"Me. not so much" sounds a lot like me. My husband is more meticulous. I've been to an ENT, dentist, and Physiotherapist for neck issues. Each took their time and it was direct and personal, a welcome change from the US, and it didn't break the bank. The most I paid was for a complete audiological test, just short of 200€.
Thank you for the detailed write-up and responses to comments. I find preventative measures to be a good practice (especially since I didn't really take care of myself for the 20's-30's range). I find fewer doctors want to do pap / mammo / colonoscopies as I approach 70. Kind of a mixed feeling there.
No dental insurance so I pay $400 for 2 cleanings / 2 x-rays in a year. In all the years I've had my 'pockets' measured, I've been told depth but no remedial measures except "floss".
Best wishes for a very long and healthy life to you two.
Not wishing to worry you overmuch but colonoscopy is not indicated for over 70's unless there is a problem that needs investigation. The reason being that the bowel is thinner and there is an increased risk of rupture.
Hi Nancy, can I ask please; what is the “ helmacult” route? I’m from the UK and I had some blood tests done last year at a private clinic in Óbidos and the blood tests alone were €180. GP appointment was €40. Can I ask which clinic you attended please? I’m struggling a bit to navigate the healthcare system in Portugal.
Thanks for sharing Nancy. I am not surprised with Denise wanting to keep regular exams, and other health markers. Question because I am unfamiliar; once a person becomes a resident of Portugal, and has access to the public healthcare system, plus optional private healthcare insurance, do the insurance companies exclude any pre-existing conditions?
We get a group rate with Alianz through AFPOP. It costs about 25% of what medicare would have cost in the Old Country. Major surgery last year we paid 1,000 of the total 10K euro bill which included 4 days recupe in the hospital.
The biggest problem is with language. It's about 50/50 communicating with nurses, techs and receptionists. I had two scheduled doctor appointments and they refused to talk to me because of my limited Portuguese. My surgeon did a three year residency at the Mayo Clinic... he spent an hour and a half with us for the consultation and came to check on me three times a day in the hospital.
Curious, did you drop Medicare Part B? My Portuguese attorney doesn´t think that it is a good idea to drop it just in case you want to return to the US. It could take up to six months to get back on the Part B plan once you return to the US. I don´t plan to return, but you never know what circumstances could come up in the future. Obrigada!
Love and appreciate this breakdown of costs. It’s so fascinating to see what different countries charge, especially as you find out more about how their systems work.
One complaint from expats in Denmark, you have to make an appointment for everything. There is no emailing your doctor for a quick question ( we tried this to verify whether or not we had to make an ophthalmology appointment for our 8 year old, only to be told we had to call in to the drop-in clinic. The doctor at the drop in clinic then chastised us for wasting his time). I suspected this requirement exists so the clinic can charge for the consultation—I had this verified recently but was moderately horrified to discover all GP clinics here are paid the same whether your appointment is 15 minutes or 60 minutes…so of course, the clinics do volume over quality.
Incidentally, the amount a GP is reimbursed for that 15 or 60 minute appointment? The equivalent of $25 USD.
Glad Denise is all good! Please do the same for yourself so we can greedily enjoy more of your writing.
Good article Nancy. I just had my colonoscopy in Coimbra. 84€. Great service!
Elke went to our local dentist last summer for a cleaning, he looked in Her mouth and said your teeth are clean enough! Ok, see you in a year.
I really value your posts. So much practical information with much-needed reality checks. Thanks for sharing your impressions and experiences.
"Me. not so much" sounds a lot like me. My husband is more meticulous. I've been to an ENT, dentist, and Physiotherapist for neck issues. Each took their time and it was direct and personal, a welcome change from the US, and it didn't break the bank. The most I paid was for a complete audiological test, just short of 200€.
useful. Thank you.
Thank you for the detailed write-up and responses to comments. I find preventative measures to be a good practice (especially since I didn't really take care of myself for the 20's-30's range). I find fewer doctors want to do pap / mammo / colonoscopies as I approach 70. Kind of a mixed feeling there.
No dental insurance so I pay $400 for 2 cleanings / 2 x-rays in a year. In all the years I've had my 'pockets' measured, I've been told depth but no remedial measures except "floss".
Best wishes for a very long and healthy life to you two.
Not wishing to worry you overmuch but colonoscopy is not indicated for over 70's unless there is a problem that needs investigation. The reason being that the bowel is thinner and there is an increased risk of rupture.
Hi Nancy, can I ask please; what is the “ helmacult” route? I’m from the UK and I had some blood tests done last year at a private clinic in Óbidos and the blood tests alone were €180. GP appointment was €40. Can I ask which clinic you attended please? I’m struggling a bit to navigate the healthcare system in Portugal.
I think you’re a really good writer. Such interesting topics and valuable information. Thank you, Nancy.
Thanks for sharing Nancy. I am not surprised with Denise wanting to keep regular exams, and other health markers. Question because I am unfamiliar; once a person becomes a resident of Portugal, and has access to the public healthcare system, plus optional private healthcare insurance, do the insurance companies exclude any pre-existing conditions?
Yes, I went to Clinimed.
We get a group rate with Alianz through AFPOP. It costs about 25% of what medicare would have cost in the Old Country. Major surgery last year we paid 1,000 of the total 10K euro bill which included 4 days recupe in the hospital.
The biggest problem is with language. It's about 50/50 communicating with nurses, techs and receptionists. I had two scheduled doctor appointments and they refused to talk to me because of my limited Portuguese. My surgeon did a three year residency at the Mayo Clinic... he spent an hour and a half with us for the consultation and came to check on me three times a day in the hospital.
Hey Nancy! Forgive me if i missed it, but were you and Denise navigating within Portugal’s public or private health care system?
Curious, did you drop Medicare Part B? My Portuguese attorney doesn´t think that it is a good idea to drop it just in case you want to return to the US. It could take up to six months to get back on the Part B plan once you return to the US. I don´t plan to return, but you never know what circumstances could come up in the future. Obrigada!
Love and appreciate this breakdown of costs. It’s so fascinating to see what different countries charge, especially as you find out more about how their systems work.
One complaint from expats in Denmark, you have to make an appointment for everything. There is no emailing your doctor for a quick question ( we tried this to verify whether or not we had to make an ophthalmology appointment for our 8 year old, only to be told we had to call in to the drop-in clinic. The doctor at the drop in clinic then chastised us for wasting his time). I suspected this requirement exists so the clinic can charge for the consultation—I had this verified recently but was moderately horrified to discover all GP clinics here are paid the same whether your appointment is 15 minutes or 60 minutes…so of course, the clinics do volume over quality.
Incidentally, the amount a GP is reimbursed for that 15 or 60 minute appointment? The equivalent of $25 USD.
Glad Denise is all good! Please do the same for yourself so we can greedily enjoy more of your writing.