Why Is Health Care Less Expensive in Mexico?

The main drive for Americans who get their health care in Mexico is the lower price, right?

As usual, social phenomena is more complex that it seems. Yes, the prices are lower, but the quality isn't. Otherwise, Americans would have stopped coming years ago.

As to why Mexican health care is less expensive, despite what many people think, it's not just the lower labor costs and lower cost of living. There are several factors involved, and most of them have to do with medical practices.

For example, in Mexico, you are the keeper of your records. It is up to you to bring your medical history and all relevant documents with you, which means less work and less need for staff for the doctor.

Another one is that doctors in Mexico don't need as much malpractice insurance as American doctors. Thus they don't have an incentive to ask for lots of tests just to protect themselves. A Mexican doctor will ask for an x-ray only if he needs it for diagnosis or evaluation purposes. He will not ask for one "just in case."

Moreover, x-rays and other tests are frequently done at independent laboratories. So a doctor doesn't have a financial incentive to order an unnecessary x-ray, since it's the lab and not the doctor who will benefit from it.

Lastly, doctors typically own their practices. Since they do have an incentive to keep their costs down, they don't need to invest in expensive equipment that is available at the laboratory anyway. They are not the object of visits from pharmaceutical agents (pharmacy chains and government offices are), and since they don't deal with such sales agents, malpractice insurance salespeople, or record keeping in the same degree that their American counterparts do, they are able to keep their costs reasonable.

This is also the reason why they are able to spend more time with patients than their American counterparts, which is another reason why many Americans like to get their health care in Mexico.

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Robert Ervin is a freelancer who writes about healthcare, medical tourism, and living in Mexico.

If you're considering traveling to Mexico for healthcare or retiring in Mexico, you may want to get yourself a copy of The English's Speaker's Guide to Doctors and Hospitals in Mexico, in order to find a good doctor or hospital in the main towns and cities of Mexico, or The English Speaker's Guide to Medical Care in Mexico, to understand how the Mexican healthcare system works. 

Weight Loss Surgery: How It Works

Don't worry, your doctor will explain them to you.

One of the most common reasons medical turists come to Mexico is to get weight loss surgery, also called bariatric surgery. As usual, the lower prices are the main drive, but another reason is that the quality of the service is comparable to the service in the US. Moreover, since bariatric surgery is typically not covered by health insurance, it is sometimes not an option for Americans to afford it at home.

There are several types of bariatric surgery, but they all work with the same principle. The surgery reduces the size of your stomach. This means that you will need less food to feel satisfied or full. The surgery avoids the sensation of feeling hungry for longer, and thus the reduction of food intake, which over long periods of time, causes to lose weight.

The surgeon typically uses one of three methods. It constricts stomach with a band, makes the stomach thinner or tubular, or connects the intestine to the upper part of the body. All three methods involve some surgical cutting of the stomach. And obviously, theses procedures are more complex than that and they're not the only ones.

In order to prepare for bariatric surgery, there are certain conditions and requirements you have to meet.

You must be in general good health.
You need to be within a weight range.
You need to follow a certain diet for a certain period of time before and after the surgery.
You preferably need to be over 18 years old.
You must not have a health condition that prevents you from having bariatric surgery.
You may need to stop smoking and drinking for a period of time before and after the surgery.
You must be psychologically ready to have a surgery that will affect your image (even if it's in a positive weight).
Most importantly, you must have followed traditional weight losing methods, such as diet and exercise for a long time with no results.

You should expect to recover for at least 2 weeks before going back to work, although you may go back home if you don't have to drive and if the doctor authorizes it.

As with any type of surgery, you should always consult with your doctor and inform yourself of the details of the procedure and the risks involved.

On another note, aside from bariatric surgery, another procedure that is typically not covered by insurance is implants. And like bariatric surgery, many Americans come to Mexico to obtain them. You can read more about them here.

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Robert Ervin is a freelancer who writes about healthcare, medical tourism, and living in Mexico.

