The Color Purple Event Update

The Color Purple Event Update

We are so grateful for the wonderful response we have had to the Color Purple Event. 

Thanks to our sponsors who graciously purchased whole tables. 

Thanks to those businesses who donated the door prizes. 

So many have generously given their time, talents,
and resources to make this event possible.

Many hours have been given by volunteers who have helped

to organize and with ticket sales.

Everyone has donated their time.  With the exception of the discounted cost of the lunch and printing costs, SOLCA will be presented with the proceeds of $1200 to help these children with cancer.  We hope to have the presentation televised after the event.

125 ladies (and a few men) attended the event on Saturday, October 1.

Pictures will be posted soon.

We are grateful.  Thank you.

The Color Purple Event

Evento El Color Purpura

The Color Purple Event

We never imagined that within 9 months of living in Cuenca, an event would come together what we have called “The Color Purple Event.”  Yes, complete with television interviews, newspaper coverage and many sponsors!

How did this happen?

Our transition began last November.  Imagine selling your home, wrestling everything into storage, Gary having surgery. Then gathering international papers for “Stover,” our mascota , to become “Ecuadog.”  And “900” seemingly other items.  By the time we arrived, it took a month just to catch our breath. 

Then holidays  – Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years.  While Ecuador does not celebrate our Thanksgiving, we certainly had a celebration.  By January, we had established friendships. Our relationship with Unsion Television resulted in a room at the station to conduct our first weekly Bible Study.

In March of this year, we finally obtained our Cedula. 

We had already planned a trip home to the USA to pack a container.  We decided  we were called to make Cuenca our home.

Since January, I’ve been purchasing bread each week at the charming Villa San Carlos located on Remigio Tamariz.  Why there?  The chef and owner (along with his wife, Sandra) bakes what he calls “almost” sourdough bread each week.  We found out about the bread through our friends, Jim & Angie Barnes.

As the weeks turned into months of going to get bread each week, I found myself growing with an idea inside my heart about a ladies luncheon to be held at this beautiful Villa San Carlos.  In the States, I had often been part or even coordinated ladies events and retreats, so this was not a “foreign” idea.

After purchasing an apartment in May, I still held onto the possibility of doing something – but for a number of weeks we were held “hostage” to remodeling our apartment to live in and receiving our cargo.  Next, the unpacking and all that “jazz.”  Then, a young Gringa house guest from the USA for two months this summer.

So how, with all that going on, did an event finally come together?  Don’t know except it just seemed right – and with a lot of prayer and finally sharing it with Angie Barnes, I took the “plunge” and committed to doing it.

Where is it now?  It is happening next Saturday, October 1, 2011.  To date 120 tickets have been sold.  Generous donors have supplied a dozen door prizes – and the event has received two newspaper stories and a television interview.    The profits of the ticket sales will be going to SOLCA – the pediatrics department for children with cancer.

SOLCA will be presented with the proceeds gift.  They will be giving more information about SOLCA and the ongoing needs.

Also, we will have door prizes, a time for the ladies (both Ecuadorians and Americans) to get to know each other during lunch, recognition of sponsors and businesses.  We will enjoy Ecuadorian music and a scrumpuous lunch.  Sue will bring a short message on Esperanza/HOPE, closing with a beautiful, powerful song, "Will You Marry Me?"

This could not have come about without a “lotta” help from friends:  Angie Barnes, Sandra Flores (a sweet Ecuadorian  partner!), Jane Golden and Claudia Johansen.  Wow!  And then we’ve had table sponsors (10 people):  Joanna Cox, Charles & Kathleen Barrett, Jane Golden, and others.  How awesome!

Below is a flyer that was posted in businesses and elsewhere in Cuenca.  There are many stories of how it all “fell into place.”  Yes, it’s the first “The Color Purple Event” to be held in Cuenca, Ecuador. 

Second “Evento El Color Purpura” in 2012?

Homeowners Insurance - Ecuador

                   
       Property, Casualty & Liability Insurance 

Now, let’s consider the largely ignored insurance coverage in Ecuador – homeowners and liability. Yes, our apartment has brick walls and concrete walls and floors. Try hanging a picture on these walls! Most of us have little fear of fire and pay cash for our homes. Mortgages are expensive (10-15%) and rarely cover over half the value of homes. So insurance is rarely required. Most homeowners “go naked.” Apartment associations usually have coverage for the building (elevators, structure, common areas) amounting to less than half the property value.

? However, who can sleep at night if our uninsured home is empty when we visit the states?

 Some of us have noticed the tremendous increase in “earthquakes, famines, wars and rumors of wars”, to use a Biblical phrase. And we live near the “ring of fire” volcano and earthquake zone of the Andes. Yesterday our hometown of Asheville NC experienced a tremor!

Now the usual problems arise. Who can you trust, especially when you do not speak the language or understand the subtleties of the culture? Will the insurance carrier pay the claim? How do we obtain coverage at reasonable cost?

You know I would not be writing this wonderful, informative article if I lacked an excellent answer (drum roll^^^).

