One of your primary concerns when considering a move should be health care. Fortunately, you will find that, in general, health care in Mexico is very good…and in many places it is excellent. Most doctors and dentists in Mexico received at least part of their training in the U.S. (And many U.S. doctors have trained in Mexico, notably in Guadalajara.) Many of them continue to go to the U.S. or Europe for ongoing training.
Every medium to large city in Mexico has at least one first-rate hospital. And a big plus is that the cost of health care in Mexico is generally half or less what you might expect to pay in the U.S. The same goes for prescription drugs. Prescription drugs manufactured in Mexico cost, on average, about 50% less than the same drugs in the U.S. Plus, health insurance in Mexico costs much less than it does in the U.S.
What You Might Expect to Pay for Health Care in Mexico
Of course, the costs of medical care will vary by physician, hospital, and the gravity of your condition. On average, an office visit with a doctor—specialists included—will cost 250 to 300 pesos (about $25). A house call—yes, doctors in Mexico still make house calls—will cost about the same. Lab tests will cost about a third of what they cost in the U.S. A CAT scan often costs about 25% of what it does in the U.S. An overnight stay in a private hospital room costs about 350 pesos ($35). A visit to a dentist for teeth cleaning costs about 200 pesos ($20).
Yes, in the major cities of Mexico, you can get good-quality medical care for serious medical conditions…including dialysis, major surgery…even live-in, 24-hour care…for a fraction of what you might pay in the U.S. But please, think twice about moving to Mexico if you have a serious medical condition that requires special equipment. The stress of being seriously ill in a foreign country can be difficult.
Get Your Free Mexico Report
If you’d like to learn more about why you might want to live in Mexico, we have a special Report just for you. Called “Why Millions of Americans are Moving to Mexico,” it provides the facts and information about Mexico the mainstream media won’t tell you.
You’ll learn all about healthcare, the economy, visa requirements, how to get your pet into Mexico, and more. Learn about the top cities for expats in Mexico and decide which Mexico city is right for you. You’ll read the truth about safety and security in Mexico…and learn just how much it will cost you to live there. And…you’ll get the inside scoop on how to buy Mexico real estate – including five things to do before you sign anything.
Get your FREE Special Report, full of Mexico information, right now -- just by signing up for our free daily International Living e-letter below.
IL Readers Tell Us About Their Experiences With Medical Care in Mexico
“The 2008 Live and Invest in Mexico seminar was my first one of your seminars, but not my first time in Mexico. On the third and final day of the seminar, I awoke eager to attend the last fantastic day of information gathering and networking at the Hyatt. I felt a bit odd, thinking maybe I was just tired from all the activity. I soon realized that I was having a lot more difficulty functioning…I was so shaky that I could not stand for long, and if I moved about, everything went spinning. Two ladies I had spoken to earlier in the conference took notice of me during the break, and asked me if I was OK. I told them how badly I felt, and they immediately got Dan Prescher, who came to my aid with a suggestion of calling a doctor. I must admit I was a little reticent about this, but I took his advice, the ladies helped to my room, and within 20 minutes of the concierge calling for a doctor, one was knocking at my hotel room door! Amazing! This would never have happened in the U.S., of that I’m absolutely sure.
“The physician was polite, professional, and spoke English well, as my Spanish is practically nonexistent so far. After a thorough checkup, he proclaimed that I had an inner ear problem, and with a huge smile on his face he stated, ‘I’ll give you a shot, and in 20 minutes you’ll feel much better!’ That is what he did, and he was right. He wrote a prescription for more of the medicine to take every six hours until my ear problem improved.
“The bill, you ask? $50, including the shot. Also, he gave me his cell phone number, telling me to call him any time day or night if I needed anything at all. Wow! I was even able to attend the wonderful poolside cocktail party that evening! Dan and Suzan have been writing about the great medical care in Mexico, but I have to say, after experiencing it firsthand, they are so right on. Thanks to IL and their great staff for an incredible conference in Mexico. It surpassed my expectations and is only the first of many I hope to attend.” —Trish S., Scottsdale, AZ
"For $29 each, Dr. Dolores Russell gave us a good ultrasonic cleaning with the latest technique. First she numbed the gums slightly with an anesthetic. She is an expert at teeth implants and crowns and did a good job of inspecting the gums. She is very personable and speaks good English. She said her business really picks up in late October with the arrival of the snow birds from Canada and Europe. She is delightful and calls you 'my dear.'
"Also, George ordered eyeglasses through the optician who visits the Lake Chapala Society weekly. She is Luz Maria Zepeda Urias of Claravision. He did have to go to Guadalajara to see more frames than she brought with her. He got trifocals with progressive lenses similar to varilux and high-quality Italian frames with no lower frame. Total cost was $290. We thought the price was all right but not really cheap.
"But…now we are home, many people have complimented him on his glasses. I needed an eye exam and new glasses. I asked for something similar and was quoted the price of $450 not including doctor visit, which may be covered by insurance. If not, the total will be $515." —George and Patty, Philadelphia, PA
Get your free special Report Why Millions of Americans are Moving to Mexico - just by signing up for our free daily International Living e-letter below.
