¡Hola, amigos! Welcome to all our new members — we’re so glad you’re here!

It’s heating up across Mexico (and fast), and I don’t know about you, but I’m dreaming of shade, cool drinks, and maybe a breeze that doesn’t feel like a hairdryer. This week, we’re helping you stay a step ahead — with smart tips for both your health and your health coverage.

Here’s what’s inside this issue:

• Tiny policy tweaks with big-time benefits

• How deductibles work with international insurance

• What’s possibly aging you from the inside out

• How to reverse your biological age

• Navigating pediatric cancer care in Mexico

• Why your insurance might reject part of your surgical team

🫀 YOUR HEALTH PULSE

The Lesser-Known Policy Riders That Might Be Worth It

In last week’s issue, we covered common riders like maternity, dental, and evacuation. But there’s a whole second tier of lesser-known riders that may not be on your radar and could be worth asking about at application or renewal time.

Here are some of the more unique ones to consider:

Basic U.S. Benefits Rider: Offers protection if you frequently travel to the U.S. and need emergency care while there.

Terrorism Rider: Covers medical evacuation if you’re caught in a dangerous region during political unrest or conflict.

Extreme Sports Rider: For thrill-seekers who ski, surf, or skydive – this add-on fills the gaps most policies exclude.

Enhanced Prescription Drug Rider: Increases annual prescription coverage for the year – some policies go up to $25,000 USD.

Outpatient Care Rider: Covers non-hospital treatments (like labs, consults, or procedures) that may not be included in catastrophic plans.

Repatriation Rider: Unlike the repatriation of remains rider, this allows you to return to your preferred country for medical treatment – not just the nearest facility. If you’re wondering, “What’s the difference between this and Medevac,” well…the difference is a medical evacuation plan is more geared for getting you to the nearest treatable facility that makes sense. The repatriation rider allows you to go to your hospital of choice – end of story.

Assisted Fertility Rider: Covers some fertility treatments, which are usually excluded from base plans.

Pre-Existing Condition Rider: Helps cover ongoing chronic conditions like diabetes or hypertension.

Mental Health Rider: Very rare, but available with a few insurers – often country-restricted (like U.S.-only).

Critical Illness Rider: Offers extra support if you’re diagnosed with a serious condition like cancer or stroke.

Room Waiver Rider: Removes the cap on private hospital room costs during inpatient stays.

Genome Testing Rider: Designed to cover precision cancer testing. They are not cheap – over 100,000 pesos.

Bonus Built-in Rider – Funeral Assistance Rider: This rider waives the deductible and covers funeral services for the principal insured and their spouse. A 180-day waiting period applies before coverage begins. Coordination with the company is required. This rider is available only to individuals aged 18 to 74.

Rider costs vary based on coverage, carrier, and plan – some add a few hundred dollars a year, others more.

But if you’re trying to fill a specific gap, it’s worth asking what’s available. Your broker can walk you through what applies to your plan and your needs.

Check out last week’s issue on common riders and what they cover.

🧐 DECODING YOUR POLICY

Deductibles: What Most People Get Wrong

Not all deductibles are created equal – especially when it comes to international health insurance. In fact, most people are surprised to learn just how nuanced they can be.

Let’s start with one of the most important (but least known) facts: Most international plans apply only two deductibles per family – no matter how many dependents you have.

So what does that actually mean?

Picture this: Jane and Joe have two kids Billy and Sarah. It’s been a rough year. Joe needed knee surgery, Jane broke her wrist and needed physical therapy, Billy had an appendectomy, and Sarah was hospitalized for severe food poisoning.

You might assume that each family member’s medical events trigger a separate deductible – but that’s not how most international plans work.

Instead, once two family members have met their individual deductibles, the entire family is considered to have satisfied the deductible requirement for the policy year. That means you won’t be stuck shelling out four separate deductibles – even if everyone’s getting care.

Here’s another twist: If the kids have medical expenses before their parents reach their deductible, the insurer will usually apply those costs toward the parent with the least met deductible – though this depends on the insurer's internal rules (and yes, even they don’t always explain it clearly).

Now let’s talk about another layer: Condition-specific deductibles.

Some insurers may impose a higher deductible for pre-existing conditions instead of excluding them entirely.

For example, if you had a history of skin cancer, your plan might apply a $10,000 deductible to any future skin-related care — even though your base deductible is $5,000.

These nuances matter and they’re not always spelled out in the fine print.

So ask your broker, understand how your deductible is structured, and find out if any exceptions apply to you. Because when it comes to getting reimbursed, the details make all the difference.

🏋️‍♂️ HEALTH EDGE

What Chronic Inflammation Does to Your Body Over Time

Most people think of inflammation as something temporary – like a swollen ankle or sore throat. But when it lingers under the surface, it becomes a different beast entirely.

Chronic inflammation isn’t a symptom – it’s a silent driver of disease.

Unlike acute inflammation, which is the body’s short-term healing response, chronic inflammation keeps your immune system in overdrive. And over time, it wears your body down at the cellular level.

Here’s what the science shows:

It Damages DNA and Triggers Autoimmunity 
When immune cells are continuously activated, they start to damage DNA. This is linked to autoimmune diseases like rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, and Crohn’s – and may also lead to cellular mutations that contribute to cancer development

It Turns Your Immune System Against You
Chronic inflammation can flip your defense system into attack mode – targeting healthy tissues and organs. This “friendly fire” damages joints, nerves, the pancreas, and even the brain, accelerating disease progression in autoimmune and neurodegenerative conditions.

It Locks You in a Pain and Fatigue Cycle 
The longer inflammation persists, the harder it becomes for your immune system to regulate itself. This leads to ongoing fatigue, pain, and immune dysfunction. Over time, it becomes a vicious feedback loop that’s hard to break

It Raises Your Risk of Serious Illness 
Long-term inflammation is now considered a key contributor to heart disease, cancer, and Alzheimer’s. It also plays a role in severe viral responses – like the formation of neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs), which have been linked to COVID-19 complications.

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