Hospitals and Emergencies

[Love Aruba]

My husband was in the hospital last year, in Aruba. He got great care and they were very good to him. He was in a semi private room, but as someone said, don't expect a "good meal". That was really the least of his worries tho. LOL After it was all over, we did laugh about the "meals" he did get.
I hope all goes well with you, and you won't see the inside of that hospital.
Enjoy your trip.
Pat

[lizzardo]

You are so right about the meals! I thought US hospitals had the worst food
ever! LOL! Plus just a different style of how they eat. Very dutch.

The hospital does have many cultural differences than the US. I keep saying
on the boards not to expect Aruba to be like the US. That was one thing
that we had to keep telling ourselves.

I had to airlift my mom to Miami when she lived here. I can tell you that
the guy who does it did everything for us. It really was so easy when
we were really at a bad time in our life.

The hospital that they take you to in Miami is ranked in the top 10
of the best hospitals in the US.

[Karen Lutzker]

We just returned from Aruba. A guest at the resort we were staying at slipped outside of his room on vomit the morning after from one of the guests that had too much to drink the night before. Another guest called the front desk for someone from housekeeping to clean it up. Unfortunately no one ever came and so this poor man that slipped on the mess the next morning was taken by ambulance to the hospital and needed several stiches. The hospital does not accept medical insurance from another country and requires payment in cash. So, if anyone God forbid needs hospitalization, visitors from another country should be aware that the hospital does not accept medical insurance.

[Arubalisa]

A good reminder that not all visitors are aware of.

Medical care

Originally Posted by xobxdoc

Am I assuming correctly that our health insurance at home is no good in Aruba? Is there any kind of coverage available while on the island?

Originally Posted by ~Amy~®

It's not that isn't any good, it's that you will have to pay upfront for any medical services received in Aruba. When you return to the U.S. you will need to submit all receipts, Dr's notes, etc. to your health insurance company for reimbursement (but check with your own health insurance to see if they offer reimbursement for services outside the U.S.)

I, unfortunately, had to use the hospital in Aruba a few years ago. I brought my CC to the hospital and charged all services to my CC. When I returned home I submitted everything to my health insurance company and was reimbursed "per my health plan". Of course, everyone's plans are different so you will need to call them and find out what the requirements would be for reimbursement.

Karen, as per above they do accept credit cards and not just "cash". I would like to think that traveling to Aruba you would have access to a credit card to use for emergencies.

[TomFrederick]

YES --- As some have stated U.S. Medicare does not cover you out of the States. Some of our Private Insurance like Blue Cross will reenburse you when you return so get good receipts. Even got receipts on a Cruise Ship and Blue Cross paid going rates. I am under Medical A but did not sign up for B as think paying Blue Cross is better. Was in a hospital for 5 days in the States once and Medicare didn't cover like 2K+ of the hospital bill but Blue Cross paid the rest.
>>> "Karen, as per above they do accept credit cards and not just "cash"."
--- DITTO! Very few if any hospitals out of the States will accept our insurance. The paperwork and knowing what type of coverage you have would be too too much for them to deal with. Just pay with your credit card and get good receipts. My doctor in the States has posted what private insurance he will accept.
>>> "I thought US hospitals had the worst food ever! LOL!
---- My wife was in the hospital a couple of weeks ago in the States for a knee replacement and said the food was bad also. I ate the last of her lunch one day and didn't think it was that bad. LOL!

[Love Aruba]

Our insurance did NOT reimburse us when my husband was in the hospital in Aruba. We now get travel insurance, but we pray we never have to use it. It is like we paid for 2 vacations money wise. But thank God he is good now.
Pat

[Andrea J.]

always always buy trip insurance when you take a trip out of the country.
sometimes your health insurance will cover sometimes not..........BUT in aruba, it is pay by credit card or cash and then wait for reimbursement from trip insurance or from your health insurance from your home company.