Nearly 1 million Californians seek medical care in Mexico annually

jean36 · May 28, 2009, 09:51 PM

Re: Nearly 1 million Californians seek medical care in Mexico annually

My sister went to Mexico to have a dental bridge done because it was so much cheaper than here in the US.
It broke less than three months later.
Take your chances - you get what you pay for.
There's no free ride in life.

The last time I checked, there are tons and tons of medical errors in almost every major hospital in the US, doctors are just human, errors are bound to occur, the difference lies in numbers

Chico David RN · May 28, 2009, 11:53 PM

Re: Nearly 1 million Californians seek medical care in Mexico annually

Originally Posted by VORB

::

The number pales in comparison to the number of Mexicans seeking medical care in the U.S.

The difference is that the Mexican citizenry probably doesn't pay for the Californians' care.

The quoted article seemed to be based on a well done study in a scientific journal. Do you have any comparable evidence for your statement?

PlaneFlyerRN · May 29, 2009, 12:29 AM

Re: Nearly 1 million Californians seek medical care in Mexico annually

Originally Posted by jean36

My sister went to Mexico to have a dental bridge done because it was so much cheaper than here in the US.
It broke less than three months later.
Take your chances - you get what you pay for.
There's no free ride in life.

The last time I checked, there are tons and tons of medical errors in almost every major hospital in the US, doctors are just human, errors are bound to occur, the difference lies in numbers

Where are the stats for care in Mexico? .......Does the government even keep stats?

tothepointeLVN · May 29, 2009, 10:20 AM

Re: Nearly 1 million Californians seek medical care in Mexico annually

I went to a doctor in Rosarita once for something that come up while I was there and I didn't want to wait for the drive back and the doctor was pretty good, good bedside manner good english and it was $20. So if I needed a doctor and I didn't have insurance hell yeah I would go to Mexico.

I plan to get my veneers done there I can get the for I need for the same price as 1

skian · May 29, 2009, 11:18 AM

Re: Nearly 1 million Californians seek medical care in Mexico annually

I used to work in the Dental field and would see it all the time......Patients going to Mexico to have work done. And I can promise you that all of the patients who got there work done there came back to the states with problems (ie. fillings done with decay still left in the tooth) So this is nothing new. Although I have read articles in the past where patients went to other countries such as India to have open heart surgeries done. And the patients said the costs plus the actually cost of the trip still came out cheaper than what it would have cost them had they elected to have it done in the states.

azhiker96 · May 29, 2009, 11:27 AM

Re: Nearly 1 million Californians seek medical care in Mexico annually

The study included prescriptions in their data. We allow pharmaceutical companies to charge different amounts in different countries for the same med. So the US ends up subsidizing drugs for other countries. I think that's called a progressive system.

**Elvish** · May 29, 2009, 11:34 AM

Re: Nearly 1 million Californians seek medical care in Mexico annually

Originally Posted by PlaneFlyerRN

Where are the stats for care in Mexico? .......Does the government even keep stats?

I know it's quite tempting to think that Mexico being a 'third world country' could not possibly have the infrastructure to keep statistics on any part of its health system. However, I did a very quick Google search and found this information from Mexico's National Health Information System (a rough equivalent of our CDC). As one would expect, it's in Spanish.

http://sinais.salud.gob.mx/metrica/index.html

Regarding the OP - I'm not surprised that many long-term US residents (esp those of Mexican origin) travel south to seek care. Familiar language, people, and system.

*herring_RN* · May 29, 2009, 11:38 AM

Re: Nearly 1 million Californians seek medical care in Mexico annually

I've read about people near the border practicing medicine without a license. Usually medical school drop outs or techs with expeirience an a phoney diploma.

There must be a way to verify a physicians license.

We have a couple University of Mexico graduates, now licensed in the US, who are fine physicians.

My husband has friends who've had dental work there for years. They are happy with their care. Their teeth look fine and they chew OK.

Chapis · May 29, 2009, 12:20 PM

Re: Nearly 1 million Californians seek medical care in Mexico annually

That's why we have to do our own homework when doing dental or other precedures done Anywhere, not just outside of the states, but especially if going outside of the US I would research and ask to make sure they'll give me a good treatment. Thank goodness i have family over there and family in the medicine field so if they recommend me to someone, I know to trust them, unlike people that go and find the first dentist and goes in without any prior knowledge or information about the Dr. and just like another posted on here, medical errors are everywhere.

Katie82 · May 30, 2009, 09:05 AM

Re: Nearly 1 million Californians seek medical care in Mexico annually

If you remember the number of Mexicans who became very ill or died during the height of the Swine Flu outbreak, you might recall that this was attributed to the quality of health care to the average Mexican. Health Care delivery is very poorly regulated. I have been told by more than one Mexican emigree that most health care is delivered in small clinics where the staff may or may not be licensed. Folk medicine is widely adapted into medical treatment. I would never allow a Mexican healthcare provider to touch me, and that includes dentistry. I have actually had occasion to deal with Mexican clinics while coordinating care for patients. Absolute chaos....

New To Site	Need Help	Quick Links
Create An Account General Site Map allnurses.com Journals Terms Of Service Privacy Policy Testimonials Meet Our Staff Advertising Information	Information Center & FAQ Boards of Nursing How-To Video Tutorials Did you forget your password? Compare Membership Contact allnurses.com Text Version Mark All Sections As Read	United States Nursing International Nursing Nursing Specialty Advanced Practice Nursing Critical Care Nursing Nursing Specialties Get In Touch... Find Us On Facebook Follow Us On Twitter

Nearly 1 million Californians seek medical care in Mexico annually

Nursing News

Interesting article on ThedaCare's Collaborative Care Model

Possible breakthrough regarding MS

16th Philly area hospital to stop delivering babies: Mercy...

Really interesting article on Indian open hearts

High-Tech Pump Does What Her Heart Can't

Air Force RN Found Not Guilty

Hospital Falters as Refuge for Illegal Immigrants

California Imposes Stricter Rules Regarding Drug Abuse In...

Are older nurses being forced out of the profession?

An outlook in California?

Nursing Articles

Society Needs Care Too

Why am I doing this, anyway?

Nurse Heal Thyself

My Papa, why I am the nurse I am today.

I made it through

An angel's gaze

A Sister Never Forgets

Ruby's Marbles

What Do Operating Room Nurses Do?

My Little Old Jedi

I love this job......

"I hear voices"

Preventing FRUTI (Foley Related Urinary Tract Infection) in...

Error and Attitude

It's Just a Shower

Available Topics (tags)