Medical care in Quito, Ecuador. Part two. June 2016.

Recently I found clinic not far away from where I live. This clinic is part of the Sistemas Médicos USFQ. http://sime-usfq.com/
I registered as a new patient online and went to the clinic on Monday morning. Appointments to the general care physician are on a "first come first serve" basis. 
The building is modern and nice looking, I approached the front desk, told them that I need to see therapist and I don't have an insurance, paid $27 and sat down to wait for my vital signs to be taken. 
In a 15-20 minutes I got it done (vital signs) and went upstairs to see the doctor. Waiting time for the doctor was about 40- 50 minutes. The doctors in Ecuador actually spend time with the patient. This doctor wasn't an exception. The visit took almost 30 minutes.
I was diagnosed with acute pharyngitis and high blood pressure.
For acute pharyngitis two pills were prescribed:
Curam (amoxicilina + calvulanico),       $16.68 for 14 pills  
in English Amoxicillin-clavulanate
and Celebrex(celecoxib),                       $6.80 for 4 pills

For high blood pressure: 
Diovan (valsartan)                                  $32.40 for 30 pills

Cost of necessary blood tests and test to measure kidney functions, done in the same clinic: $59.

Electrocardiogram     $30
To see cardiologist    $37

I am really glad that I found this clinic. It's not as big, not as depressive and crowded as hospitals, prices are reasonable, customer service is super, doctors are experienced.
Medical specialties        http://sime-usfq.com/servicios/ 
Locations: Cumbayá,  Valle de los Chillos, Quito - Sector La Carolina, Quito - Carcelén
http://sime-usfq.com/contacto/

Medical care in Quito, Ecuador. Part one.
http://dayinquito.blogspot.com/2016/06/medical-care-in-quito-ecuador-part-one.html

Rental in Quito, for tourists and expats.

We have a 2 bedroom, 1 bath totally remodeled

Colonial Quito, furnished apartment for rent.

Anti-noise windows in both bedrooms

For booking, pictures and more info

http://quitorental.blogspot.com 

Medical care in Quito, Ecuador. Part one. June 2016.

When I was new in Quito and my Spanish was limited I went to Hospital Metropolitano for checkups, maintenance visits and medical emergency. 
If you prefer to communicate in English - Hospital Metropolitano is more suitable for you: most of the doctors speak English.
http://www.hospitalmetropolitano.org/es/index.php
In 2006/2007 visit to the general care physician in Hospital Metropolitano was $30, in $2012 - $40. 

In 2006 -2012, the system in Hospital Metropolitano worked this way - if you have medical problem go to the Hospital, to the information desk and tell what kind of problem or what kind of doctor you want to see and make sure that doctor speaks English (in Hospital Metropolitano).. Usually(especially in morning hours) some doctors are available immediately or shortly.
In Metropolitano doctors are like an independent contractors, you pay to their office.

When my Spanish was enough to talk to the medical personnel, I started to use services of Hospital Vozandes http://www.hospitalvozandes.org/
In Hospital Vozandes the doctor's appointment(general care physician)  was $18 in 2013, $20 in 2014 and $22 in 2015, some of doctors speak English, but you cannot count on it.
In Hospital Vozandes, the doctors are part of the hospital, you pay to the hospital's cashier (VozAndes accept international credit cards if amount to be paid is $35 and more - rules of 2014) and then go to your assigned doctor.

After you made a contact with the doctor, in Hospital Metropolitano you can call his office directly for appointment. In Hospital Vozandes you call customer service and ask an appointment with certain doctor.

Medical care in Quito, Ecuador. Part two.
http://dayinquito.blogspot.com/2016/06/medical-care-in-quito-ecuador-part-two.html

Rental in Quito, for tourists and expats.

We have a 2 bedroom, 1 bath totally remodeled

Colonial Quito, furnished apartment for rent.

Anti-noise windows in both bedrooms

For booking, pictures and more info

http://quitorental.blogspot.com 

Medical services in Quito. January 2015.

You are new in town and facing medical problem. Where to go?
If your Spanish is enough to talk to the medical personnel, I would recommend Hospital Vozandes http://www.hospitalvozandes.org/

In Hospital Vozandes the doctor's appointment is $20 (2014 prices), some of doctors speak English, but you cannot count on it.

If you prefer to communicate in English - Hospital Metropolitano is more suitable for you.

http://www.hospitalmetropolitano.org/es/index.php

In Hospital Metropolitano the doctor's appointment cost $40 - $60 (2014 prices), most of the doctors speak English.

