Should You Go to Mexico for a Medical Procedure?

As an expatriate, my husband and I once made our home in Central Mexico. One of the first things we did after moving was find new medical providers. While living in Mexico, we had medical exams, minor surgery, and regular dental checkups. In each case, we were pleased with the care and results.

That said, there is a lot to consider before jumping on a plane to travel to Mexico for a medical procedure. Here's what to know.

Popularity of Mexican medical care

In the years leading up to the pandemic, approximately 1.2 million people living in the U.S. traveled to Mexico for healthcare, and it's easy to identify why. According to Josef Woodman, CEO of Patients Beyond Borders, U.S. residents can save 40% to 60% off the cost of similar treatments and procedures at U.S. hospitals or clinics. That can be a big difference in your personal finances.

Simply put, some people go to Mexico because the cost of U.S. healthcare is beyond reach for them. Others travel to Mexico to combine a medical procedure with a mini-vacation. And some folks just don't want anyone in their town knowing their medical business.

Questions to ask yourself

Whatever the reason for traveling to Mexico for medical treatment, there are questions you'll want to answer before booking an appointment.

Will you be safe?

No matter where a medical procedure is performed, there are risks involved. However, running into a problem in a foreign country comes with its own set of questions. For example:

• Where will you stay? Are you familiar with the area? Are there any State Department advisories?
• How long will you need to stay? If you're flying, some procedures require you to wait before flying in a pressurized plane cabin.
• Will you have someone with you to help you after your procedure?
• Will you need follow-up care in Mexico? If so, do you have enough cash in your checking account to cover the cost of another trip?
• What happens if you run into a problem once you get home? It's important to note that some doctors will not provide follow-up care to patients who experience complications after returning home.

Will there be a language barrier?

If you don't speak Spanish, you'll need people who can interpret for you. Medical procedures can be stressful, and you'll want someone who can calmly walk you through what you can expect.

Have I spoken with previous patients?

In an ideal world, you would travel with someone who knows the area well and has experienced medical care in the same hospital, clinic, or medical office. However, that's not always possible. Before planning a trip, ask the medical provider's office to share the contact information of past patients (preferably, other Americans who have undergone the same procedure).

When a medical office provides you with contact information for past patients, they only put you in touch with people who were happy with the outcome. Make it a point to check online for reviews, including anything you can find on public forums like Reddit.

What happens if things go wrong?

Ask which hospital(s) the doctor is affiliated with and how far the hospital is from their office. If you'll be staying in Mexico to recover, find out how far the hospital is from your hotel.

If the procedure you're undergoing in Mexico is not covered by insurance in the U.S. (like cosmetic surgery), any U.S. insurance you carry will probably not cover the cost of complications.

A 2017 study published in Plastic Recontructive Surgery followed 42 patients for 36 months. Patients ranged in age from 20 to 60. Among those who needed to treat complications that arose after returning home, the average cost was $18,211. Unless you have an emergency savings account to cover a medical emergency, you may consider waiting.

Finally, it's not always possible to hold a foreign doctor responsible if things go wrong. Medical malpractice laws vary by country, and when you receive medical care outside the U.S., you run the risk that the other country's laws are more restrictive and do not allow injury victims to receive full compensation.

How can I know if my doctor is board certified?

One of the reasons my husband and I were so happy with the medical care we received while living in Mexico may be due to the homework we did before booking an appointment. The first step was to ensure the doctor was licensed. The easiest way to do that is to ask your doctor to provide their medical license number (called "cédula profesional" in Spanish). Next, we asked about where they attended medical school (several of ours trained in the U.S.).

If you're planning plastic surgery, you'll also need to ask for their Mexican Association of Plastic, Aesthetic, and Reconstructive Surgery (AMCPER) certification. Check out the information provided on the AMCPER website. Check again on the Consejo Mexicano de Cirugía Plástica, Estética y Reconstructiva website. If you click on "Especialistas Certificados" you should find the information you need.

Bottom line

Like the United States, some parts of Mexico are safer than others, and some doctors are better than their counterparts. If you're confident you want to travel to Mexico for medical care, ask so many questions that people begin to wonder if you're investigating their operations. Reputable medical practices will appreciate your efforts.