No Health Insurance for Mother in Law

[Boiler 43,463]

Me too.

[fatblackcat 8]

OP. The next time she comes, have her get an Assist-Card in Brazil. Travel related insurance must be purchased prior to arrival at the destination.

As for sending in the meds from Brazil, you may want to contact FEDEX or DHL to see what are the guidelines on allowed categories and the amount of doses. It is common for people in the US to order drugs from abroad, especially canada. The package should include the prescription.

However by the time you pay $100ish shipping plus the cost of the meds in Brazil, you are better going to a local doctor. It is important that you explain the doctor that she is from another country and has no insurance... most doctors will lower their fees in such cases. And chances she is taking a generic (because Brazil strongly encourages them) so you won't go broke. In addition, if her blood pressure runs high, she is at risk of heart and/or kidney failure. You should address this as soon as possible.

[christeen 966]

Pay $75 bucks at a walk in clinic for a Rx for BP medicine, then take to wal mart and get a $8 for the pills... Immediate problem solved. Cataract surgery is elective, you cannot buy insurance (trip or otherwise) here that will cover pre existing conditions... And any type of insurance on an 80 year old will be astronomical priced... If she needs procedures, she needs to go back to Brazil where she is covered..,

[Boiler 43,463]

I agree.

What happens if she is too sick to travel?

Brazil is a long way.

[JnRMo 16]

Usually travel insurance is bought before the trip, not during when it is known that she is ill.

They usually stipulate no coverage for pre-existing conditions.

[ForeverLove4u 8]

Also you could possibly have her doctor in brazil do the script for the blood pressure medicine and fax it to a mail order company in Canada or something, and then the pills will be mailed to you and much cheaper.

Its a long shot, but she must have her blood pressure pills, or she could easily develop Congestive Heart Failure and of course Pneumonia and end up in a United States Hospital very quickly. And you as her sponsor would be responsible.

As for health insurance, wow. Do some search online, for foreigners in the United States. Or even call and ask your doctors billing person is they have any suggestions and tell them your problem.

I truly wish you the best and pray your mother in law gets better soon!

Blessings!

[Boiler 43,463]

She is visiting.

[Chicagoguy 2 27]

My wife goes back to Russia yearly and does all her doctoring there. If something came up and was not an emergency she would go home again. 1 round trip plane ticket about $ 1000. One hospital admission and tests [ need someone else's help with that ? ]. My wife who passed away almost 8 years ago had hospital bill of 1.2 million. My wife will soon have Obamacare as an extra precaution.

BE CAREFUL OF MEDICINE IN AMERICA !

[novedsac 355]

1 round trip plane ticket about $ 1000. One hospital admission and tests [ need someone else's help with that ? ].

Most assuredly greater than a RT airfare - and, as odd as it sounds , a lot less enjoyable than a TATL flight.

[Boiler 43,463]

At 80 there is a reasonable chance of an Air Ambulance.

[NBF 1]

Seems like the SIL is making too much out of a simple solution as someone has already pointed out. Get a medical appointment and go buy her the medicine. It's as simple as that. Why risk any further medical problems with your 80 YO MIL? Sounds like the SIL and daughter are thinking other things such as having her mom AOS here while on a tourist visa. If that's the point, say it.

[Boiler 43,463]

Wife has Only just got here.

[Boiler 43,463]

OP probably did not realise he was getting a package deal.

OP probably did not realise he was getting a package deal.