If you're considering traveling to Mexico for healthcare or retiring in Mexico, you may want to get yourself a copy of The English's Speaker's Guide to Doctors and Hospitals in Mexico, in order to find a good doctor or hospital in the main towns and cities of Mexico, or The English Speaker's Guide to Medical Care in Mexico, to understand how the Mexican healthcare system works. 

Even with Obamacare, Americans Are Still Going to Mexico to get Healthcare

Regardless of whether you're in favor or against the Affordable Health Care Act, many Americans are signing up for it, but that hasn't stopped several of them to continue going to Mexico for health care.

Despite the increase of people under health coverage, many Americans, mostly from California, Arizona, Texas, and New Mexico continue to travel to Mexican cities along the border for health care. However, while those areas receive the bigger influx of patients, some Americans from as far as New York and Washington are flying to central Mexico to get more complex treatments, like surgery (both needed and cosmetic).

Steven Wallance, associate director of the UCLA Center, may have the explanation: "Even with insurance, it can sometimes be cheaper in Mexico." Although more Americans have health insurance now, they save it for emergencies and continue to go to Mexico for regular health care.

Other patients claim that the lower prices are not the only reason. Irma Montalvo, from California, signed up for insurance, but she still prefers to go to Mexico, 16 miles south of her home in Chula Vista. "I can't use my insurance outside of California, but seeing my doctor costs me only $15 dollars and I don't have to worry about deductibles. But most importantly, she makes me feel comfortable."

This experience reflects an aspect of Mexican health care that many Americans appreciate: doctors spending time with their patients and, in the opinion of some, making them feel like people.

"She (the doctor) listens to me," says Montalvo, "I come here feeling really bad and three days later, I am better."

Xochitl Castaneda, director of the health initiative of the Americas at U.C. Berkeley's School of Public Health, expresses it in another way. "Mexican clinics offer something not always found in the U.S., quality (of service) and warmth. When you are sick, you need medical support. You also need emotional support. That is something that Mexican physicians give."

Another cultural difference that Americans are often surprised of is that most Mexican doctors give their patients their personal numbers and they answer them.

But what do you think about the Affordable Health Care Act and the influx of American patients in Mexico? Tell us your opinion in the comments. Alternatively, you can read about how safe Mexico is here or about the experience of an American woman who decided to retire in Mexico here.

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Robert Ervin is a freelancer who writes about healthcare, medical tourism, and living in Mexico.

If you're considering traveling to Mexico for healthcare or retiring in Mexico, you may want to get yourself a copy of The English's Speaker's Guide to Doctors and Hospitals in Mexico, in order to find a good doctor or hospital in the main towns and cities of Mexico, or The English Speaker's Guide to Medical Care in Mexico, to understand how the Mexican healthcare system works. 

Top Destinations for Retiring Abroad

In a previous post, I wrote about how the top destinations for medical tourism in the world. Today I stumbled upon another article that ranks the top destinations for retirement.

The ranking was done by International Living, a site specialized in places and tips for people living and retiring abroad. The main factors taken into account for the ranking were real estate prices, cost of living, climate, entertainment, health care, retirement infrastructure and ease of cultural integration.

So, what are these havens for American retirees?

4.- Costa Rica

3.- Mexico

2.- Malasya

1.- Ecuador

Obviously, each of these countries has its pros and cons. Just because Ecuador is number one on the list, it doesn't mean that it's number on in your list. For example, people who don't want to deal with a different local language, will find Malasya a more convenient place to live. Mexico is much closer to the US than any of the other countries, but it's not as cheap as Ecuador. So, it depends entirely on your preferences and needs.

Financial matters are always a big factor. Living in these countries allow Americans to live very comfortably on $2,000US a month. Some spend much less than that, more because of their adaptation to the local culture than because they need to cut down costs.

Also, health care costs are becoming increasingly important in making Americans leave for greener pastures.

Almost 50% of Americans have less than $25,000 in savings at the time of their retirement, and only 45% of them have a pension or a 401k plan. And 33% of retirees receive 90% of their retirement income from social security benefits and this amount is around $15,000 a year. Obviously, for people who are uninsured or underinsured, this is not enough.

