Find SAFE Doctors Abroad FAST!

Written By Jason Antonino

Are you thinking about moving abroad, but you're worried about getting sick or finding a doctor you can trust? You're not alone. For many Americans, the thought of navigating healthcare in a new country is their number one fear. But here's the truth. Healthcare abroad, especially in places like Mexico, can be high quality, affordable, and even life changing. In this article, I'll walk you through exactly how to find doctors, get insurance, and buy the medications you need while living abroad. Let's break it down step by step.

One of the biggest fears people have when considering a move abroad, especially as single parents over 40, is healthcare. What if you get sick? What if your child or grandchild visits you and something happens? What if you have a chronic health condition that needs regular medication?

 

These are valid questions. But today I want to show you that not only is healthcare abroad manageable, it can often be better and more affordable than what you're used to in the United States. So let's start with one of the most popular destinations for expats and retirees, Mexico, my new home.

Mexico has a two-tier healthcare system—public and private. The public system includes institutions like IMSS, which stands for Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social and I-N-S-A-B-I, INSABI, which stands for Instituto de Salud para el Bienestar. These are funded by the government and offer basic healthcare, sometimes even free, especially for citizens and legal residents.

My first line of defense against minor health problems are the pharmacies. A popular one is Farmacias Similares. This means the same but for cheaper. And if you've got a minor problem, like a skin rash, bug bite, insect bite, stomach aches, stomach virus, those kinds of normal run-of-the-mill type of things, you can come here first.

You can get a doctor's consult for like 60 or 70 pesos. That's just a few dollars. And then after you get that done, you can go in and get medications quite inexpensively. I've purchased medication for about 10 or $15 and that's it. No health insurance required, so I definitely recommend this pharmacy.

No appointment necessary, just go in. There's a doctor. You go in there, tell them in Spanish what your issue is, and they will help you out. Very economical. Very great place to get started if you have, like I said, a minor health problem. If you have a medical emergency, you call 9-1-1.

The next pharmacy is a really popular one, Farmacias Guadalajara, and they're not just in Guadalajara. You can find these in Puerto Vallarta, Mazatlán, etc. And some of these are open 24/7, which is great. Again, if you have a minor health issue, come right here. You wake up in the middle of the night with a stomach virus, come here, see a doctor quite inexpensively, as I've said.

And they got plenty of medications here. And another great thing about Mexico is you can get the medication you need for far less. And there's a lot greater variety available. That's Farmacia Guadalajara.

 

The private system offers faster access, newer facilities, English-speaking doctors and often shorter wait times. And compared to US standards, the cost is a fraction of what you're used to paying.

If you're just visiting Mexico, you won't be eligible for public care. But if you're living there long term and get residency, you can enroll in IMSS for a low annual fee. More on that in a bit.

Let's talk about IMSS first. If you work in Mexico for a company, your employer usually enrolls you automatically, but if you're self-employed, or you're retired, you can also apply voluntarily. The cost is around $500 to $700 US dollars per year. Coverage includes doctor's visits, surgeries, hospital stays, maternity care, and prescriptions.

Limitations are long wait times, fewer doctors and providers that speak English, and some medications or procedures may not be available. INSABI. I-N-S-A-B-I is a newer program focused on free healthcare for the uninsured. But it's mainly aimed at Mexican nationals and lower income residents. Most expats choose private care instead, or combine both public and private options to get the best of both worlds.

Private healthcare in Mexico is world-class in many cities, especially in Guadalajara, Mexico City, Puerto Vallarta, and Merida. You'll find English-speaking doctors, modern equipment, fast appointments, affordable, out-of-pocket costs, and more. For example, a general doctor's visit might cost $25 to $50.

 

A specialist visit might be $40 to $100 US. In my case, I went to a gastroenterologist recently at a private hospital in Zapopan, which is a northwestern suburb of Guadalajara. I was seen for 1,900 pesos approximately, which is almost a hundred dollars, and no other out-of-pocket costs, just that one fee. No medical insurance required.

