A Health Care Myth about Mexico

Myth: I’ll get sick, and I’ve heard healthcare is not all that good in Mexico.

Big Myth-stake! Should you choose get sick in Mexico, healthcare is very good and very cheap.

Quality Healthcare in Mexico 

Mexico comes with an excellent reputation for the quality of its healthcare system. As in every country, you will find good and bad physicians, and better and worse hospitals. Generally, the physicians and surgeons in Mexico (and Lake Chapala and Guadalajara particularly) are well trained and have good diagnostic and treatment skills. Many received a minimum of part of their training in the U.S. or Europe. Every mid-size to large city in Mexico has a minumum of one first-rate hospital and in Guadalajara there are many excellent hospitals. Along with a big plus is that the price of health care in Mexico is usually one-half or less what you might count on paying in the U.S. The hospitals are often easily accessible and well equipped. Within the major centers such as Mexico City, Monterrey and Guadalajara, the hospitals usually have leading edge equipment and techniques that equal or exceed those available "North from the Border." My personal knowledge about Mexican doctors is that they seem more knowledgeable in diagnosing common problems than U.S. doctors, tend to be more willing to try different therapies, and, most significantly, they spend more time with their patients.

 Healthcare is Affordable in Lake Chapala 

 And, obviously, the costs of medical care will be different by physician, hospital, and also the seriousness of your condition, but typically, an office visit with a doctor-specialists included-will cost around 250 to 300 pesos (about $25). A home call...yes, doctors in Mexico still make house calls...will definitely cost around the same. Lab tests will definitely cost about a third of what shiny things cost in the U.S. The cat scan often costs about 25% of the items it does in the U.S. An overnight remain in a private hospital room costs about 350 pesos ($35). A trip to a dentist for cleaning costs about 250 pesos ($25).

Mexico also allows its foreign visitors the chance to enroll in the national health care program (IMSS). The concern varies with this service. Based on what area you are in, you might find a small clinic or a large, modern hospital. Under this plan of action, you won't be able to choose your personal doctor as you would should you seek private health care. Most people will retain a personal physician, and then ask that physician to touch on them to an IMSS clinic or hospital when extensive tests or labs are essential. In addition, if you need a specialist and therefore are referred by a private physician, you'll be given an appointment with the best expert around.

Did you know that more than half of Americans who seek bankruptcy relief say that medical bills were an issue! Because of that, Americans, particularly those living close to the Mexican border, now routinely cross to Mexico for health care. Popular specialties include dentistry and cosmetic surgery. Mexican dentists often charge one-fifth to one-fourth of U.S. prices, while other procedures typically cost you a third what they would within the U.S.

This trend has alarmed American medical service providers who, fearing a loss of economic, warn patients away from Mexico. However, lots who travel to Mexico for care are convinced that they are satisfied. According to a study commissioned by Families U.S.A., a Washington advocacy group for health-care issues, "About 90 % [feel] the care they had received in Mexico have been good or excellent. About 80 % rated the care they had received in the usa as good or excellent."

Based on the web site Mexipreneur, the average cost of a knee alternative to an uninsured patient in the usa is around $40,000. What does the same surgery cost at certainly one of Mexico's top hospitals? Around $11,500. More and much more foreigners are seeking medical and dental care in Mexico. 

For uninsured Americans, visiting Mexico for surgery is an excellent cost savings alternative.

Medical Procedure 

USA

Mexico

Angioplasty Up to $57,000 $17,100

Heart Bypass Up to $144,000 $21,100

Heart Valve Replacement Up to $170,000 $31,000

Knee Replacement Up to $50,000 $11,500

Hip Resurfacing Up to $30,000+ $13,400

Hip Replacement Up to $43,000 $13,800

Special Fusion Up to $100,000 $8,000

Face Lift Up to $15,000 $8,000

Rhinoplasty Up to $8,000 $5,000

Lap Band/Bariatric Up to $30,000 $9,200

Hysterectomy Up to $15,000 $7,500

Dental Implant $2,000-10,000 $1,000