Medical
What to Expect
Health Care in Puerto Vallarta
Physicians
Dentists
Alternative Medicine
Ambulance and Air Evacuations
Travel Insurance
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What To Expect
High Quality
Medical and dental care in Mexico is very good. In fact, literally millions of US
and Canadian citizens regularly travel to Mexico to receive medical and dental care
that is equivalent to or better than what is available to them at home, at a fraction
of the cost. Given that average medical costs for a US family of four increased
9.3% annually from 1993 to 1997, Blue Shield California now offers healthcare coverage
(Access Baja) specifically for US citizens visiting Mexican healthcare facilities.1
The majority of Mexican physicians and dentists receive part of their training in
the US or Europe (many US physicians also train in Mexico, for example at the Universidad
Autonoma de Guadalajara). The advent of internet access to medical data
and training is increasingly equalizing the quality of medical care throughout the
developed world.
Personal Attention
You will be especially pleased to be treated with the kind of personal attention
(including house calls) that was common among US physicians a couple of generations
ago. Mexican hospitals tend to be smaller than in the US (typically between 6 and
100 beds), with more personal care. Private rooms are common.
Mexican doctors… practice like private doctors in the US and Canada once did… They
will come to you if you request; they often keep their doors open even after regular
hours; and they charge very reasonable fees.
Moon Handbooks
Low Cost
Costs for medical and dental care generally run about half of what you would expect
to pay for similar services in the US. A typical physician visit is about USD $25,
including house calls. Fees for lab tests and CAT scans are around 65-75% less than
is typical in the US. Hospital overnight stays cost about USD $35, and a dental cleaning
is in the neighborhood of USD $20-25.1 2 Mexico is committed to training enough physicians
to supply a healthcare provider in even small villages. Student loans are typically
paid off by serving in a rural community. Mexico has a rich tradition of universal
public service. This tends to keep fees low. Even more relevant to lower costs is
that Mexico lacks the litigious spirit common in the US. Ruinous liability insurance
premiums are not a cost of doing business here.
In 1997, it is estimated that there were 3 million annual medical visits from the
US to Mexico, at an approximate cost of USD $200 million, for the following purposes:3
- Prescription medicines
- Dental care
- Eye care
- Cosmetic (plastic) surgery
- Alternative medicine
Health Care In San Pancho4
Hospital
The Hospital General San Francisco, under the direction of Dr. Reynaldo Saucedo
y Andrade, is the largest regional facility between Puerto Vallarta and Tepic. This
would be a remarkable facility for a small town of 2,200 people, in any country.
The hospital has at its service 38 physicians, 23 of whom are specialists in fields
such as:
- Internal medicine
- Surgery and anesthesiology
- Pediatrics
- Obstetrics and gynecology
- Emergency medicine
60% of Hospital General San Francisco physicians speak English. Payments (which
are moderate by US standards) are on a sliding scale based, in part, on socioeconomic
studies.
The hospital can accommodate 70 visits in the morning and 20 in the afternoon, while
also taking care of 39 acute-care patients. Drop-in wait times average 5-10 minutes
for acute care, 30 minutes for a consultation, and 50-60 minutes to see a specialist.
The phone number for the hospital is (322) 258-4077.
Pharmacies
Image Courtesy of Dr Peter Gordon
Download a PDF guide to local pharmacies.
Many of the pharmacies (farmacia) are international companies governed
by international standards that assure quality. Many drugs that are available only
by prescription in the US are available over the counter in Mexico. In some cases,
the variety of combinations and doses is more limited than in the US. However, in
general, prices are significantly less.
San Pancho has half a dozen pharmacies, many of which carry beauty products.
Fema Farmacia
(322) 258-4011
This 24-hour pharmacy is located near the hospital, at the intersection of Egipto
and Africa.
CMQ Farmacia
(322) 258-4390
Located on the north side of Tercer Mundo (main street), east of Ceilan
Health Care In Puerto Vallarta5
Puerto Vallarta is 45 minutes south of San Pancho and has 240 registered physicians. All the common specialties are represented
except endocrinology, rheumatology, and infectious disease (although most Mexican general
practitioners are strong in this area).
Hospitals
Hospital Cornerstone’s bilingual staff specializes in cardiac services, including
open-heart surgery and organ transplants, dialysis, general and plastic surgery.
This state-of-the-art facility is also a level IV trauma center. The physicians
at Hospital MedAssist have a reputation as being among the very best. Hospital San
Javier Marina is a large, modern hospital, fully equipped with the latest diagnostic
equipment, such as MRI, cardiac catheterization, angio-resonance, neuroradiology,
echosonography, and mammography.
Download a PDF file of the
local hospitals in Puerto Vallarta.
Physical and Occupational Therapy
Four rehabilitation centers offer physical and occupational therapy; two of these
also offer speech therapy.
Diagnostic Labs
Five laboratories offer diagnostic services at multiple locations. There are two
imaging centers that offer CAT scans, MRIs and contrast imaging, ultrasound imaging,
ECGs (electrocardiograms), mammograms, densitometry, Doppler imaging, 2D Echo imaging,
spirometry, and X-rays.