Many of these countries have foreign friendly private and public health care systems. For example, in Costa Rica, the cost of private medical insurance is around $100 a month. In Mexico, a foreign retiree can get into the Mexican Social Security system for $350 per year, and after two years, you get full coverage.

Obviously, there are other factors that can influence your decision on whether to spend your golden years abroad. It's not for everyone, that's for sure. But it's a good option for people who are looking for a change, a slower pace, and who like to have some adventure after leaving their jobs.

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Robert Ervin is a freelancer who writes about healthcare, medical tourism, and living in Mexico.

If you're considering traveling to Mexico for healthcare or retiring in Mexico, you may want to get yourself a copy of The English's Speaker's Guide to Doctors and Hospitals in Mexico, in order to find a good doctor or hospital in the main towns and cities of Mexico, or The English Speaker's Guide to Medical Care in Mexico, to understand how the Mexican healthcare system works. 

How High Is Your Fever... Abroad?

To be fair, the metric system is more efficient

Recently, a friend of mine went to a doctor in Mexico. While she was being examined she explained that the night before, her fever was 101 degrees. The doctor looked shocked, then a bit puzzled. Finally he asked her, "How much is that in Centigrade?"

Fortunately, it was no big deal, but if you're dealing with an emergency you are not going to want to spend precious time "translating" numbers. So, here's a quick guide for you. You can memorize the numbers that apply to you or print the guide and carry it in your purse or wallet

Weight: The rule for a good approximation is 1 pound equals 1/2 kilogram. But if you need more exact information, here are some quick equivalences.

Pounds           Kilograms
100                 45.36
110                 49.85
120                 54.43
130                 58.97
140                 63.50
150                 68.39
160                 72.57
170                 77.11
180                 81.64
190                 86.18
200                 90.71
210                 95.25
220                 99.79
230                 104.32
240                 108.86
250                 113.40
260                 117.93
270                 122.47

Height

Feet and inches            Meters
5'                                 1.52
5'4"                              1.62
5'8"                              1.72                             
6'                                 1.93
6'8"                              2.03

Temperature: Here is the range for detecting a fever.

Fahrenheit                   Celcius
98.6                             37
99                                37.22
99.5                             37.5
100                              37.78
100.5                           38.06
101                              38.33
101.5                           38.61
102                              38.89
102.5                           39.17
103                              39.44
103.5                           39.72
104                              40

When living abroad, it's best to understand the metric system, since most of the world uses it. Remember, it's you who has to adapt to the local culture, not the other way around.

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Robert Ervin is a freelancer who writes about healthcare, medical tourism, and living in Mexico.

If you're considering traveling to Mexico for healthcare or retiring in Mexico, you may want to get yourself a copy of The English's Speaker's Guide to Doctors and Hospitals in Mexico, in order to find a good doctor or hospital in the main towns and cities of Mexico, or The English Speaker's Guide to Medical Care in Mexico, to understand how the Mexican healthcare system works.

Medical Care for Our Furry Friends

Chico on His Way to Recovery

This is Chico. He's the furry little friend of Monica Rix Paxson, the author of The English Speaker's Guide to Health Care in Mexico. He was rescued as a pup.

Unfortunately, Chico (Spanish for boy and small) took a fall from a cliff recently. He dislocated his leg and he got some bad scratches. His leg is in a cast and the scratches are superficial, if impressive. He's on his way to recovery now and in a couple of weeks he should be his usually happy self.

This incident prompted me to write about the differences in culture between the US and Mexico when it comes to animal treatment.

Animal treatment is not a priority in Mexico. In fact, it could be compared to the way animals were treated in the US back in the 70s. It's not uncommon to see abandoned dogs or their progeny. Do not be surprised if you see a dog owner, usually in low-class neighborhoods, tying up his or her dog with a 2 feet leash and leaving him with no water, food or protection against the weather all day long.

Even in high-class neighborhoods, people often buy full-breed dogs, like French Poodles, in the same way they buy a portable video game console: as a toy to keep their children occupied. I once saw a family whose children pinned the dog to the ground and pulled its hair out right in front of the parents without anyone (but me) raising an objection.

