To date,
Mexico’s medical industry has concentrated on cosmetic and dental
surgeries for its international patient base, but as the number of
U.S. and other foreign expatriates grows so too will the availability
of healthcare services offered. Mexico’s health ministry plans to
increase the number of accredited facilities to respond to this
growing need.
According
to recent research, Americans are already seeking medical care in
countries such as the Gulf States, Thailand, India, Singapore, Costa
Rica, Brazil, Mexico, and Panama among other foreign locales, with an
estimated 750,000 Americans that traveled abroad for medical care in
2007. Those seeking medical care abroad have various reasons for
doing so:
- Care for non-covered procedures or non-FDA approved treatment.
- Increased attention from insurance providers, which encourage employers to seek alternatives to the U.S. System.
- Cosmetic/Leisure medical vacation.
- For the global workforce, treatment in their native country.
- Outpatient surgery that has high out-of-pocket costs- 75% of medical tourism procedures fall into this category.
- Increased sophistication of medical tourism operations overseas.
While
Mexico has established itself as a destination for elective surgery,
more sophisticated procedures are now routinely sought by Americans
at a lower cost with reimbursement from their insurance companies.
For most Americans, such procedures are covered by their insurance
with preauthorization.
Insurers
are beginning pilot programs to explore the practicality of paying
for medical procedures abroad. In Mexico, Blue Shield and HealthNet
are already covering about 20,000 patients in California that may
seek treatment in Mexico using their U.S.-based health benefits plan.
United
Healthcare and its PacifiCare subsidiary now offer health plans
targeted at employers with Hispanic, bilingual or Spanish-preference
employees in California and other states. Additionally, most major
U.S. insurers will provide insurance reimbursement for emergency care
and treatment for U.S. travelers in Mexico. Other insurance carriers
providing coverage in Mexico include Amedex, a private insurer based
in the U.S., which has been operating in Mexico for 15 years; Morgan
White, International Citizens, and Integra Global all target U.S.
retirees over 50 years old living in Mexico for health insurance.
Additionally, some U.S. retirees have elected to opt for private
Mexican insurance coverage. The average annual cost for such a policy
is between $1,500-$2,500/year.
There
is an insurance reimbursement program in Mexico that is available to
U.S. military retirees living overseas. “Tricare for Life” is a
healthcare policy that provides coverage worldwide, including in
Mexico, to U.S. military retirees and their dependents.
Beyond
basic medical care, Mexico is becoming a preferred destination for
laparoscopic surgeries, hernia repair procedures, dental care and the
purchase of prescription drugs. For fixed income retirees, the cost
advantage is clear.
Our facilities at Hospiten Riviera-Maya have certified and licensed professionals and adequate and appropriate facilities to help you solve your health problem at a very competitive price. Please
let us know your needs. Ask for a free-quote.
Miguel
Angel Rico Hinojosa, MD
General
& Digestive Surgeon
Hospiten
Riviera Maya - Playa del Carmen, México
