Healthcare in Mexico
There are two types of hospitals in Mexico: public and private. Many public hospitals are free, but some can only serve those enrolled in IMSS and ISSTE. IMSS and ISSTE are the most important national programs, and each state has various programs.
General information
Mexico´s health public system includes institutes of specialties that help patients with specific diseases, federal hospitals, and regional hospitals. All these institutions are free for everybody who resides in Mexico.
If you are working for private company, you will be integrated to IMSS (Instituto Mexican del Seguro Socia) and if you work in the public sphere, ISSTE (Instituto Superior de Salud para Trabajadores del Estado) will service your health problems.
The Mexican Institute of Social Security (IMSS) is a decentralized body of the Mexican federal government-affiliated with the Ministry of Health that provides health and social security services to the population that has an affiliation with the institute (referred to as beneficiaries); those who are affiliated with the insurance receive an affiliation number (NSS).
To access one of these programs, it is necessary to have legal employment. Here is more information about visas for Mexico.
Private hospitals and clinics are also found throughout the country. Private hospitals offer much shorter wait times and better care than public hospitals, but they come with a high cost. Still, you may find that surgeries and other procedures at private hospitals are much less expensive than in many western countries. You can find private hospitals with English-speaking doctors in popular tourist areas, such as Cancun or Cabo San Lucas.
If you have a minor problem like a cold or food poisoning, there is a better option than visiting a hospital. Many pharmacies have a small clinic attached where a doctor will examine you, often for free. If it isn't free, the fee will be small, usually between 20 and 50 pesos. The doctor will write prescriptions that you can fill in the same pharmacy.
Social health care and health insurance in Mexico
As mentioned, workers in Mexico have health insurance provided at either the federal or state level. Once you begin working in Mexico, you will need to visit an office of the relevant government agency to be enrolled in the system. Ask someone in the human resources department of your company for specific information.
Despite these social programs, many Mexicans also buy private insurance. This is because there can be waits of up to several months at public hospitals for non-emergency procedures. The hospitals can become quite crowded, resulting in wait times of many hours, even for emergency procedures.
If you are living in Mexico without working, or if you are simply visiting, it is a good idea to have traveler's insurance. You can buy traveler's insurance online from various companies, such as AIG or Global Travel Insurance. Or you can look at an insurance company that explicitly covers expats.
According to your needs and budget, there are many insurance companies to choose from, according to your needs and budget. Some of the leading health insurance providers are:
Consider having a look at their offers according to your needs and get a free quote on Expat.com's Health Insurance for expatriates in Mexico page.
Vaccinations
Vaccinations are not required to visit or live in Mexico. There is also no malaria or yellow fever in the country, and other diseases like dengue are extremely rare. However, when traveling anywhere abroad, it is a good idea to be vaccinated against tetanus, diphtheria, and hepatitis A and B in your home country before your trip. If you're planning an extended stay in Mexico, you can also pay for these vaccinations at very reasonable prices.
You can get vaccinations for rabies, tetanus, or other diseases in the case of an emergency, such as a dog bite. Many public clinics provide these vaccinations for free, even to foreigners. You should first visit the doctor's office in a pharmacy for a recommendation of which hospital to visit.
Dental care in Mexico
As with private health care, dental care in Mexico is quite affordable and of good quality. A thorough cleaning may cost as low as 200 pesos (about USD 12). In fact, many regular travelers to Mexico from countries with expensive dental care, like the United States, prefer to have their dental care done in Mexico. The best way to find a quality dentist's office is to visit a big city and then do a Google search or ask for references from somebody you know.
Dental tourism occurs when people choose to travel outside of their home city and, in many cases, across borders in search of affordable dentists. This is what is happening in Mexico with American citizens who are leaving for this purpose. Many tourists who come to Mexico for dental treatment visit cities such as Ciudad Juárez or Tijuana. They also travel to nearby towns to receive dental treatments that are prohibitively expensive in their home countries. However, not only is Mexico's northern territory appealing for dental tourism, but so is the state of Quintana Roo in the country's southwest.
Many people from all over the world seek dentists in Mexico to perform routine procedures that can be prohibitively expensive in their home countries. For this reason, patients from Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia choose this destination to undergo specific procedures, such as dental implants. This type of patient is often very permissive, has a high budget, but does not compromise quality, security, or high-level service.
There are so many options that the amount of information available at any given time can be overwhelming; as a result, here at Expat, we've gathered some essential tips you need to know if you're looking for a good dentist in México.
The person who treats you must be an Odontologa or a doctor specializing in stomatology. Hygienists and assistants must also be titled at all times. Dentists must be members of a dental college in order to be certified as professionals.