In the countryside, you can frequently see horses or cows walking on their own on the road, as if they had no owner. In truth, their owners can't feed them or water them, and so they release them on the road so they feed and water themselves. The author and I once stopped and bought water from house nearby when we saw a group of horses trying to drink from some soapy puddle next to a laundromat.

But the worst part is that bullfighting and cock fighting are still legal in Mexico.

Not everything is bad news. Attitudes are slowly changing for the better. People who like bullfighting have to hide their "hobby" from others. And practices like vaccinating your animals, treating them well, and sterilizing them are becoming more common.

Here's the other good news. In Mexico, as the dog whisperer Cesar Millian points out, dogs are allowed to be dogs. In general, they are not treated like human children, but more like family friends. While not as lavishly well-treated as their siblings in the US, this is a much healthier mental attitude for a dog.

Fortunately, almost all veterinarians are true animal lovers. A veterinarian in Mexico makes very little, so only people who have the call for it will dedicate themselves to taking care of animals.

If you have a furry friend, you'll want to know a good veterinarian in Mexico. This is one more reason why it's a good idea to know about an expat community before moving here. It's also one of the best reasons to learn the language. In case of an emergency, you will want to go to the nearest available veterinarian if your regular veterinarian is not available, and you will need to communicate what happened and understand what needs to be done.

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Robert Ervin is a freelancer who writes about healthcare, medical tourism, and living in Mexico.

If you're considering traveling to Mexico for healthcare or retiring in Mexico, you may want to get yourself a copy of The English's Speaker's Guide to Doctors and Hospitals in Mexico, in order to find a good doctor or hospital in the main towns and cities of Mexico, or The English Speaker's Guide to Medical Care in Mexico, to understand how the Mexican healthcare system works.

Safety in Mexico: A Testimonial

It's no secret that many Americans are afraid of coming to Mexico because of the violence. Everytime Mexico is in the news, it's usually because there's a report of a gun fight, a kidnapping, or a murder. With that kind of violence going around, who would ever want to live there? Don't the Americans who go to Mexico for health care know that the saving won't make up for the risk of losing their lives?

Today, I wanted to share a testimonial of William Chaney, who retired with his wife to Mexico after 44 years of working on the food industry. He wrote his own view on safety in Mexico:

"Is Mexico safe? The short answer is yes.

Mexico is host to about 2 million retired Americans, as well as a great number of Canadians and people from other countries. Some have lived here for years and every year, there are new ones arriving.

People routinely ask about the violence that they see in the newspapers and TV at home. This violence happens mostly due to wars between cartels and it's focused mostly in towns near the border. Sometimes there is violence in areas where the drug is manufactured, grown, or transported. Almost all of the killings happen to people involved in the drug business; people who grow, transport, sell, buy or manufacture drugs. There is no violence in the retirement communities.

Obviously, if you're coming to Mexico to find drugs easily, then you're pretty much putting yourself in danger.

Regarding other types of violence, Mexico is as safe as any country. There is the occasional robbery and the break-in, and yes, a foreigner will be involved once in a while, but no more than in any other part in the world. However, when it happens, it makes headlines in the country of origin of the foreigner, and if that's the only news you have about everyday Mexico, then you're going to get an exaggerated idea of how unsafe Mexico is. I have been traveling to Mexico for 20 years and I have never heard any problems between retirees and locals that ended up in violence.

Mexico is a very safe place to retire, and I would say even safer than other retiring places int he world. The Mexican government has an interest in making retirement and tourism safe. There's always a strong police presence, which is there to make sure that areas where foreigners or retired are are safe. After all, tourism and retirees' spending constitute Mexico's second source of income, behind oil exports.

Remember that, just like anywhere else, you have to do your part. Respect the culture and costumes of the people of Mexico. You are the guest in their country. Research and obey the laws and the manners of Mexico, which can be very different from the ones where you came from. Mexico has a slower pace than most Western countries. Just go with the flow and enjoy it. Mexicans, despite the ridiculous stereotype, are very hard working and they too dream of retiring and enjoy their last years. When you get to know them and adapt to them, your time in Mexico might become the best years of your life.

