Medical Tourism

Medical Tourism in Juarez, Mexico…

Forget the current change running through the global healthcare system. Ciudad Juarez and the USA have been doing Medical Tourism for the last 100 years. Now with all the Technological advances that make communication easier people from around the world are now able to search for, review and book medical procedures with doctors in other countries. Medical Tourism which combines high-quality, reliable healthcare with travel to a foreign country, is becoming increasingly common. In the process petients are not only getting the procedures they need at a lower cost, but are also learning about the culture of a foreign country and no other City with the perfect location like Juarez, just across the border from El Paso, Texas., here you can see your country from any room window.

Mexico has more than a dozen destinations specialized in medical tourism, where touristic providers join medical care of the highest quality to meet the fields of oncology, orthopedics, cardiology, general surgery, plastic surgery and gastroenterology ,plus the basic dental and optometrist visit ,but there is no easier destination than Juarez.

The International Joint Commission has accredited 7 hospitals in our country. In turn, the Federal Ministry of Health has provided certification for 105 hospitals, 98 of which are equivalent to international standards 2 of them are here in our town.

Medical Tourism in Mexico is staffed by highly qualified doctors and nurses to provide care and service with worldwide quality through an extensive infrastructure with cutting-edge medical technology.

Medical checkups, preventive care, specialized surgery and the recovery process of our tourists, are promoted and monitored with warmth and professionalism of our service during your entire trip, making your stay comfortable and safe in our country. To complete the process in optimal conditions, we have the best conditions for total recovery.

What is Medical Tourism?
old-photo-peopleMedical tourism (also known as medical travel or health tourism) involves traveling to a foreign country for a medical procedure. Historically, medical tourism was less tourism and more medical—patients from less developed nations traveled to Europe or the U.S. for medical procedures that were unavailable in their own country.

These days, however, things are different. People from developed countries like the U.S. and Canada are increasingly traveling abroad for medical procedures. Drawn by affordable prices, convenient travel options and short wait times, these people are getting the dental work, specialty surgeries, and check ups that they need. The doctors are high-quality (many have been trained in the U.S.) and the facilities are top-notch.

There are many reasons why people travel for medical procedures. The following are the most common.

Due to inefficiencies in the healthcare system of their home country, there may be extensive wait times for a procedure. This is the case in Canada, where in 2012 the average wait time between referral and procedure was almost 18 weeks. Cost is another huge factor. Often times, the cost of a procedure abroad is around half the price of the same procedure at home—even with the added expenses of travel, patients typically save a large sum of money. Insurance factors into the equation as well. Some people may be uninsured or underinsured, or want elective surgeries that their insurance provider will not cover. In cases like this, people travel abroad to receive treatment that would be too expensive at home.

As the world becomes increasingly more connected, travel is getting easier and more affordable. The cost and duration of a travel to Juarez, is basically a domestic fligh or Drive to El Paso Texas.

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Misconceptions About Medical Tourism
People often question the legitimacy of doctors and hospitals in other countries. This is, in fact, a good thing. You should be interested in the qualifications of the doctors who treat you and the type of equipment they use. Both can have a tremendous impact on your health.

There is an endless amount of information on the Internet about medical tourism. Appropriately, there are a great deal of misconceptions regarding medical tourism. The following are some of the most common.

The first misconception is that foreign doctors are less qualified than doctors in the U.S. or Canada. In some parts of the world, this may be true—the doctors, for example, in rural Africa are no doubt less qualified than doctors in the U.S. However, in places like Asia and Mexico and Central America, this is simply not the case. Many physicians, dentists and doctors in developing nations are educated in American or western European medical schools. They undergo the same rigorous training as native citizens and must be fully accredited by their home country’s governing medical body. It’s common for these doctors to be part of a government program that requires them to return home and practice.

The second most common misconception is that foreign hospitals or clinics do not have proper medical facilities or equipment. International standards require these facilities to be safe and secure and many hospitals decide to become accredited by an international organization, such as the Joint Commission International (JCI) or the American Association for Accreditation for Ambulatory Surgery Facilities International (AAAASFI), to gain the confidence of foreign patients. Due to this, many of these hospitals/clinics have state-of-the-art equipment (much of which is imported from the U.S.) and offer the most up-to-date procedures. Most dentists in Juarez , for example, import their equipment from the U.S. and use the same products for crowns, implants and veneers that a dentist in the U.S. would use.

Many people assume that foreign doctors do not speak English. In most cases, this is not true. As previously stated, many foreign doctors train at universities in the U.S. or Europe where English is required. English is also often compulsory in some primary and secondary schools in Juarez . Because of this, these doctors speak excellent English and can communicate confidently and precisely.

A final misconception is that the cost of travel will more than account for the savings incurred from an affordable medical procedure. Although the amount you save depends on the type of procedure and the duration of your stay, most medical tourists end up saving money. As you will see in the next few pages, treatment abroad is significantly more economical—so much so that the savings more than cover the amount of money you will spend on airfare, hotels, and food along the way.

