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Dennis Philpot

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Posts posted by Dennis Philpot

    Driver's license renewal

    in Automobiles / Vehicles (Dealers, Titles, Vehicle & Driver Licenses, Maintenance, Fuel, Roadway Carnage, etc.)

    Posted

    I just realized that I will need to renew my Panama Driver's license in a few days and it might be a little challenging to get it done on time.  So I have two questions I hope will be answered.

    Is there some kind of penalty if I am a few days late with the renewal?

    What documents do I need to bring other than current license?

    I remember that getting the original license one year ago was smooth and fast at the David office, but all the documents I had to gather in advance was very time consuming and I hope that was a one time effort.  Thanks in advance for the help.  Dennis.

    Delays in Customs Procedures, Followed by Prohibited Importation of Cosmetics, Toiletries, and Medicines

    in Communications: Mail Services, Print / Electronic Media, Internet, etc.

    Posted

    My experience is similar to Uncle Doug's, but I'll add a few details that might help.

    I maintain my U.S. Medicare coverage through an HMO in California, since I maintained a residence address in the locale where that HMO provides coverage.  My primary care doctor in the U.S. provides the prescription updates about once a year and this information is on file with Walgreen's.  Whenever the 90 day provision period arrives, Walgreen's automatically ships the two Rxs to the California address and charges a few dollars to my Visa.  The person who lives full time at that address then forwards the package (special delivery with a tracking number and signature required) to my Florida Eshop address (Mail Boxes Etc. would also work).  They then forward the package to Eshop in Boquete.  This works quite smoothly and maybe it takes 2-3 weeks from the time Walgreen's ships to the time I make the pickup.

    When I first arrived in Boquete I got a few quotes from local pharmacies on these two generic drugs and the prices were very high compared to what I pay to get them from the U.S.

    Hope this helps.

    Dennis

    World Wide Medical Insurance Rates to Increase

    in Insurance (Automobile, Homeowners, Renters, Healthcare, Travel, etc.)

    Posted

    Just to add my two cents here, I can say this was a major concern before moving to Boquete.  But without an answer to the question of medical coverage I moved here anyway. So now that a year has passed I can say that I've explored all options and have concluded that for people my age (71 now 72 soon) there is no good coverage option in Panama other than self insured for emergencies (up to $20,000 in my case from US plan, though car insurance does cover some part of this) and Medicare coverage back in the states for more serious situations.  I realize there is still a gap in what i might need, but have decided to accept the risk, take really good care of my health and see what the future brings.  Not a great solution for everyone, but it's all I can do for me.  Best wishes for great solutions.  Dennis

    My rant against the library

    in Miscellaneous Chiriquí Topics

    Posted

    Personally I find that open space adds to the tranquility of the library inside and to those who choose to sit outside to enjoy the relative quiet.  I'm happy to take a little longer ride down the side road to gain access to the main road.  But I can understand one's frustration if one doesn't experience what the library space offers.

     

    David Bus Terminal Parking

    in Help Desk / Concierge Services (“I need ...”)

    Posted

    I'm going to Panama City this weekend (and will do so often for some time) and plan to take the bus this time (first time for me).  One option I'm considering is to drive to David, park at the bus terminal, then take one of the daytime buses to Albrook.  My question for the Boquete longtimers is if parking at the David bus terminal for a Friday - Monday trip is OK?  I do so regularly at the airport, and wondered if the same is true for the bus terminal?  As always, thanks in advance for your help.  Dennis

    Verbal Translation Devices

    in Electronic Goods and Services (Computers, Phones, TVs, Radios, Cameras, etc.)

    Posted

    I am interested in learning if any technology experts here in the CL group know about the latest verbal Spanish / English translation devices or technologies?  I know about and use various online apps and services like Google Translate on my smart phone and computer, and others.  But since I haven't yet activated my speech on Google, I'm not sure if I can do what I want there.  My need is more with conversations than just words or phrases.  I'd like to talk in English at lengths of paragraphs (not sure how many words or characters) and have the translation to Spanish be voice transmitted, and then have the response in Spanish voice into the device be translated into English with a voice transmission.  And it would be great if the voice responses could have corresponding written responses.  I've seen Phrasebook's iTranslate Voice app, handheld or tablet devices like Ectaco has.  But before going too deep on my own research I just wondered if any of you have some advice?  And just so you know, I continue to improve my Spanish skills the old fashioned way and may now be at a 10 year old level :-).  Thank you.

    Eye Glasses

    in Shopping and Store Resources

    Posted

    The lab doesn't necessarily need to be in Chiriqui.  And ask if they can do High Index lenses (higher index of refraction so the lenses are thinner and lighter).  -1.5 should be quite light and thin and work with almost all frames.  Good luck.