Living in Mexico is about 30% cheaper than in the States. However, those who have the means can get themselves a penthouse with ocean view, a maid and a chef. I strongly advice against this, as you'd be missing on the amazing local customs and the warmth of Mexicans."

You can read William's Blog here.

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Robert Ervin is a freelancer who writes about healthcare, medical tourism, and living in Mexico.

If you're considering traveling to Mexico for healthcare or retiring in Mexico, you may want to get yourself a copy of The English's Speaker's Guide to Doctors and Hospitals in Mexico, in order to find a good doctor or hospital in the main towns and cities of Mexico, or The English Speaker's Guide to Medical Care in Mexico, to understand how the Mexican healthcare system works. 

Surgery in Mexico: A Testimonial

Cindy Lundy, back home after getting hip surgery in Mexico

One of the main reasons why Americans get surgery in Mexico is because they are underinsured or have no insurance and can't afford the treatment they need in the US. Cindy Lundy, from Bend, Oregon is one of them. Here's her story:

I had problems walking for years now. When I lost my job, I didn't take the COBRA option (an insurance option for people who left employment) since it cost $900 dollars a month.

Originally, I wanted to postpone the surgery until I was 65. However, the hip worsened and I saw that it would have been hard to wait until then.

I started to look for options. I was shocked to discover how inaccessible the surgery was for me at home. One surgeon told me that without insurance, I'd have to have $65,000 in the bank. Another one sent me to a charity agency, but I was too embarrassed to go. I also didn't have much confidence in the safety of that place.

I looked up for options abroad. India seemed like a good choice and I filled up questionnaires and called numbers. Soon, I was receiving e-mails and calls back. However, their level of English wasn't too good and the calls came so often I felt harrassed. Obviously, this was not something that made me feel at ease.

I heard from a friend that she went with her daughter to Thailand to get her teeth fixed. Although Thailand was not that different in my mind from India, I decided I would feel better if someone came with me.

My husband would come with me, of course, but I needed assurance with the language. Then, one day, we went to visit his sister in Sonora, Mexico. This lead to us meeting their real-estate agent back in the US and by bringing the subject up, a contact that would help us get the surgery in Mexico.

The contact was very assuring. She was knowledgeable and didn't sound at all like a slick salesperson.

Once in Mexico, we saw the doctor, who asked me right away if I had an X-ray of my hip taken. When I said I hadn't, he sent me across the hall to get it. It cost 125 pesos, about $12 dollars, and I had it right away.

The doctor then proceeded to explain to me everything about the procedure and what my options were. He spoke very good English but with a Mexican accent. We decided to get the surgery two weeks after that, to give him enough time to gather the equipment he needed and for me to make up my mind and arrange things back at home.

When it came to select a room in the hospital, I chose the best one I could afford because I thought it would be safer. The room turned out to be a bit too big. It measured around 800 square feet. It had an ante for family visits and a person to stay with me at night (apparently a very common custom in Mexico).

After the surgery, I stayed in the hospital for two days and the doctor visited me every day. The on-duty doctor at night visited me as well.

I was sent to my hotel in an ambulance, where I stayed there for 2 weeks in recovery. I had a nurse who came to bathe me and take care of my and my wound. She didn't speak a word of English, but she had a charming way to communicate with me via expressions and movements. The day I left, she brought me some cookies she had prepared. I never felt such humane treatment in my life.

When I left, the waiters and maids and receptionists at the hotel were all very smiley and kind and wished me good luck in my recovery.

Of course, I was afraid of going to Mexico before the experience, having heard all the negative things about violence there on TV. My family warned me more than once. Some of my friends act like I was lucky to be back alive. I've also had the occasional comment about how I risked my life with bad surgery just to save a few dollars. Anyone who has spent some time in Mexico knows that these questions are ridiculous.

The whole experience, including meals and hotel was $15,500 dollars.

