Why I Choose Mexico for My Medical Care
People often ask why I go to Mexico for my own medical care. For me, it’s not complicated—it just makes sense.
Pic: My kids and I with Luci from Bonita Merida Experiences. She’s truly lovely and was a big reason I moved to Merida in 2021!
First, it’s familiar. I lived in Merida, Mexico for three years, so I know the healthcare system, the pharmacies, and even some of the providers personally. And-check this-I can text my dentist, surgeon, GI specialist, YOU NAME IT, at any time. The only provider that is a little harder to get ahold of is my OBGYN but I can schedule with him within a week. There’s a level of comfort in walking into a clinic and knowing exactly what to expect.
Second, the care is excellent—and it’s fast. I don’t sit on waitlists for months to see a specialist or get basic labs. I can send a message, schedule an appointment in no time flat, and walk out with answers, often the same day.
Third, affordability matters. Even with “good” insurance in the U.S., the copays, deductibles, and endless surprises on the bill add up. In Mexico, the costs are transparent and far lower. I know what I’m paying for, and it doesn’t take months of statements and phone calls to sort out. Unfortunately, in private practice health insurance tends to be suffocatingly expensive. We are talking $800+ per month for a high deductible plan. The kids have no medical history and I have minimal. It’s ridiculous and unreasonable so my reality is seeking care outside of the U.S.
Video: My then 6 year old jumping into a cenote in Pixyah! This was another adventure out there with Luci. It scared the crap out of us but we had a blast!
Fourth, there’s far less red tape. I don’t have to fight an insurance company for approval on labs or imaging—some of which I order myself without a provider’s order. That autonomy and accessibility mean I can actually manage my health the way I want to.
The pharmacy access is another huge benefit. Many baseline medications that don’t need frequent adjustment are available without a prescription. For someone who knows their own regimen, this is incredibly helpful. I don’t need to jump through unnecessary hoops just to refill what I’ve been stable on for years.
And honestly—there’s a human element, too. The providers I’ve worked with in Mexico take the time to listen. There’s less rush, less paperwork, and more focus on me as a patient. They never stare at a computer instead of me. I’ve received first class care with the most up-to-date equipment for 1/10-1/3 what I would pay in Ohio.
For me, Mexico combines familiarity, quality, speed, affordability, and freedom from the U.S. insurance grind. It’s not about escaping care here—it’s about choosing a system that respects my time, my knowledge, and my health.
However, I do want to add one importance sensitive point. The reality for many Mexican citizens is that healthcare is NOT affordable. There are options for free care for those with significant financial constraints but my friend Luci from Bonita Merida Experiences once told me that there was one radiation machine for the entire Yucatan Peninsula. This is nearly incomprehensible in Ohio, where I am originally from. There is another medical system too called IMES, where workers and their families can receive care. Anyone that pays into the system can receive care. It often differs from area to area in which you live, even just a couple miles from the next but you generally must receive care where you are located. The care at the IMES facilities is very low or free but, of course, with a catch. Often times the equipment is not the most modern or the procedures or medications may not be as well. By far the practice of medicine is very modern in Mexico but that has not been the case that I’ve seen in some friends and especially in a friend that was seeking psychiatric services and meds.
That said, I want to be sensitive to the needs of locals. Where I am saying “Hey this is so affordable!” that is not a reality for many other people and I acknowledge that. Another example was this: We were just in Mexico engaging in some medical volunteering. Several people knew or suspected they had hypertension or diabetes but had not had labs in a long time because of lack of access and lack of affordability. This past visit we prioritized screening and education. Access to labs is a priority for our next Mexico visit and we hope to help some people get what they need.
With that said, if you visit Mexico or other countries and receive care, please be sensitive to others’ situations but also enjoy the care. It is REFRESHING to receive genuinely welcoming and personalized healthcare outside of to what we are accustomed.