Presenting… the group with the highest rating in Ecuador, conducting worldwide business in 53 countries.  The “ACE group” is AAA by Ecuador’s Bank Watch Rating and AA- by S & P (same as the good old USA, but that’s a long foolish political story). My agents are Daniel Gonzales who speaks excellent English and Pedro Valdivieso. Pedro’s assistant speaks English and his wife speaks German and French. And his brother is a plastic surgeon – need and little tuck or enhancement?

Quickly now, what coverage did we obtain?    OK… read fast:

Earthquake, volcanic eruption…fire,  lightning, smoke damage…windstorm, hail, rain, flooding…burglary, robbery…explosion…vandalism and malicious mischief…riot, etc.

Optional coverages:  Liability (our pipes rupture, damaging neighbor’s walls) , contents,etc…glass breakage..water damage.

Deductibles vary with the type of loss here, rather than one comprehensive deductible. You know, the greater of x% or y$ per incident. You understand by now that I am frugal. Our  $100,000 coverage has a premium = $ 39 per month.
Coming soon, another exciting topic - automobile coverage.  Hang on,      Gary

Medical Tourism

            Medical Tourism
   Or… how to enjoy a free trip to Ecuador 

Our first trip to the Andes included Quito and Cuenca in June 2010. We fell in love with Cuenca’s charming people, old world architecture and gentle climate. We had learned to reimburse our travel costs during previous trips to Montevideo, Uruguay. Bloggers were also a prolific source of information.

Like many self employed folks we saved premiums by having a $5,000 deductible on our U S Blue Cross coverage and using a HSA for tax deductible reimbursements. So we were out-of-pocket on most medical, dental and vision expenses. Now let’s see how many interesting experiments we can complete in a few days.

                                              Ecuador Cost          USA approx.        
 1 .Vision exams-both of us           $20 x 2 = $40                          $  150 

2. Bi-focal lenses –Gary only                          54                               150

3. Specialist office visit                  $ 25 x 2 = 50                               400

4. Bone density Scan-GE                   40 x 2 = 80  Just like at home  240

5. Ultra Sound – neck                                      36                              150

6. Lab CBC, calcium, parathyroid, Vit D         52     All is well          200+

7. Meds                                              11 x 2 = 22                                80

8. Massage – ahhh                            15 X 2 = 30   Discount for 2     130

9. Manicure (why not?)                      5 x 2 = 10                                 30

10.Haircut – Gary (a risk?)                               5    Looks great!         15

                Totals                $ 329  Saving covers airfare  $1,545  

We met some very interesting and friendly locals.  And delighted in many delicioso meals. 

 And we learned of their culture. Yes, you could enjoy similar savings in many countries in Latin America or Asia.

       Don’t just be a tourist… Be medical (and cultural) tourist!     

                                                                            Rejoicing,   Gary

                    

Health Insurance - Coopera

                  Health Insurance – Part III

                                 Coopera

Medical care in Cuenca is excellent.  Sue and I have enjoyed friendly professional care from specialists, dentists, opticians, labs, and pharmacies. A trip to the doctor also no longer requires a degree in medical billing and coding to understand insurance coverage. And all at a fraction of costs in the US.    But, we are always looking for new ideas and further savings.

Our Coopera membership gave us excellent fresh organic fruits and veggies as described in our December blog. They also function as a credit union and now offer a health plan. So, in June we signed up for the health plan for $2.62 monthly drawn from our account. No handouts or colorful brochures were available, so we’ll figure it out later. We have three month waiting periods for many services, so when the student is ready…an English speaking guide will appear.

Gringo grape vine tells us about Cuenca Referral Network (dot com), so we sign up as associate members. Thanks, Brian. Their site provides a link to Coopera’s. Can this be true?

Office visits for routine medical are two bucks.    Ditto dental. Reimbursement of medical costs (up to $400), lab and drugs is at 80%. Yes, even hospital care…after four  monthly payments of the grand sum of $2.62. There is only one way to know if this is true and functional...

 So, off we go to the tiny town of San Joaquin, located half a mile east of the largest Coopera market. The road is under total reconstruction, so a short walk from the highway is required.    TA DA!      Hidden away off the dirt path is a modern beautifully landscaped traditional white building with tile roof. Financial offices are in front; medical offices are behind the rear courtyard. Juan speaks excellent English and  helped me with a 10.5% CD.  Dr Pena provided my exam also in English. And Veronica cleaned my teeth. Total cost was four dollars for pleasant and efficient care!  We really enjoyed these friendly Cuencanos.

Oh yes, my cuerpo Jubliado  required lab tests and a medication for about $25 each. I chose Monte Sinai three blocks from our apartment off Avenida Solano. Did you know a 10% discount appears if you display a SuperMaxi or Monte Sinai discount card (Chamber of Commerce members)?  And our 80% reimbursement will be posted to our Coopera account next month.

     Life is tough… then you move to Cuenca!         Rejoicing,  Gary

Health Insurance Part II

         Medical Insurance in Ecuador – Part Two

                         

                     Policy We Purchased & Why

We may be typical of healthy North American Expadorians nearing retirement, so here is our thinking. I am 62 and Sue has fewer laps around the sun (late 50's). We take no serious medications nor have pre-existing conditions. Economy, some US coverage, quality of carrier (and agent), and continuation past 70 are priorities.

