Medical Care and FAQ - Lakeside Medical Group

Monday - Saturday - 9:00 - 16:00

info@lakemedicalgroup.com

ExPat Medical Care in Mexico

Lakeside Medical Group - Use Your Existing Health Insurance in Mexico

Lakeside Medical Group is similar to a Managed Care HMO and we accept over 350+ different American medical plans.

 

  • There is no cost to join
  • Membership and Registration are free 
  • There are NO hidden fees

        We provide coverage for your medical needs while travelling or living in Mexico. Our members                when using your existing US insurance do NOT pay Co-Insurance or Deductibles.

                 

                             Click here for list of insurances we accept

 

     

American Medical Association Standards of Care

Our network of physicians and hospitals adhere to the stringent AMA (American Medical Association)  guidelines and protocols. Our doctors and hospitals must meet the stringent American Medical Association Standards of Care in order to work with us. 

     

 Membership Benefits

Access to an extensive provider network in Mexico

No Deductibles

No Co-Insurance

No out of pocket costs

As a registered member, using your existing US insurance, you do NOT pay Co-Insurance or Deductibles.

You, as a patient, are not responsible for these charges. NO Deductibles. NO Co-Insurance. No out of pocket expenses. Our Managed Care HMO is made up of an extensive network of hospitals, doctors, specialists, labs and diagnostic centers, pharmacies, outpatient rehabilitation and clinics. As an HMO (Health Maintenance Organization) we provide medical care through our network of doctors  hospitals, specialists, labs and diagnostic centers, pharmacies, outpatient rehabilitation and clinics who are under contract with us.

     

 Managed Care

Our medical group and patient care is based on the Managed Care model where our primary care physicians initially see you in our medical offices and then any referrals medical necessary are referred to the specialists, pharmacies, hospitals and diagnostic centers where your insurance benefits are accepted.

Our primary care physicians and staff will facilitate your care with our network of providers and hospitals. We own and operate our own facilities in Mexico, as well as provide our team of independent contracted hospitals, laboratories, specialists, pharmacies, diagnostic centers, out-patient facilities and Emergency Rooms in the following areas

 

Ajijic-Chapala-Guadalajara, Bucerias, Cancun, Chetumal, Ensenada, La Cruz de Huanacaxtle, Loreto Bay, Los Cabos, Mazatlan, Merida, Mexico City, Michoacan, Nogales, Playa del Carmen, Puerto Vallarta, Punta Mita, Rocky Point, San Carlos-Hermosillo, San Miguel de Allende, Sayulita , Tulum,  and Yucatan 


     

 

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does this cost?

There are NO costs to join Lakeside Medical Group. Registration and Membership are FREE. There are NO hidden costs. No monthly fees. No fine print charges. 

As a member you would have access to our entire hospital and doctor network in Mexico including your area. Patient members of our medical group are not responsible for deductibles or co-insurance.

We accept over 350 different American and Canadian insurances. Some insurers in the USA offer the same international benefits for their insured members. And some insurers offer different coverage outside of the USA. For example many Medicare Advantage plans offer urgent and emergency only coverage outside of the USA. Please check with us for any specific information regarding your policy.

What are the benefits of joining?

As a patient member of Lakeside Medical Group you will enjoy NO DEDUCTIBLES and NO CO-INSURANCE when using your existing US or Canadian insurance in our network of hospitals and medical providers.

Most hospitals, doctors, labs, diagnostic centers and pharmacies in Mexico do not accept American insurance plans and those ones that do often require you to pay up front or pay a large deposit. They may also charge you the deductible and Co-Insurance.

As a member you would have access to our entire hospital and doctor network in Mexico including your area. Patient members of our medical group are not responsible for deductibles or co-insurance.

Our patient members do NOT pay deductibles or co-insurance.

We charge a nominal co-pay of 100 pesos copay for regular office visits, labs and diagnostics. Hospital stays may incur a slightly larger co-pay but the fees are capped at a very low amount. 

Additionally our Managed Care model allows you to receive coordinated and continuity of care with Board Certified physicians all covered by your existing insurance. 

Am I responsible for Deductibles and CO-Insurance?

No, you are not responsible for deductibles and co-insurance. Patients join some medical groups in order to enjoy many things like managed care, highly subsidized deductibles and highly subsidized co-insurance.  

What is Managed Care and How does it work?

Managed Care is a health care delivery system organized to manage cost, utilization, and maintain high quality of healthcare in which patients are managed by a contracted network of doctors and hospitals, and in which the cost of treatment is monitored and the quality of medical services is monitored and kept to highest standards

How do we work?

Lakeside Medical Group operates in a Managed Care environment system very similar to how an HMO works in the USA: your primary care physician works directly with you, the specialists and providers as needed to manage your medical care. And we do this through your existing insurance company. You do not have to purchase a new policy or pay a membership to be part of the Lakeside Medical Group. This way we can extend coverage to the patients that join our network so you do not have to pay out of pocket.

How do we work with American and Canadian insurances companies?

Lakeside Medical Group is a Managed Care Medical Group. As such we maintain contracts and agreements with over 350 different American and Canadian insurance companies. We simplify the maze of the the healthcare system and offer you a seamless experience and make our services accessible to you. We accept most major insurance plans and bill for services through your insurance — just like a typical doctors office or hospital in the USA.

