| | |  Health & Beauty | September 2009 
Mexican Health Care for Americans: Competent, Caring, Affordable
 Roberta Rand - SF Productions TV
September 11, 2009
Puerto Vallarta - As the US economy continues to implode, the convergence of lost jobs, dwindling health insurance benefits and skyrocketing medical costs is forcing US citizens to seek alternative solutions to their healthcare needs.
Travel to Mexico is becoming an increasingly attractive option. Common dental procedures like crowns and root canals can be had for as much as 80 percent less than what you pay in the US. High-priced procedures like gastric bypass, LASIK eye correction and cosmetic surgery can be obtained for about half of what the same procedures cost in the US (although current volatility of world economic markets may affect actual savings).
While many Americans seek dental work and prescription medicines in border towns like Juarez and Nogales, resort areas here in Mexico offer a special come-hither alternative: the "Medi-Vacation," or what falls under the broader category of medical tourism.
Have your medical procedures performed in a place like Puerto Vallarta, and with the money you save, you can recuperate for a week at a first-class hotel, hang out on the beach and dine at some of the best restaurants on the planet.
What can Americans expect in terms of quality of care in Mexico? Is it comparable? In most cases, the answer is "yes." Hospitals and clinics in Mexico are clean, efficient and modern, especially those located in large cities. Equipment used in procedures is the same equipment you find in the US. Doctors also receive medical training at medical schools as prestigious as any you'd find in the US.
Marcus Welby Gonzales, M.D.
If there is one adjective to describe medical care in Mexico that sadly, no longer applies in the US, it's "personal." Healthcare in Mexico avoids the bureaucratic obstacle course of automated operators, surly gatekeepers and red tape that separates patients from doctors in the US.
In Mexico, you don't have to run a gauntlet of general physicians before you can see a specialist. Make an appointment directly with the doctor's office and get in to see him within the week. You can also expect him to personally check on your post-operative progress in the hospital.
The Usual Suspects
Of course, not all Mexican hospitals and doctors are created equal. Doctors and medical facilities in small towns and outlying areas of Mexico will not be on a par with the US. And just as there are bad doctors in the US, Mexico also has its share of quacks and con artists. Doctors usually display their certifications and diplomas in their offices, but don't depend on visual proof alone - the mail-order diploma business is alive and well in Mexico.
Dr. Javier Diaz Nunez, a respected ENT in Puerto Vallarta, advises Americans considering surgery in Mexico to verify that doctors are certified by the corresponding boards governing their specialties. Research doctors online before you make an appointment. Board-certified specialists are listed on official government and professional websites.
The following websites list physicians, surgeons and dentists - or you can enter a specific name. Note: some of these sites provide information in English, but be prepared to brush up on your Espaρol.
For Opthalmology:
Consejo Mexicano de Oftalmologia
For Orthopedics:
Consejo Mexicano de Ortopedia, A.C.
For Cosmetic Surgery:
Consejo Mexicano de Cirugia Plastica, Estetica y Reconstructiva, A.C.
For Dental and Maxilo-Facial Surgery:
Consejo Mexicano de Ortodoncia y Ortopedia Dentomaxilofacial
Consejo Mexicano de Cirugia Oral y Maxilofacial, A.C.
Cheap Health Care for ExPats
Americans over the age of 60 who are full-time residents of Mexico may currently take advantage of a government-run program offered by the Mexican Social Security Institute (IMSS), which provides unlimited healthcare for a $250 USD annual membership fee. For those younger than 19, the fee is $95 USD. IMSS has about 1500 clinics and 264 hospitals across Mexico. IMSS benefits cover regular health check-ups, eyeglasses, medicine, dental work and even surgery.
Of course, there are trade-offs for all these too-good-to-be-true benefits
IMSS will not cover pre-existing conditions for a period of two years.
IMSS pharmacies only dispense common generic drugs - not the newer designer name brands
Some IMSS facilities do not provide rehabilitative therapies.
Patients in Mexican hospitals must arrange for family help to change sheets, provide help with feeding, monitor IV drips - and provide their own pillows.
IMSS clinics may not have the newest equipment. Some tests may have to be performed at larger IMSS facilities
You're in Mexico - Doctors and nurses may speak only Spanish.
Oh, the Irony
The loophole that allows American residents of Mexico to take advantage of Mexico's medical resources may not remain open indefinitely. The IMSS program already runs at a deficit. Just as US unemployment and decreased tax revenues have strained US government programs, the same problem is occurring in Mexico. A heavy influx of gringos seeking cheap medical care may put the current policy up for review sooner rather than later.
Puerto Vallarta: An Ideal Location for Surgical Needs
For Americans seeking medical, dental or surgical procedures south-of-the border, Puerto Vallarta offers the very best in modern, cutting-edge medical facilities, the latest in surgical equipment and highly skilled physicians and surgeons.
Pamela Thompson, director of Health Care Resources Puerto Vallarta cites some impressive statistics: "Puerto Vallarta boasts six, and soon-to-be seven state-of-the-art private hospitals with modern Intensive Care units and Dialysis units. Diagnostic centers offer MRI, CAT scan, Ultrasound and Cardiac Cath labs." She also adds that most doctors are bilingual.
Thompson cautions that costs in Puerto Vallarta and around Mexico have spiked recently. Puerto Vallarta is still a bargain, but she quotes a savings of 20-40 percent for inpatient services (depending on the service) and a savings of around 50 percent for outpatient services.
Sources:
"US Seniors Opt for Mexican Healthcare," by Steven J. DuBord, mexconnect.com
Pamela Thompson, Health Care Resources Puerto Vallarta
 Roberta Rand is Public Relations Manager for SF Productions TV, a full service production and marketing company in Puerto Vallarta. Prior to relocating to Mexico from Colorado Springs with her dog, Bo, Roberta worked as a magazine editor, web editor and marketing copywriter. She is also an essayist and author, whose book "Playing the Tuba at Midnight" explored the quirks of living single.
To learn more about SF Productions, click HERE or visit SFProductionsTV.com. |
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