If you decide to retire in Mexico one of the most positive effects on your money will be Mexico’s health care. It is estimated to cost just 25 to 30 % of what you would pay in the U.S. A visit to a private doctor cost between 30 to 40 USD and if you want your doctor to come to your house, which is nothing out of the ordinary in Mexico, you will have to pay as little as USD 25.00. If you have to stay overnight in a private hospital room it might cost you USD 100.00, teeth cleaning is about USD 28.00. The staff at the different clinics mostly speak English and you will have a transparent price list available, so you know exactly what you have to pay for which treatment.
Many people will also get orthopedic, bariatric, cosmetic, and Lasik eye surgery performed in Mexico because either Medicare will not cover it, or because the deductible and/or co-pay is more expensive compared to Mexico.
If you have all your immigration papers in order and are already a permanent resident in Mexico you have also access to the governmental insurance scheme of the Mexican Institute of Social Security (IMSS). For under USD 600.00 a year you have access to medical attention, x-rays, dental work and medicine.
Already, some U.S. providers have established affiliations with some of Mexico’s leading hospitals. Baylor University Medical Center and the Methodist Hospital of Houston have established affiliations with the American British Cowdray Medical Center (ABC) Hospital in Mexico City; the CIMA Hospital in Monterrey has affiliations with the Mayo Clinic and Children’s Hospital Boston. As the demand for medical tourism grows, other U.S. academic institutions and medical institutions are expected to establish footprints in Mexico.
A great attraction of Mexican health care are the pharmaceuticals. They are much cheaper in Mexico than in the U.S. or Canada. But they are mostly generic equivalents and the pharmaceutical industry is not as strictly regulated as in the U.S. Therefore many retirees prefer to obtain their prescription drugs from the U.S. using mail forwarding services. But you should be aware that the Mexican government is now charging taxes on any medicine delivered to Mexico, so if you do need prescription drugs on a regular base this is a cost factor to keep in mind.
As more and more expats are retiring to Mexico, estimates are that there are already over 2,000,000 Americans and Canadians living in Mexico, there is a growing demand for assisted-living facilities. Assisted Living and nursing homes in Mexico run roughly half—or less—than what you would pay north of the border and also includes three home-cooked meals a day, laundry and cleaning service with doctors’ home visits on a regular base. Many facilities offer 24/7 nursing care in case it is needed.
Some of these homes have the option for you to live in your own home or apartment and be taken care of whenever the need arises. Others are long-term care facilities where trained staff takes care of all your needs.
So overall health care in Mexico will make your life during retirement much easier and a lot less expensive than it would be in your home country.