guess the first one is a better choice.

[Keith Woolford]

42 minutes ago, JohnF13 said:

So now the elephant in the room.  $80/yr for RD, $150 for AAC coverage plus donations.  Seeing as I cant fly Emirates, I guess the first one is a better choice.

The problem with that assumption is that fees at Mae Lewis are unknown.

According to several folks I know who have been treated there recently, charges are arbitrarily determined according to the administration's perception of the patient's ability to pay.

Edited December 17, 2016 by Keith Woolford

[The Cutting Edge]

Where is the Hospital located?

[Keith Woolford]

4 minutes ago, The Cutting Edge said:

Where is the Hospital located?

[Roger B]

2 hours ago, Keith Woolford said:

The problem with that assumption is that fees at Mae Lewis are unknown.

According to several folks I know who have been treated there recently, charges are arbitrarily determined according to the administration's perception of the patient's ability to pay.

Keith

..... and that is illegal.  If this is what is happening it is illegal and could be acussed of bad business practices with the ACODECO.

 

 

[MarieElaine]

Correct me if I am wrong Keith, but it is my understanding that most of the socialized medical plans in other countries including Canada, have set fees for most procedures so gouging is not necessarily an issue.  Countries who do not regulate fees nation wide run the risk of exactly what is happening here.  I am of the opinion that if you are referred to another hospital other than Cooperativo you would not get a discount.  The other hospital would have to be a subscriber to the plan for that to work and it is my understanding that this plan is only honored by Cooperativo.  The real issue is if Cooperativo is able to provide a comprehensive list of procedures particularly geared towards our older expat community.  I think we need more information about what services and procedures are offered by Cooperativo.

[MarkoBoquete]

On 12/17/2016 at 7:44 AM, Keith Woolford said:

The problem with that assumption is that fees at Mae Lewis are unknown.

This is exactly the point of the Rodny Direct membership plan. Keep It Simple Panama, who works with Rodny Direct has the up to date fees. If you are a member of Rodny Direct, call Irma or Gloria at Keep It Simple Panama and you will you can learn the fees and what your discount will be. 

Edited December 19, 2016 by MarkoBoquete
wrong info

[JudyS]

Is there a phone number for Irma or Gloria?  Why can't you just post the fees instead of requiring everyone to call them?

[Pederhaney]

From reading the last notice sent out by Rodny Direct, it appears as though there are fees for the services of "Keep It Simple Panama"; i.e, $25 per hour or $15, if you are a RD member.  Apparently this is a marketing tool to get you to make a contact, otherwise the fees would be published.  The Irma phone number is also in the last RD notice. 

Here's the bulk of the notice:

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Rodny Direct Member Services Announces Health Discount Benefits for Members and their Families

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December 16, 2016 

For immediate release

 

Rodny Direct Member Services announces:

 

Health Discount Benefits for Rodny Direct members and their families

 

 

Hospital Mae Lewis is offering Rodny Direct members a 20% discount on all hospital services, such as room rates, MRIs, ultrasounds, CAT scans, X-rays, lab work and more. It costs you nothing above your normal $80 annual Rodny Direct membership. 

 

This 20% discount is valid for all Rodny Direct members regardless of pre-exiting conditions or age. There is a 22% discount on the list price of medications. The discounts include the normal jubilado discount. But for those who are not jubilado, the full 20% is in effect. 

 

These discounts at Mae Lewis hospital begin January 1, 2017 and will be reviewed as to success in April 2017. Mae Lewis reserves the right to cancel the program on May 1, 2017. However, if the program succeeds as we expect, it will be continued thereafter.

 

You may know that Rodny works closely with Irma Castillo Smith from Keep It Simple Panama to put this program in place and help manage hospital issues. Her consulting fee is $25 per hour, discounted to $15 for Rodny Direct members with the first hour free. Irma can also work for you as an advocate to obtain discounts from physicians who are not currently part of this plan. 

 

Rodny is not authorized to publish the Mae Lewis price list, but if you need prices for procedures, call Irma or Gloria. They have all the current information.

 

This discount program is the first that we are announcing. It is possible because of your power as part of the Rodny Direct membership group. It costs you nothing above your normal $80 annual Rodny Direct membership. 

 

 

Summary:

• Hospital Mae Lewis - All hospital-provided services are discounted for Rodny Direct members - including pharmacy, MRI and CAT scans, room rates etc. 
• No additional charge to RD members
• Covers your entire family under your $80 per year Rodny Direct membership
• Class A facilities, English-speaking staff
• No age or pre-existing condition restrictions
• In association with Keep It Simple Panama, your personal medical advocate if you so desire
• Simple, secure, professional online registration - no paperwork or Spanish contract to sign

 

Rodny Moreno Fuentes

President, Rodny Direct

6573-0141

 

Irma Castillo Smith

President 

Keep It Simple Panama

6716-2843

 

Gloria Martinez

Customer Service Manager

Keep It Simple Panama

730 5263 or 730 5960

Edited December 19, 2016 by Pederhaney

[Bonnie]

From the Rodny Direct notice: " Rodny is not authorized to publish the Mae Lewis price list . . . ."

I seriously doubt--and I'm sure Mark will correct me if I'm wrong--that a telephone call to determine the cost of a hospital service would constitute a "consultation." If I correctly understand the roles of Irma and Gloria, it is to serve as facilitators or mediators with the hospital/doctors if needed.

