Do Americans go to Mexico for surgery?

Asked by: Rosie Mante  |  Last update: April 14, 2023
Score: 4.3/5 (74 votes)

Hundreds of thousands of Americans are crossing the border into Mexico each year to receive a wide range of treatments, including medical services, dental care and cosmetic surgery, experts in what has become known as "medical tourism" say.

Why do Americans go to Mexico for surgery?

Americans are traveling abroad to save anywhere from 50% to 80% on medical and dental procedures. In Mexico, root canals are 80% cheaper and in vitro fertilization 75.5%. Americans travel the globe to save on medical and dental procedures. An interactive map shows where they go.

Do Americans go to Mexico for medical care?

Each year, millions of US residents participate in medical tourism. Medical tourists from the United States commonly travel to Mexico and Canada, as well as countries in Central America, South America, and the Caribbean.

Are medical procedures in Mexico safe?

Mexico has the highest number of certified hospitals in Latin America. Modern equipment is plentiful in major cities. Medicines in Mexico is as safe as it is in the United States of America.

Is surgery free in Mexico?

Every Mexican citizen is guaranteed no cost access to healthcare and medicine according to the Mexican constitution and made a reality with the “Institute of Health for Well-being”, or INSABI.

These 3 People Went To Mexico For Weight-Loss Surgery And Now They Regret It | Megyn Kelly TODAY

26 related questions found

Are surgeons in Mexico good?

Mexican surgeons are highly qualified and trained in the newest techniques and procedures. You can verify their credentials. Clinics are clean and comply with international standards. Prices are unbelievably affordable without sacrificing quality or safety.

Does Mexico have better doctors than the US?

According to the latest health ranking prepared by specialists of the British medical journal The Lancet, Mexico ranks 48th out of 188 countries for the best health professionals worldwide. This list includes nations from virtually the entire planet.

Is it safe to travel to Mexico for surgery?

Some worry about safety in Tijuana, but it is, in fact, a safe and affordable place to travel to for surgery. Our staff and former patients are excellent sources of information for any questions you have regarding just what it is like once in Tijuana.

Are Mexican hospitals good?

The majority of Mexican hospitals are excellent and are staffed by highly trained and often English-speaking doctors. However, some nursing and care staff might not speak English. Mexico has achieved universal health coverage and its public healthcare is used by most Mexican residents.

Is it safe to go to Tijuana for surgery?

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is warning travelers against having plastic surgery in Tijuana, Mexico, after reporting that 11 Americans who have had surgeries in the border town recently have returned home with antibiotic-resistant infections.

What surgeries do people go to Mexico for?

According to Woodman, roughly 75 percent of those traveling to Mexico for treatment are making the journey across the border for dental or cosmetic care, with around 60 percent receiving dental care, while another 15 percent travel for cosmetic surgery.

What happens if I need to go to the hospital in Mexico?

If it's an emergency, you can call 911—same as in the United States. Ambulances in Mexico are typically private companies, and you may even have several ambulances arrive to try and compete for your business. Be warned that you may have to pay for them on arrival, privately owned ambulances aren't free.

Is it cheaper to get surgery in Mexico?

Aside from the surgeon's expertise and the clinic accreditation, the country of choice for plastic surgery is a determining factor for the price of the mommy makeover. The average price of plastic procedures in Mexico is one of the most affordable in the world.

Is America safer than Mexico?

1. Mexico may be more dangerous than the US overall, but not for Americans. According to FBI crime statistics, 4.8 Americans per 100,000 were murdered in the US in 2010.

Are Mexican hospitals expensive?

While the cost of medical care in Mexico is generally much lower than the U.S., private hospital care can still be expensive, especially compared with the public healthcare options. One or two hospital stays may make you wish you had joined IMSS or INSABI as your backup plan.

What city in Mexico has the best medical care?

In alliance with the German market and consumer data company Statista, the magazine ranked hospitals in 27 countries for its World's Best Hospitals 2022 index. Médica Sur, located in the borough of Tlalpan, ranked No. 1 in Mexico with a score of 94.37.

Are there American hospitals in Mexico?

In Mexico City, you'll find Hospital Médica Sur and two campuses of The American British Cowdray Medical Center—the Observatorio campus and the Santa Fe campus. All these hospitals offer you first-class medical care in Mexico, and they've met standards that compare with what you know back home.

What happens if you have a medical emergency in Mexico?

You should head to the nearest hospital or clinic if you experience a medical emergency. If you're in a rural area, go to the closest town and find the local police station or hospital.

Are hospitals in Cancun safe?

Of course, all of these hospitals are not equal — some offer higher quality than others. But as a general rule of thumb, hospitals in Cancun are pretty good and you will receive appropriate treatment when needed, whether on holidays or living there.

Do you need a passport to go to Mexico for surgery?

When traveling to Mexico for bariatric surgery, patients will need to have a valid passport book – although we have not had any problems if patients have BOTH an ID and original birth certificate. If you don't already have a valid Passport, you'll have to apply for a new passport prior to your travel.

How much does a surgeon make in Mexico?

The average pay for a Surgeon is MXN 1,264,872 a year and MXN 608 an hour in Mexico. The average salary range for a Surgeon is between MXN 809,518 and MXN 1,716,431. On average, a Doctorate Degree is the highest level of education for a Surgeon.

Should I go to the doctor in Mexico?

Quality of Medical Care in Mexico

Mexico's medical infrastructure is highly developed. Quality of care is, in general, very high. Doctors will have the same level of education and qualification as they do in the US or Canada. Americans have been traveling across the border for cheaper medical care for decades.

Where does Mexico rank in health care?

On an international scale, Mexico is ranked at 61 in the WHO's league table of countries for the performance of its health care system.

Where do people go in Mexico for plastic surgery?

Tijuana, Mexico has emerged as a leading city for medical tourism in Mexico. Each year, Tijuana attracts thousands of patients from the US and Canada seeking cosmetic and plastic surgery.