Missionaries can share advice and stories of past mission trips
Maoists announced plans on October 30th to shut down Kathmandu’s international airport and block highways leading to the capital as part of its plan to pressure the Marxist-led government, local media reported. The largest protests will reportedly take place on November 10th, when the airport will be shut down and all highways to the capital blocked.
We recommend calling your travel provider for possible travel delays.
Flights at the El Alto airport, just outside La Paz, were delayed after protesting workers from a Spanish airline clashed with police on October 28th.
Please contact your travel suppliers and airlines for possible delays.
Get a Trip Delay Insurance Quote.
The White House designated October as National Cybersecurity Awareness Month. Here are three easy wasy to protect your online identity:
You can forward spam or phishing emails to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) at spam@uce.gov. For more tips and ways to prevent hackers and viruses attacking your computer visit www.onguardonline.gov.
Missionary Health.net’s international health insurance online applications use security encrypted HTTPS browsers to ensure your application information is not shared. You can review our privacy policy online at http://www.missionaryhealth.net/privacy.htm.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
WASHINGTON D.C., June 8, 2009 — Insurance Services Of America has been selected for the 2009 Best of Gilbert Award in the Insurance Agents, Brokers & Service category by the U.S. Commerce Association (USCA).
The USCA “Best of Local Business” Award Program recognizes outstanding local businesses throughout the country. Each year, the USCA identifies companies that they believe have achieved exceptional marketing success in their local community and business category. These are local companies that enhance the positive image of small business through service to their customers and community.
Various sources of information were gathered and analyzed to choose the winners in each category. The 2009 USCA Award Program focused on quality, not quantity. Winners are determined based on the information gathered both internally by the USCA and data provided by third parties.
About U.S. Commerce Association (USCA)
U.S. Commerce Association (USCA) is a Washington D.C. based organization funded by local businesses operating in towns, large and small, across America. The purpose of USCA is to promote local business through public relations, marketing and advertising.
The USCA was established to recognize the best of local businesses in their community. Our organization works exclusively with local business owners, trade groups, professional associations, chambers of commerce and other business advertising and marketing groups. Our mission is to be an advocate for small and medium size businesses and business entrepreneurs across America.
SOURCE: U.S. Commerce Association
‘I just renewed my IMSS after completing two years now. not one, then and only then does it cover (my) preexisting conditions.”
The IMSS is socialized medical plan for Mexican citizens, but Mexico has allows foreign residents and expatriates to buy into the plan. It costs around $3000.00 per person per year for someone 60 years of age, it is less expensive if you are younger. There is a medical questionnaire you have to answer and there are some pre-existing medical conditions which could prevent you from qualifying. There is an article at mexconnect which lists what pre-existing medical conditions are covered and which conditions are not. You can read all the details of the IMSS benefits at http://www.imss.gob.mx/.
Words of warning for newbies to IMSS coverage: This is NOT medical care like you’re used to up north. (Which is good and bad.) Your first clue is when you are asked for a urine sample and they hand you a small mayonnaise jar (sans label) with a big “M” on the red lid (McCormick). I’m sure they are sterilized, but still it is different than the sterile cups up north that come complete with instructions for a “clean catch” and include a handy wipe, all sealed in plastic. - www.mazinfo.com
Another expatriate blogger writes:
My personal wish for everyone who comes to live or retire in Mexico is that they don’t have to use IMSS. I had IMSS as a “benefit” when I worked as a regular, full-time employee (this is called nomina) at a language school in Cuernavaca.
All IMSS personnel and facilities are serving about 5 times as many people as they should be expected to serve. Under these conditions, even professional, kind people cannot give good care.
http://www.home-sweet-mexico.com/retire-in-Mexico-healthcare-IMSS.html
Our friends at Med To Go have received varying opinions on the quality and user friendliness of the IMSS system and caution:
…the following interesting health-care statistics might help you decide what is best for you:
Although less than 3 percent of the Mexican population possesses a private medical insurance policy, 52 percent of the country’s total medical expenditures are for private medical services. In fact, more than 25 percent of Mexicans with IMSS insurance pay for their medical expenditures out of pocket. As a general rule, Mexicans tend to prefer private health care to the state-run system.
