Medical Tourism Soars in Mexico: Affordable Care with a Vacation Bonus

Mexico has rapidly emerged as a major global medical tourism country. Analysts say the country is absorbing the medical demand from countries like the U.S. and Canada through its reasonably priced and high-quality medical services.

Patients Beyond Borders, a medical tourism consulting agency, estimates that between 1.4 million and 3 million patients sought treatment in Mexico in 2020. Since the U.S. lifted major border restrictions with Mexico in 2021, medical tourists have surged even more.

Mexico is gaining attention as a medical tourism country for several reasons, including reasonable prices, high-quality medical services, and beautiful tourist destinations.

In particular, many patients from the U.S. visit Mexico for treatment. Even with insurance in the U.S., the high out-of-pocket expenses make it difficult for individuals to seek treatment. According to industry sources, Mexico can help save up to 90% in medical costs compared to the U.S. Rhinoplasty is 56% cheaper, and heart valve replacement surgery is 89% cheaper.

Medical costs in Mexico are cheaper because the wages for healthcare professionals are relatively lower than in the U.S. In Mexico, healthcare professionals receive government subsidies while attending university. Therefore, they do not have the burden of student loan debt. The cost of medicine is also up to 60% cheaper, making the overall medical expenses significantly lower than in the U.S.

Mexico’s medical services are of top-notch quality. A World Health Organization (WHO) survey ranks Mexico’s healthcare system 61st globally, and the service and quality of its private hospitals are considered on par with those in the U.S.

Moreover, the opportunity to tour various regions after receiving treatment also contributes to the absorption of medical demand, according to analysis.

Industry insiders foresee Mexico’s high potential to become the world’s leading medical tourism destination. Last year, global consulting firm Deloitte estimated that Mexico’s wellness tourism, encompassing medical tourism and care, was valued at $117 billion. It’s projected to grow at an average annual rate of 9.1% over five years, starting from 2019.

By. Ah Reum Han