Medical Tourism in mexico
Medical tourism is a growing source of visitors to Mexico. Mexican doctors and dentists are qualified and first-rate physicians. Why fly 20+ hours to India (ranked 121st in medical care quality by the World Health Organization), when you can fly to El Paso, TX in a few hours? The WHO ranks Mexico 61th in quality of medical care, just behind the Philippines).
Lap Band Bariatric surgery was actually invented in Mexico by Dr, Arturo Rodriguez in 1981 and Mexican doctors have performed more of these and other bariatric surgeries than US doctors. US cost -- $17,000-$22,000. Mexican costs -- $7,000-$10,000. Breast augmentation or reduction -- this varies, depending on what is needed, but averages half the US costs for plastic surgery.
Hospitals in Mexico are modern and have up-to-date diagnostic equipment. Mexican hospitals generally have larger rooms and more private rooms. I was hospitalized in Saltillo, Coahuila and 1: I could afford it and 2: I got excellent care. My bill for an emergency room visit, two physicians, a specialist and specialized care was $1,000. I'd rather be in a Mexican hospital than a U.S. hospital any day. I like Mexican doctors and dentists because they interact with patients on a very personal level. That's not to say anything against American doctors. In fact, some of my best friends have been doctors. But, because of the pressure placed on them by insurance companies, they often can't take the time with patients they'd like.
I work with a Mexican physician who can arrange medical treatment for most any condition at a modern hospital in Cd. Juarez. You fly to El Paso and he personally meets you and escorts you to the hospital. Try getting that kind of service in the United States or Canada. This Mexican doctor will consult with you over the phone and if we can help you, will tell you how much you will save and what to expect. He does not make a diagnosis over the phone, no doctor can. If you have your American doctor's opinion, he bases his advice on that.
With so many of us Americans who have no health insurance, or are under-insured, it makes sense to save money on medical care by choosing Mexico for our medical care. Doctors, dentists and surgeons in Mexico are reputable, licensed and many have trained in the the United States. Medical care in Mexico is reliable and Mexican doctors and dentists still have time to talk to patients and offer the warmth of Mexico to their patients. While a medical vacation is not generally a fun trip, it can be less stressful in Mexico.
As a general guideline, a procedure (for example, we referred a patient who needed an inguinal hernia operation) will cost about 30-50% of what it would cost in the States. One patinet was quoted $10,000 from his U.S. doctor for a hernia operation. He spent $3,000 to have the operation done at a first-class Mexican hospital in Cd. Juarez. Another was quoted $25,000.00 in the USA for a hip or knee replacement. Using the same prosthetic knee or hip, the operation is about $10,000.00 in Mexico.
Medical Tourism in Mexico is merely choosing Mexico to have your medical care done. Dentists in Mexico are usually (that's why you need a referral from someone who knows) well-trained and professional. Mexican dentists charge less than one-half what dentists in the States charge. For example, a root canal with a porcelain crown and pin (one of my "vacations") cost about $400 per tooth.
Medical care in Mexico is safe, more personal than medical care in the United States and less expensive than medical care in the United States. Mexican pharmacies are 50% to 70% less expensive (for most drugs) than pharmacies in the United States. Medicines in Mexico are manufactured by well-known international companies like Pfizer, Roche, Abbot Labs, Bristol-Myers Squibb etc. Medicine from pharmacies in Mexico is as safe as medicine from U.S. drug stores.
However, just as in the United States, somebody had to graduate at the bottom of their medical school class. Some doctors in Mexico are better than others, as in any country. Because the physician I work with (Dr. Mark), with offices in El Paso, TX and a practice in Cd. Juarez, Chihuahua, knows the doctors, he provides honest recommendations for good doctors, surgeons and dentists in Mexico. The doctor personally vouches for any physician he recommends. "Mexico" Mike personally vouches for the doctor.
He will ask you what you need and make the appropriate medical referral. We will help you personally and either the doctor or one of his staff will escort you to the hospital in Cd. Juarez.
Since I put this page up, we have had many dozens of calls and a few patients. Unfortunately, we were deluged with people who wasted the doctor's time and were just looking for a free consultation with a doctor over the phone. To protect him, we had to implement a fee to weed out those who were serious from those who weren't. What are the chances you could talk to a doctor in the United States for $55?
We charge a consultation fee of $55 for a referral, which includes as many phone conversations as needed with Dr. Mark. He will ask for any records you might have with your US physician. He is good, but not clairvoyant. He will tell you what could be done, based on what you tell him is wrong. But no diagnosis is made over the phone. Most people have been to local physicians and have a diagnosis, but everything is double-checked before any medical procedure is done. You and Mark determine the proper treatment for you and the cost.