IESS - Medical Insurance in Ecuador

Since I now have my Cedula I am eligible to apply for medical insurance in Ecuador. The medical insurance I am applying for is through Ecuador's Social Security system (i.e., not private medical insurance). 

If you work in Ecuador you automatically pay into the Social Security system. For expats, we are required to pay $72 per month. Bo and Linda mentioned that their's cost $81.63 ($11.59 more for Linda as a dependent). This includes full medical, dental and optical. I think there are some exceptions like cosmetic surgery that are not covered. And I think that some medications are not covered or not completely covered. But since I am new to this, the specifics will have to wait until later.

So, the other night Nieve helped me sign up online. The IESS website is in Spanish so it was a great help in having Nieve along for the ride. In fact it was even difficult for the both us to find the correct link in the menu system to make the application. To help with that go to the IESS website, look at the bottom of the page and hover your mouse pointer over "Personas Independientes" and then select "Generar clave por primera vez". Then follow the prompts. And of course you will need your Cedula number to complete the application.

I signed up on Oct 12th. Nieve says I will have to start paying next month. I am not sure how this payment will take place but I will update this page when I find that out. 

UPDATE - January 26, 2015:  The payments are happily come out of my Banco Pichincha account here in Cuenca. Fortunately, I have not had cause to avail myself of the IESS services.

My First Birthday In Ecuador

On October 1st I turned 61. My first birthday in Ecuador!

Nieve took me out to one of our favourite (and expensive restaurants) "Zircus". She must have called ahead because when we arrived the table was encircled with rose petals.

We didn't order anything. She knew what I liked and had pre-ordered it:  Steak and Langostina along with quite a number of side-dishes, plus one of our favourite wines: Trapiche Malbec.

Zircus is a fairly new restaurant in Cuenca. It is attached to a new hotel which is located next to the Estadio Alejandro Serrano Aguilar near Ave de Solano. 

The least expensive nightly cost in this hotel (according to their website) is $103.70 USD (including tax). The rooms are quite spartan looking as is the restaurant (i.e., if you are looking for a cozy place you might consider an alternative).

In previous visits to this restaurant it has typically cost us $45 for the two of us which has included a glass of wine with our meal. This is one of the most expensive meals I have had in Cuenca.

Upon our return to the house we were greeted by her youngest son (Xavier) and his wife (Veronica) and in-laws who wished me a happy birthday.

A few days later, Xavier and his wife showed up with a very yummmy birthday cake.