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? ›

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.

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

Healthcare in Mexico has the reputation to be excellent whilst being affordable compared to other countries. To give an idea, costs are estimated to be 25 to 30% lower than in the United States. This makes Mexico a destination of choice for medical tourism.

Is Mexico's healthcare better than America's? ›

“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”.

Why is healthcare so much cheaper in Mexico? ›

The Healthcare System in Mexico

Long waits to see a doctor or dentist are rare, results from tests are often given directly to the patient on the same day, and many medications are sold over the counter, with made-in-Mexico drugs costing less than half the price of their U.S. equivalents.

How does the US compare to other countries on health insurance costs? ›

Health expenditures per person in the U.S. were $12,555 in 2022, which was over $4,000 more than any other high-income nation. The average amount spent on health per person in comparable countries ($6,651) is about half of what the U.S. spends per person.

What is the most expensive country in the world for healthcare? ›

The United States: the world's highest medical expenses

The United States has the most expensive healthcare system of any country.

What disease is considered the #1 health problem in Mexico? ›

In 2022, an estimated 16 million cases of acute respiratory infections were reported in Mexico, making them the most common category of illnesses in the country.

What are the problems with healthcare in Mexico? ›

Private sector services are in high demand given insufficient resources among most public institutions and the lack of voice by the insured to ensure the fulfilment of entitlements. Furthermore, the system faces challenges with obesity, diabetes, violence, as well as with health inequity.

What is the quality of healthcare in Mexico? ›

While health professionals in Mexico are generally well qualified and their expertise high, the medical equipment and quality of health facilities are not always the most consistent around the country, particularly in the public sector, where the standards of comfort and equipment are uneven.

How much to see a doctor in Mexico without insurance? ›

Is healthcare free in Mexico?
Medical service in MexicoAverage cost
Doctor consultation services and house calls500 pesos maximum or US$45
Lab test servicesA third of the United States CAT scan prices, normally 25% of what you'd pay in the US
In patient services (patients spending the night)Mostly less than US$100
2 more rows
Nov 21, 2017

Why do Americans go to Mexico for healthcare? ›

"It's economics," said Néstor Rodriguez, an immigration studies expert and professor of sociology at the University of Texas at Austin. "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."

How much does an xray cost in Mexico? ›

The average price of X-ray examination in Mexico is $110, the minimum price is $20, and the maximum price is $200. The total cost is calculated individually. It may range depending on your medical issue, doctor's qualification, procedure complexity and related complications (if they occur).

Which country has the best healthcare system in the world? ›

The Best Healthcare Systems in the World in 2024

What country has the best healthcare, according to this assessment? Singapore comes in at No. 1! Other countries with the best healthcare are listed below.

Where does America rank in quality of healthcare? ›

The United States ranks 11th in the 2022 World Index of Healthcare Innovation, down from 6th in 2021 and 4th in 2020.

Does the US have the highest healthcare costs in the world? ›

The United States has one of the highest costs of healthcare in the world. In 2022, U.S. healthcare spending reached $4.5 trillion, which averages to $13,493 per person. By comparison, the average cost of healthcare per person in other wealthy countries is less than half as much.

How much does a doctor's visit cost 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.

How much would you pay for healthcare if you lived in Mexico? ›

For foreigners living in Mexico, the average cost of a comprehensive health insurance plan is $5,900 per year.

Do Mexican citizens get free healthcare? ›

Rooted in the Mexican constitution's principles, every Mexican citizen is entitled to cost-free access to healthcare and medication.

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