Mexico Health

Hospitals in Mexico

People from the US, the UK and Canada, disheartened by the long waiting list and the high cost of medical procedures are increasingly flocking to hospitals in Mexico for treatment. The high quality infrastructure, world class surgeons, reduced cost and waiting periods all contribute towards making Mexico a hub for medical tourists from all over the world. No wonder, patients from all corners of the globe are flocking to Mexico for plastic surgeries, bariatric surgeries, dental and other medical treatments.

 

Private hospitals in Mexico provide medical treatment at 30-40% the cost in the Western countries without compromising on the quality of care administered.hp29

According to a report by the Deloitte Centre for Health Solutions, the average number of Americans seeking medical tourism should increase to 16 million by the next decade.

Many of the medical facilities in Mexico are close to the border towns in America like Texas and San Diego and provide a high standard of medical care at an affordable price.

Medical Tourism in Mexico

Health Tourism in Mexico is on the rise and a report by Horowitz, Rosensweig & Jones claimed that as many as 750,000 Americans opted out for medical treatment abroad in 2007. Mexico is the 12th largest economy in the world in terms of purchasing power parity.

The close proximity of some hospitals in Mexico to the border cities in the USA is attracting a large number of medical tourists particularly the uninsured and underinsured.

The Health Digital System pointed out that a total of 50,000 medical tourists were treated in Mexico in 2009, generating an income of $650 million. This number has been increasing at a rate of 25% annually, so much so that the revenue from this sector is expected to cross $1 billion in the coming years.

Private hospitals in Mexico provide a repertoire of medical procedures, which spurs medical tourists from all over the world. A few of them are as follows:

  • Dental Surgery
  • Eye Surgery
  • Cosmetic Surgery
  • Heart Surgery
  • Joint Replacement Surgery
  • Hysterectomy

Lap banding and vertical sleeve gastrectomy in Mexico are some of the other popular procedures. Many mommies travel to Mexico for plastic surgery after childbirth.

Healthcare system in Mexico is a combination of the public and the private undertakings, with the country spending 6.6% of its GDP on this sector and the level of care delivered par excellence.

Medical Tourism in Mexico- Pros and Cons

Health tourism in Mexico has been steadily increasing since the last couple of years, with Americans comprising 80-85% of the medical tourists in the small border towns of the city.

The Proshospital-in-mexico

  • Medical treatment in the top hospitals in Mexico, in Tijuana, Monterrey to name a few is a fraction of the cost in US, UK or Canada.
  • Even after the accommodation and travel expenditure is taken into consideration, the total cost of medical procedures in Mexico is estimated to be 1/10th of that in the first world countries.
  • The doctors and surgeons are well qualified, experienced and provide a high level of medical care and expertise. Physicians in the leading hospitals in Mexico see an average of 10 patients a day and specialists spend 30 minutes to 1 hour with the patient as opposed to a couple of minutes in countries with overburdened health systems like US and UK.
  • The nurses and paramedical staff are extremely caring and treat all patients with respect and empathy, providing a high level of individualized comprehensive patient care.
  • Medical centers in Mexico are equipped with cutting edge technology and all amenities to make the stay as comfortable as possible.
  • Accreditation by The Health Council of Mexico and the JCI (Joint Commission International) ensures stringent compliance with the hygiene and safety protocol to meet with international standards.
  • English is the medium of communication for most health personnel and translators may be provided if the need arises.
  • The large capacity of multi specialty hospitals makes sure that there is almost no waiting period to schedule any surgery in Mexico.
  • How about picking a book from the library of a Tijuana hospital or rewinding in a restaurant in a Guadalajara hospital; Mexican hospitals are known for their patient-friendly ambiance and give plenty of rejuvenation options to their patients and their accompanying guests to choose from .

The Cons

  • Weak malpractice laws as opposed to those in the western countries.
  • With medical tourists being increasingly targeted, hospitals are being accused of showing fewer concerns to cater to the local population.
  • Sometimes the insurance companies do not pay for the procedures conducted.
  • Any complication which may arise after the patients have returned to their native countries is the responsibility of healthcare there.

Traveling to the Major Hospitals in Mexico

Its proximity to the US has made Mexico an attractive location for medical tourists with as many as 40,000- 80,000 people seeking medical and nursing care there. People are thronging:

Traveling to Mexico is easy and convenient. There are a number of flights which connect the major cities of Mexico to different corners of the globe.

  • Foreigners must carry valid passport & all documentation necessary to travel by air to another country.
  • US citizens do not require a visa for a stay of up to 72hrs in the “border zone”. For movement beyond this strip of 20-30kms near the border, a tourist card is required.

Things to do in Mexico

  • Mexico, with its culture and ancient three-dolphins-in-puerto-vallarta charm, has something to suit every palate. The essence of medical tourism in Mexico lies in combining high quality healthcare with visits to scenic locations in the country.
  • Public transport has made it easy and convenient for tourists to move around in the different cities in the country.
  • As the leading hospitals in Mexico are located in the large cities, medical procedures give tourists a chance to experience and bask in the glory of the rich past and present of this exotic country.
  • A medical vacation in Mexico may enhance the healing process and leave you feeling completely refreshed and relaxed.

Tips for Medical Tourists in Mexico

  • Although Mexico is by and large a safe country, it is advisable for medical tourists to take certain precautions to avoid being victimized by petty crimes such as pick pocketing or purse snatching.
  • Avoid crowded places like restaurants or take extra care of valuables while there.
  • Tourists should avoid travelling to remote places alone at night.
  • Possession of drugs warrantees very severe penalties in Mexico. Tourists must avoid getting involved in any such activities there.
  • It is advisable for tourists to have their complete itinerary chalked out before their arrival in the country.

Treatment from the private Hospitals in Mexico is emerging as viable option for people from all over the world attracted by the high quality medical care, reduced prices and negligible waiting periods in this Latin American country.

Mexico Health  facilitates affordable medical treatments at various hospitals under our network in Mexico. For more information and FREE quote, submit the estimate–request form on the right.