My father was a physician, a general practitioner, I compare the medical profession in Mexico to the day when  my father would make house calls in our small town. Doctors spend time with you and listen. That is no longer possible in the US.

I found this story in a magazine. While researching it, I discovered it was published on Inside Tucson Business. To read their version, go here.

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Robert Ervin is a freelancer who writes about healthcare, medical tourism, and living in Mexico.

If you're considering traveling to Mexico for healthcare or retiring in Mexico, you may want to get yourself a copy of The English's Speaker's Guide to Doctors and Hospitals in Mexico, in order to find a good doctor or hospital in the main towns and cities of Mexico, or The English Speaker's Guide to Medical Care in Mexico, to understand how the Mexican healthcare system works. 

Tips for Making the Best Out of Your Medical Trip

It's not uncommon at all to take advantage of the trip to enjoy the local fiesta.

While I recommend traveling to another country to get medical care, I also warn people that doing so comes with a risk. Like with any medical procedure at home, a medical procedure aboard means that you have to be responsible for your own health and inform yourself fully about the risks, the costs, the procedure and the post-care.

Here are some tips that will help you avoid the most common mistakes that medical tourists make.

1.- Take into consideration the extra costs... and then add some padding.

In addition to the medical costs, be prepared to pay for taxis and food and some extra medication. If someone is coming with you, you'll have to pay for a hotel and meals. You'll also want to buy souvenirs for yourself or someone else.

You might have emergency costs as well, depending on how risky the procedure is.

In addition to all that, I strongly suggest some padding, just in case.

2.- What about your medical records?

Not all countries treat medical records in the same way. In some countries, it's your doctor who keeps them, in others, it's you. You have to inform yourself with the doctor or the hospital in the other country about how the records will be handled.

You may need to have your medical records translated to Spanish, or viceversa.

3.- Inform yourself about the procedure, the risks and the post-care.

You should do this even when having a procedure at home. In the case of post-care, you have to decide beforehand if you're going to have it abroad or back home.

4.- Prevent or prepare for illnesses abroad.

It's not uncommon to get stomachaches if it's your first time abroad, since your body isn't used to the food. Different climates or altitudes may also give you a cold or a headache. I recommend taking  basic medications for common ailments with you. You should also get all the recommended vaccines for the country you're going to.

Better yet, make your body more resistant to illnesses by eating well and stopping smoking and drinking.

5.- Think about what you'd do in case something goes wrong.

I'm saying this not because you're going on a medical trip abroad. Even at home, many patients just don't think about how to handle emergencies. What's the worst case scenario? How likely is it and what will happen if such a scenario comes true?

Although I don't like to talk about death, in some circumstances, it's a possibility, and after all, it's part of life. If you're getting a life or death procedure abroad because you can't afford it at home, make arrangements and important decisions, like whether you want to donate your organs or not, ahead of time.

Of course, there are many other factors to take into consideration. Remember, it's your responsibility to be informed and to make the best possible decisions about your health.

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Robert Ervin is a freelancer who writes about healthcare, medical tourism, and living in Mexico.

If you're considering traveling to Mexico for healthcare or retiring in Mexico, you may want to get yourself a copy of The English's Speaker's Guide to Doctors and Hospitals in Mexico, in order to find a good doctor or hospital in the main towns and cities of Mexico, or The English Speaker's Guide to Medical Care in Mexico, to understand how the Mexican healthcare system works. 

A Pharmacy on Every Corner

Dr. Simi, the Mexican dancing doctor.

After being in Mexico for a while, you'll see that there are many more pharmacies here than in the US. Sometimes there will be a pharmacy in every block and in some cases, a pharmacy right across the street from another. In the countryside, while there won't be as many pharmacies as in the city, you'll still feel that there are "too many" pharmacies for a little town. Also, while in the big cities you can find pharmacies that are clearly open 24 hours a day, in the small towns you'll have to ring a bell or even bang a door to get the pharmacist to wake up (however, you do have to know in advance which pharmacies will be willing to sell you a product in the middle of the night.

