Puerto Vallarta, Mexico - If you are thinking about buying a second home in Puerto Vallarta for retirement, one of your considerations will be access to healthcare. One of the benefits of retiring in Mexico is the inexpensive, quality medical care which is provided by both private and public providers. We have a quick overview of how healthcare for snowbirds in Mexico works.

Private healthcare in Mexico works as a free market system, available to anyone who can afford it, while public healthcare is a universal system maintained by the government.

The public system is accessible to people who retire in Mexico and become legal full-time residents, through a program called Seguro Popular. This program of healthcare has sliding scale premiums, based on economic factors such as income and home ownership.

Though public healthcare is available, many foreigners choose to use the private system. Although visiting the doctor's office in the private system is quite affordable, generally, $400 to $600 MXN per visit to a specialist, it is wise to have insurance in case of hospitalization or a serious condition.

Some Americans may have coverage through existing policies, such as Blue Cross. Canadians, on the other hand, will not be covered by their provincial healthcare coverage in Mexico.

Regardless of nationality, there are several health insurance providers in Puerto Vallarta that can advise you on various policies to suit your needs.

Depending on the length of your stays in Mexico, travel insurance may be another option, but it is important to read policies carefully and look for small print and exclusions, particularly deductibles, pre-existing conditions clauses and the extent of coverage.

For most people that buy a retirement property in Puerto Vallarta, healthcare is an easy and affordable part of their life in Mexico, and with a little research, you can be sure that you are adequately covered for any emergency.

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Since 1997, Wayne Franklin and his team at Tropicasa Realty have been a trusted name in Puerto Vallarta real estate. Tropicasa Realty is a regional representative of Who's Who in Luxury Real Estate and, with over 100 years of combined experience in real estate, all agents of the company are affiliated with AMPI as well as being International members of the U.S. National Association of Realtors. Wayne Franklin or any member of his knowledgeable team can be contacted in-person at their Romantic Zone Office - Pulpito 145-A at Olas Altas. While in PV they can be reached at (322) 222-6505 or by calling 866-978-5539 (Toll-Free) from the U.S.

Click HERE to learn more about Tropicasa Realty, or visit tropicasa.com.