    Eye Glasses

    in Shopping and Store Resources

    Posted

    I spent my career with Carl Zeiss Meditec, selling / marketing various diagnostic and surgical equipment and devices to the global ophthalmology community.  But Zeiss also has the Zeiss Optical division that makes various optical lenses of different materials, including glass -- high index and otherwise.  You may have been recommended plastic lenses earlier if your prescription is high -- meaning lots of base material needed to make the corrections.  If that's not the case, and if you've worn glass lenses in the past (also need to consider frame size and weight along with style), then maybe you can get them again.  Before going to David I'd check the optician shop next to eShop just to see if they can give you options..  Not sure if that's Lopez Optical or some other place.  Wish I could be more help.  Good luck.

      

    Looking for Dermatologist Recommendation

    in Health and Health Care, Special Care Facilities (Nursing Homes, Assisted Living, etc.)

    Posted

    I'd like to schedule a general dermatological exam (it's just time to do so) and have read the Health Care Resources information here on CL.  However, I just wanted to see if anyone has any new information that could help?  It appears there are two derm specialists in David and none in Boquete, unless something has changed.  Thanks in advance.  Dennis

    Missing Lettuce

    in Restaurants, Food / Groceries, Recipes, Food Supply Channels, Health Inspections / Suspensions, etc.

    Posted

    On 1/22/2017 at 11:27 AM, Pat said:

    I have tried to purchase lettuce at three different stores (both David and Boquete) without success. Sometimes nothing available. One store had lettuce that had been on the shelf a long time, turning brown. Ugh. Ideas?

    I get various kinds without problem -- from either the Garden at SF Plaza (they stock up on Mondays), or Anna at the Tue market, or various stalls in the Mercado, or even Romero or Deli Baru.  Just depends where I am when I need it.   But I prefer the kind with the roots still wrapped compared to the hydroponic, since the hydroponic comes in a plastic container.

    Why is a Boquete Bank Account Needed?

    in Banking, Currency, Safety Deposit Boxes, etc.

    Posted

    Just looking for a little input here from long timers in Boquete.  I've only been here since June 2016 and one of the first things I did was open a bank account -- a savings account with a $1,000 minimum balance, debit card and no service fees.  In these 7 or so months, the only transactions have been to deposit checks from my US Wells Fargo account, and then sometimes use the local bank's ATM to get cash.  However, I've no problem getting cash on my Wells Fargo debit card ($2.50 fee) and all other transactions (rent, lawyer, stores, etc.) are easily handled via PayPal or Wells Fargo Visa Credit Card.  So far it appears to me that I don't need the Boquete bank account, so I'm wondering if and when and why I'll ever really need it, even with it's good service, friendly staff, online banking, etc.?  Thanks in advance for any education you can provide me.

    You can't make this up, watch where you step, better medical care for Boquete

    in Water Cooler Topics, Rumor Central, Bochinche

    Posted

    4 hours ago, Bonnie said:

    This is serious business indeed. I know from experience. Many of you know the story, but for those who don't here's a brief synopsis. My husband (now deceased) about six years ago shattered his foot in an accident. He contracted a hospital-acquired infection. In total he spent 50 days in the hospital and had four surgeries, not to mention many other procedures (hyperbaric chamber, regular wound cleansing, etc.). This happened at a "gap" time in his insurance coverage, so he had none. The total cost exceeded $70,000. People think it can't happen to them, but it can. And if you're not insured and don't have a high-maximum-limit credit card, you're sent to Hospital Regional at the expense of the Panamanian people and where the hospital care is substandard. I now have complete coverage, less the $5000 deductible for out-of-hospital costs, up to $1,000,000. It's expensive, particularly at my age, but it beats the risk of taking another hit like my husband's misfortune.

    Based on the above experience and my own financial calculations relating to these discount plans, I continue to believe that what senior citizen expats need (in the absence of a financial cushion making it possible to comfortably self-insure) is catastrophic health insurance. Most of us can come up with the $12-$20 for a doctor visit, $50-$75 for a specialist, a similarly inexpensive emergency room visit, lab tests, and the like. But a serious illness, a heart attack, or a major accident--anything requiring surgery and/or a lengthy hospital stay--can cost big, big bucks. Even 20-30% deductibles could leave you with a financially ruinous bill or necessitate your being shipped off to the public hospital. My husband's hospital stay preceding his death last summer, for example, cost $36,000 (no surgery), and insurance paid every penny of it, no questions asked. I never even saw the bill. If he had had one of discounted-services plans of 20% to 30% off, I still would have been left with a bill of $28,800 or $25,200.

