In recent years, Mexico has been a popular destination for US citizens seeking health care. Its proximity to the United States and the relatively low travel costs, have been drawing Americans and Canadians. Numbered among these are also Mexican-Americans, who return home to their family doctor/dentist and save money.
It was initially famed for its dentistry and cosmetic surgery. However its orthopedic procedures now add to Mexico's attractions. With state-of-the-art facilities comparable to American hospitals, Mexico has become one of the premier destinations for US medical tourists.
The Healthcare System in Mexico
According to the World Health Organization Mexican healthcare system is ranked 61 in the world [
source]. The private hospitals in Mexico are usually similar in quality and care to those in the United States. There are medical packages which offer accommodation and aftercare away from the urban areas and closer to the vibrant beaches.
Mexico's best hospitals and clinics are based in Mexico City, Guadalajara and Monterrey.
Many private clinics that cater for to Americans are located across the US border, in cities like Tijuana, Mexicali and Laredo.
Waiting times in Mexico are not a problem and are generally non-existent. There is also an option to save on prescription medicine for a quicker and smoother aftercare. Mexican costs of medicines are almost half those of the USA and Canada.
International patients in Mexico are offered their own private room and face-to-face personal interaction with their doctor or surgeon. Hospitals and clinics are equipped with up-to-date technology, well-trained doctors and 'on-hand' medical staff to cater to all types of medical tourists.
Mexico currently has
9 JCI accredited clinics and hospitals, such as the
Galenia Hosptial. Several of these hospitals also have
CSG Accreditation that is given by the General Health Council of Mexico.
Common Treatments done by Medical Tourists in Mexico
Mexico is among the popular destinations for cosmetic surgery, dental services/surgery and general plastic surgery. Mexican hospitals have become popular lately for bariatric surgery for weight loss. This is an elective procedure which is not covered by some US insurers. The following are the popular treatments sought by medical tourists in Mexico:
Cost of Medical Treatment in Mexico
The following are comparative costs of general, cosmetic and surgical procedures between US hospitals with those of Mexico.
[source]
| Procedure |
USA Hospitals |
Mexico |
Average 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% |
| Procedure |
USA Hospitals |
Mexico |
Average Savings |
| Knee |
$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% |
| Procedure |
USA Hospitals |
Mexico |
Average Savings |
| Gastric Bypass Surgery |
$30,000 |
$11,500 |
70% |
| Gastric Band Surgery |
$24,000 |
$9,500 |
60% |
| Hysterectomy |
$14,500 |
$5,500 |
75% |
| Fertility Treatments |
$8,500 |
$2,650 |
55% |
| Procedure |
USA Clinic |
Cancun, Mexico |
Average Savings |
| Face Lift |
$18,000 |
$4,250 |
68% |
| Breast Augmentation |
$7,800 |
$3,800 |
55% |
| Tummy Tuck |
$8,800 |
$4,500 |
50% |
| Liposuction (per area) |
$3,200 |
$1,150 |
60% |
| Rhinoplasty (nose) |
$8,000 |
$3,200 |
65% |
| Brow Lift |
$7,500 |
$2,850 |
70% |
| Brazilian Buttock |
$10,500 |
$4,950 |
65% |
| Neck Lift |
$10,000 |
$4,400 |
70% |
| Blepharoplasty (eyelids) |
$5,400 |
$2,950 |
55% |
| Procedure |
USA Clinic |
Monterrey, Mexico |
Average Savings |
| Implants - 6 teeth |
$18,500 |
$3,600 |
75% |
| Porcelain crown (6 teeth) |
$5,200 |
$1,600 |
70% |
| Bleaching discolored teeth |
$250 |
$50 |
80% |
| Dental Vaneers (6 teeth) |
$6,000 |
$1,800 |
75% |
| Total Dentures |
$4,800 |
$1,600 |
70% |
Another survey provides the following comparative costs as of 2009:
[source]
| Medical Procedure |
USA |
Mexico |
| Angioplasty |
Up to $57,000 |
$17,100 |
| Heart Bypass |
Up to $144,000 |
$21,100 |
| 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 |
Malpractice and Liability Laws in Mexico [sources]
Medical liability is not as strictly enforced by laws in foreign countries as in the United States. Accordingly, it is not surprising to note that malpractice compensation is not as generous. Foreign doctors are not as secure in malpractice insurance like their American counterparts. An American medical tourist cannot have recourse to the American court system. An American court might not hold an intermediary liable since medical tourism promoters or agents are not health care providers and so cannot commit malpractice. Some medical insurers in the US have designed insurance packages for those wishing to get medical health care in Mexico. A Californian law in 1999 which allowed Californian insurers to reimburse providers in Mexico has paved the way to changes in the insurance industry and the medical tour package providers. Since Mexican medical care costs less, premiums are less than 2/3 of the cost of their US alternative plans.
Pros
-
Distance
The proximity of Mexico to United States and Canada make it a clear choice for American and Canadian residents for their health care needs. Travel expenses are low and make it easy for patients to travel back and forth.
-
Quality
According to the World Health Organization Mexican hospitals are similar in quality and care to those in the United States. There are medical packages which offer accommodation and aftercare away from the urban areas and closer to the vibrant beaches.
-
Prices
The prices in Mexico can be between 50% to 75% lower than that of US average costs.
-
Language
High rate of fluency in English among doctors.
-
Insurance coverage
Increasing number of insurers providing coverage for travellers, as out-of-pocket costs are much lower.
-
Culture
Like most Latin American countries, Mexico has an overall friendly and family-oriented culture.
-
Waiting times
Waiting times in Mexico are not a problem and are generally non-existent.
-
Climate
The wonderful climate deems it conducive to recovery.
Cons
-
Lack of standardization
Lack of standardized quality measurement and quality ranking systems.
-
Lack of liability
Difficulty in seeking legal remedy in the event of malpractice.
Travelling to Mexico
Mexico's advantage is its location; flights from US and Canada are short and relatively cheap.
Californian citizens can even drive to Mexico.
Flight times from US and Canada to Mexico
Average estimated travel time in hours
| From/To |
Mexico City |
Guandalajara |
Monterrey |
| New York City |
4.5 |
4.5 |
3.5 |
| Chicago |
3.5 |
3.5 |
2.5 |
| Washington, DC |
4 |
4 |
3 |
| San Francisco |
4 |
4 |
3 |
| Los Angeles |
3.5 |
3 |
2.5 |
| Toronto |
4 |
5 |
5 |
| Montreal |
5 |
5 |
5 |
| Vancouver |
5 |
5 |
5 |
Airfares
Airfares to Mexico peak in late March to early April and mid-June through to August. Holiday periods are also expensive. Midweek (Mondays Thursdays) morning roundtrip flights are US$40-60 cheaper than weekend flights, but these are generally more crowded and less likely to permit frequent flier upgrades. Open return (no fixed return date) and open-jaw (different arrival and departure cities) tickets are more expensive than roundtrip flights.
Car Travel times from southern US to Mexico
(At average speed)
| From/To |
Tijuana |
Mexicali |
Monterrey |
| Los Angeles, CA |
2 hrs |
4 hrs |
|
| San Francisco, CA |
10 hrs |
10 hrs |
|
| San Diego, CA |
20-30 minutes |
2 hrs |
|
| Dallas, TX |
|
|
10 hrs |
| Houston, TX |
|
|
12-13 hrs |
Statistics for Medical Tourism in Mexico
Americans, particularly those living near the Mexican border, now routinely cross to Mexico for medical care mostly due to the significant cost savings of at least 60% for many procedures. The Mexican authorities estimate that the number of health tourists will reach
650,000 by 2020.