Medical Tourism in Juarez Mexico

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store2Rising healthcare costs in the 19400s and 1950s lead patients to look South of the Border,for more affordable options. The close proximity and high standard of care in Juarez Mexico began to attract medical tourists, especially for dental work. During this period, Americans began crossing the border get dental work that was not covered by their insurance or that they could not afford.

Juarez’s medical tourism industry continued to grow. Today, Juarez is one of the most reliable, affordable and efficient places for medical procedures. In 2013,Juarez, registered 34,321 foreign patients. The number of medical tourists in Juarez is expected to continue rising.

Types of Procedures
From dental work to cosmetic surgery, there is a wide range of medical procedures offered in Juarez. We’ve boiled down some of the most common and listed them here.

The specialties most sought by medical tourists include dentistry (42%), gynecology (22%), preventive medicine (16%), plastic surgery (10%), orthopedics, and bariatrics. Other specialties include general surgery and dermatology.

The following list compiles the most common specialties and procedures.
• Dentists: implants, crowns, veneers, bridges, dentures
• Plastic surgeons: plastic surgery, reconstructive surgery
• General surgeons: gastric bypass, gastric sleeve
• Orthopedic surgeons: hip, knee, and shoulder replacements
• Dermatologists: laser removals, Botox

Juarez’s doctors and dentists offer a number of other procedures. To learn more about what is medically available in Juarez,see below directory of procedures.

CARDIOLOGIA / CARDIOLOGY
CIRUGIA BARIATRICA / BARIATRIC SURGERY
CIRUGIA COSMETICA,PLASTICA / COSMETIC PLASTIC
DENTAL
OJOS / EYES
GINECO-OBSTETRICIA / FEMALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM
FERTILIDAD / FERTILITY
GASTROENTEROLOGIA / GASTROENTEROLOGY PROCEDURE
CIRUGIA GENERAL / GENERAL SURGERY
RIÑONES / KIDNEY SYSTEM
UROLOGIA / MALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM AND URINARY TRACT
NEUROCIRUGIA Y CIRUGIA DE COLUMNA / NEUROSURGERY AND SPINE PROCEDURES
ONCOLOGIA / ONCOLOGY
ORTOPEDIA Y REEMPLAZO DE ARICULACIONES / ORTHOPEDICS AND JOINT REPLACEMENTS
CHECK.UP PREVENTIVO / PREVENTIVE MEDICAL CHECK UPr
TRATAMIENTO Y TERAPIA DE CELULAS MADRES / STEM CELL THERAPY AND TREATMENTS
GASTROENTEROLOGIA /STOMACH AND BOWEL
TRANSPLANTES / TRANSPLANTS
VENAS / BLOOD VESSEL SYSTEM SURGERY
DIABETES MELLITUS Y COMPLICACIONES / DIABETES AND COMPLICATIONS

One of the main issues about traveling to Juarez Mexico for medical care is that you save money without cutting quality. On average, medical tourists save 50 -80 % by getting a procedure done in Juarez.

The following list will give you an idea of how much some procedures cost.

Procedure Cost in United States Cost in Costa Rica Cost in Juarez Mexico
Porcelain crown/bridge $1,050. $400 $350
Veneers $1,250. $400 $350
Dental implant $3,000. $1,300 $350
Root canal $800. $350 $ 300
Teeth whitening $700. $300 $200
Crowns $1,000+per tooth $400 $300
Breast augmentation $5,000-$8,000. $4,000. $3,000 +
Facelift $7,000-$9,000. $5,000. $4,000+
Abdominoplasty (Tummy Tuck) $6,000-$8,500. $5,000. $5,000.+
Breast Ultrasound $400 $100 $80

In addition to the cost of the procedure, there are other costs that should be considered. Flights from the U.S. or Canada to El Paso Texas typically run around $400-$500 (flying from Canada is usually more expensive). We usually tell our costumers to take the shuttle to the Double Tree Hotel Downtown and cross the Border by the Downtown bridge ,the easiest and fastest way into Juarez .

All that said, in most cases it is still more economical to travel to Juarez for medical procedures than it is to have them done at home. In fact, many travelers save hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars. Travelers often come to Juarez for more than one procedure – for example, your dental work might require four dental implants, which can include crowns, a sinus lift and a bone graft. Some people combine a tummy tuck with a breast lift, or liposuction with breast implants. The list of potential combinations is huge.

In addition to saving money, there are other advantages that medical tourists should consider.

Advantages
The second word in the phrase “medical tourism” is important. Traveling to Juarez for a medical procedure also allows you to explore a foreign land. Cd.Juarez is a is a vibrant city,y that draws people from around the world. They come to invest and work and eat .

Locals, known as Juarenses , are friendly and approachable. They welcome visitors with a smile and are keenly interested in showing travelers their city. If you’ve never practiced Spanish outside a classroom, this is a good place to start. The people are patient and helpful with those who attempt to speak their language.

Aside from the natural and cultural attractions of Juarez, the country ,the waiting time for medical procedures in Juarez is minimal. As opposed to places like Canada where you may have to wait several months for surgery, procedures in Juarez can be arranged to fit your schedule. The doctors and clinicians are flexible and are sometimes willing to adjust their schedule to see a foreign patient.

