Mexico Dentists

Going To The Dentist Is Not As Painful As It Used To Be!

Today I want to share an email with you from Bob N., who, while visiting the Yucatan for a couple of months, experienced the dental care there:

“Hi Barb, I am finally getting around to telling you about my dental experience in Playa Del Carmen. You can modify this if you like and share with your readers. (Barbie = That’s on the east coast of Mexico, south of Cancun, and across from Cozumel.)

“Just a note on my great dental experience in Playa Del Carman, Mexico.

“The web site for (the) dentist office is www.clinicadeespecialidadesdentales.com and the dentist is Dr Rubin.

“At bottom of their website you can email them  for appointments.  Their location is downtown, close to the ocean and many hotels.

“I had 3 implants and 4 root canals done. The cost of an implant is $1000 and includes
implant and stub. The crown is $500 so the total is $1500.  Root canal and placement of metal rod for crown is $300 and crown $500.

“They (the dentists) don’t charge extra for Novocain,  impressions, etc.  Total is total and you couldn’t get better work done in U.S.A.  Work was done pain free and you can get pain pills at Wal-Mart for very cheap.  Bob N. ”

Thanks so much for writing,  and letting me share your experience with my readers, Bob!

Fresh orange juice, anyone?

And, just FYI – info on performing a “Search”, i.e. “dentist”on my site :

When you do a search on my site, you can use the box at the top to type in the category you are specifically interested in, i.e. dentist, or pet, or Baja, and select “go” and that will bring up the articles I’ve written on that subject.

Or you can decide which subject you want to read about i.e. “Healthcare”, or “Dentist”, on the right, under “Things I Write About” – then, that will bring up one article, such as dentist, and,  you then can go to another by selecting “Read Previous Article” at the bottom of each article.

Mexico Healthcare, IMSS

Let me tell you about Mexico’s version of Medicare.

Age is not a consideration for IMSS Healthcare.

It’s the closest thing you can get to universal healthcare in Mexico. And yes, it is available to foreign residents.

In fact, public healthcare is guaranteed to all Mexican citizens regardless of pre-existing conditions. (Foreign residents of Mexico are eligible for IMSS healthcare, without exception, other than those who suffer from chronic disease such as diabetes, cancer or heart disease. If you do have a pre-existing condition, it’s mandatory you discuss it with a doctor at IMSS to see if it would be covered later, or if it will affect your coverage as a whole.)

If you are accepted, IMSS healthcare covers only minor illness, such as colds etc., and nothing involving surgery the first year. The second year the insurance will cover everything other than broken bones, and orthopedic surgery. The third year finally covers everything. Medication is covered as well for anything needed for diagnoses, and it is provided to you during your visit. Prescriptions are not covered if you buy it at any other pharmacy. 

Any pre-existing condition that is not reported and later found to exist causes cancellation of all coverage. Again, I must stress:  If you do have a pre-existing condition, it’s mandatory you discuss it with a doctor at IMSS to see if it would be covered later, or if it will affect your healthcare coverage as a whole.

Mexico’s healthcare system is a part of their social security system called “Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social” or IMSS for short. The IMSS is a tripartite system funded equally by private employees, private employers, and the federal government.

IMSS hospitals are usually well equipped with many staff doctors known for their practices in private hospitals.

Requirements for proof of birth date, nationality, etc. can be satisfied with a current passport. Doctors at the clinic can conduct the necessary examination and determine eligibility.

Upon acceptance, cost is per person per year and according to age: as much as 3000 pesos for age 60+ to as low as 977 pesos for age 19 and under (these rates are for March 2004). The cost is subject to change from year to year.

IMSS healthcare is available in most major cities and it 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.

IMSS healthcare consists of:

1. 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. (Make sure you report all pre-existing conditions – it can put your coverage at risk if you don’t)

2. Submit to a basic medical examination which includes checking your blood pressure and listening to your heart. Other tests may be requested.

This is from one of my friends living in Mexico:

“Mexican national health insurance through IMSS (the Social Security system here) can be purchased by foreign residents. Runs around $300 or so per person per year. However, we’re in good health, and prefer to pay out of pocket for private care if and when the need arises. Private care here is so affordable that paying as you go is a viable option, depending upon your risk tolerance and the depth of your resources.”

The cost of the health care coverage is approximately $350.00 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.

Healthcare article by Barbie.

No matter if you spell it healthcare or health care – it’s one of the most important areas of our lives.

A lot of people

have asked me

about the cost

of health care

in Mexico

Affordable, quality health care is one of the primary reasons more and more people are choosing to retire in Mexico. Quite frankly they simply cannot afford quality healthcare in the U.S. 

Yes, I’m sure you’ve heard stories from vested interests that would paint Mexico’s healthcare system in some very unflattering colors.

Bright colors of Mexico

But before you make a decision based on what you may hear or see on TV, you should ask real retirees who have been the recipients of low cost, affordable healthcare — in Mexico. 

I can tell you honestly and wholeheartedly: If I had to go to a dentist in the U.S. to get my dental work done, I would be TENS of thousands of dollars in debt. Fact.

