When I say to people “I’m glad I had my accident in Mexico” they usually look at me like I grew a second head. But I’m serious. The level of professionalism, attention, rapid response, and modern equipment was mind-boggling. To this day I still don’t know what half the gadgets were but they were all shiny and clean. I can say with confidence that hospital care in Cozumel was better (and cheaper) than I could ever have dreamed of.
If you’ve ever thought that healthcare in Mexico might be a bit backwards, let me share my story with you and change your mind. Here’s what happened…
Just over a year ago, I had a bicycle accident on Cozumel island in the Riviera Maya region of Mexico. People ran out of a nearby shop to help pick me up while one lovely Mexican lady asked if she could drive me to the ER as she was looking at my arm.
Following her gaze and looking down, my arm was at a very awkward angle and said “That can’t be good.” So of course, my answer was, “Yes please.”
While others took my bicycle into the store for safekeeping, we went to the hospital. Walking into the ER a nurse listened as the lady told him in Spanish what had happened. If I weren’t in pain it would have been comical. There were lots of gasps, arms waving and gestures, it was a fun re-enactment of my accident.
Shown straight to a bed an English-speaking Doctor arrived moments later. With a warm smile and a “Tell me what happened” it finally hit me, I was in the ER. So, trying to be stoic (and failing) the whole story poured out while he held my hand.
With a nod and an “Everything will be alright, we will take care of you,” the room became a hive of activity. The nurse took a full medical history to ensure nothing would clash with the pain meds waiting on a tray. An orthopaedic surgeon was called who turned up promptly to give an exam as well as review my chart with the nurse.
I just lay there amazed at all of the fuss, reclining in the bed wishing I wasn’t still in sweaty bicycle riding gear wondering if anyone had deodorant. Isn’t it silly the things we think of?
Next came a visit to the x-ray technicians who were waiting for me at the door. Honestly, I felt like a bit of a VIP as one thing after the other was immediate, not a line or wait time in sight. Running smoothly like a well oiled machine I can honestly say it was the safest and most comforting experience you could wish for.
My only concern was when the Orthopaedic surgeon told me he’d have to put me under to pop my elbow back into place. No breaks thankfully, just an elbow going the wrong way. But that did mean anesthetic. For me, that is a problem. My family’s one and only health issue is with blood clotting so the mix of anaesthetic drugs can be an issue.
But the anaesthetist arrived at my bedside, carefully listening to my concerns and even asking me to write the name of my condition and its variant form on the chart so there could be no miscommunication between English and Spanish.
Which I will admit, put my mind at ease so when it came time for the anaesthetic to be administered my anxiety had dropped to a minimum. My last sight was of the nurse by my side, the surgeon smiling down on me, and the anesthetist holding my hand.
Then black.
When I came to everything was quiet. They’d even dimmed the lights in my room and drawn the curtain so waking up would be as comfortable as possible. It took the scariness out of the whole event.
Most of all, my greatest appreciation was the fact that they made it relaxed and peaceful. Down to the fact that the procedure was done in my ER bed. Not in a scary operating room where everything seems a lot worse to my overactive imagination. I mean, an operating room is where you go when it’s really serious right?!
After all, it was just a popped-out elbow going the wrong way, no bones were sticking out or anything dramatic so I was thankful just to lay in my bed on a fuzzy cloud of almost consciousness.
By the end of the day all I wanted was to go home, have a shower and finally get out of sweaty bicycle riding clothes. So, closing my eyes in anticipation, I asked for the bill and discharge forms.
When the bill came I almost fell out of bed. It was so cheap, surely it must be wrong.
The total was US $350 for everything! Jaw-droppingly inexpensive for an entire day in the ER, Orthopedic surgeon, nurses, x-rays, special anesthetic drugs, and excellent care.
As I said, that was just over a year ago, so the price may have gone up a smidge but I guarantee the staff would still be just as wonderful.
So, if you ever wondered about the hospital care in Mexico, I can tell you that even on Cozumel island in the Mexican Caribbean, it’s excellent.
Mexico Correspondent for International Living, Bel is an experienced writer, author, photographer and videographer with 500+ articles published both in print and across digital platforms. Living in the Mexican Caribbean for over 7 years now she’s in love with Mexico and has no plans to go anywhere anytime soon.
