As it stands today, Medicare does not cover health care for Americans outside of the United States, except under these conditions:

1. The beneficiary is a border resident who requires hospitalization and the Canadian or Mexican hospital is either closer to the beneficiary’s home than the participating U.S. hospital or when the Mexican or Canadian hospital offers covered services which the U.S. hospital does not.

2. The beneficiary is not a border resident, but the emergency occurs in the United States and a Mexican hospital is in closer proximity.  In both instances, Medicare pays for physician and ambulance services furnished in Mexico in conjunction with a covered inpatient stay. This lack of coverage affects residents, tourists, short-term visitors, and people who choose to live in Mexico. 

3. Mexico offers medical insurance to almost everyone.

The National Health Care Program, IMSS:

1. Available in most major cities.

2. Takes about 6 to 9 months for coverage to be activated after acceptance. Once accepted, you are a life member as long as premiums are paid.

3. At IMSS clinics you do not have a choice of physicians.

Available in Mexico:

1. Small clinics with general practitioner who is qualified to handle minor illnesses and injuries.

2. Small hospitals with surgeons, internists and pediatricians.

3. Large intensive-care facilities with various specialists.

The general requirements for joining the IMSS program are:

1. You will be asked to complete a questionnaire, with the assistance of a doctor.

2. Submit to a basic medical examination which includes checking your blood pressure and listening to your heart. Other tests may be requested. The cost of the health care coverage is approximately $300.00 U.S. per year. You may apply only in January, February, July and August.  This program is open to all foreigners regardless of nationality and/or immigration status. Medical care in Mexico…… is unbelievably inexpensive by almost anyone’s standards. Of course prices vary according to the region and whether you go to a private clinic or a government run facility.  

Here are some random prices from private clinics in Chetumal – down on the “tail” of Mexico –south of Cancun – in US dollars:

• Private room in a hospital, $50 per day
• Exam and consultation with a specialist, $15
• Ultrasound or X-ray , $15
• Oral surgery, $50 per tooth
• Porcelain filling, $30 each.
• Teeth cleaning, $25
• Emergency room treatment, $15

Exploratory abdominal surgery and appendectomy using video laporoscopy. Including four-day hospital stay in a private room, all fees of the surgeon and the anesthesiologist, and medication. $1,200.

If your only experience in Latin America has been visitingTijuana for a day, you are in for one big surprise!  

The professionals who practice their profession in Mexico after studying abroad, hoping to make their country better, is one reason the health care system is so friendly. Latinos are by nature a warm, caring people ergo, they are generally, good and compassionate doctors and nurses.