Are you concerned about legal recourse if the policy chooses not to pay?
That’s a concern I have with American companies, but I would be more concerned with a policy in another country. Our medical system sucks, but our legal system can actually work for the “little guy” (not always, but it’s not impossible either…)
Say you actually needed to invoke the unlimited ceiling and the provider decided not to pay – do you think your chances of prevailing in court would be better/worse/the same in Mexico?[/quote]
I’m not overly concerned. I think you’d run into the same issues whether in the US or Mexico. I think it’s natural to believe that companies from one’s own country are more “honorable” – for lack of a better word – than those of other countries, and particularly developing countries (the “home country bias”). The evidence, however, doesn’t support it.
As an aside, my agent – referred to me by my doctor in TJ – has dual citizenship and owns a home on Coronado (where she has an office) as well as in TJ, where she spends most of her time. Most of her clients are wealthy Mexicans that live in both the US and Mexico. When we were discussing the two countries’ systems she said, “It wouldn’t occur to me or most of my clients to get healthcare in the US – we have the same quality at 1/3 the cost in Mexico.” My point is that I think false perceptions drive a lot issues within the health care debate.
