Health Analysis - Healthcare Costs in Mexico vs. United States (2024)

Health Analysis - Healthcare Costs in Mexico vs. United States (1)

In the United States, immigrants make up about 13% of the total population. Health care facilities fail to provide adequate care to immigrants, especially undocumented immigrants. In addition, workers on temporary visas and legal permanent residents, who do not yet qualify for support are finding it hard to seek care. Finally, the consequences of insufficient health care extend beyond the undocumented persons, to their children and families.

A recent study reported that a single day in a hospital in the U.S. costs around $1,514 while according to the World Health Organization the healthcare costs in Mexico are less than $120. A routine doctor’s visit in the U.S. costs around $176, whereas in Mexico the cost of routine doctor visits is less than half this rate at around $40.

Why are Healthcare Costs in Mexico Lower than the USA?

The latest data from the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) shows that the United States spends much more on health care than any other country. However, on most measures of health services use, the United States is not up to the mark.

Due to rising health care costs in the US, it has become nearly impossible to receive proper care without health insurance. In addition, the increase of malpractice within these facilities has forced many hospitals to increase their costs in malpractice insurance, legal expenditures, and other types of compensation.

Another one of the major reasons for high health care prices in the U.S is due tothe insurance policy. Most of the bills are paid through insurance claims, and prices are negotiated by insurance companies. The money you pay varies greatly from region to region and from market to market, even though the quality of the health care services remains the same.

Another reason for the drastic difference in health care prices is the high comparative value of U.S currency. One U.S dollar is equivalent to twenty Mexican pesos. In the U.S the minimum wage per day is minimum $8 per hour while in Mexico it is around $80 pesos per day. In short, the money that an American earns in an hour, a Mexican will earn in a full 8 hours’ work per two days. Therefore, immigrants in America typically come to Mexico just to get their teeth cleaned as the health care costs in Mexico are more pocket-friendly than in the U.S.

A Solution for Immigrant Patient Care

As per the rules and regulations, all hospitals in a particular country are required to provide emergency medical care to all emergency patients irrespective of their immigration status. But, as soon as the patient is stabilized after receiving primary care in the hospital, this norm validity ceases and hospitals are required to safely transfer patients to more appropriate facilities.

Allista provides many personalized and individual care services that are not always easily accessible to immigrant patients, allowing easy transition from hospitals. Allista gives direct care through its partners Americas Hospital and Hospital en Casa, based in Guadalajara Mexico. Through these facilities, we are able to provide medical care to those in need. Allista makes the transfer from a US hospital to our Mexico Hospitals quickly and uncomplicated. Partnered hospital facilities are equipped with the latest medical technology that can effectively treat different disease conditions for which immigrants are deported, such as rehabilitation, physiotherapy, mental health and so on.

How Does Allista Help?

Allista Chronic Care Solutions is a well-known and reputed health care liaison with a vision to become the best helping hand for U.S. and Canadian Institutions. We specialize in the effective repatriation of severely injured migrants and their families, with industry expertise and humanitarian concern. With these qualifications, we consider ourselves specialists in immigration health care.

After this discussion, it’s clear that health care costs in Mexico are significantly lower than in the United States. Allista works directly with partnered health care providers to provide the best-suited treatment plan to medically deported immigrants at affordable rates. Allista compassionately welcomes patients who are in distress, understands their needs, assists them and sends them off in better health. Through Americas Hospital and Hospital en Casa, based in Guadalajara Mexico, we hope to improve a patient’s life.

More information about immigration healthcare options can be found here.

Health Analysis - Healthcare Costs in Mexico vs. United States (2024)

FAQs

Health Analysis - Healthcare Costs in Mexico vs. United States? ›

Healthcare costs average at least 50% lower in Mexico compared to the U.S. Mexico's healthcare is less expensive and an easier system to navigate.

How much does healthcare cost in Mexico compared to the US? ›

Medicine and healthcare services cost about 50% less in Mexico than in the United States. If you're planning on sending money abroad to Mexico, calculate the exchange rate to see how much money you are sending. You can go to our website or download the Western Union app to complete your money transfer.

How much does health insurance cost in Mexico? ›

The Cost of Health Insurance in Mexico

For foreigners living in Mexico, the average cost of a comprehensive health insurance plan is $5,900 per year. Most U.S. citizens also purchase additional coverage in the U.S., and so their premiums are higher.

Which is cheaper, the US or Mexico? ›

Generally, the cost of living in Mexico is considerably cheaper than in the U.S. in terms of rent, groceries, utilities, transportation, and more. For example, rent can be as much as 71.2% cheaper in Mexico, while overall prices are 50% to 100% less.

