Cozumel News September 13th, 2014

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The Cozumel Sun News September 13^th, 2014 Special Edition: Aurita’s Corner, “Get Your Ducks in Order!” The Importance of being prepared in case of a medical emergency or death while living in Mexico. Legal Documents you must file or have Officially translated and Notarized, Mexican Documents that you may need, and preparing your emergency contacts and Power of Attorney. Not to be forgotten,  Medical Insurance and Volunteering!

Aurita’s Corner

Get Your Ducks in Order! Recent events in our community have brought to light the need to again address the importance of having all your  documents in order,  and to have  a couple of people  designated as your Emergency Contacts. Now, this is totally different than the arrangements that you make in your will in the event of your death. The arrangements that you make in case of your death is to make things easier for your loved ones, and to make certain that your assets are distributed per your instructions. This is more important, what happens if you are ill and incapacitated, can affect the quality of the rest of your life.

This person or persons should live here on the island. There should be more than one, in the event you have an emergency while your first choice is on vacation, or was with you in the same car accident. (This will typically be the case if your emergency Contact is your spouse or significant other that lives with you in Cozumel).

An” In Case Of Emergency Card” should be in YOUR CAR, MOTORCYCLE, WALLET / PURSE, and taped next to the telephone in your HOME in the event the emergency happens at home.  This in-case-of-emergency card should be typed in SPANISH & English with the names and contact information of your emergency Contacts.

The EMERGENCY CONTACT should have the knowledge and ability to:

• Contact your family back home, & your Power of Attorney, etc.
• Schedule themselves and others to remain by your side until your family arrives from abroad. Family members and friends are expected to be with the loved ones in most Mexican Hospital to assist with the care of the patient. This is toileting, bathing, feeding, and changing diapers, etc. It is also important if there is a language barrier.
• Have knowledge and access to the whereabouts of all your documents.
• Have access to your home to care for or arrange for the care for your pets.
• Have knowledge of your home in case it needs to be locked up indefinitely or prepared for severe weather.

If this person happens to also be your Power of Attorney, they should have a means of accessing funds through a debit card.  If you have not designated a friend or Family member back home to be your POA , with the legal document translated Officially and Notarized in Mexico,  you better find someone you trust here to be your POA. Here are some reasons why:

It is not uncommon in Mexico to have a patient’s family purchase medication not in-stock or have laboratory or other test done by another institution that requires pre-payment.

There are some insurance policies that do not cover all procedures. Those not covered will require payment.

In addition to hospital expenses, are there household employees (maid, gardener, pool guy) that will need to be paid? Will your pet or pets need money on hand for food or care?

If you are single and/or living alone:

 Do you wish to stop all housekeeping, pool service, laundry service? These people will need to receive their final payment, or have someone in-charge of continuing to pay them in your absence.

What do you want to happen in your Contracted Services if you will be in the hospital long term or returned to your home country for treatment?

If instructed, the POA will be able to turn off your cable service, telephone service, and internet service. These services will only close the account once they receive payment in full for what is owed to them.

Now, these are things that I have come up with are based on a household only. If you have a business here in Mexico, you will need to think through and make arrangements to have all your bases covered within the business.

Medical Insurance: If you do not have medical insurance, get some. If you cannot afford insurance, read The Cozumel Sun section on IMSS insurance for family coverage based on age, or you can qualify by working and Seguro Popular which is free of charge.

Volunteer: The Cozumel Blood Drive needs members to sign up to donate blood. If you do not meet the criteria to donate, you can still sign up and assist them in recruiting donors when a need is announced, or volunteer to take turns at someone’s bedside that is hospitalized. Since Cozumel does not have the facilities to store blood, it is important for you to have a connection to this group, someday it might be you in need of blood. Volunteer to be someone’s emergency contact that you know is here alone. Be visible in the community if you are here alone! There are enough of us here that there is no excuse for anyone to face an emergency situation alone.

Important Documents in Cozumel

Every official document is important in Mexico. There is a lot of red tape involved to acquire them, and even more red tape if you lose them. It is imperative that you keep all your documents and documentation organized and current. You must keep copies of ALL the documents that you carry with you in your purse, wallet or vehicle.  Even if you keep these documents in a safe until you are ready to use them, it is good practice to have a copy. 

At home in a safe place you MUST keep the following documents:

–       Official Certified Birth Certificate & Certified Translation

–       Official Marriage License & Certified Translation

–       Last Will & Testament from your Country of Citizenship & Mexican Last Will & Testament

–       Power of Attorney (Officially translated if not filed in Mexico)

–       Living Will Officially Translated

–       Burial / Cremation Preferences Officially translated & notarized.

–       Keep Receipts of Paid Taxes and Utilities for 5 years

–       Homeowners: Deeds & Land Trust documents & Insurance

–       Renters: Rental Contract & Receipts of payments

–       Vehicles: Permits, Ownership, taxes, & Insurance

–       Business Owners: Ownership Documents, Paperwork, receipts, taxes & Insurance

–       Business Owners instructions for termination of employees in the event of your death.

–       Banking: Documents & an authorized backup person you can entrust to withdraw your funds to pay your expenses should you be incapacitated, hospitalized, or  pay  for your burial expenses in the event of your death.

When traveling in Mexico you must have proof that you are in the Country legally at all times! I am afraid of losing my originals so I make a color copy of my resident card, license and senior card, cut to size, front and back faced and glued and laminated. I carry my copies and leave my originals at home in the safe.

Have copies of your Passport, CURP, Plan Locale, INAPAN, Driver’s License, FPMC, RFC, Mexican Social Security, AND your Immigration Card.

The Cozumel Sun has Step by Step instructions on what you need to apply for the CURP, Plan Locale, INAPAM, Driver’s License, RFC, Social Security Number, and Fundacion De Parques Y Museo De Cozumel Credentials.

What these credentials are for: A CURP number is now being assigned by immigration to new applicants for temporary and permanent residents; a copy of the card will be required for a number of things. A Mexican Driver’s License is mandatory to drive in Mexico if you have a Permanent Resident status. The INAPAM (Senior Card), PLAN LOCALE (Ferry Discount also frequently used for proof of residency), and  FUNDACION DE PARQUES Y MUSEO DE COZUMEL  cards are equally important because they will enable you to receive discounts only available to residents on the island. You will need a Mexican Social Security Number to apply for IMSS Insurance and an RFC number if you want to receive and give out Facturas, or in other words, file taxes,  ask for tax exemption or lower the amount of taxes when you are earning an income or selling property.

Find The Step by Step Instructions in The Cozumel Sun at: https://www.thecozumelsun.com/living-in-cozumel-guide/important-documents/

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