Finding Medical Treatment in Mexico

Medical Tourism has become an extremely popular method of treating health needs among Americans as well as a number of other countries. In America, we have two extremes. We have the failure of our present system, which leaves millions of Americans unable to afford basic health services, and then we have the possibility of a socialist disaster looming before us at the time of this writing.

Only time will tell what the outcome will be. But you are probably reading this article because the system in America isn’t working for you.

Perhaps you are looking to our southern neighbor because it is possible to save up to 2/3 the cost of medical treatments by going there. Perhaps you are considering moving to Mexico and want to be sure that you understand what you will be dealing with there. Or perhaps you will be traveling and want to know what your options are in case of an emergency.

Mexico is the most common destination for surgeries abroad according to the largest medical tourism survey completed by YourSurgeryAbroad.com  in cooperation with the International Medical Travel Association (IMTA).

Of the people who had gone abroad for surgery, a quarter had gone to Mexico, 15.9 percent to Canada and 10.2 percent to India. Current trends reveal that most Americans who choose to look abroad for treatment prefer to stay within North and Central America ran than seek medical treatment further away. Factors include confidence in the medical standards, comfort with the cultural background and ease of travel.

According to the survey, the report shows that older people are more likely to choose Mexico, including 45.5 percent of 56-65 year-olds and 40 percent of 46-55 year-olds. For those aged 36-45, Canada was the most common choice at 30.8 percent. Out of the 25-35 age range, the largest percentage, 25 percent had been to India.

According to a 2008 Deloitte study, more than one million American, British and Canadian patients were treated abroad. This figure is predicted to rise beyond 15 million by 2017.

With more than 40 million Americans without insurance, the option of traveling abroad for treatment is becoming more and more attractive to many. Some are using their own medical savings accounts to fund their treatments, traveling abroad for necessary procedures, some are moving to Mexico and other places where they can take advantage of the public health care system there, and some are purchasing global health insurance policies with high deductibles to insure that they can obtain major medical services.

One of the things that you will hear over and over as you research your options, is the comparison between how you are treated as an individual in a Mexico hospital or doctor’s office, as compared with the way you’re treated in the states.

Almost exclusively, American patients of Mexican doctors speak of their compassion, their concern, and the amount of time they take with a patient, even making follow up telephone calls to insure their patients are doing well. In fact, it is not unusual at all to find doctors in Mexico who make house calls!

And amazingly, though Mexican hospitals will require cash payment up front for their services, there are a number of referral agencies that provide help with financing your entire treatment, including travel, surgery or treatment, and recovery.

Those who live within driving distance of the border are especially fortunate. Thousands travel from Southern California, Arizona, New Mexico and Texas across the border to take care of medical procedures and dental care.

For those without insurance, who are self-funding their medical options, Mexico is a boon, with huge savings and yet high quality care from world class physicians. For those who live in Mexico part time (or considering it) there are incredible options, including taking advantage of Mexico’s IMSS (their nationalized health care plan) for only $250 per year!

Other areas of treatment popular among medical tourists to Mexico are bariatric (weight loss) surgeries and Alternative and Complementary treatments for cancer and other serious illnesses.