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Los Algodones, MX, is appropriately nicknamed ‘Molar City’ due to the area’s hundreds of dentists. Always check with your health insurance provider to determine if care is covered should complications arise post-treatment.
Words by Jennifer Leigh Hill
From dental work to cosmetic surgery, medical treatment in Mexico is growing in popularity for its affordability and accessibility compared to what many visitors are accustomed to in Canada and the U.S.
Medical tourism is not a new alternative for snowbirds. However, as it is becoming a more sought-after service for specific treatments, we examined this growing trend to provide further insight into what is available and precautions to take, thus ensuring effective and healthy results.
What is Medical Tourism?
According to the Medical Tourism Association (MTA), Medical tourism is when patients reside in one country and travel to another for specific medical, dental and surgical treatment to receive equal or greater care than they would in their own country; and who travel due to the affordability.
Lower costs and better access to medical services are some of the main reasons why medical care in Mexico is popular. Even though Canada has a federally-funded healthcare system, some procedures/services are not covered including dental work, certain elective surgeries and medical appliances like hearing aids and prescription eyeglasses.
Filip Rankovic Grobgaard
How much would you pay for a new smile? The dental fees are reportedly much less than in the U.S. and Canada.
Other common treatments that may or may not be covered and are available south of the U.S. border include bariatric surgeries (weight loss), stem cell treatments, and select orthopedic procedures. Regardless of the needs, the financial benefits are significant.
“The average savings of some procedures can range from 50 to 70 percent less than what it may cost in the U.S. or Canada,” says Jonathan Edelheit, Co‑founder and Chairman of Global Healthcare Resources. “A full set of veneers - top and bottom - in Palm Beach, FL, can be upwards of $55,000. In Mexico or Costa Rica, it could be around $15,000.”
Finding Credible Medical Services
The process of accessing medical services outside of Canada can be fraught with anxiety. Resources like the MTA and its publication have an excellent guide at www.magazine.medicaltourism.com that addresses a number of topics including:
- What does the medical procedure include?
- What are the potential risks?
- How are communication barriers addressed?
- Are post-discharge follow-ups required?
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Prescriptions too are less expensive, causing many snowbirds to cross the U.S. border just to have one filled.
Another efficient way to find information about a credible clinic and/or physician is through a Canadian medical tourism facilitator, which is a broker who coordinates clinic appointments, travel, and accommodations for international patients. These include companies such as Medibliss Tours and Global Health Care Connections.
Edelheit explains that U.S. citizens and Canadians sometimes make the mistake of trying to choose their own clinic or physician in Mexico and then be misinformed by the healthcare provider. As a result, it’s strongly suggested to thoroughly research specific clinics and services in the area you’re visiting, and quality should always be a priority over the cost regardless of the savings.
“Never put the price first as you don't want to save money and then have a bad outcome and experience,” says Edelheit. “We recommend ensuring that the hospital/clinic has accreditation from a Global Healthcare Accreditation and/or JCI. Also, ensure the doctor is credentialed. We even suggest speaking to previous patients, when possible. Mexico can have great providers of care but also average to poor providers.”
So, before you visit Mexico for treatment, be sure to visit www.medicaltourism.com or www.medicaltourismassociation.com to learn more about the options of your healthcare needs.
One of the best-known medical tourism destinations is Los Algodones on the border of Andrade, CA, which has the nickname ‘molar city’ due to the area’s hundreds of dentists. However, there are many areas where medical services are available including:
- Bariatric Surgery: Ciudad Juárez, Nuevo Laredo, Reynosa.
- Dentistry: Los Algodones
- Fertility Treatments: Tijuana.
- General Surgery: Ciudad Juárez, Mexicali
- Gynecology: Nogales
- Maxillofacial procedures: Piedras Negras
- Oncology: Piedras Negras
- Ophthalmology: Ciudad Juárez, Reynosa, Tijuana
- Orthopedics: Ciudad Juárez, Mexicali, Tijuana
- Otolaryngology: Ciudad Juárez
- Plastic Surgery: Ciudad Juárez, Nuevo Laredo, Piedras Negras, Tijuana
- Urology: Ciudad Juárez, Piedras Negras, Tijuana
(*Ed Note: Always do thorough research about the credibility of the medical staff and treatments before visiting any clinic, physician, and/or hospital.)
Medical Facts to Consider
With few statistics available about residents seeking treatment outside of Canada, a 2017 report from the Fraser Institute estimated that 63,459 Canadians received non-emergency medical treatment in another country. What’s more, 2.4 percent were from BC and a reported 2.1 percent travelled abroad to seek ear, nose, and throat surgery.