Checking Out and Using Medical Care in Mexico

Americans planning to live in Mexico part-time or year-around typically arrive with questions about health care here. In my eight years in a small Mexican city, I have learned that, just as in the United States, the large regional centers are likely to have the best facilities for dealing with uncommon conditions. I know Americans who have had appendectomies or been hospitalized for dehydration in my city but in some circumstances I would choose one of two larger hospitals in the neighboring city.

I did so when I wanted to arrange for stereotactic imaging, a technique for diagnosing breast cancer commonly used in the United States instead of a more invasive and expensive biopsy. The radiologist who performed the imaging and interpreted the results had had a year of training in Albuquerque. But a word of caution. Before I reached the imaging facility, I encountered three different specialists who advised me I needed an invasive and expensive biopsy. Reading about the radiological technique on the internet and making a phone call finally got me to what I wanted.

Although hospital-based infections can occur in the United States, my personal opinion is that hospitals in Mexico are more risky. Partly for this reason I decided to retain my Medicare coverage and used it when I needed surgery on my parathyroid gland, a type of surgery isn't done often enough in Mexico for surgeons here to gain the experience of his counterpart in a major American medical center.I also expect to go to the U.S. for cataract surgery, although the technique is common in Mexico, because I have two complicating eye conditions that I only learned about on a visit to the US.

Recently, a husband and wife I know in my adopted Mexican City separately suffered fractured hips. The husband's accident happened first. As the couple had maintained their HMO coverage in the United States they decided to fly back, after a day of transitional care in an IMSS hospital for a day. He and his wife had also maintained coverage (several hundred dollars apiece annually) in IMSS that entitled them to care there. When his wife suffred the same misfortune, the couple decided she could be cared for completely by an IMSS specialist at that hospital.

As in the United States, finding a trusted doctor may take trial and error, but in the cities where most Americans live, general practitioners, and-trained specialists are available, including psychiatrists trained in monitoring medication use. In some places, there are alternative practitioners as well.

Currently, medical visits and lab work cost about what an American covered by health insurance would pay, although this is a broad generalization. The paperwork is less though. You pay in cash at the time of the visit.

If you are hospitalized, you may find the nurses don't speak English. Most doctors read and understand English although many are not confident in speaking it. If you feel the same way about their language, plan to take someone bilingual along to your appointment. To arrive prepared, check out your condition on an internet site beforehand.

Unfortunately, American insurance companies may not use the same coding as Mexican medical facilities. Some Americans have reported difficulties in collecting.

You'll also want to remember Mexican doctors' office hours , Physicians' offices usually close between 2 and 5 pm, then reopen in the evening. Mornings many specialists are not available while they are working in a public clinic. At Christmas time and Easter, doctors usually vacation for two weeks. I have yet to encounter an answering machine when I called a doctor's office although many doctors do have cell phones for receiving emergency calls. On the other hand, during an office visit, it's reassuring to see that your doctor typing into her computer as she listens to you. Yes, many Mexican physicians are women.

Life-style, as we are all told frequently these days, is important in preventing or minimizing health, especially for older people. I have found that without a car I get plenty of exercise and delight in going to the market to shop for fruits and vegetables. On another note, my adopted city has at least two health food stores for those who go that route.

Most Americans thinking of The Big Move to Mexico visit and talk with a generous handful of expats who are likely to vary in their strategies. Bear in mind that some people return to the United States after many years when their health status changes. Whatever your individual situation, be pro-active and think ahead.