Healthcare in Puerto Rico | What You Should Know About Medical Care Living in Puerto Rico 

Glad it was helpful!

You are so welcome! Thanks for watching.

Glad it was helpful! Thanks for watching.

I appreciate that!

Glad it was helpful!

Yes, the lifestyle in PR is so much better for me, too. I am glad this is helpful.

Glad it is helpful!

Glad you think so!

La Concepcion Hospital in San German is great Very caring folks. They went above and beyond when my brother was faced with a life threatening health issue. They can help you get good doctors affiliated with the hospital.

Thank you too!

Thanks for subscribing! Primary Care Physicians are the best for referring specialists like a Neurologist.

How did things work out for you ? I have similar concerns . Thanks

Thanks for watching! Here is a helpful guide for your move jentheredonethat.com/moving-to-puerto-rico-start-here/

You're welcome

Thank you for the kind words, I am glad this is helpful.

Thanks Jeff. Welcome, you are going to be my new neighbor! Healthcare in Mayaguez is excellent!

Good to know!

Maybe they are over worked, and under paid... as compared to doctors in any US state!

Hola Humacao neighbor! I am glad this is helpful.

I am glad he is better. Healthcare can be very challenging here.

Before pandemic, the only Doctors that I could find that actually honored appointment times were in San Juan. I hope appointments are something that becomes a permanent change.

So glad that you found a good Primary Care Physician.

Thanks Jen don’t stop

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I completely understand. It is scary to consider health issue and concerns about proper care. I know moving here was the best decision for my heath.

@@JenThereDoneThat DO NOT GET SICK IN P.R, YOU WILL SORRY FOR MOVING THERE, ALL THE GOOD DOCTORS ARE HERE IN AMERICA.

@@robertofrivera5409 The doctors there are good. There’s just fewer and is harder to access them

do you know the address or street intersection that herbalist is on ?? i live in osj

do u mean plaza 19 off pdl ??

@@davidbea3711 type in la placita santurce. It's inside the fruit market. He is there Tuesday to Saturday 11 to 3 generally.

@@nesq4104 sounds like plaza 19 off PDL

@@davidbea3711 you can't miss it everyone knows about la placita

There are actually Doctors that take appointments. With COVID, more Doctors are taking appointments and I hope they continue long after the pandemic.

The problem in the island is that since many doctors are retiring or leaving there are too many patients for every doctor. It will get worse with time because doctors are not paid enough and the prices are set by the health insurance companies (the reason why it's cheaper than in the US even though the quality is the same). In my experience I always get an appointment, but you might have to wait a bit because of complicated appointments or hospitalized patients. Since they passed a law a few years ago regarding appointments at doctors offices wait times have been reduced (I no longer get to read my books when I go), but getting an appointment will take longer, specially for specialists. Also some doctors don't take health insurance, often highly specialized doctors, because health insurance often don't pay them. I had a doctor who performed a procedure on me that told me "Great, another one I'm doing for free" because he knew my insurance would not pay him (we had a great rapport and I also reminded him I was his bosses daughter so everything was fine), but a few months later he moved to the US.

According to my sister, who has health insurance there, it is better than here in Alabama. Spent months looking for health insurance for my daughter, paid more than $300.00 a month, had to be fighting for them to pay what they said they covered, and most of the time we had to be paying a lot extra.

Thank you for sharing your experience.

Thanks for watching.

Yes, you are absolutely correct. And that cold air feels even cooler after walking in from the warm tropical weather.

Welcome! I hope this is helpful for you.

It depends where in the US you are. My aunt in New York always had to wait weeks/months for appointments. In Puerto Rico the problem is all the doctors are retiring or moving to the US so for every doctor there are too many patients. When I lived in the US I didn't go to the hospital so I didn't know they provide pillows. I find that extremely disgusting using a hospital pillow used by many others and filled with God knows what with who knows what ailment. Highly unsanitary. I don't like it when they provide me with bed sheets here in Puerto Rico.

Un buen plan médico es muy importante o tendrás largas esperas. Aplica a Puerto Rico y todo Estados Unidos.

Thank you.

Google this find out how many Dr. treat this in PR and what towns they are located in. Best wishes.

It definitely took trial and error to figure out which Doctors actually take appointments! Now that I have built my medical network, I have great health care.

The lack of appointments are so frustrating! I finally found a few Doctor's offices that honor actual appointments, but that has been quite the journey. I am glad you are getting proper healthcare now.

@@JenThereDoneThat Yes, excellent Healthcare.

Of course they accept Medicare.

I was wondering that myself. Thanks

Yes, Ponce and Mayaguez both have great medical facilities that are close to my new home in Cabo Rojo!

I am thinking in moving to Cabo Rojo in 5 years or so. Can you tell me more about your experience with doctor and hospitals in the area? Please. I have a chronic medical condition and I am afraid not to have the same level of care as I have in NJ; especially now that I am close to retirement age. 😄 Thank you for your wonderful videos.

@@JenThereDoneThat St Lukes Episcopal (hospital San Lucas) and DAMAS hospital are the best in ponce and they both have medical towers in their ground with all kind of especialists.