When we speak with our clients who plan on moving to Mexico, we recommend identifying your insurance needs and checking all your options. You want to be comfortable and confident you will receive adequate medical care in a timely manner from doctors you trust. Please also be aware that the IMSS does not cover you outside of Mexico. If you plan on returning to the U.S. or your home country to receive periodic medical care, then it might be wise to purchase a private international health insurance policy.
Do you know the difference between Cold and H1N1 Flu symptoms? Take our True of False quiz and find out?
1. Fever is rare with a cold?
2. a non-productive (non-mucus producing) cough is usually present with the flu (sometimes referred to as dry cough)
3. Severe aches and pains are common with the flu?
4. Stuffy nose is not commonly present with the flu?
5. Chills are uncommon with a cold?
6. Sneezing is not common with the flu?
7. Cold symptoms tend to develop over a few days?
8. A headache is very common with the flu, present in 80% of flu cases
9. Sore throat is commonly present with a cold and not the flu?
10. Chest comfort is often sever with the flu?
If you answered “True” to all the above questions, then you know the difference between Cold and H1N1 Flu Symptoms. For more information regarding H1N1 symptoms, visit the Center for Disease Control website at http://www.cdc.gov/.
The only way to stop the spread of the epidemic is to spread the awareness.
If you do not have health health insurance and you are concerned about the cost of medical care in case you become ill, then we recommend short-term health insurance. It features a $50 Urgent Care Center Co-Pay and coverage can begin within 24 hours. Get a free quote online at www.BestShortTermPlan.com.
The U.S. Embassy in La Paz issued the following warden message to inform U.S. citizens traveling to and residing in La Paz, Bolivia, that civic groups in the El Alto area are planning activities - to begin this evening and to last potentially 24 hours - that may block access to/from the El Alto international airport.
We recommend contacting your in-country contacts to ensure you plan for additional time routes to and from the airport
Today I read an article in Christianity Today magazine (online version) about the decreased amount of financial support international mission organizations are receiving. Christianity Today interviewed representatives from the Christian and Missionary Alliance, The International Mission Board (IMB) of the Southern Baptist Convention, CrossGlobal Link and World Gospel Mission who all reported they are under budget, as much as 10%, which has resulted in tighter spending and/or sending fewer missionaries abroad. Higher health insurance premiums can restrict budgets even further. www.Brigada.org, a growing collection of web- and email-based resources staged from the offices of Team Expansion, recently published an article referencing MissionaryHealth.net as a resource for missionaries who need affordable international health insurance.
Last week a well established international mission organization who has over 425 missionaries on the field and in the states incurred a 35% renewal rate increase for 2010. They contacted us for assistance as it would be very difficult for their missionaries to find the additional support to pay for the increased health insurance premium. Many organizations don’t realize there are plenty of ways to reduce your premiums; we can help you identify and trim the non-critical benefits which can reduce your premiums by 5 - 25%!
MissionaryHealth.net designs group benefit plans specifically to meet the wide array of needs for Christian missionaries abroad, as well as furlough coverage and home staff. Financial stewardship has been exercised in the plan design and cost and a voluntary reduction in commissions significantly reduce the overall insurance premiums. The broad selection of missionary specific benefits and low premiums allow our clients to utilize more of their financial resources to your ministry.
We are serious about saving our clients money. Four of the main principles have missionary experience and understand the family and financial considerations of missionaries living abroad. If you are a missionary or mission organization and your health insurance premiums have increased, then please contact us for a no-obligation quote and proposal. Call us toll free at 800.647.4589 or email Adam Bates at adam@missionaryhealth.net or Mark Sneed at mark@missionaryhealth.net.
Visit the MissionaryHealth.net booth at the Catholic Network of Volunteer Service in Durham, NC from November 12 - 15 and the National Missionary Convention in Peoria, IL from November 19 - 22, 2009.
October 13, 2009 - The U.S. Embassy, Pretoria, S. Africa was evacuated as a result of a bomb threat.
There has been recent civil unrest between local governement, the police and local labor parties. US Citizens are urged to take caution. Visit the US State Department for security advice if you are in the area.