The system works this way - if you have medical problem take a taxi and go to the Hospital, go to the information desk and tell what kind of problem or what kind of doctor you want to see and make sure that doctor speaks English (in Hospital Metropolitano).. Usually(especially in morning hours) some doctors are available immediately or shortly.

After you made a contact with the doctor you can call his office directly for appointment - "cita" in Spanish (Metropolitano) or in Vozandes you call customer service and ask an appointment with certain doctor.

Make sure that you have cash, some doctors in Hospital Metropolitano accept credit cards, some not.  In Metropolitano doctors are like independent contractors, you pay to their office.

In Hospital Vozandes, the doctors are part of the hospital, you pay to the hospital's cashier (VozAndes accept international credit cards if the amount to be paid is $35 and more) and then go to your assigned doctor.

Rental in Quito, for tourists and expats.

We have a 2 bedroom, 1 bath totally remodeled

Colonial Quito, furnished apartment for rent.

Anti-noise windows in both bedrooms

For booking, pictures and more info

http://quitorental.blogspot.com
More photos

Private health insurance industry in Ecuador and expats. February 2014.

From http://www.expatexchange.com Ecuador forum

Contributor http://theoceanhideaway.com/Home_Page.html

quote

Recently the private health insurance industry in Ecuador disqualified expats from its programs -- pretty much sending out a letter one week and cancelling policies the next -- because they discovered that USA expats are a very sick bunch -- they have lived in a style different than the those of a similar age in Ecuador and appear with cancers, heart disease, COPD, diabetes, depression, hypertension, high cholesterol, histories of smoking, and more that do not occur in the same numbers in the local community. 

The second question stems from the fact that even if covered -- most health insurance does not cover what are considered "life style caused" illnesses in this country which include but are not limited to: Depression and High Blood pressure. Now I am the first to argue that Depression is not life style induced -- but these are the rules of the company not mine

And finally -- most of the insurance companies do not cover what expats considered "normal" diseases -- again fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue, dermatological conditions -- are not covered because they are not serious diseases in the world of insurance here -- if they are bothersome they are paid out of pocket to see specialist. 

This is Ecuador, the rules, references and situation is different here.

 Be aware before agreeing to a contract -- be aware a contract in English means nothing... and what you sign in Spanish does.

Yes -- it is harsh -- it is real life, not life through rose tinted glasses.

Ecuador can be a paradise, but even paradise had a snake.

end of quote

Monthly rental in Quito, for tourists and expats.

We have a 2 bedroom, 1 bath totally remodeled
Anti-noise windows in both bedrooms

Colonial Quito, furnished apartment for rent.

For booking, pictures and more info

http://quitorental.blogspot.com

Cost of medical care in Quito, Ecuador. January 2014.

General practitioners in Ecuador are not as dangerous and expensive as US doctors. During my 15 years in Minneapolis my doctor(s) twice prescribed me pills I was supposed to take for the rest of my life. Both time I threw away their prescriptions. I educated myself on the issue and implemented lifestyle changes which worked very well for me.

In Quito I don't have medical insurance, I go to the doctor(s) once per year for check up and to do my lab tests, to know what is going on with my 50+ years old body.

I had some health problem recently: respiratory problem and pain in my left leg, calf and foot / ankle. I decided to go to Medicina Cuántica, they have pretty good physical therapy department.  

http://www.medicos.com.ec/sites/medicos.com.ec/files/Dr.AndreiRogozhinSosa.pdf

Lab tests the doctor prescribed I did at the Clinica de Osteoporosis.

Dirección: Av. 10 de Agosto 48-68 e Ignacio San María

Horario: Lunes a Viernes de 7:00 a 19:00

Teléfono: (593 2) 2 258 322 / 2 444 266 / 2 456 875

Celular: 0991 637 371

Foot X-Ray (calcaneo 2 posc)   $30

Biometria hematica (201)           $5

sedimentacion         (2155)         $2

glucosa                                       $4.20

asido urico                                  $3.85

colesterol total                            $5

trigliceridos                                  $5

TSH (Thyroid-stimulating hormone)    $8   

Total for the lab test $63.05  

In Medicina Cuántica clinic they don't charge for the follow up visit. I paid $40 for my first visit to the doctor. He prescribed physical therapy. $170 -  nine sessions, plus he did prescribe pills in addition to physical therapy. I had to take it for five days. Cost $10.70

I have spent $40 (doctor visit) plus $63 (lab tests) plus $170 (9 sessions of physical therapy), plus $10.70 on pills

Total $283.70  

The problems are gone.

