Talking to
my friends in the states, I get a sense that most people are ready to make
the move but have questions concerning overseas medical care. I never worried
about medical care in Mexico before I moved here, because for years I've
known a lot of US citizens who are living here comfortably and in good
health, largly due to a great health plan available to anyone and everyone
residing on Mexican soil.
So impressed am I
of Mexico's health care program, I thought I'd write this letter and give
Escape from America Magazine readers something to think about.
In the US, I was paying
$6,500 per year for my group health plan, and that didn’t include my medicinal
prescriptions, dental care, or eyeglasses. That's right, ... $6,500
per year. I'm sure many Americans are paying a comparable amount.
Once I got settled
in Mexico my new home, I joined the health plan offered by the Mexican
government. It's called IMSS (Instituto Medicina de Segura Social),
and it costs everyone a total of $399, no matter who you are or what your
income is. Everyone pays the same. It covers medical, dental,
prescription medicines, and if you’re of age, eyeglasses, too. When
you apply for IMSS, you must fill out a form listing any pre-existing conditions.
There is a waiting period of two years on all pre-existing conditions,
but after that time, they are also covered.
Most of the doctors
here are US trained, and I’m impressed with the cleanliness of the facilities.
After joining IMSS, you are given a card with a membership number, and
you can then enter any hospital in Mexico for diagnostic care and treatment,
in-patient and out-patient care, emergency visits or doctor appointments.
Here are some examples
of health care in Mexico your readers might like to know about:
Example
One
I know of an elderly
gentleman who had no insurance at all, and he had to have a heart transplant.
He was taken to the hospital by ambulance, where he required a surgeon,
surgical assistants, an anestheologist, and nurses ... every one of them
professional by the highest standards. Of course, there were all
of the normal hospital expenses too, which included a month of daily visits
by his doctor to his home after the operation. The cost of his treatment
was a Grand Total of $8,000 US dollars ... Try that in the states!!
Example
Two
I personally had
a mysterious ailment that caused me to passed out on the street. I was
taken by ambulance to the Cruz Rojo (Red Cross). I required 4 IV’s,
4 injections and a 6 hour stay. When I was released, I asked what my bill
was and I was told … NOTHING!!. They did tell me that there was a
small donation box by the exit, and that I could leave something if I wanted.
I returned the next day and left some money.
Example
Three
I’ve seen full root
canals done here for $600 and was told that this would cost much more in
the states. If you want to have all your teeth removed and replaced with
a set of upper and lower plates, it can be done for US$700. A new
set of uppers and lower plates can be purchased for US$200.
For a regular visit
to my personal GP, I get charged US$8, and I get seen by my doctor, not
the nurse. Doctors here seem to really care about you as a person.
I hope that this sheds
a little light on health care in Mexico from my perspective. In my opinion,
most people know too little about health care overseas. I hope this Letter
to the Editor will help them to understand that there is absolutely no
question about health care in Mexico. It's Great.
Sincerely,
Jerry Draughon
.
.
.