I couldn’t agree with you more! Unlike the countries up north , Mexicans clearly understand the Hippocratic oath. All you said about your experience, i will echo. Care, technology, expertise, attitude and price can not be compared to up north where socialist medicine or overpriced medicine reign. After two bouts of acute and congestive heart failure, the attention here can not be matched. The attention was immediate and amazing, and the costs about one third of US cost and what do all you Canadians think those high taxes you pay for are, if you can get some attention?
Yes! My surgeon was so lovely I still can’t believe he held one hand while the anaesthetist held the other as I went under. Soo lovely, and I can’t recommend highly enough! Thank you so much for reaching out and sharing, your story sounds as good as mine. Cheers, Bel.
Thank you for sharing. This is something I have wondered about when visiting the Playa del Carmen area. 🙂
I’m so glad you liked the article and if you have any questions, I’m happy to answer them. Cheers Bel.
I live in Cabo San Lucas and have had several major surgeries. I can’t say enough good things about the care I have received. Frankly, I am terrified to go back to the U.S. for surgery. I have heard too many stories about infections and near death (and actual death) cases there. I believe it is much safer to have surgery in Mexico.
Thank you so much for sharing that with us. I’ve got nothing but good things to say about health care in Mexico as well. My experiences are always great. Cheers, Bel.
Great! But are you unconcered about lack of US Medicate/Gap Insurance while down here? Cheers from Acapulco!
I can’t speak for Sondra, but for me it’s not an issue.
I can vouch for a fine example of pediatric care in Puerto Vallarta. The 4 years old son of a friend with broken arm was immediately admitted to the hospital: the parents were agog upon seeing the cleanliness of the ER facility. All equipment was modern and fully functional. The little guy was treated like a prince. Upon return to Seattle, when removing the cast weeks later, the doctor stated that all was well. What in Seattle (Per the MD there) would have cost $800 – $1000 was in PV about $220.00 U.S. equivalent! FYI – dental work is also comparably priced: most of the dentists are graduates of U.S. dental schools. I get dental cleanings on annual visits to PV.
Thanks for sharing this little story with us. I’m so happy your friends son was so well looked after and you’re not the first the comment on the great dental either. I love my dentist. Cheers, Bel.
Interesting. Mi novia paid about $10,000 USD to have her fractured wrist repaired in Vallarta. In my years living here I know quite a few instances where people are paying upwards of $50k US for their hospital procedures. The private hospital here are NOT inexpensive by any means.
Forgot to laud = San Javier hospital in Puerto Vallarta.
Thanks for adding that, now people know where to get great care!
My husband suffered a life and death health issue while in Puerto Vallarta. He spent three weeks in intensive care. The list of qualities of all hospital staff is long, very long. We feel gratitude to each and all. One of our sons is a medical doctor in Canada, he acknowledged how impressed he was by the protocols, equipment, technicians and specially human approach.
This makes me smile so big! Thank you so much for sharing that. I felt so safe and cared for through the whole experience and can’t say enough good things about Mexico’s healthcare! Cheers, Bel.
I had a very similar and incredible experience when I broke my femur a couple years ago. The healthcare was amazing. My surgeon was brilliant and my recovery was nothing short of miraculous. I am happy to have received the healthcare that I did in Mexico and I highly recommend it to anyone from Canada who has long wait times just to see a specialist, never mind actually having an operation done.
That’s fantastice, I’m so happy to hear this. A lot of my Canadian friends have told me of the long wait times compared to here and I’m with you, the healthcare here in Mexico is worth it! Cheers, Bel.
Bel, thank you for shining a light on the wonderful medical care that we have access to in Mexico. Like it was said in your article the Mexican medical profession believes in the Hippocratic Oath, and if I may add they have now sold out to multi-national corporate bribes to have doctors use expensive unnecessary treatments and pharma drugs. After I moved here 5 years ago, when I visited my physician for the first time just to establish a relationship with him and his staff, he looked over my medical history from the US and incredulously looked at my list of over 6 drugs and exclaimed “do you still use all of these meds? We have to get you off of them as quickly as is safe.” He did and I have not taken any of that stuff for over 4 years and every year my blood work has been correct without drugs. The most dramatic evidence of how good and affordable local medicine is in Chapala-Axixic was how the local hospital, San Antonio Hospital, saved my life. I had been taking insulin for diabetes. One night my wife found me unconscious in a seizure and rushed me off to the Emergency care. They got me stabilized and determined that I had an overdose of insulin which through me into diabetic shock. I could have died. This is when I learned that my diabetes was cured and I was not insulin depedent anylonger. The doctors kept me in the hospital for 2 nights and released me with a clean bill of health. The two nights with meals, medicines, 24 hour care by at least 2 or 4 nurses and regular doctor’s visitations cost me $500 US dollars. To say the least, we do not pay for medical nor dental insurance anylonger because the normal costs for exceptional medical care is usually less than the co-pay of US insurance.
