An Interview with Aldis Barsketis, founder of WeExpats
Over the years at Vallarta Today we have received many requests for information from our readers about insurance and in particular emergency medical evacuation.
We asked Aldis Barsketis founder of WeExpats to help our readers to understand more about this important subject.
VT: Could you tell us about your experiences in Mexico and why you created WeExpats?
Aldis: During the many years we traveled in Mexico, Central America and the world, we experienced tremendous frustration trying to insure our family and household. Living in the beautiful mountains of Utah and then the town of San Miguel de Allende in the highlands of Mexico with my wife Kimberly and our 5 children. I gained the insight to the challenges of insuring for the unexpected.
Drawing upon my years as a Vice President at a major insurance company and then as a senior partner in a large US insurance agency, we started WeExpats to help people avoid the pitfalls of insuring in Mexico, in particular Medical Evacuation services.
Many people feel travel insurance is an unnecessary extra fee and that goes double for medical evacuation membership. But what if we add in another fact: an emergency medical evacuation can place an immense financial burden on you and your family not to mention the added expenses of being treated for a critical illness or injury outside of your home network.
And with healthcare costs being what they are, you’re going to want to be home.
VT: But many people say they can’t afford medical evacuation membership.
Aldis: Actually, you can’t afford not to have it. While it’s true that most travelers think nothing worse than a lost bag might befall them while away from home, emergency medical evacuations do take place and being medically repatriated from a foreign country back to the US can cost upwards of $100,000. A recent evacuation from this area to California cost $32,000, the only thing the member and his family paid for was the cost of the annual membership. Protection for short-term trips can run as low as $9 per day.
Say you live in Miami, Florida, and want to spend a long weekend with your kids hiking in Mexico. A relatively short flight and you’re in paradise… That afternoon you’re on the rugged trail to the river gorge and the next thing you know you’re in the local clinic with a compound fracture. Just think, where would you rather get the fracture fixed? In some small rural clinic in Mexico or back at your home hospital in your home health network?
VT: But won’t a travelers medical insurance cover them anyway?
Aldis: Actually, no, it won’t. According to a survey commissioned by the United States Travel Insurance Association, “traditional domestic health insurance plans typically limit coverage for out-of-country medical expenses to emergency-related costs; have high deductibles and co-pays for emergency treatment abroad and don’t cover out-of-country emergency medical transportation in cases of life threatening illness where medical evacuation may be required.”
Oh, and we wouldn’t recommend relying on Medicare, either. According to the survey, “the study revealed that 50% of Medicare recipients may not be covered abroad, and, when covered, benefits are normally limited to 80% of emergency treatment costs, with a $250 deductible. Those concerned about the possibility of a health emergency while overseas should consider travel medical or other types of travel insurance.”
VT: But what exactly will the WeExpats membership pay for?
Aldis: Quite a bit. If your claim is deemed valid (and that’s usually agreed upon between the attending physician and the member services personnel of the company you choose), the membership you paid for will pick up a pretty big tab, including everything from transportation to the nearest medical facility and repatriation.
If you’re a SkyMed member, depending on the extent of your injury you may be flown in a private jet, medically equipped and staffed, to your home after local stabilization, but prior to medical release from the hospital. If you are fit to travel commercially, they will see to it that you’re accompanied by a medically trained professional. They will also fly your companion home, not to mention your minor children, among other things.
VT: Can the member choose the hospital where they will be treated?
Aldis: Some but not all plans allow you to pick the hospital of your choice. Most people choose their local hospital within their insurance network. That way they are close to family, friends and, most importantly, their own doctor, which can save thousands of dollars in out-of-network costs. We encourage you to read the fine print with whatever program you choose to go with to make sure you know exactly what you’re getting.
VT: But is it true experiencing a medical emergency is a low probablity?
Aldis: Sure, the probabilities of a critical injury or illness happening while you’re away from home are low, but medical evacuations represent the highest possible loss while traveling. Basically you have to weigh if that’s a risk you’re willing to take.
Aldis Barsketis, founder of WeExpats is presenting a free informational meeting in 1 locations in Vallarta this coming week June 8th. Stop by to learn more about Medical Evacuation.
Puerto Vallarta: Tuesday June 9th 10:30am
Location: Steves Sports Bar, 286 Basilio Badillo
Puerto Vallarta - Tuesday June 9th 2:30pm
Location: Biblioteca Los Mangos, Francisco Villa
Space is limited, Please RSVP to hold your spot to
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