Monthly rental in Quito, for tourists and expats.

We have a 2 bedroom, 1 bath totally remodeled

Colonial Quito, furnished apartment for rent.

For booking, pictures and more info

http://quitorental.blogspot.com

Rental in Quito, for tourists and expats.

3 bedroom, 1 bath remodeled

Colonial Quito, furnished apartment for rent.

For booking, pictures and more info

http://quitorental2.blogspot.com

Removing mercury amalgam fillings in Ecuador. Part three. January 2013

I am so happy I did it (removed mercury amalgam fillings), I was scared at first, but, as I said, the stress reduction system (the doctor uses) really works. He was removing mercury amalgam fillings one per day, except in one case when it was in neighboring teeth, so he removed two fillings in one setting. He also found other problems and fixed it to my satisfaction.

Here is the bill

Every removal is $40, size of the filling in this case doesn't matter.   
Subtotal $160

He found three small cavities and fixed it, $25 each.

Subtotal $75

He removed metals crown, which was loose and discovered that tooth was dead, black and stank.

Removal of metal crown, extraction of a dead tooth and X-Ray $60
Subtotal $60

Removable partial bridge  $250

Subtotal $250

He gave me $25 discount, so my total was $520, paid in cash.

Total $520


Dr. Mario Sanchez P. - Ecuador Biological Dentist.
http://www.ecbiz.info/890/dentist-in-cuenca-ecuador-dr-mario-sanchez/

http://www.ecuadorbiologicaldentist.com/contacts

Part one
http://dayinquito.blogspot.com/2013/01/removing-mercury-amalgam-fillings-in.html


Part two
http://dayinquito.blogspot.com/2013/01/removing-mercury-amalgam-fillings-in_23.html




Monthly rental in Quito, for tourists and expats.
We have a 2 bedroom, 1 bath totally remodeled
Colonial Quito, furnished apartment for rent.
For booking, pictures and more info
http://quitorental.blogspot.com

Removing mercury amalgam fillings in Ecuador. Part two. January 2013.

I checked his website (Dr. Mario Sanchez P. - Ecuador Biological Dentist), called him few times with my questions and I liked what I saw and heard.
Also I asked around and one of the members of the Facebook group "Conscious Cooking in Cuenca" who used his services, gave him good review.

I bought airfare, booked hotel and went to Cuenca for a week (more on that later).

First what  Doctor did was bio energy diagnosis by muscle tone (applied kinesiology), in which the body itself indicates if there are problems in the areas tested. I have to tell you I was amazed by the result of this tests, it clearly showed that mercury amalgam fillings blocked the energy flow in my body.

He tried to do hypnosis but I am too alert and too much control freak to relax, so I didn't fall asleep, but it did calm me down. Hypnosis and headphones to wear during the procedure are really good stress reduction system.

A “rubber” dental dam that isolates the teeth and mercury fillings and collects any particles was used.

There were an oxygen delivery for the nasal area (this creates a positive flow of air to keep potential mercury vapor away).

He used LASER afterwards to prevent swelling, pain and bleeding.

to be continued


Part one
http://dayinquito.blogspot.com/2013/01/removing-mercury-amalgam-fillings-in.html

Part three
http://dayinquito.blogspot.com/2013/01/removing-mercury-amalgam-fillings-in_29.html


Dr. Mario Sanchez P. - Ecuador Biological Dentist.
http://www.ecbiz.info/890/dentist-in-cuenca-ecuador-dr-mario-sanchez/

http://www.ecuadorbiologicaldentist.com/contacts





Monthly rental in Quito, for tourists and expats.
We have a 2 bedroom, 1 bath totally remodeled
Colonial Quito, furnished apartment for rent.
For booking, pictures and more info
http://quitorental.blogspot.com

Removing mercury amalgam fillings in Ecuador. Part one. January 2013.

Some criminal dentists put a mercury amalgam fillings into my mouth in 1990s. I elected to have them removed in 2013. It is one of my New Year resolutions.

My goal was to find dentist who understands of what mercury is and what makes it so harmful to humans. I wanted to make sure my dentist knows, understands and follows safety protocols for the removal of mercury from the mouth.

My dentist in Quito doesn't believe that mercury amalgam fillings are potentially harmful, so I avoided her as she most likely will do nothing to protect the patient(me).

