Dr. Curiel Interview — Treadmill Stress Tests
HealthCare Resources is pleased to work closely with Dr. Adolfo Curiel, a bi-lingual cardiologist. As we move through various topics/interviews with our physicians, we have interviewed Dr. Curiel regarding treadmill stress testing.
Dr. Curiel: Exercise is a common physiological stress used to elicit cardiovascular abnormalities not present at rest and as well, to determine adequacy of cardiac function. Exercise electrocardiography (stress test) is one of the most frequently used, non-invasive modes used to assess patients with suspected or proven cardiovascular disease. The test is mainly used to estimate prognosis and to determine functional capacity, the likelihood and extent of coronary artery disease and the effects of therapy. (more…)
General HealthCare Information: Choosing & Communicating with a Personal Physician
(General HealthCare Information, part 4)
Puerto Vallarta is very fortunate in that there are a wide variety of physicians, of all specialties. The only specialty that we do not have available is a rheumatologist and a pathologist. Unfortunately, any biopsies taken must be sent to either Guadalajara or Tepic, taking approximately five days for results. This, of course, delays a patient finding out if their biopsy is malignant or benign. Hopefully someday we will have a pathologist here, but in the mean time a wait is involved.
It is very important to establish yourself with a personal physician in the area. This makes it easier should a medical emergency arise. If you go to an emergency room, it is very important to tell the hospital who your physician is and request that he-she be contacted. Better yet, if there is time, contact the physician yourself prior or upon your arrival. (And (more…)
General HealthCare Information: Insurance Coverage — Inpatient Services
(General HealthCare Information, part 3)
Having insurance for “major medical”, for inpatient services is the one that people especially need to consider and have. True, services here are much less expensive than in the US BUT there is no such thing as free medical care here !
Insurance as a form of payment for inpatient services will only be consider with a MINIMUM of a 24 hour admission.
Upon admission to any private hospital in the area, the patient will be required to put down a deposit. This is like opening a tab at a bar. It doesn’t matter if they have insurance or not. Minimal deposit is 10,000 pesos. If it is an admission to the Intensive Care Unit, a surgery, anything major, then a larger amount will be required. This can be done with a credit card. At (more…)
General HealthCare Information: Insurance Coverage — Outpatient Services
(General HealthCare Information, part 2)
The bottom line is this: Any and all outpatient services in the Banderas Bay area must be paid out of pocket and turned in for reimbursement. This includes lab work, X-rays, MRI’s, CAT scans, medications, physician consults, physical therapy treatments, ambulance services, mental health consults and anything else that is done on an outpatient basis. As well, this includes Emergency Room visits (with no admission). It does not matter what kind of insurance that you have, even if it is a five star, top of the line, full coverage insurance.
In order to submit these claims to your insurance company for reimbursement you must have the following information-documents: (more…)
General HealthCare Information: Emergency Services
Having the basic information for how health care services work in the Banderas Bay area is vitally important. HealthCare Resources is more than happy to go over this information with you individually as to how it applies to you and your own personal medical history and needs. With numerous services added over the past year, it is time to update and expand this information.
We’ll present this information on this blog in parts, beginning with (Part 1) Emergency Services. (more…)
