Healthcare in Ajijic Lake Chapala
Sep 18
2009
Numerous clinics and private doctors’ offices in the Ajijic Lake Chapala area offer excellent medical services at approximately $25 US per visit. Typical lab and blood work runs from $25 – $75 and is also available at several convenient local labs.
The Clinica Maskeras conveniently located in Riberas on the Carattera is a full service medical facility with full MD and nursing staff. It is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, includes on-site emergency care with transport access to major Guadalajara Hospitals.
These out of pocket costs are typical for routine care and check-ups, much less than co-pays for many US providers, and you do not need insurance in order to have complete care.
Lakeside has the added advantage of close proximity to Guadalajara, which boasts some of the best Medical facilities and hospitals in Mexico.
Contrary to popular belief, most doctors are bi-lingual and extensively experienced in their fields of specialty. In addition, the major hospitals in Guadalajara utilize the latest high-tech treatments and equipment.
It’s interesting to note that many US trained and certified MD’s actually decided to return or move to Lakeside and the Guadalajara area, rather than continuing to practice in the US. Can you blame them?
There are also many alternative medicine practitioners who offer services locally. You can choose from licensed holistic practioners, massage therapists and chiropractic specialists as well.
There are a number of medical insurance options to choose from. IMSS is the Mexican government’s universal health care program. It costs about $300 USD per year and gives you a lot in return. It provides excellent catastrophic coverage and is available to foreign residents.
Dental costs also are a fraction of what you would expect to pay in the US and Canada. Nursing care, assisted living and nursing home care is excellent as well, and much less expensive.
Retirees with US plans such as Blue Cross, Blue Shield, Champus, Metropolitan, Golden Rule, Cigna and others, can use their coverage in Mexico. In addition, a number of organizations such as the American Legion and the Lake Chapala Society have local health insurance plans.
US citizens with Medicaid and Medicare often carry a medical evacuation provision in the case of life-threatening illness. These policies provide coverage that allows them to be transported by air ambulance to the US for treatment.
“Ive heard that I can get any type of drugs in Mexico without a prescription. Is that true?”
Most Prescription Medicines are available over the counter at Guad Farmacia branches. There are also several high quality discount Farmacias in the Lakeside area.
No, you still need a prescription from a licensed MD in Mexico to purchase narcotic prescriptions. However, without the rigors and stress of US based insurance regulations and associated high costs, you can walk into any local Farmacia and purchase most name brand and generic drugs for a fraction of the cost in the US, without a prescription.
Note: As an insulin-dependant diabetic, I find that a bottle of insulin (Lantus and Humalog) costs out of pocket the same as the copay alone was in the US (about $45 US). Having qualified now for the IMSS drug coverage, I actually receive insulin and other meds free of cost.
Tags: ajijic medical doctors, American Legion Chapala Mexico, American Legion Lakeside, doctors in mexico, Lake Chapala Society, medical care ajijic, prescriptions Mexico
0