In recent years, Mexico has gained popularity as a stop for patients looking for affordable healthcare beyond borders. Medical tourism to Mexico for health care is so appealing to Americans and Canadians due to its vicinity to the United States and the relatively low travel costs. Many Mexican Americans return to a family doctor/dentist to save money on health coverage.
1.2 million tourists going to Mexico each year to receive medical treatments. Patients who travel across the border are saving anywhere from 45% to 75% on their operative procedures.
At first, Medical Tourism to Mexico was known exclusively for its dental, bariatric, and aesthetic surgery. However, its orthopedic procedures, cancer treatment, and heart operations now add to the attraction of health care in Mexico. With state-of-the-art facilities comparable to American hospitals, Mexico has become one of the premier destinations for people traveling abroad to obtain medical care.
Healthcare System in Mexico
The Mexican Social Security Institute (IMSS) is a governmental organization that accommodates public health, pensions, and social security under the Secretariat of Health (Secretaría de Salud).
Almost half of the population in Mexico is covered by Seguro Social (employer-/employee-funded insurance program), and the other half by Seguro Popular (a subsidized public-health insurance system for beneficiaries, pensioners, and the public), similar to Medicare. A small portion of the Mexican population has private health insurance for more convenient and better care.
Private Hospitals and Clinics
According to the World Health Organization, the Mexican health care system is ranked 61 in the world. Private hospitals in Mexico are generally of similar quality and care for those in the United States. There are medical packages that offer accommodation and monitoring outside the city areas and closer to the busy beaches. The best hospitals and clinics in Mexico are based in Mexico City, Guadalajara, and Monterrey.
Most private clinics in Mexico providing services to Americans are near to the United States, in border towns such as Tijuana, Mexicali, and Laredo. The wait time for health care in Mexico is not a problem and generally does not exist. There is also the ability to preserve prescription drugs for faster and smooth tracking. The cost of pharmaceutical drugs in Mexico is a fraction of the cost of prescriptions in the U.S. and Canada.
What it’s Like to Be a Patient in Mexico
International Patients in Mexico have their own private room and personal face-to-face interaction with their doctor or surgeon. Hospitals and clinics are equipped with state-of-the-art technology, well-trained doctors, and medical staff on-site to discuss all types of medical tourists.
Mexico currently has 9 JCI (Joint Commission International) accredited clinics and hospitals, such as Angeles Hospital and Galenia Hospital. Many of these hospitals also have CSG accreditation provided by the General Health Council of Mexico. The federal government ministry of health (COFEPRIS) regulates health facilities with strict requirements.
Standard Medical Treatments in Mexico
Medical treatments in Mexico make it one of the most popular destinations for bariatric surgery, aesthetic surgery, dental services/surgery, and general plastic surgery. Hospitals in Mexico, especially in Tijuana, have recently gained reputation due to bariatric surgery for weight loss due to its rigorous and safe standards for bariatric surgery. This is an electoral procedure that is not covered by some US insurers.
In general, the surgery in the United States is three or four times more expensive than Mexico, and it is not always covered. It is covered in Canada under insurance, however, there are much longer wait times. It can take up to 10 years to get an elective surgery like gastric sleeve or RNY gastric bypass in Canada.
Cost of Medical Procedures in Mexico
The following are the comparative costs of general cosmetic and surgical procedures between American and Mexican hospitals.
Average Costs Heart Procedures in Mexico
| Heart Procedure | United States | Mexico | % Savings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Angioplasty | $22,500 | $11,500 | 50% |
| Angiography | $4,800 | $1,200 | 70% |
| Valve Replacement | $46,000 | $16,000 | 60% |
| Bypass Surgery | $44,000 | $24,000 | 50% |
| Open Heart Surgery | $64,000 | $24,000 | 66% |
Average Costs of Orthopedic Procedures in Mexico
| Orthopedic Procedure | United States | Mexico | % Savings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Knee Replacement | $25,000 | $10,500 | 65% |
| Hip Replacement | $28,000 | $12,500 | 65% |
| Shoulder Replacement | $24,500 | $9,500 | 75% |
| Birmingham Resurfacing | $24,000 | $12,500 | 60% |
Average Costs of Bariatric Procedures in Mexico
| Bariatric Procedure | United States | Mexico | % Savings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gastric Band | $21,500 | $6,500 | 70% |
| Gastric Sleeve | $19,500 | $5,000 | 75% |
| Gastric Bypass / Mini Bypass | $30,000 | $7,500 | 75% |
| Duodenal Switch | $36,000 | $8,800 | 75% |
| Gastric Balloon | $8,500 | $4,200 | 50% |
Overall Comparative Costs of All Types of Surgery in Mexico
Another survey provides the following comparative costs as of 2009
| Medical Procedure | United States | Mexico |
|---|---|---|
| Angioplasty | Up to $57,000 | $17,100 |
| Heart Bypass | Up to $144,000 | $21,000 |
| 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 |
| Breast Implants | Up to $10,000 | $9,000 |
| 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 |
| Fertility Treatments | Up to $8,500 | $2,650 |
How much money can you save by traveling to Mexico for Medical Tourism?
The advantage of Mexico is its location; Flights from the United States and Canada are short and relatively cheap.
- California citizens can even go to Mexico by driving.