Policies with several agents were considered. Now for the boring, but important details by insurer.

Pan American offered a high end international policy with full US coverage at US medical cost reimbursement within their US network. Unlimited maximum coverage. However, cost was over $600+/month. Since our annual time in NC will be well under the 90 days allowed by our Cedula, we will skip the nuances.

Best Doctors offered a similar plan.

Humana offered a tempting variety of plans which changed by the time of our purchase decision. Policies and prices change here like in the fast moving US marketplace. However, you had to buy the expensive underlying "first dollar" coverage to be eligible for the catastropic coverage.

Salud won us over with a combination of features and policies. Their separate cancer plan has no deductible, continues in force throughout our lifetime, with unlimited maximum coverage. Cost $17.50 monthly apiece. So we can live to 100 and get inflation proof coverage (unless they change the policy).  You know, nothing is guaranteed forever!   A six month waiting period applies before coverage kicks in.

We skipped the first dollar, small co-pay plan that would cover the first $11,000 of claims due to the cost and our risk tolerance.

Our final choice was a $10,000 deductible with $128,500 in coverage with $55,000 accidental death insurance. Total premium for us both is $98/month. Coverage is reduced to 30% at age 70. Who knows what Medicare or private care will look like in even a few years?

Yes, a waiting period of 3 months for hospitalization; immediate coverage for accident or emergencies. And you may use any hospital. US coverage is paid at Ecuadoran medical costs (20% to 40%  US costs) - a common provision in Ecuador.

We may later add a small first dollar plan to assist in the first $10,000 in claims exposure. Meanwhile, office visits average $25 in Cuenca.

Future postings:

* A new plan offered by Banco Pichincha and Santa Ines Hospital

* Coopera's new small claim, first dollar coverage for $2.62 in monthly premium

* Homeowners coverage; earthquake, theft, etc.
           Salud,    Gary

Health Insurance

            Medical Insurance in Ecuador – Part One

                          Basics and Background

My twenty years in North Carolina medical insurance sales passed very quickly amid constant government interference, regulations, and politics. I remember the basic considerations well: Deductible, co-insurance, co-pays, networks, exclusions, pre-existing conditions, underwriting at issue or at claim processing, preferred rates, maximum coverage per year/lifetime, company ratings, age pricing, history of premium increases, and most importantly agent integrity. And then there is taxation/deductibility, health savings accounts. Group coverage has several additional considerations.

Ecuador has interesting twists on many of these issues. They use waiting periods and broadly defined pre-existing conditions due to the difficulty of obtaining physician records of medical history. The US Medical Information Bureau (MIB) for sharing claims history does not exist here, so underwriting (medical history review) may occur after the claim is submitted. Surprise!

Baby boomers are uncertain of Medicare’s cost cutting in the future. A quick return to the US may be impractical for many medical conditions. Quality is excellent here, but some procedures and drugs may not be available.  Policies often end at age 70 or become dramatically reduced. And what about “long term care”?   Then there is medical inflation.  Oh well, we cannot eliminate all risks!

Policy design is quite different in Ecuador, due to different considerations of family economy, culture, social security, and entitlements. Medical records have lesser importance in a low litigation society. And a cash-based society expedites care and eliminates much bookkeeping. Care delivery looks like the “good old days” in North America. Rarely do we encounter long waits with clip boards/laptops, medical transcriptionist, holdup or billing/medical records staff.

Bi-lingual multi-line agents with understanding of US customs and expectations are rare in Ecuador. Maybe this blog will help!

                        How to Shop Health Insurance

Since my experience is limited to the Andes city of four rivers, I’ll start here. Pleeease, folks, give me your feedback on any errors or omissions. As usual, check more than one source!

Shop a variety of agents, policies and companies. Get referrals. Tell your prospective agent exactly what you are looking for and your premium range. Ask several times and be patient. Will the agent help with claims? Do they maintain office hours? Expect clear and definitive answers – do not be rushed by the language barrier.

Questions to ask your prospective agent:

            How long in health insurance business?  Companies represented?
            Will agent help with claims process?  Office staff and hours?

            What is Company size, rating, etc?  How long in health insurance in Ecuador?
            Waiting period for office visits; hospital admission?

Hospital network required. Out of network % covered.

             Underwriting (medical review) requirements?

Guaranteed renewable? (can policy be cancelled

Does policy end or reduce at age 70 or 75?

Residency required?
             Is a separate cancer needed (lifetime coverage, unlimited claims)?

Coverage in US, other countries. At Ecuadorian costs or US

Definition of "reasonable and customary" costs for reimbursement?
Definition of  pre-existing?

Additional International Policy questions:

Maximum limits for major illnesses vs costs in EC and US

Policy issued in US or EC (under EC or US law)

How long is business- in what countries?

Next week:   What coverage did we purchase and why?
                          Salud,     Gary