    If you absolutely cannot afford comprehensive coverage, I encourage everyone to join a plan that at least will cover some of your hospital expenses if hospitalization is ever required.

    Sage advice, I think, Bonnie.  Just wish I could follow it.  I began looking before I moved here last June, but at age 70 (now 71) found that the comprehensive plans (Worldwide, PALIC, etc.) cost from $500 to $1,500 per month with quite large deductibles ($10,000 to $25,000 as I recall).  And the Chiriqui Plan seemed only good for small emergencies (though I still may opt for this plan) for the first 12-36 months, and then maybe something more comprehensive after 24-36 months.  Since I maintained my Medicare coverage in the US, and since the HMO plan that administers Medicare for me will pay up to $20,000 when traveling outside the US, I've so far decided to take the risks and self-insure to a certain extent.  But I'm not comfortable with that.  So do you have any further recommendations that I might investigate? 

    Pests etc.

    in Idle Chatter / Personal Musings

    Posted

    On 5/7/2016 at 9:26 PM, Bonnie said:

    Doug, as you know, I live just below you. We've never seen a scorpion in the eight years we've been in our house (in Palo Alto). Friends who live down the hill just past George's Fireside Grill often have them, however. Maybe you and I are just high enough that they're not comfortable here? I would be interested in knowing if those who live high up in Jaramillo, Volcancito, Alto Quiel, etc. have problem with scorpions. If it's not the altitude, I do not know what to contribute it to. When we rented in Santa Lucia while building, we were plagued with scorpions.

    I live in Jaramillo Arriba, almost seven months now.  I've seen three scorpions so far, a couple of small ones and a larger one.  I don't like killing things so I just put a small plastic bowl or other type of container over the scorpion (or other bug), then slide a piece of thin cardboard or laminated paper or something similar (larger that the opening of the bowl or container) underneath and take it outside and let the scorpion / but go to it's natural habitat.  The scorpions don't seem to move too fast so it's pretty each to catch then like that.  That works for when you see them.  I've also been advised to make sure my shoes and other potential hiding places are clean before use.

    finally, an answer from PriceSmart re: requested items

    in Shopping and Store Resources

    Posted

    6 hours ago, Sassy Blake said:

    There were many responses and inquiries to the post of a new item at PriceSmart.  I said I would forward an answer once I got one.

    Yesterday, while at PriceSmart, I noticed a group of several "honcho-looking" PriceSmart employees strolling the aisles.  I stopped to ask the questions for food items that were requested in the "New item at PriceSmart" topic of November 2016.

    So here is the info I got:  regarding the much requested English Muffins:  They said the English Muffins were discontinued because they weren't a good seller.  I contested that there were several requests for them on that post.  They answered that unfortunately, when they have to buy for 40 stores, while Chiriqui buyers loved them, they didn't do well overall.  Can you imagine the poor taste of the consumers in other PriceSmart areas?!?! ~smile~

    I also asked about the real vanilla and kalamata olives.  no answer on that yet.  I will pursue it a little further with Melissa.

    I can say, that when the decision was finally made to bring Grey Poupon mustard back, I got a note saying it was now in all the Panama stores.  That doesn't sound to me like it was in all 40 stores.  So DO make your requests known at the site I included in a previous post.  Maybe, we can get more of the stuff we like in the Panama stores!

    One bit of interesting info is that if you buy a product at PriceSmart which has a warranty/guarantee, PriceSmart is your warranty Return center if the product fails while still under warranty.   Save your receipt, and bring it with your defective/failed product to the store, and they'll see that it gets repaired or replaced.  That's what I was told by Bob Coulson and Andrew Skare, both of whom are in charge of various aspects of merchandising.

     

    I too looked long and far for kalamata olives until a CL poster told me about Casa de Jamon (I think that's the name) on the main road to Boquete -- right side going toward town next to office building which I think is called Paso Alto.

    Laundry and Dry Cleaning in Boquete

    in Help Desk / Concierge Services (“I need ...”)

    Posted

    Thanks, Bonnie.  Appreciate the input.  Their dry cleaning is OK, but I don't need it much.  It's the simple laundry that is a problem -- clothes returned still damp, yet folded and bagged; plus too many lost socks.  So I'll try somewhere else for the laundry.  Thanks again.

    Also appreciate the other two recommendations.  I've seen the place near SF Plaza and always assumed it was a DIY place (which I was ready to try).  Anyway, it's close to where I live so will give them a try next week.

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