Where are you located?

Our main office is located at Hidalgo 244 in Chapala, Jalisco, Mexico.We can be reached 24-7 by phone. Please see our phone numbers at the top of our home page. 

Do you have offices in other areas?

All of our administration and management takes place in our main office in Chapala, Mexico. We do not maintain offices in other locations. Our contracted doctors and hospitals around Mexico help facilitate the occasional administrative issues. 

Is my policy different outside of the USA?

Insurance Coverage often differs between policies. Some insurers in the USA offer the same international benefits for their insured members. And some insurers are different, like Medicare Advantage plans. Please check with us for any specific information regarding your policy. Your coverage with Lakeside Medical Group may be the same as in the USA or it may be different. Coverage is policy specific.

What types of coverage are available with my USA insurance plan?

Outside of the USA your insurance plan may offer you the following  benefits:

  • Emergency/Urgent Care and NON-emergency
  • Emergency/Urgent Care only
  • Certain VA (Veterans Administration) programs offer specific coverage.

Please contact us for more information about your policy

What happens if I have Emergency Only coverage but I need routine labs and visits?

In general you would need to work directly with the lab and doctor and pay them cash. We do not get involved in cash transactions. The doctor or lab that you wish to use would discuss the costs directly with you.

Do you accept Medicare?

Standard Medicare A and B can not be used outside of the USA. If you only have Standard A and B there is absolutely no applicable coverage for you in any way in Mexico. We do not accept Standard Medicare A and B.

We accept Medicare Advantage Plans

If you have a Medicare Advantage Plan (also called a C Plan or Replacement Plan) then we likely can accept your plan and offer EMERGENCY ONLY coverage. We accept most every Medicare Advantage Plan however please be aware that most Advantage Plan are only for EMERGENCY COVERAGE in Mexico. Some examples are AARP-United Health Care are for EMERGENCY ONLY coverage. Other  Aetna Advantage, Cigna, Blue Cross Medicare Advantage, Senior Care Plus and many others. are similar . We accept almost every one. You can see a more complete list on our site  Click Here

Coverage with us does not replace or change any of your current benefits

What happens if I goto a provider not participating in our network?

The participating providers in our network including the hospitals have made an agreement to work with Lakeside Medical Group and provide care for you. In general if you choose to go out of our network you would be fully responsible for payment to the provider or hospital.

Can I visit Lakeside Medical Providers in other cities in Mexico?

Yes, you’re welcome to see any Lakeside Medical provider including doctors and hospitals in Mexico. We use a cutting-edge electronic health record system, so your health data can be accessed anywhere you go. The coverage depends on your benefits with us. Please contact us for scheduling and info

How can I add my doctor to your network?

Please send us your doctors contact info and we will invite your physician to join our network. Each physician is carefully screened to make sure he/she meets our standards of excellence as well as the required physician licensing and registration.

Do I get a Membership ID?

Yes. All members will get a free wallet size plastic Membership ID like below as well as a digital membership ID usable on any smart phone. 


card1.jpg

 

 

 

 

 

 

 What is the difference between a CO-Pay and CO-Insurance?

A co-pay is a set fee per event. Like 100 pesos per visit. CO-Insurance is a percentage of billed charges, usually around 20%. Our patient members are NOT responsible for CO-Insurance

Can co-pays be waived? 

Co-pays can only be waived for a financial hardship that you or your family may experience. If you feel that you qualify for a co-pay waiver please let us know and we can send you the form to fill out. 

What happens if I need to goto the hospital that is not in our network?

If you experience a medical emergency goto the closest emergency facility to your location. As soon as you are stable please call us. If you are medically stable we will make our best efforts to transport you to one of our network hospitals. In the case that we are not able to transfer you for any reason our staff will assist you with the paperwork for an insurance reimbursement from your insurer. If the hospital is in our network please let them know to immediately call us.

Why do I need to supply a gov issued ID?

Providing a gov issued ID as part of the registration process will expedite your admission to any of our network hospitals with no delay. You will be able to have streamlined and rapid medical care with no additional paperwork or deposits up front. We accept all types of gov ID like passports, drivers licenses, FM3, resident cards, Visas. As long at it is issued by a goverment body and has your picture on it then it will be acceptable.

Why do I need to sign my insurance form beforehand?

Without a signed insurance form beforehand the hospital will likely ask for a large deposit up front for any admission. Having one on file with us will expedite your admission to any of our network hospitals with no delay.

Our active Members have unfettered access to our facilities for authorized medical care. No deposits needed. No paperwork. No waiting for admin issues

You will be able to have streamlined and rapid medical care with no additional paperwork or deposits up front.

Additionally many times the form will be needed for separate providers and having the form on file will give you peace of mind with no need to worry about deposits and administrative delays.

At any time and for any reason you can request a copy of the form and info sent to your insurance company after any visit, diagnostic or admission. We will supply this info to you immediately. 

Why do I need to register beforehand?

When you are having a medical emergency the last thing anyone needs is more forms to read and sign. Having your registration complete with us allows you to have efficient coverage for your medical needs in Mexico

 

Do we sell insurance?

No. Lakeside does not sell or offer any insurance plans whatsoever

 

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