Juarez, also benefits from medical tourism. In 2011, the average medical tourist to Juarez. spent $5,000—in total, the industry brought in $30.7 million USD in revenue that year. Needless to say, this is a huge boom to the Juarez economy. Considering the country’s small size, medical tourism can have a widespread impact. The added revenue helps build better medical facilities and increases the funding for public services like schools and hospitals.

Risks
As with all medical procedures, there are risks associated with medical tourism in Juarez. Some of these risks include malpractice, operational risks, and miscommunication with the doctor.

A notable risk in Juarez is doctors or dentists who market a product, surgery or service that they are not legally allowed to perform. In these cases, the doctor or dentist may not have experience or training in the procedure they are advertising. An good example is a dental assistant who starts their own clinic and markets inexpensive dental work that is well beneath the dental board’s minimum price. Other dentists may claim to have specialty degrees, but have only completed a weekend course or internship. For this reason it is extremely important to thoroughly research the hospital,doctor or dentist you plan on visiting.

A specialty program typically lasts 2–3 years. The American Dental Association (ADA) currently recognizes nine specialties: endodontics, prosthodontics, oral and maxillofacial pathology, oral and maxillofacial surgery, oral and maxillofacial radiology, dental public health, pediatric dentistry, and periodontics. Cosmetic dentistry, dental aesthetics, and implantology are not recognized by the ADA as specialties, but make great marketing terms for some dentists. Beware any dentist that uses these phrases.

Although general dentists are legally allowed to perform any dental procedure, the ADA states that a dentist should only perform procedures in which they have substantial training and experience.

One other complication of medical tourism is the follow-up visit. It can be costly and complicated to arrange a follow-up visit in Juarez. If this is the case, patients can see a doctor at home. If you schedule a follow-up visit with your regular doctor, your medical records can be transferred to the appropriate hospital or clinic.

Choosing Good Doctors
Easy and Simple, all of our Doctors ,Dentists and Physicians are Staff from the Hospitals, all Certified. if a doctor receives bad reviews, they are pulled from the directory.

THE PROCESS

The Procedure
Once you have found a doctor or dentist, booked a flight, and traveled to Juarez,Mexico, it’s time to have the procedure.

There is no standard protocol for procedures, but most begin with a visit to your doctor or dentist. At the hospital, you’ll fill out necessary paperwork and be given a rundown of the procedure by the doctor or an aid. Paperwork and other pre-procedural exams (such as X-rays and CT scans) can sometimes be completed prior to traveling. Ask your doctor or dentist about this before you leave home.

In some cases, your procedure will be the same day as your initial visit. For more serious surgeries (especially those that involve anesthesia), your procedure may be scheduled a day or two later. Your doctor or dentist will tell you what to expect and advise you about any dietary or medical restrictions that may apply.

Following the procedure, you will be given instructions for recovery and care—these usually involve rest, dietary suggestions, and pain medication. In most cases, you will be transported to your hotel (driving after anesthesia is dangerous and not advised) and may schedule a follow-up visit. More serious surgeries may require you to stay overnight in the hospital or a post-care facility. The follow-up visit is typically included in the overall medical package.

Recovery
More involved surgeries will require downtime after the procedure. Depending on the severity of the surgery, your recovery can take place , in a hotel either in Juarez Mexico or El Paso Texas.

Insurance
A big question for most people is whether their insurance provider will cover procedures abroad. This is a big and complicated question. Every company has different policies and it’s impossible to generalize about any of them.
Forty years ago, most insurers would have scoffed at the idea of covering medical procedures performed abroad. These days, things are slowly changing – companies like Blue Cross & Blue Shield are signing contracts with overseas hospitals, and others insurers may soon follow .

That said, most insurance companies still don’t cover the trips, despite the fact that they can save money by doing so. One reason involves the credentials of doctors. Insurance companies need to ensure that overseas providers are safe and provide reliable, high-quality care. The Joint Commission International (JCI) is an American nonprofit that accredits U.S. hospitals and is beginning to accredit hospitals overseas. A hospital with this accreditation has a much better chance of being covered by your insurance.

There are also other issues, such as claims processing and continued care, that insurance companies must consider.
Before booking a medical procedure in Juarez, check with your insurance provider to see what they will cover. Ask if and what procedures are reimbursable, how much they reimburse, and what doctors or hospitals are covered. The reimbursement process for many insurance companies involves bringing a reimbursement form to Juarez, having the doctor fill it out, submitting the paperwork when you return home, and awaiting the company’s response on reimbursement.

The insurance issue is complex and important. Do the research and find out exactly what is and what is not covered.

In Conclusion
With rising healthcare costs in the U.S. and Canada, excessive wait times and thorny insurance issues, medical tourism is becoming a safe and viable alternative for many people. Cd.Juarez reputable hospitals and close proximity to the US, have helped position it as a leader in medical tourism. If you’re thinking of traveling to Juarez,Mexico for a medical procedure,please contact us. Examine your insurance policies and consider combining travel with your procedure. If you do decide to undergo a medical procedure in Juarez, you will return home healthier and happier.