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General Health Concerns
When it comes to water, it’s best to do what the locals do. Bottled water is widely available and can most likely be delivered right to your new door. In most cases, Mexican tap water is perfectly safe, but Mexicans are so used to NOT drinking it, that we recommend doing the same, and simply avoiding it. The quality of bottled water is very high, and the extra cost is negligible.
It is important to remember that Mexicans are advised NOT to drink the water when they visit the United States or Canada. This is because people the world over develop varying organisms in their digestive tracts which allow them to properly and comfortably digest the local food. Traveling anywhere on Earth may introduce food that can upset the digestive system. It is a good idea to be cautious in the first days of a visit and only eat peeled vegetables, well prepared foods from clean looking restaurants, and packaged foods that are not unlike those from supermarkets all over North America. Of course, you’ll want to try lots of new foods, and you will. Road-side or street-side stands are everywhere, but they are easy to avoid. After a month or so, you might feel up to going-local, eating anything and everything, but starting out cautiously will go a long way toward preventing general upset.
Health Care
Health care in Mexico is generally efficient, safe, and reliable. Many health-care professionals speak English, and many Americans and Canadians come to Mexico just to take advantage of their inexpensive health care. IMSS, the Mexican national health insurance, may be purchased for about US$140 per year for those under 60, and for about US$225 per year for those over 60. This insurance takes effect six to nine months after your arrival, and you must choose from a list of physicians used by the IMSS program. The IMSS program covers visits to clinics, intensive care, and hospital expenses for minor injuries and illness. Private insurance is also available generally at a higher price (perhaps US$1000 per year). MexRetire.com offers assistance in obtaining health insurance, as part of its Premier service. Please Contact Us for further information about health insurance, or about health care in Mexico.
Medicare, unfortunately, does not yet cover Americans retiring to Mexico, except for military personnel and their families.
Vaccinations
Please consult your physician before traveling, regarding the vaccinations you may need in order to travel to Mexico. Travelers to Mexico should be aware of, but not alarmed by recommended vaccinations before traveling. The vaccinations or prophylaxes required, depending upon your exact destination in Mexico, may include: malaria, hepatitis A or B, Typhoid, rabies, and routine immunizations such as tetanus-diphtheria, MMR, polio, and varicella. If you need more information on vaccinations or health care while in Mexico, MexRetire.com can help. Please Contact Us for further information about health concerns in Mexico. Please Note: MexRetire.com is not a healthcare provider. Please consult your doctor, or a government-approved clinic in deciding which vaccinations you may need.
Hospitals and Clinics
The difference between hospitals and clinics in Mexico is very simple: Clinics are essentially your first point of contact with a non-specialist. A comparison can be made with visiting a local doctor’s office for a check up with your General Practitioner. Clinics are very useful to go to if you have a minor illness or injury.
Hospitals are for serious illness or injury. Specialists are available to attend to specific medical problems. In Mexico, people with private health insurance tend to go straight to their specialist for treatment and not just arrive at a hospital or clinic to see a general consultant.
It is important to make sure that when you seek medical treatment that you have your health insurance policy card with you. At times your insurance policy may not immediately pay for your treatment and in such cases, it is important to have resources available to cover the costs incurred.
And don't forget to check out the HealthCare section on our blog for the latest information.