Does Mexico have better health care than the US?

Question

Does anyone in border states go to Mexico for care? I assume if you have the cash in Mexico you are not going to wait 8 months for an appointment.

Answer 1

Well, it is cheaper, but not as good in general I would say.  There are publicly run hospitals that are cheap but very underfunded. Private practices vary, I met some that were great but others that were dishonest/incompetent.  For example I got hepatitis down there and the doctor I went to tried to get me to buy an expensive medication that, when I got 2nd and third opinions, turned out to have been worse than useless.

I suppose if you are uninsured or inadequately insured, Mexico would be a way to save money, but I'd be pretty careful about it. That other guy's story about the nurses breaking his IV is rather scary if you ask me.

Answer 2

There doctors in small towns who have limited testing equipment, but they can take care of emergencies. Walk in clinics are common and a visit costs 10USD. Dental work in Mexico is cheaper and popular with gringos. No waiting..

Answer 3

As with everything everywhere quality varies. About 25 years ago I needed major surgery and, as usual, had no insurance in the US and no funds, so I went to Mexico (Juarez specifically) to have the surgery at a clinic--which was comparable to a small hospital in the States. Overall I received excellent care--a couple of incredibly stupid Mexican nurses didn't like me and were insanely babbling about the "rich American." If they had even half a brain between them they'd have asked why a RICH American was having surgery in Mexico, but they were hate-filled BIGOTS. Also ASSumed I couldn't understand a l**k of Spanish. Ha! Well they broke my glass IV "accidentally" and would NOT change out the line and I nearly died from sepsis. Fortunately, my mother was there and I told her what was happening and to go get a DOCTOR ASAP. A sweet ER doc came running and I explained everything before I started to go into shock. When all was said and done she took excellent care of my (also reamed out the two b*****s pretending to be nurses). She refused to charge me either because she got the truth out of them and was beyond appalled. MY surgeon, who came by later was furious and spent a few hours in the room with me.

So overall I'd have to say the care I got in Mexico was superior and I was very impressed with the dedication, professionalism, and altruism of the DOCTORS I dealt with AND most of the nursing staff--nearly every was VERY fluent in English as well.

I also used to cross over for my meds all the time because, again, not affordable in the US. Now I'm too far from the border to go there, but I would NOT be afraid to do so for medical care.

Interestingly, whenever I mention I had major surgery in Mexico, which is not often but it has come up, I find the Hispanics ALL invariably shudder and act like I'm lucky to be alive. Us "gringos" have NEVER had that reaction. Apparently we "gringos" know a LOT more about Mexico than some Hispanics--the country is FILLED with competent, decent, clean, hard-working people (and a few losers) who could teach the US health care providers a LOT about medical care.

Answer 4

Absolutely no, in Mexico Health care is poor, there are several reasons for this:

1. Major Hospitals with adequate equipment and staff are all located only in major cities which are Mexico, Guadalajara an Monterrey, so, if you live out of these cities you have to travel a lot to be assisted.

2. Hospitals are saturated, there's not enough hospitals for everyone.

3. In my case, I work on my own, pay taxes but I don't have the right to have social insurance for I'm not an employee, is that fair?

4. Burocracy and corruption are common in health care services, sometimes it takes you about three months (or more) to get a doctor appointment.

5. The US has more state-of-the-art health technology.

Answer 5

In Mexico, like the US, there is a range of capabilities of physicians. Do your homework on the doctor! When you see a doctor in Mexico, observe procedures for infection control/sanitation ie handwashing, sterile equipment, etc.

The biggest difference has to do with the minimal insurance paperwork and lack of litigation. The impact of that is no waiting, no hassle, no prepay for the "visit" the moment you walk in the door. None of that. It is incredible how genuinely polite and on time the offices run. I have been to doctors, chiros, xray/imaging and all were the same. Very efficient, decent services. Very friendly and polite. Unbelievable difference. They actually apologize if they keep you waiting over about 10 minutes!

It really does leave you more disgusted with American healthcare. And it is much cheaper. Even what you pay for going into ER. I know a guy who paid $700 TOTAL for everything to reattatch a finger cut off in an accident. That would be many thousands in the US.

That said, for routine servies, the typical offices are simple, not fancy. Technology may be behind a bit. For a very serious problem, I would still rely on American healthcare and then have to tolerate the delays, poor customer service and overall hassles.

If your  interest is in cosmetic surgery versus routine care---from what I hear, that is on par with American.  Good doctors, dressy surroundings, and good cost. But do your research on physician selection.