Pharmacies are very flexible here. With the exception of narcotics and antibiotics, most medications are available. It's not uncommon at all to find products that you'd never associate with a pharmacy, like candy, popsicles, chips, milk, batteries, etc.

Pharmacies come in lots of sizes. You can find a small storefront pharmacy with a clerk or you can go to Sanborns, a luxurious mix of a pharmacy, restaurant and mini-department store. Some offer well-known brand names and some offer generics, and then a few offer you both types of medications.

In addition to selling medications, many pharmacies have a small room called "consultorio." For a very low price, from 25 to 30 pesos (around $1.00 or $1.50 dollars), a doctor that's usually out of medical school will do a quick check-up, like looking at your throat, take your temperature and blood pressure, and the part of your body that is affected. He or she will also write you a prescription. With rare exceptions, the medications can be bought in the pharmacy. The most common of these pharmacies are called "Farmacias Similares" and you can usually identify them because their mascot Dr. Simi, is often seen dancing outside the storefronts.

Mexicans often consult a pharmacist because they it's a much cheaper option than paying a private doctor. Also, pharmacists have some experience with what medications are good for most common problems and their advice is free. The possibility of seeing a doctor for cheap right next door is another advantage.

Obviously, the other side of the coin is that very often people end up self-medicating themselves or with medications that might not be the best for their conditions. One of my friends had several infections: eye, stomach, jock itch as well as common symptoms, like fever and diarrhea. To make matters worse, he had a serious inflammation of the leg. After several treatments at these consultorios, he finally decided to see a private doctor, who immediately diagnosed a thrombosis and had him hospitalized for a week.

The moral of the story is: if you want something like an aspirin or for something very mild, like a cold or a stomachache, one of these pharmacies will do. For anything more serious, go see a real doctor, which is not that expensive for Americans anyway (about 300 or 400 pesos, which is approximately 23 to 30 dollars).


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Robert Ervin is a freelancer who writes about healthcare, medical tourism, and living in Mexico.

If you're considering traveling to Mexico for healthcare or retiring in Mexico, you may want to get yourself a copy of The English's Speaker's Guide to Doctors and Hospitals in Mexico, in order to find a good doctor or hospital in the main towns and cities of Mexico, or The English Speaker's Guide to Medical Care in Mexico, to understand how the Mexican healthcare system works.

Uninsured Texans Crossing the Border into Mexico for Medications and Sharing Their Insulin Shots

Paula Gomez, director of the Brownsville Community Health Center.

Is the bickering of politicians getting in the way of poor Americans getting proper healthcare?

I don't know if that's the case, but it sure looks like it in Texas. A recent article in ThinkProgress shows that many uninsured Texans have to cross the border into Mexico in order to get affordable healthcare because their medical bills at home are so high. Those who are afraid to go into Mexico resort to even more extreme measures: sharing their insulin shots.

"Many of those who live here (Brownsville) – including poor Latino immigrants, both legal and undocumented - suffer from diabetes and lack of insurance. Some of those uninsured diabetics, including American citizens and others living here legally, used to go across the border to Matamoros, Mexico for insulin. But now with the fear of brutal drug violence and tougher border restrictions, families share their insulin shots rather than risking the crossings"

The situation gets worse when there's a more serious illness or condition that requires expensive or long-term treatment.

“Once you diagnose a cancer, then what?” said Dr. Henry Imperial, the medical director of the Brownsville Community Health Center. “How are you going to give me chemotherapy or surgery or radiation therapy? It goes out of our hands.”

Unless politicians solve their differences, uninsured patients will have to find a solution on their own.

Want to read more? Learn how even Canadians are flying to Mexico for medical care.

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Robert Ervin is a freelancer who writes about healthcare, medical tourism, and living in Mexico.

If you're considering traveling to Mexico for healthcare or retiring in Mexico, you may want to get yourself a copy of The English's Speaker's Guide to Doctors and Hospitals in Mexico, in order to find a good doctor or hospital in the main towns and cities of Mexico, or The English Speaker's Guide to Medical Care in Mexico, to understand how the Mexican healthcare system works.