I started to research for Biological Dentist in Ecuador and found Dr. Mario Sanchez P. - Ecuador Biological Dentist. In Cuenca.
http://www.ecbiz.info/890/dentist-in-cuenca-ecuador-dr-mario-sanchez/

http://www.ecuadorbiologicaldentist.com/contacts

to be continued

Part two
http://dayinquito.blogspot.com/2013/01/removing-mercury-amalgam-fillings-in_23.html

Part three
http://dayinquito.blogspot.com/2013/01/removing-mercury-amalgam-fillings-in_29.html





Monthly rental in Quito, for tourists and expats.
We have a 2 bedroom, 1 bath totally remodeled
Colonial Quito, furnished apartment for rent.
For booking, pictures and more info
http://quitorental.blogspot.com

Medical care in Ecuador: Chiropractor services in Quito. January 2013.

I do stretching exercises few times per week for about 15-16 years and my life is pain-free. Still, time to time I go to chiropractor for different reasons.

All of a sudden I started to have pain in my neck this January, therefore time to go for the adjustment. The visit is about one hour, there is physical evaluation by one of the assistants, sit down with Dr. Edward M. Jarvis  and the rest of the hour - different procedures prescribed by the doctor, including adjustment done by him.

It was worth every penny of $59 that I paid for the visit. Cost of one visit is $59 when paid by credit card, $55 by cash. When you buy package of 5, 10 or 15 sessions it is cheaper by 5-30%.

http://quitodolor.com/Doctor_jarvis.htm

Monthly rental in Quito, for tourists and expats.
We have a 2 bedroom, 1 bath
Colonial Quito, furnished apartment for rent.
For booking, pictures and more info
http://quitorental.blogspot.com

Medical care in Quito, Ecuador. Part two. August 2012.

http://dayinquito.blogspot.com/2012/08/medical-care-in-quito-ecuador-part-one.html

http://dayinquito.blogspot.com/2012/08/medical-expenses-in-quito-ecuador-cost.html

http://dayinquito.blogspot.com/2012/08/medical-care-in-quito-ecuador-cost-of.html

Final visit to the doctor ($18) with all tests results gave me good news - all of my tests results were normal. She gave me some general advise about maintaining health in good condition and sent me home without any pills!

Cost of Automatic Digital Wrist Blood Pressure Monitor from farmacy Fybeca - $55. 

I have to say it took us few years to find a good hospital. Some hospitals we went to were too expensive ($40 -$60 for the doctor appointment) with doctors who are too full of themselves. Some of them (hospitals) were cheap but awful.

There was one doctor who always connected his patients to his computer and ran some tests this way, never took any vitals, never come close to his patients to check anything. He was the one who treated Leo for a sinus infection for three months (March - May 2011) and when I asked "maybe Leo should do tomography?" he said - "Nah"  -  http://dayinquito.blogspot.com/2011/05/our-medical-expenses-in-quito-march-and.html

Monthly rental in Quito, for tourists and expats.
We have a 2 bedroom, 1 bath totally remodeled
Colonial Quito, furnished apartment for rent.
For booking, pictures and more info
http://quitorental.blogspot.com

Medical care in Quito, Ecuador. Cost of lab tests. August 2012

Cost of lab tests
elemental y microscopico de orina  $3.41

creatinina normal                             $3.30

perfil lipidico "L"                                $20.24

sedimentacion normal                      $2.09

calcio normal                                    $3.19

gota fresca normal                           $1.93

biometria                                          $5.94

glucoza normal                                $3.52

sodio y potasio normal                     $5.94

G.P.T.                                               $3.52

TSH (Hormona tiroidea estimulante)$6.93

G.O.T.                                              $3.52

fosfatasa alcalina normal                 $8.47

Total                                                 $72

Monthly rental in Quito, for tourists and expats.
We have a 2 bedroom, 1 bath totally remodeled
Colonial Quito, furnished apartment for rent.
For booking, pictures and more info
http://quitorental.blogspot.com

Medical expenses in Quito, Ecuador. Cost of 24-hour blood pressure monitoring and electrocardiogram. August 2012.

Cost of 24-hour blood pressure monitoring and electrocardiogram in Quito.

Here is the receipt:

Monitoreo de presion arterial   $33.58
Electrocardiograma simple      $8.80
HM Dr. Vernaza R. J.               $46.72
HM Dr. Bayas P. M.                 $6.57
Total:                                        $95.67

Monthly rental in Quito, for tourists and expats.
We have a 2 bedroom, 1 bath totally remodeled
Colonial Quito, furnished apartment for rent.
For booking, pictures and more info
http://quitorental.blogspot.com