How expensive is healthcare in the US compared to other countries? ›

In 2021, the U.S. spent 17.8 percent of gross domestic product (GDP) on health care, nearly twice as much as the average OECD country. Health spending per person in the U.S. was nearly two times higher than in the closest country, Germany, and four times higher than in South Korea.

Is healthcare in Mexico better than the US? ›

“The major differences are the use of sedation, the cost and the care,” she adds, saying that the US has an advantage when it comes to technology – but not by much. “It's the cost and quality of services” that brings Americans to Mexico, she says. The quality is “almost the same, but here is cheaper”.

Is healthcare in Mexico cheaper? ›

Medical procedures in Mexico offer substantial discounts compared to the U.S. In some cases, the cost of having a procedure done in Mexico will be less than the co-pay in the United States. Cardiac bypass surgery that would run $144,000 in the U.S. costs just $27,000 in Mexico.

Why is healthcare cheaper in Mexico? ›

Most physicians practice without intrusions from corporate. They enjoy the full profit; in return, patients get lower medical costs.

How much does it cost to see a doctor in Mexico? ›

A simple doctor's office visit costs about 400 pesos or roughly US$20. Diagnostic tests can cost up to a third less in Mexico compared to the United States or Canada. However, costs can quickly add up for more complicated procedures.

How good is healthcare in Mexico? ›

The majority of Mexican hospitals are excellent and are staffed by highly trained and often English-speaking doctors. However, some nursing and care staff might not speak English. Mexico has achieved universal health coverage and its public healthcare is used by most Mexican residents.

Can I retire in Mexico on $1500 a month? ›

In America, a typical retiree spends $4,345 on average, whereas the cost of living in Mexico for a single person can vary between $600 to $2,000 a month. Many expats report living comfortably in many areas of Mexico for $1,500 a month as well. The country can be pretty easy to live in.

Is it better to live in Mexico or USA? ›

Affordable Living

Mexico offers a cost of living that is generally lower than in the United States. You can enjoy affordable housing options, lower grocery prices, affordable healthcare, and dining out and entertainment experiences that won't break the bank.

How much money do you need to live comfortably in Mexico? ›

Summary of Monthly Costs

The price of many necessities is significantly less than in the United States. It is estimated that a single person will spend about MXN 10,733 per month, which is equivalent to USD $626, while a family of four will spend about MXN 38,636 per month, which is equivalent to about USD $2,254.

Which country has the highest healthcare costs? ›

Health Expenditure in the U.S.

The United States is the highest spending country worldwide when it comes to health care. In 2021, total health expenditure in the U.S. exceeded four trillion dollars. Expenditure as a percentage of GDP is projected to increase to approximately 20 percent by the year 2031.

Which country has the most expensive healthcare? ›

Health expenditures per capita, U.S. dollars, 2022 (current prices and PPP adjusted)
  • United States. $12,555.
  • Switzerland. $8,049.
  • Germany. $8,011.
  • Austria. $7,275.
  • Netherlands. $6,729.
  • Comparable Country Average. $6,651.
  • France. $6,630.
  • Belgium. $6,600.
Jan 23, 2024

Which country has the most cheapest healthcare? ›

If you're considering retiring abroad, these are the top 10 countries with the most affordable healthcare.
  1. Portugal. The World Health Organization ranks Portugal's healthcare as the 12th-best in the world.
  2. France. ...
  3. Mexico. ...
  4. Colombia. ...
  5. Costa Rica. ...
  6. Panama. ...
  7. Spain. ...
  8. Denmark. ...
Nov 11, 2023

How much does a doctor's visit cost in Mexico? ›

Costs of the Mexican Healthcare System

A simple doctor's office visit costs about 400 pesos or roughly US$20. Diagnostic tests can cost up to a third less in Mexico compared to the United States or Canada. However, costs can quickly add up for more complicated procedures.

Do Mexican citizens pay for healthcare? ›

Public healthcare has an elaborate provisioning and delivery system instituted by the Mexican government. It is provided to all Mexican citizens, as guaranteed by Article 4 of the Constitution. Public care is fully or partially subsidized by the federal government, depending upon the person's employment status.

Why do Americans go to Mexico for healthcare? ›

Medicines and services are cheaper in Mexico, especially dental procedures. You can get your teeth cleaned or an implant for a fraction of the cost of what you get in the US.” Big employers also sometimes send people covered by their insurance to other countries for hip or knee replacements or bariatric surgery.

Can an American get healthcare in Mexico? ›

US citizens living and working in Mexico may be eligible for healthcare in Mexico under the IMSS, which is the healthcare system provided under Mexico's private employment sector. If you have legal residency and are self-employed there, you can opt-in to the system voluntarily.

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