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Puerto Rico

The current weather in Culebra

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Medical Care
Culebra, Puerto Rico
Author: Ruth Emmett (---.nys.biz.rr.com)
Date:   03-01-10 10:18

Here is an account of needed medical care in PR on 2-13-2010:
I fell/sustained a compression fracture during my recent camping stay on Culebra. I have all praise for Felix directing me to the in-town Dewey 24/7 clinic and the capacity of staff to take care of my needs - seen by nurse & doctor at the clinic, my lack of spanish language was not a barrier to treatment. The doc 'transferred me' via ambulance to local airport, I was met at Fajardo airport by ambulance which took me to a hospital to get an x-ray and temporary care.
After spending 4 hours 'waiting', I located a young male nurse who was fluent in Sp. & Eng.; the x-ray was taken, my wrist was wrapped and we were on our way to the 7 pm ferry ride.
Each person I spoke with along the way on the entire trip including 2 at Culebra clinic, 2 ambulance folks, and 5 people at the hospital asked the same questions and there was no over-all file that followed my care. Overall the medical and personal care were great - the wait was not great and the language barrier in Fajardo was significant.

I will return to camp again!

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Re: Medical Care in Puerto Rico
Culebra, Puerto Rico
Author: Debbie (---.sip.asm.bellsouth.net)
Date:   03-01-10 19:53

Glad to hear you are okay. In 10 years of visiting, knock wood, we have never needed medical attention. I've often wondered how well the system works for a non-Spanish speaker. Thanks for the account.

Happy Diving!
Debbie

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Re: Medical Care
Culebra, Puerto Rico
Author: Marywho (67.224.230.---)
Date:   03-02-10 07:49

AS long as we spilling the beans (habichuelas!!) may i ask how the financial part was handled? Did you have supplementary health coverage while traveling? Did you have to pay out-of-pocket, and if so.....how much in all? Or each?

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Re: Medical Care
Culebra, Puerto Rico
Author: Ruth Emmett (---.nys.biz.rr.com)
Date:   03-02-10 12:21

The Fajardo Dr. wanted $25 cash which I did not have on me and the hospital said they had no capacity for my VISA card.

My HMO card which I showed to providers says: Notice to providers -
out-of-area emergency services will be paid by the Plan' - then gives an address to send forms to.

I have paid no money up-front and expect bills for all care will possibly come to me at my home address which I will then submit to my HMO.

Results of all this remain to be seen. Golly gee.....

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Re: Medical Care
Culebra, Puerto Rico
Author: richard (---.hsd1.dc.comcast.net)
Date:   03-04-10 01:12

wow Ruth that was my birthday - I spent it on a stalled Amtrak train in the cold and snow with no heat, food or toilets for 9 hours.

not sure which would be better

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Re: Medical Care
Culebra, Puerto Rico
Author: Arturo (---.mda.mil)
Date:   03-04-10 11:13

The sharing of this experience is invaluable as most travelers do not stop for a second to think about medical emergencies. On our recent trip we suspected that anything requiring major medical attention (broken bones, asthma attack, concusion, etc.) would require airlift via plane to Fajardo. Again, thanks for sharing this with the group. I wonder if doctors vacationing in culebra should make their whereabouts known to the local emergency room staff, this could be the difference between making it or not. Something to think about.

AA

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Re: Medical Care
Culebra, Puerto Rico
Author: Geronimo (---.customer.broadstripe.net)
Date:   03-04-10 11:29

There is an emergency helo on the big island that has come out for emergency situations ex. swim to Culebrita and strand self after sunset.

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Re: Medical Care
Culebra, Puerto Rico
Author: Herb (165.134.205.---)
Date:   03-11-10 08:10

Wow, Ruth. What an adventure! I hope you are feeling better now.

Herb

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