Am I exaggerating? Certainly not. And thankfully, I have a beautiful smile for a fraction of the cost of what I would have paid an expensive dentist in the U.S. 

The quality of dental care that I get in Mexico meets and exceeds the quality I used to receive (but can no longer afford) in the U.S. 

But I digress. As I was saying: Health care in Mexico is surprisingly affordable.

Here are some random prices from private clinics in Chetumal — down on the “tail” of Mexico –south of Cancun – in U.S. 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.
• Four-day hospital stay in a private room, all fees of the surgeon and the anesthesiologist, and medication. $1,200.

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.  

Healthcare / health care article by Barbie

A Short Primer On HealthCare in Mexico…

The National

HealthCare

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 Healthcare 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 $250.00 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.

If you are accepted, IMSS covers only minor illness, such as colds etc., and nothing involving surgery the first year. The second year the insurance will cover everything other than broken bones, and orthopedic surgery. The third year finally covers everything. Medication is covered as well for anything needed for diagnoses, and it is provided toyou during your visit. Prescriptions are not covered if you buy it at any other pharmacy.  Any pre-existing condition that is not reported and later found to exist causes cancellagion of all coverage.  If you do have a pre-existing condition, it’s mandatory you discuss it with a doctor at IMSS to see if it would be covered later, or if it will affect your coverage as a whole.

A Medical Clinic

Medical healthcare in Mexico is unbelievably inexpensive by almost anyone’s standards.

Of course healthcare prices vary according to the region and whether you go to a private clinic or a government run facility.

Healthcare,IMSS article by Barbie

Playa Del Carmen

I recently received this email from my friend, Sharon. She just retired and she’s  doing all the smart things: She did her research. She took a short trip to Playa Del Carmen. Now she’s back and planning a longer six-month stay. Sharon’s email is insightful and she’s been kind enough to allow me to share it with you.

Hi, Barbie! I am now officially retired as of 7/01/09. I went to  to Playa Del Carmen, Mexico in November 08 after we e-mailed. My sister went with me and we had a wonderful time!We looked for a condo to rent this year and found one. We are going back 11/1/09 and want to stay until 4/30/10. I have tried to remember all the important things I need to do for a 6 month stay and wondered if you could tell me if there is a need for a Visa if we stay 6 months in addition to the passport. We also need to buy inexpensive furniture as it is not furnished.

Would you know of any places you could recommend for that?

We are planning to leave the furniture for the 6 months we return to the states and return there the following year again. I am not sure about permanent retirement there until we see how we like it this time for 6 months. We plan on going to many different places from Playa Del Carmen and checking things out. I have verified my health insurance will cover me there and resolved the prescription issues for a vacation exception to get 6 months to take with us. Any advice or info you can give me would be greatly appreciated!The other thing I was wondering about was the location of the nearest Catholic church in Playa Del Carmen.  We’ll be staying just off the other side of 307 .It’s about 10-15 min. from the shopping district. It’s a new development and it has a private beach 5 minutes from the condo.

After 61 years of Maine winters and 28 snow storms just last winter alone I am so looking forward to this. :)

Thanks again. Sharon

Rood stand

 Here is my reply to Sharon about

Playa del Carmen:

Hi Sharon:  Glad you took your sister with you!  Bet you had a ball!

You are absolutely right: you will need your passport – and make sure its valid date exceeds or meets the date you plan to return to the States.

Then, as a U.S. resident – I’m assuming – You will also need a Tourist Card (permit) and it will be good for 180 days – important – that does not mean 181 days!!!  You must enter the States before midnight on the 180th day!!! NO Excuses!!! :)

The tourist card (permit) –will be taken care of at the border crossing port of entry or on the airplane, ship, etc.  Just do as Dick and I did in my book, Retire In Luxury – follow the line or do as the airline steward or official at the port of entry instructs you to do. Remember:  Do not enter Mexico without your permit.

You will decide on:  either a Non Immigrant Permit – visit Mexico and then leave Mexico (What you’ll want) ,  or an Immigrant Permit – permanent residence in Mexico.  Either way, you do not give up your natural citizenship to receive these statuses.

For a short stay of 6 months or less you may want to consider the FMT  visa (short term non-immigrant visa for stays 6 months or less.)

Or you might want to consider a FM3 (long term non-immigrant visa for more than 6 months which gives non-immigrant temporary residency status to the holder.  In my book, I call this the “permanent visitor” permit.) Most retirees opt for the FM3.

The furniture situation – that’s a tough one – maybe try to buy some used. Or, try Gringo Furniture ( 1-866-600-1186). I have not used them, but I have heard good reports about them. Might be an easy way to accomplish a big project!

You were wondering about the nearest Catholic Church. There is one in the Colosio neighborhood in Playa del Carmen. It’s called Parroquia de Nuestra Senora de Guadalupe.  Father Bernard Quinn may still be the priest there. I believe the services are in Spanish.  The church is not air conditioned. I don’t think you’ll find many that are in Mexico, but the ventilation is good.  It’s the corner of 15th Ave and 12th Street.

Best to you, Barbie