Many doctors will chat with you via WhatsApp before and after your appointment. In my case, my appointment was about an hour. It was completely unrushed. It was almost a social experience. Even dental care and cosmetic surgery are popular here, and not just because of cost, but because of quality. You get more for your dollar here or peso.

You might be wondering, how do I even find a good doctor here? There are four ways to find reliable care. The first one is Google reviews and Google Maps. You can search in English or Spanish. Look for ratings above 4.5 stars. There are Facebook expat groups. For example, My Medical Concierge, if you live in Guadalajara. My Medical Concierge is run by a woman named Lori. And she could help you save a lot of time, and she'll do a lot of the legwork for you and find a good provider. Her services are well worth the cost because she saves you time and will even accompany you to your appointments, if you want. It’s like having a trusted friend or relative join you.

Other Facebook expat groups, you just ask locals what they do, who they recommend in your city. Hospital directories, private hospitals often list their affiliated doctors online. Local clinics, like earlier in this video, go to pharmacies, Farmacia Guadalajara, Farmacia Similares, Farmacia Benavides, and so on. These offer low cost consultations, usually 50 pesos or maybe a little more, 60 or 70 pesos. It's often less than $5 US.

Now let's talk about health insurance. Here you've got three main options. The first one is paying out of pocket. Yes, it’s that affordable. In my case, I used the public healthcare system, like the pharmacies I mentioned. There's also La Cruz Roja Mexicana. A year ago, I checked them out. I was recommended to go there by a group of nurses at a coffee shop for a problem I thought was Montezuma's Revenge. It turned out it was a fungal infection that started out in one of my toes, on my right foot, and it spread upward on my leg. La Cruz Roja. You pay in cash and the prices are very transparent.

A lot of people skip insurance and just pay as they need. Pay as you go. There's local Mexican insurance. You have providers like GNP, AXA, or MetLife. They offer plans from 40 to $100 per month. You also have international expat insurance like I do. Companies like IMG and Cigna Global Safety Wing are popular if you want worldwide coverage or if you plan to travel a lot.

 

Personally, I recommend having a basic plan for emergencies, even if you pay mostly out of pocket.

In Mexico, many medications that require a prescription in the United States are often available over the counter. These include antibiotics, birth control, blood pressure medications, and some antidepressants and antianxiety medications. However, certain controlled substances like strong painkillers or ADHD meds, those are tightly restricted or even unavailable here in Mexico.

My tip is bringing a 90-day supply of any essential prescriptions when you arrive, and consult a local doctor to find out what's available in Mexico or the local equivalent.

Before you move abroad, here is your healthcare checklist. Bring a full printed medical history translated into Spanish if possible. Have all your medications listed in a table in Microsoft Word or Microsoft Excel spreadsheet, if you prefer. Pack at least three months worth of essential medications. Get international insurance for your first few months.

Research hospitals and clinics near your new city. And learn a few medical terms in Spanish. It helps.

I know healthcare could be one of the scariest parts of moving abroad, but you don't have to face it alone. You can absolutely find great care, trustworthy doctors, and affordable medication, especially here in Mexico. In fact, many expats say they're healthier and less stressed after moving abroad because they're finally getting the care they need without going into debt.

Travel Medical Insurance Providers:

VFS Global: https://www.vfsglobal.com/en/individu...
GeoBlue Travel Insurance: https://www.geobluetravelinsurance.com/
Allianz: https://www.allianztravelinsurance.com/
Travelex Insurance: https://www.travelexinsurance.com/
Seven Corners: https://www.sevencorners.com/
Berkshire Hathaway: https://www.bhtp.com/
SafetyWing Travel Insurance: https://safetywing.com/
World Nomads Travel Insurance: https://www.worldnomads.com/

Jason Antonino https://spendchannel.com
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