Verify the authenticity. As with almost all services, it is critical to be wary of scams. It's straightforward to find dental websites offering unbelievable discounts when you're surfing the web, and this is one of the main reasons to be suspicious. Confide in your intuition, and seek additional information when something appears to be too good to be true. Medical certifications will tell you how much experience in healthcare a professional has.
Check the legitimacy of the installations! Always inquire about their facilities and the type of equipment they have. All hospitals and clinics chosen must meet the most stringent standards, and all hospitals and clinics must have all of the certifications and licenses required by the Mexican government.
Unfortunately, numerous cases of occupational intrusion in the dental profession have occurred, putting public health at risk, so citizens must be protected in this regard.
You can find out if your dentist is a member by visiting the dental school's website.
- Specialization is essential when selecting a good dentist.
Dentists should have additional training or a master's degree in addition to being licensed, though this is not required. The field of dentistry is vast, and we need to be educated in a variety of areas. It is critical to select a dentist who uses high-quality materials and technology. It is crucial that the clinic has the necessary technological advances, as well as the required materials and supplies with quality certifications.
- Never choose a dentist solely based on cost.
One of the best recommendations we can give people about how to choose a dentist is that price should not be a deciding factor because the materials used may be of questionable quality and origin, or you may be paying for only a portion of the treatment, among other things. As a result, some commercial advertisements should be avoided.
It is impossible to overestimate the importance of proximity and quality treatment when choosing a good dentist.
When selecting a dentist, they must advise you on dental care, is accessible, and conveys trust.
Before starting any treatment, the doctor should explain what it entails, what stages it will include, and what alternatives are available. Periodic reviews are required following treatment to ensure the best possible outcome.
- Hygiene and sterilization precautions
Finally, to know how to choose a dentist to whom to put your trust, we recommend that you check to see if the clinic adheres to basic hygiene and sterilization procedures. Some of them are gloves, a disinfectant bath for the material, manual instrument cleaning, autoclave sterilization, and biological control. You can always inquire with your dentist about which of these measures they are implementing.
Indeed, some travel agencies promote the well-known "dental vacations" and offer advice on how and where to go.
Some packages may include the following:
- Honoraria for medical services
- Medication and materials for your procedure will be available in the consultation room.
- Medical Concierge Service Customized
- Transportation
- Hotel
These are just a few of the most important factors to consider when looking for dental tourism solutions in Mexico. The option is there - Mexico's popularity in terms of the quality of its health-care services is a reality, and if you search the internet for topics such as dentists in Cancun, you will find a plethora of results, so don't forget these tips and always choose a certified professional.
Clínica Dentalia
This clinic provides orthodontia, endodontics, odontopediatrics, rehabilitation using zirconia, and general odontology services.
Additionally, as part of the dental tourism package, patients are provided with information on tourist attractions in Mexico for their enjoyment during the treatment period.
Clínica Sakar Dental
In terms of the treatments provided by this clinic, it emphasizes the use of new therapies to ensure dental health, focusing on prevention.
It is important to note that effective solutions to this problem are available to those who snore. Another noteworthy feature is the availability of emergency services 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
New look dental
They are experts in all aspects of dental care. They help you achieve excellent results at reasonable prices.
A great option if you're looking for the best bracket treatment in Cancun. Hundreds of delighted patients back him up.
Clínica México Orthodontic
This clinic provides a service for the entire family. As a result, the prices are very affordable and offer payment options tailored to each family's needs.
If you go to their website, you can get a free diagnosis and get information from various agencies to continue your treatment.
La Clinica
It is one of the most modern in all of Mexico, with treatments comparable to those received in clinics in the United States and Europe, attended to by specialized professionals.
In this way, dental clinics in Mexico stand out for providing excellent odontológica care to national and international patients through their network of highly trained professionals. If you receive service from this company, we'd love to hear your thoughts.
Pregnancy
If you are a legal resident, you can access the IMSS system like citizens and other residents. However, this covers birth in public hospitals. Should you prefer a private hospital, it is better to get a more comprehensive medical insurance plan for expats. This also allows you to add a maternal insurance plan that covers prenatal tests, the mother and child during the birthing process, and the newborn baby for 30 days after delivery.
Elderly care in Mexico
Home visits in case of a medical incident are provided through IMSS. However, they are limited to people over the age of 68 who live in areas with high poverty rates. Alternatively, in and around Mexico, there are various private assisted living programs and retirement houses.
There are some assisted living options for elderly expats, usually close to the US border or in areas with a large expat community (Puerto Vallarta, San Miguel de Allende, Cabo San Lucas) and it can be as cheap as 1000-2000 USD per month. Of course, you can also find options for less.
If you are a resident, you have access to the public healthcare system IMSS, but it is recommended to have a medical insurance plan so you can use private facilities.
Useful links:
IMGLOBAL - Nomad insurance
