Despite Security Issues, Americans Can Save 65 Percent through Medical Tourism to Mexico

Large hospitals affiliated with U.S. corporations dominate the industry in Mexico. According to Patients Beyond Borders, there are small clinics, often run by U.S. expatriate physicians, whose specialties and procedures rival those of Asia.

Large hospitals affiliated with U.S. corporations, as well as small family clinics founded by American physicians, make up most of the medical tourism industry in Mexico, according to Patients Beyond Borders, which offers the most complete research guide available. PBB analyzed quality of services offered, patients’ savings, and the medical and tourism infrastructure at 200 medical centers in 35 countries.

Some Mexican medical institutions have cross-border links and operate as part of large international consortia. For example, Christus Muguerza Specialty Hospital (in Monterrey) is part of the U.S. based Christus Health System. Likewise, the International Medical Center (known as CIMA by its Spanish acronym), with hospitals in Monterrey, Hermosillo and Chihuahua, is owned and operated by the International Hospital Corporation based in Dallas, Texas. The publication also notes the other hospitals located in Mexico are affiliated with major educational institutions such San Jose Hospital, sponsored by the Monterrey Institute of Technology.

Among the hospitals that care for foreign patients are: Angles Tijuana Hospital, part of the Angeles Group which, with 23 hospitals and 11,000 specialists, is the largest private hospital network in Mexico; Cosmed, which specializes in cosmetic and plastic surgery; Dentalis, with 42 offices in 12 cities; and Imagen Dental and the Casa del Diente, both in Monterrey.

PBB also notes that many foreign patients return year after year to the small clinics, which are often run by U.S. expatriate physicians or by professionals who were trained in the U.S. and Europe.

Mexico is recognized as a global center for health. Although it is home to only seven of the 500 hospitals in 90 countries that have been accredited by the Joint International Commission, it offers patients a wide range of specializations and procedures that rival those offered by Asian countries, which are the principal competitors in the sector.

Patients spend between $3,000 and $5,000 per visit, including medical expenses, transportation, the hospital stay, tourism, and room and board. Medical tourism is growing at a rate of 15 to 25 percent per year and the flow of 8 million cross-border patients — 10 percent of whom are from the U.S. — could generate as much $40 billion in revenue.

It’s Safe to Travel to Mexico as Long as You Exercise Caution

The insecurity and violence linked to the drug trade did not stop PBB from recommending Mexico, the world’s second most popular medical tourism destination, as a travel destination for people who are seeking less expensive options. Mexico has moved from being a plastic surgery and dental destination to one sought for its cancer and fertility treatments, surgeries for obesity and hip replacements, as published by this newspaper this Sunday.

Is Mexico a safe destination for medical tourism? PBB’s answer is yes — if you use your head and follow the latest advice: Trust only the providers linked to your specific trip. Do not rent a car. Use only official taxis and guides who were recommended by the international staff of your hospital. Stay at an international hotel and ask the hotel’s concierge to arrange your transportation. Before traveling, review the travel advisories regarding any disturbances in your chosen destination and take the normal precautions for the country.

According to ProMexico, American can save between 36 percent and 89 percent on various medical treatments and surgeries done in Mexico. PBB says they can save between 40 percent and 65 percent, which is better than savings in Turkey and Thailand, similar to Costa Rica and Taiwan, but not as good as Brazil or, above all, India. PBB also notes that Mexico’s geographic proximity, beautiful beaches and warm climate weigh heavily enough for Americans to take a risk and travel there, important considerations for baby boomers, whose medical expenses devour 30 percent of their retirement incomes. Patients from Canada and Great Britain are also drawn to the region.

Other important factors include the rising cost of health care in the U.S., long waiting periods in the U.S. caused by the saturation of the health system, the exclusion of certain treatments and surgical interventions as patients hit their policy maximums and disapproval of some treatments.

And finally, PBB highlights one final advantage of medical tourism: What do tortillas, taxi fares and medical treatments have in common? They are all deductible expenses when incurred as part of medical travel.