Phone numbers, as published in the RD notice:

Irma Castillo Smith: 6716-2843

Gloria Martinez: 730-5263 or 730-5960

As I recall, Irma does not speak English. Does Gloria? Or does one consult with them via Rodny?

Perhaps Mark or Rodny can tell us the qualifications of Irma and Gloria to serve in this capacity.

[Brundageba]

Both Irma and Gloria are totally fluent.   Gloria is an English teacher and previously resided in the USA for years.

As it stands rights now ( and improvements are anticipated)  the Rodny Direct service is a super deal for those who have just settled here, are not yet permanent residents and do not speak Spanish.  It is the most cost effective plan to reduce medical costs, facilitate navigation through a foreign system with the help of either Irma or Rodny. I wish the service was around when my husband and i arrived 10 years ago.

Alison

Edited December 19, 2016 by Brundageba

[MarkoBoquete]

Anyone who attended the Tuesday Meeting where Irma and Gloria spoke knows that they speak perfect English and are consummate professionals. Mae Lewis doesn't publicly publish a price list for the same reason as all other hospitals - prices change and the services are complex.  Keep It Simple Panama has offered the first hour of consulting to Rodny Direct members for free. 

Again, if you were at the Tuesday Meeting, you will recall that Irma received cheers and applause from audience members who had been her clients when she was administering MS Panama insurance at Hospital Chiriqui. She has worked for many years inside the health industry in Panama and now as Keep It Simple Panama knows how to navigate the system on behalf of her Rodny Direct members and private clients. 

[Keith Woolford]

Quote

Anyone who attended the Tuesday Meeting where Irma and Gloria spoke...

Again, if you were at the Tuesday Meeting..

Since all of those who may be interested in health services can't attend every Tuesday morning meeting, it might be in everyone's best interest just to publish the information.

Some of these announcements leave people with more questions than answers.

Edited December 19, 2016 by Keith Woolford

[Bonnie]

4 hours ago, MarkoBoquete said:

Anyone who attended the Tuesday Meeting where Irma and Gloria spoke knows that they speak perfect English and are consummate professionals. Mae Lewis doesn't publicly publish a price list for the same reason as all other hospitals - prices change and the services are complex.  Keep It Simple Panama has offered the first hour of consulting to Rodny Direct members for free. 

Again, if you were at the Tuesday Meeting, you will recall that Irma received cheers and applause from audience members who had been her clients when she was administering MS Panama insurance at Hospital Chiriqui. She has worked for many years inside the health industry in Panama and now as Keep It Simple Panama knows how to navigate the system on behalf of her Rodny Direct members and private clients. 

Sorry. I had my Irmas mixed up.

[MarkoBoquete]

8 hours ago, Keith Woolford said:

Since all of those who may be interested in health services can't attend every Tuesday morning meeting, it might be in everyone's best interest just to publish the information.

Some of these announcements leave people with more questions than answers.

Keith, as a member in good standing of Rodny Direct, or in fact anyone in the general public with a question, you are welcome to ask at info@rodnydirect.com. Want to know the cost of an MRI at Mae Lewis? Just ask. No charge. Honest and direct answers. 

By the way, if you are interested in this topic, you might want to catch the presentation this Tuesday by Dr. Diaz regarding primary care in Boquete. Just a hint. 

[Keith Woolford]

Quote

By the way, if you are interested in this topic, you might want to catch the presentation this Tuesday by Dr. Diaz regarding primary care in Boquete. Just a hint.

My interest is in the discount plans being offered at health care facilities in David, and as always, I'm looking for any information that might be required to make informed decisions.

This is the first time I've read about the background of RD's associate, for example.

If information about any community service is limited to those in attendance at the BCP on Tuesdays, the service provider will be missing a share of his or her market. 

I do appreciate the efforts on the part of both organizations.

Edited December 20, 2016 by Keith Woolford

[Brundageba]

All things considered our community here is  far ahead of the rest in terms of services offered foreign residents and locals as well.    Rodny Direct service (that morphed big time out of the still operational AC group) and AC are 911 services  and each offer broader services as time goes on.    I encourage each new resident here (and as well local folks and the permanent visa residents)  to do their homework, ask around and do take advantage of what is offered in order to enhance quality of life and protect yourselves:.....from invasions, robberies and medical price gouging  and so much more.  Make subscription to a 911 service a Christmas present to yourself and your family.

My local community has had a rash of new crimes of opportunity type thefts. Just this week a neighbor found a man with his arm and a "robbery fishing stick" stuck halfway through her window bars. He was fishing for a purse or whatever else he could steal with a hook !   That has sharpened us all and made us more keenly aware of how much we need each other and as well outside experienced help to be there for us when a crisis occurs.  I personally recommend the Rodny Direct system .    That said....please don't go it alone .  Take advantage of local services that at this time of year are especially important.  This is  when theft,  home invasions, auto accidents always increase, protection via a talented 911 type service can be priceless to you and your family.

Have a safe, and joy filled Christmas and New Year

Alison

[Dottie Atwater]

I'm not clear on this either. Aren't most of the discounts available to jubilados anyway?

Also, if I wanted to sign up from Volcan, would there be a way to pay via PayPal instead of having to come to Boquete to do it with cash or check?

 

[Brundageba]

For me the question would be more quality of services than the price.  I think I'd have to wait and see how the new AAC program pans out.