Chile Forum

zizzles wrote:I’m concerned about the connotations of having BBVA Provida health (and attached pension) cover.

I took it out to obtain Fonasa health benefits because I haven’t been able to find any company which will give me health insurance due to my age and cancer history.

Based on advice that Fonasa coverage is available to anyone who is self-employed, even if one is earning less than the minimum, I’m declaring minimum monthly earnings (currently $159.000) although I don’t have any Chilean-sourced income. I’m being assessed Fonasa coverage calculated as 7% of declared income, charged hand-in-hand with pension cover of roughly 13% of income.

My question to anyone who can help me please is:

Am I entitled to Fonasa health coverage, given that I do not have any Chilean-source income?

Do I understand you're paying in to Fonasa then? Seems like you'd be covered but I don't know. I did find you can Google Fonasa chile and translate and read more. And there is a phone number on the website:

Find out now

Call Center, dial 600 360 3000: available 7 days a week, 24 hours.

Also, many doctors here speak at least some english. There is a place on the fonasa website to search for providers that you might call or visit to get more information. Proof that you're paying in to the system probably required.

Fonasa is "government sponsored" and regulated but private industry heavily involved.

The 7% is basic coverage/minimum. The extra paid by many Chileans(as it's been explained to me) is for upgraded coverage like private room,ambulance service(ambulances privately run here)

This is a pretty good explanation(I think), although I've only read parts....someone wrote a book and it's free on the internet-remarkable.

http://books.google.com/books?id=sCE09u ... t&resnum=6

It sounds like the healthcare system they will eventually get in the US...maybe.

Hope this helps
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Hello Members,

I'd also like to ask a question on this topic. I am a U.S. citizen who worked in Chile for two years, 2008 and 2009. I participated in and contributed to a private pension plan called Cuprum. I was on a temporary work visa. At first, I had understood from Cuprum that by showing some US social security documents for that time period, I would get able to receive a refund after leaving Chile and repatriating to the U.S.. I wasn't participating in any American private plan before the Chile time or during it.

But now that I've submitted some SS statements and so forth, and got a response from the AFP in Chile, it is seeming like essentially, U.S. Social Security isn't adequate - doesn't meet the requirements. I've heard of people from other countries successfully getting reimbursed, but maybe the U.S.'s coverage is so different that it doesn't correspond.

If anyone's heard of an American succeeding with this, I'd love to hear about how!

Thanks.
Kate

Hello everyone

I have been trying to find out for months now about my pension funds in AFP CAPITAL with nothing but run-arounds from the Superintendencia de Pensiones. I am trying to check how much I have in CLP since it has been many years since I worked in Chile (I left in 1988) and I lost track. I have called them and sent emails as well as letters and NOBODY can telll me how I can get a password to log into their Website if their page (system) does not accept my address from Australia.

Apparently, you can only know what you have in funds if you have a chilean address. I have a RUT, but that doesn't help either. Does somebody have any idea that can help?

I am finally getting close to the date when I will be traveling to the south to look for different options, ie, investment, living, etc. This was supposed to take place in September 2010 but for various personal reasons my trip was postponed one year. I am really looking forward to this trip and introducing my partner (Czech/Aussie) to some of the most beautiful places for outdoor sports. We are also looking forward to finally meeting some of the Allchileans, starting with Charles & Zandra.

thanks everyone

Atlantis