- Flight Times from the United States and Canada to Mexico
- Estimated average travel time of hours
Travel by Plane from the Northern United States to Mexico
| From / To | Mexico City | Guadalajara | Monterrey | Tijuana |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| New York City | 5.6 hrs | 6 hrs | 5.4 hrs | 6 hrs |
| Chicago | 3.7 hrs | 4.5 hrs | 3.8 hrs | 4.3 hrs |
| Washington, DC | 5 hrs | 6.8 hrs | 5.7 hrs | 5.7 hrs |
| San Francisco | 4 hrs | 3.8 hrs | 5.8 hrs | 1.2 hrs |
| Los Angeles | 3.5 hrs | 3 hrs | 3 hrs | 1 hrs |
| Toronto | 5 hrs | 7.2 hrs | 6 hrs | 5.2 hrs |
| Montreal | 6.1 hrs | 8 hrs | 7.5 hrs | 7.8 hrs |
| Vancouver | 5 hrs | 6.8 hrs | 6.8 hrs | 3 hrs |
Air flights to Mexico peak in late March to early April and mid-June to August when the vacation is also expensive. Return flights in the middle of the week (Monday Thursdays) cost 40-60 dollars cheaper than weekend flights, but are generally crowded and less likely to allow frequent upgrades. Open return tickets (non-refundable return date) and open tickets (different cities of arrival and departure) are more expensive than return tickets.
Travel by Car from the Southern United States to Mexico
| From / To | Tijuana | Mexicali | Monterrey |
|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles, CA | 2 hrs | 4 hrs | 25 hrs |
| San Francisco, CA | 10 hrs | 10 hrs | 31 hrs |
| San Diego, CA | 20-30 minutes | 2 hrs | 23 hrs |
| Dallas, TX | 20 hrs | 19 hrs | 10 hrs |
| Houston, TX | 22 hrs | 20 hrs | 12-13 hrs |
Mexico Destinations for Medical Services
The top Mexico cities for medical travel are Tijuana, Cancun, Mexico City, Juarez, Monterrey, Juarez, Mexicali, Guadalajara, Mazatlán, and Puerto Vallarta.
- Cabo: Dental, Cosmetic Surgery
- Cancun: Bariatric Surgery, Cosmetic Surgery, Dental
- Guadalajara: Bariatric Surgery, Cosmetic Surgery, Dental
- Ciudad Juarez: Dental
- Los Algodones: Dental
- Mexicali: Bariatric Surgery, Dental
- Mexico City: Cosmetic Surgery, Dental, Orthopedic, Heart
- Monterrey: Bariatric Surgery, Cosmetic Surgery, Dental, Orthopedic, Heart
- Nogales: Dental
- Nuevo Laredo: Bariatrics
- Piedras Negras: Dental, Bariatric Surgery
- Puerto Vallarta/Nuevo Vallarta: Bariatric Surgery, Dental
- Reynosa: Dental, Bariatric Surgery
- Tijuana: Bariatric Surgery, Cosmetic Surgery, Dental, Orthopedic, Heart
Medical Departure to Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico:
Tijuana is a Mexico border city next to San Diego, CA. Crossing the border to Tijuana is one of the most attractive locations for bariatric surgery, dental care, cosmetic procedures, orthopedic, heart, stem cell, cancer, hair implant, fertility, and many more medical services.
- Time Zone: GMT
- Dialing Code: +52 (1) 664
- Electricity: Standard 127 V, 60 Hz, Plug Type A
- Currency: Mexican Peso/U.S. Dollars
- Languages: Spanish, English
Law Abuse and Accountability in Mexico
Medical Tourism to Mexico has grown as responsibility is not strictly enforced by law in foreign countries, as in the United States. It is therefore not surprising that compensation for abuse is not so generous (see How to Find a Trusted Medical Tourism Operator). External doctors are not sure about ensuring abuse as well as their American counterparts.
American medical tourists cannot resort to the United States judicial system. The US court must not be held by a responsible mediator because sponsors or medical agents are not health care providers and therefore cannot commit professional misconduct.
Medical Tourism Insurance
Some health insurers in the United States have designed insurance packages for those seeking medical care in Mexico. The California law passed in 1999, which allowed California insurers to compensate Mexican suppliers, paved the way for changes in the insurance industry and providers of medical travel.
Since medical care in Mexico costs less, premiums represent less than two-thirds of the cost of their alternative plans in the United States.
Advantages of Medical Tourism to Mexico
- Distance: Mexico’s proximity to the United States and Canada makes a clear choice for American and Canadian residents for their medical needs. Travel costs are low and allow patients to travel back and forth.
- Quality: According to the World Health Organization, Mexican hospitals are of similar quality and concern to those in the United States. There are medical packages that offer accommodation and monitoring outside urban areas and closer to the busy beaches.
- Prices: Prices in Mexico may be between 50% and 75% lower than the average cost of the US.
- Language: A high level of English knowledge among doctors.
- Insurance Coverage: Increase in the number of insurers offering passenger coverage, with non-reimbursed costs, which is significantly lower.
- Culture: Like most Latin American countries, Mexico has a global friendly and family culture.
- Waiting: The wait time in Mexico is not a problem and generally does not exist.
- Climate: The beautiful climate makes it suitable for recovery.
Shortcomings of Mexico Health Care
- Lack of standardization
- Lack of standardized quality measurement and quality assurance systems.
- No liability
- Difficulties in seeking legal remedies for abuses.
Statistics on Medical Tourism in Mexico
Americans, especially those living near the Mexican border, travel regularly to Mexico for treatment, largely due to significant savings of at least 60% for many interventions. Medical Tourism Corporation in Mexico has boomed from $1.5 Billion in 2006 to $4.8 Billion in 2016. Mexican authorities estimate that the number of healthcare providers will reach 650,000 by 2020.
Mexico Medical Tourism Statistics (2016):
- Global Medical Tourism: $20-$100 Billion Industry
- 11 Million Medical Tourists Travel Annually
- Medical Tourism to Mexico: $4.8 Billion Industry
- 1 Million Medical Tourists Travel to Mexico Annually
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