MEDICAL TOURISM IN MEXICO

By Ruth Rosa Lenox | April 19, 2009

Medical tourism, also known as health tourism or medical travel or health travel or medical value travel or overseas medical or medical outsourcing, is a term coined by travel agencies and the mass media to describe the rapidly growing practice of traveling to other countries for medical treatment and health care. It is not a new concept as we have instances in history where Greek pilgrims from all over the Mediterranean used to travel to a small territory in the sardonic gulf called epidauria.
Medical tourists are different from normal tourists opting for medical or cosmetic treatment just because it is available, but they are patients with significant health concerns for whom their health care is the min concern and the vacation aspect a secondary one. Many people are choosing medical tourism for complex medical situations like joint replacement, cardiac surgery or even cosmetic surgery
Medical tourism aims at rejuvenating a person mentally, physically and emotionally, drawing him away from his daily routine to a relaxed environment in an exotic location.

The primary reasons of medical tourism is high medical cost in one’s own country, long wait time procedures, the ease and affordability of international travel and improvement in both technology and standards of care in many countries. The popular destinations for medical tourism are Agentina, Cuba, Costa Rica, Hong Kong, India, Malaysia, Mexico, Singapore, South Africa, Thailand and New Zealand.

Mexico is one the most sought after destinations for medical tourism. It’s proximity to the US and Canada makes it easy for patients from these countries to travel there. Some people are even able to drive to Mexico to obtain low cost surgery. No passport or visa is required for US citizens. Along with this Mexico offers great beaches, vibrant culture, beautiful scenery, diving, golf course and delicious cuisines. Not only Mexico boasts of high quality doctors and hospitals, but also the medical savings in Mexico are tremendous. The savings can be around 50% of what is spend in the US and Mexico for the same treatments. Patients have reported of being treated with warmth, respect and a smile. They received a lot of attention in Mexico and felt that people went out of their way for them. Although people are very efficient there is no feeling of being rushed. Doctors spend a lot of time with the patients.

Dental work is one of the most common procedures patients go to have done, but knee and hip surgeries and cosmetic and reconstructive surgeries are popular as well. Mexico is also popular for savings on prescription medications. Though the same international companies supply in US and Mexico but in Mexico the medicines can be bought for a fraction of the amount spend in the US. This cuts the post operative costs drastically.