Hi Jorge, I’m so happy to hear this and thankful you got the help needed. Like you, I appreciate the amazing health care in Mexico! This would be a perfect story to share with another magazine I write for, do you mind if I contact you? Cheers, Bel.
No, I would not mind Bel. If you think that I can help you, I would be glad to try. You can contact me by my email that MND has in my account information.
Same ER experience from a much worse accident in Mérida. The facilities, knowledge, care, and price were all astonishing in the best ways!
I’m so happy to hear that you got excellent care as well. Thanks for sharing that with us. Cheers, Bel.
Great experience as well in Cabo, I had been recommended to Dr. Rincon at H+ Hospital in San Jose del Cabo, it was my 6th spinal surgery, and the first endoscopic procedure I’d had – total out-of-pocket cost of $55K MXN with insurance from MAPFRE, they paid the hospital directly for everything else…so for just over $3K USD out-of-pocket, and around $1600 USD for the year of health coverage, it was a great experience, great Dr. & staff and a really modern, new hospital.
This is so wonderful to hear and thank you for sharing how affordable it is so others can get the help they need. Cheers Bel.
I had a similar experience at StarMedica in Morelia, for a dislocated shoulder. No waiting in the ER, saw a nurse, had e-rays, anesthesiologist, orthopedic surgeon, and in and out in three hours, with a total bill of of just $1,300 USD, all reimbursable by MetLife Mexico, as accidents do not count toward the my insurance deductible.
Thank you for sharing your story with us and it’s so lovely to hear that you had a similar experience. I still smile when I think of mine and how caring they were. Mexican healthcare personnel are the warmest loveliest people! Cheers, Bel.
I’ve mention this before, but I’m Glad I had my Accident in Mexico too!!! Long story short, I also had a bike accident (wearing a full-coverage helmet) and 3 months later I discovered something was wrong because my arm and hand went completely numb. I was diagnosed with “brain bleed” chronic hematoma. A blood vessel had rupture but had a slow bleed for all those months. If it was acute hematoma I would have probably died. The blood vessel broke due to the impact/jolt because I had no injuries at all. But I ended up getting a craniotomy.
I carried on with life for 3 months until the numbness came around. Anyway, I went to a hospital in Mexico City that accepted Blue Cross Blue Shield and they covered 100% of the charges. I never paid for anything. However, the hospital (Medica Sur “Mayo Clinic” approved) that I wanted to go to was too far from where I was staying. I would go to Medica Sur next time, because they are very well versed with international insurance companies and accept mostly all the major medical insurers in the USA and Europe, including the well-known travel insurance companies. If I was in the USA when that happened, I would have been responsible for 20% of the emergency room at least and a copay. But everything worked out regardless!
Wow that was such an experience but I’m very glad you got the great help needed. And that it was all covered, that’s a great story, thanks for sharing that with us. Cheers, Bel.
Thank you for telling your story.
You are so very welcome Grant, thanks for taking a moment to comment. Bel.
My wife and have both had the same excellent emergency medical attention in San Miguel de Allende.
I’m so happy to hear that and pleased for both you and your wife. Mexico’s healthcare personnel are the kindest and warmest people I’ve come across. Thanks for sharing, cheers, Bel.
I’ve been in Mexico for over 20 years and I must have had over 100 consultations with dentists, urologists, dermatologists, ophthalmologists, orthopedists, phlebologists, otolaryngologist, general practitioners and more. Three of them were my English language students and of the others most could speak English either well or reasonably well. Never had a problem. And I’ve had four surgeries two quite serious involving hospital stays. First class service every time including pre-med and follow-ups. I’ve paid private for everything and the prices have been more than reasonable, in fact for a cyst removal (throat) I thought it was too cheap. So yes, first class private medical services in Mexico with great doctors/consultants and support staff. Okay, not quite as good as in the UK, where I’m from, where the medical services are exceptional and free, including the meds. So come on Claudia and Morena, get your country a great National Health Service free at the point of delivery including free meds for the over 60s, the unemployed, pregnant women, and the generally infirm.
I’m so happy you have had excellent experiences every time across a range of specialists and doctors. That’s a great affirmation as to how Mexico’s healthcare personnel are truly caring and lovely. Cheers, Bel.