@@JenThereDoneThat have you noticed any difference in medical care between the metro area and the west side of the island? BTW, thank you for all the useful information that you share.

Yes, Puerto Rico is a US Territory and it is US Medicare, but it is funded differently (less) as a territory than States. Definitely look at your specific needs and requirements.

In the states is horrible. I have Blue cross and blue shield because of my job, but a member of the family tried to get medical insurance and most of them were practically a scam. Paying almost $300.00 a month and the co payment was $25.00. only part of the medicines were covered and only part of all the treatment. Oh, and the person had to be calling because they never paid on time. Then, the point is, investigate, before giving opinions.

They are both horrible, not the actual medical care which is excellent in both, but the health insurance companies who at the end of the day determine what they will pay the doctors and what care you are allowed to get. I come from a family of doctors and used to work at a hospital here in PR and it is very frustrating when, after much fighting, they get paid very little for a procedure (I once had to get minor surgery in an OR and my surgeon was only paid $75) and often have to spend hours on the phone with insurance companies trying to get treatments approved for their patients.

Power outages are not common the do happen, and if a hurricane comes you might be out of power for a few days. But most people learn to live here and have power generators. Which the probably only use 2 to 3 times a year.

Also some condominiums have generators for all apartments and some only for elevators and community common areas. They have been investing making the power system more resilient in the island but occasionally you might experience a power during a strong storm. Some areas in the island have a stronger power grid.

We do have quite a number of power outages, but since Hurricane Maria there have been less.

I live in San Juan, its almost one power outage every other week, but they usually last less than an hour. You get use to it.

It's unpredictable, sometimes you get several in a week and other times you don't have one for months. They usually last less than 5 minutes. Just get a generator for the times they go over 5 hours.

Check with nearby laboratories to make an appointment, some even have walk-ins. There are Laboratorio Borinquen offices around the island and many other locations for rapid test.

Bit of advice, try calling out any laboratory near where you'll be staying. In the airport, I find it'll be more expensive. Like, most things in airports are.

As I stated in the video, health insurance in Puerto Rico is significantly less expensive than what I paid in the States. But you are correct, it differs state to state.

In Puerto Rico doctors generally take time to talk and listen to their patients.

Triple S is the BCBS insurance here. When you move, it will probably save you money to switch. Triple S tends to be less expensive than BCBS stateside, and BCBS may consider PR "out of network" which will cost even more. Best wishes for you!

I wear shorts & tee shirt, or sun dress every day, except when I go to the Doctor. Everyone has different choices for clothing.

Jean? Jeans is too hot and restrictive. Hot blooded people like me are in shorts, sandals and tank top daily. Jeans I would die.

@@nesq4104 Except for tourist areas most people do wear jeans on a daily basis. In the pick of summer, if it is for daily activities, men might use bermuda shorts and women sun dresses

I read online it is better to get yourself to the hospital due to long waits for ambulance to show. Is this true?

Hi. You need PCR test. No rapid test.

With the pcr test it 3-5 days for the results

I got my results in 24 hrs. We were 6 traveling and we all got results quickly. It depends on where you get the test.

I live in Pennsylvania

Patients in PR bring there own supplies, including blankets and pillows. It is a very different system than mainland US.

I am shock that in the US you don't have to take your own things. I would never use pillows given to me by a hospital, who knows what might be in it. They give you PJs? That's worse than pillows. Why on earth would I wear pajamas someone else has been sick in. You do get bed sheets in Puerto Rico and sometimes they have extra blankets if you are still too cold after using yours. Also health insurance here barely pays the doctors, that is why many are leaving, they are not going to pay for you to have anything extra. Unless you have a Medicare Advantage plan and then they will pay for your groceries and utilities, but they will still not pay your doctors a decent amount.

Yes, Doctors speak English but not all of the medical staff does.

I don't know your situation, but check coverage with Humera, MCS, and Triple S. Triple S is the best plan for me.

If you are already on SSI you can use Medicare all over the island or assign your benefits to an Medicare Advantage Organization (MAO)

@@josuesanchez5803 hello can you explain that a little more I do have SSI would like to get in the system here in Puerto Rico . Who do I need to contact or talk to . Thanks so much !

@@JenThereDoneThat Sorry! Just to tell you one of the plans is wrongfully written. It should read Humana. Great job...Keep it!

@@michaelbliss3419 Puerto Rico does not have SSI. We do have Medicare

APS la gente insensible los llamas y se hacen de rogar para atender a uno te dan una cita para un día y luego no te llamas doctora Mójica eres una gran irresponsable ya como varias veces eres una habusadora de paciente cuando llame bien que soy el 8 pero bien que arreglas para dar la receta a las millas así se hace Patria verdad para eso estudió eres una insencible.

They do... I live in PR. I'm from CA and moved to PR in 1989. I also have Federal Triple SSS (worked for VA). The only thing I can agree on is that you do have to wait a long time (doctors take their time with their patients). Oh... and they will send results electronically to your doctor... and you will receive also if you elect to do so. Welcome to PR...🤗

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