Above everything else, knowing a country's healthcare should take top priority! Whether you're just visiting or you're relocating to a place, if you don't know things go when it comes to healthcare, you might as well consider yourself dead. You're about to be, anyway! It's a good thing that many countries operate their healthcare systems pretty similarly, else you'd really be in danger! Take a look at Mexico, for instance. When you get here, you'll find that there are a lot that may seem familiar when it comes to their healthcare system. Here's what you need to know.
Who Gets Access To Mexico's Healthcare?
Since Mexico has universal healthcare, this means that most people are covered in the system. At least, for the public option. Run by the
Instituto Mexicano de Seguro Social (IMSS), all citizens and residents of Mexico are covered under the system. If you're coming from a different country, you'll need to be a legal resident first before you gain access to healthcare here. Though in some cases, when you
find work in Mexico, regardless of your legal status, you also get coverage. Part of
your taxes is given to the IMSS, automatically deducted from your salary every month.
What is Mexico's Public Healthcare Like?
So, what does gaining access to Mexico's public healthcare actually mean? In a nutshell, the IMSS helps cover your medical expenses, which can oftentimes skyrocket if you're not careful. After all, Mexico is a
medical tourism destination. It's regarded as one of the best countries in the world to get treated and to help patients recover from whatever health problems they have. Naturally, many medical expenses, from hospital access to prescription drugs, tend to be expensive here. With the help of your public coverage, you get subsidized rates, extra funds for medical bills, and the like!
How Is Private Healthcare in Mexico?
More than just public healthcare, private health insurance is also available in Mexico. For those who are staying in the country for a long period of time but are not legal residents here, this is your best bet. Since you won't access to the public option, getting a private plan, especially from an international provider from the like of
Allianz Care and
Cignal Global, is safe, secure, and smart. Some would even argue that having private healthcare is better than the public option, as the former can often give you access to better hospitals, renowned doctors, and the like.
What Are Mexico's Emergency Services?
One thing that all people, regardless of whether they have public or private healthcare, or if they're covered in the first place, will get access to is Mexico's emergency services. Of course, there's the emergency hotline, 911, which you can call for any sort of emergency. However, do note that not all 911 operators speak English. It'd better if you learn some before going here to help with that. Ambulance services are also prevalent throughout Mexico, whether it's a rural or urban area. However, for the former, they tend to respond more slowly than in more urban cities.
Pharmacies in Mexico
Where do you buy medicine in Mexico? In the pharmacy, of course! There are often a ton of them in the major cities in the country, containing all medication needed for all sort of health problems. Several are stand-alone while some are connected to big hospitals throughout the country. Luckily, a good many of them also stay open 24/7, allowing you access to medicine no matter what time of the day it is. But, just like with 911 operators, not all pharmacies have English-speaking staff. You'll also want to learn and improve your Spanish more in order to deal with pharmacies more carefully here in Mexico.
What Are The Health Hazards To Watch Out For in Mexico?
Mexico is undoubtedly a beautiful and generally safe country but it still has its own sets of health hazards. And you'd do well in remembering and staying aware of them. One of the main ones is the mosquitos. Chikungunya and Zika viruses are quite common in Mexico, resulting from mosquito bites in both urban and rural areas. Since anti-viral treatments are rare in this country, you're better off avoiding them by covering yourself up (especially when you sleep) and putting on anti-mosquito lotion and repellents. You should also note that rabies is common in rural areas in Mexico, so be careful interacting with animals there!
It's not really smart to travel all the way to Mexico and stay there for a long period of time without first understanding the country's healthcare system. You might as well consider yourself dead at that point! What will you do when something happens to you?
Stay healthy in Mexico by going for a
luxury home here that's located within the safer communities!