Health Care in Mexico
Mexican Health Care Is Excellent and Affordable
One of your primary concerns when considering a move should be health care. Fortunately, you will find that, in general, health care in Mexico is very good…and in many places it is excellent. Most doctors and dentists in Mexico received at least part of their training in the U.S. (And many U.S. doctors have trained in Mexico, notably in Guadalajara.) Many of them continue to go to the U.S. or Europe for ongoing training.
Every medium to large city in Mexico has at least one first-rate hospital. And a big plus is that the cost of health care in Mexico is generally half or less what you might expect to pay in the U.S. The same goes for prescription drugs. Prescription drugs manufactured in Mexico cost, on average, about 50% less than the same drugs in the U.S. Plus, health insurance in Mexico costs much less than it does in the U.S.
What You Might Expect to Pay for Health Care in Mexico
Of course, the costs of medical care will vary by physician, hospital, and the gravity of your condition. On average, an office visit with a doctor—specialists included—will cost 250 to 300 pesos (about $25). A house call—yes, doctors in Mexico still make house calls—will cost about the same. Lab tests will cost about a third of what they cost in the U.S. A CAT scan often costs about 25% of what it does in the U.S. An overnight stay in a private hospital room costs about 350 pesos ($35). A visit to a dentist for teeth cleaning costs about 200 pesos ($20).
Yes, in the major cities of Mexico, you can get good-quality medical care for serious medical conditions…including dialysis, major surgery…even live-in, 24-hour care…for a fraction of what you might pay in the U.S. But please, think twice about moving to Mexico if you have a serious medical condition that requires special equipment. The stress of being seriously ill in a foreign country can be difficult.
Get Your Free Mexico Report
If you’d like to learn more about why you might want to live in Mexico, we have a special Report just for you. Called “Why Millions of Americans are Moving to Mexico,” it provides the facts and information about Mexico the mainstream media won’t tell you.
You’ll learn all about healthcare, the economy, visa requirements, how to get your pet into Mexico, and more. Learn about the top cities for expats in Mexico and decide which Mexico city is right for you. You’ll read the truth about safety and security in Mexico…and learn just how much it will cost you to live there. And…you’ll get the inside scoop on how to buy Mexico real estate – including five things to do before you sign anything.
Get your FREE Special Report, full of Mexico information, right now -- just by signing up for our free daily International Living e-letter below.
IL Readers Tell Us About Their Experiences With Medical Care in Mexico
“The 2008 Live and Invest in Mexico seminar was my first one of your seminars, but not my first time in Mexico. On the third and final day of the seminar, I awoke eager to attend the last fantastic day of information gathering and networking at the Hyatt. I felt a bit odd, thinking maybe I was just tired from all the activity. I soon realized that I was having a lot more difficulty functioning…I was so shaky that I could not stand for long, and if I moved about, everything went spinning. Two ladies I had spoken to earlier in the conference took notice of me during the break, and asked me if I was OK. I told them how badly I felt, and they immediately got Dan Prescher, who came to my aid with a suggestion of calling a doctor. I must admit I was a little reticent about this, but I took his advice, the ladies helped to my room, and within 20 minutes of the concierge calling for a doctor, one was knocking at my hotel room door! Amazing! This would never have happened in the U.S., of that I’m absolutely sure.
“The physician was polite, professional, and spoke English well, as my Spanish is practically nonexistent so far. After a thorough checkup, he proclaimed that I had an inner ear problem, and with a huge smile on his face he stated, ‘I’ll give you a shot, and in 20 minutes you’ll feel much better!’ That is what he did, and he was right. He wrote a prescription for more of the medicine to take every six hours until my ear problem improved.
“The bill, you ask? $50, including the shot. Also, he gave me his cell phone number, telling me to call him any time day or night if I needed anything at all. Wow! I was even able to attend the wonderful poolside cocktail party that evening! Dan and Suzan have been writing about the great medical care in Mexico, but I have to say, after experiencing it firsthand, they are so right on. Thanks to IL and their great staff for an incredible conference in Mexico. It surpassed my expectations and is only the first of many I hope to attend.”
—Trish S., Scottsdale, AZ
"For $29 each, Dr. Dolores Russell gave us a good ultrasonic cleaning with the latest technique. First she numbed the gums slightly with an anesthetic. She is an expert at teeth implants and crowns and did a good job of inspecting the gums. She is very personable and speaks good English. She said her business really picks up in late October with the arrival of the snow birds from Canada and Europe. She is delightful and calls you 'my dear.'
"Also, George ordered eyeglasses through the optician who visits the Lake Chapala Society weekly. She is Luz Maria Zepeda Urias of Claravision. He did have to go to Guadalajara to see more frames than she brought with her. He got trifocals with progressive lenses similar to varilux and high-quality Italian frames with no lower frame. Total cost was $290. We thought the price was all right but not really cheap.
"But…now we are home, many people have complimented him on his glasses. I needed an eye exam and new glasses. I asked for something similar and was quoted the price of $450 not including doctor visit, which may be covered by insurance. If not, the total will be $515."
—George and Patty, Philadelphia, PA
Read related IL Postcards:
- How to Get Health Insurance for Less Than a Dollar a Day
- The Mexican Answer to U.S. Health Care
- The Solution to Sky-high Taxes and Rocketing Health Care Costs
Free Report
Get your free special Report Why Millions of Americans are Moving to Mexico - just by signing up for our free daily International Living e-letter below.