Diagnostic Laboratory
Physicians
Local hospitals and consulates are good sources for physician referrals. The following
have come highly recommended by local residents:
Doctor’s Office
Dra. Clara Seijo practices general medicine.
- (322) 297-5565 (Office)
- (322) 127-5032 (Cell—to call a cell phone from a land line, dial 044 followed by
the area code and number)
- Located on Paradise Plaza in Nuevo Vallarta, 32 km (20 mi) south of San Pancho
Dr. Victor Manuel Sainz Rocha
practices comprehensive family medicine and offers 24-hour emergency care.
- (329) 298-0157 or 0107 (Office)
- (322) 294-0446 (Cell—to call a cell phone from a land line, dial 044 followed by
the area code and number)
- Located in Bucerias, 24 km (15 mi) south of San Pancho, at Héroes de Nacozari 127,
Col. Buenos Aires
Image Courtesy of Dr Peter Gordon
Dr. Peter Gordon and
his associate, Nancy Rodriguez, provide family medical care. Dr. Gordon is a tremendous
resource for knowledge about healthcare in Mexico and the Puerto Vallarta region.
He provided the images of Puerto Vallarta medical facilities that are included in
this article.
- (322) 293-1553
- Located in Puerto Vallarta across from Hospital San Javier Marina
Dentists And Oral Surgeons
Many US and Canadian citizens have discovered substantial savings (even after the
cost of the vacation) by having quality dental work done in Mexico.
Centro de Especialidades Dentales
Dr. Abraham López Sánchez, a full-service oral surgeon, performs orthodontics, endodontics,
odontopediatrics, oral rehabilitation, and implants.
- (327) 274-1183
- Located 28 km (17 mi) north of San Pancho in Peñita de Jaltemba
Excellent full-service dental and oral care is provided
by Dr. Fernando Peñalva and his staff of six specialists.
- (322) 221-0165
- Located immediately south of the Puerto Vallarta airport
Dental Center
Dra. Carla Iliana Rangel is recommended by the Canadian Consulate.
- (322) 224-5585
- Located in Puerto Vallarta at Calle Yugoslavia 149, Col. Versalles
PV Smile Spa
Dr. Noel Rivas is recommended by the Canadian Consulate.
- (322) 293-2696
- Located in Puerto Vallarta at Liverpool 137, Zona Hotelera Norte
Complementary and Alternative Medicine6
The use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) has been increasing in Mexico
among all socioeconomic classes. There is also a long tradition of self-help medicine
in Mexico, known as medicina popular. This term includes practices such as acupressure,
reflexology, herbal and flower remedies, massage, and homeopathy.
The World Health Organization ran a program in the mid-70s to develop traditional
medicine in Mexico. Educational and religious groups have also helped promote CAM
as an adjunct to mainstream healthcare. In late summer, there is an annual Natural,
Traditional and Alternative Medicine Conference in Santa Maria del Oro, Nayarit,
which is about 145 km (90 mi) northeast of San Pancho.
Servicio Medico de la Bahía
This is a small clinic with four beds practicing emergency and intensive care, as
well as Holistic Medicine, including acupuncture, magnetic field therapy, biological
dentistry, chelation therapy, Q2 energy medicine, colon cleansing, enzyme and cellular
therapies.
- Located in Puerto Vallarta, across from the Sheraton Hotel
- (322) 222-2627
Chiropractic
Dr. Basil Aduid
- Located in Gold’s Gym in Puerto Vallarta
- (322) 293-3571 or 221-0516
Dr. Oscar Margain trained at Palmer College
- Located at Jesus Langarica 200 at the Marina in Puerto Vallarta
- (322) 223-0081 or 0084
Dr. Leonard Sugarman
- Located at Insurgentes 236A in Puerto Vallarta
- (322) 223-3845
Natural Foods
AgroGourmet carries natural and organic fruits, vegetables, oils, grains, herbs,
and juices. They also carry gourmet comfort foods, such as maple syrup, fine cheeses,
homemade pasta, lox, sausages, and spices.
- Located on the south side of Puerto Vallarta at Basilio Badillo 222
- (322) 222-5357
Ambulances and Air Evacuations
Six ambulance companies provide service in Puerto Vallarta with a combined total
of 24 ambulances. Three offer air evacuation (including to the US). Competition
in this area has helped promote good service while keeping costs down.
AirLink Ambulance
01 (800) 024-8600 (Mexico)
(888) 673-7427 (US)
Air One
01 (800) 236-8080
MedLink Ambulance
(322) 226-2080
01 (800) 716-3097 (Mexico)
(714) 695-0029 (US)
The following US companies fly medical evacuations from Mexico:
(800) 827-0745 (US)
(305) 868-5378 (US)
(800) 222-3564 (US)
(512) 479-8000 (US)
Travel Insurance
Here are links for purchasing reasonably-priced supplemental medical and medical
evacuation insurance, as well as travel protection. You may wish to also check with
your regular health insurance company.
Travel Insurance Center
AIG Travel Guard
Medibroker
SkyMed
Binational Emergency Medical Care