A Maine Man in Texas

Well I never...!

Something occurred tonight on the CBS Evening News with Katie Curic. Between the “war” this and “Tiger” that was a story that I'll bet you never thought you would see in a million years.

“Mexico's public medical/health care system is becoming overburdened by immigrants, U.S. Immigrants.”

That's right, Mexico is feeling the pinch from U.S. And Canadian immigrants who have moved to Mexico to retire. As legal immigrants, we are eligible for and many do partake of this excellent benefit.

As a “rentista” living in Mexico for the past two years and who has had the IMSS health care scheme since I moved here, I can tell you that it is far superior to the HMO plan provided by my former employer and equal if not a little better than the VA health care I am eligible for as a disabled vet. The level of care is no better or worse than that available from the HMO plan, but there are no co-pays. I see the same doctor each visit. I get my prescriptions on the spot for free, and I am referred to a specialist when needed. All included in the subscription cost of about $500.00US each year. Eye care, dental, pharmacy, and any and all special needs items are covered.

The BIG difference is one that many Americans would find troubling. In Mexico we get the medical care we need when we need it. North of the border it has been my experience that Americans feel they have the right to what they want when they want it.

In Mexico the IMSS system will and does meet the needs of the vast majority of the residents. That's NEEDS. There is a high priority placed on prevention and they vigorously promote wellness for everyone. But everyone in the plan gets excellent care from well qualified professionals, many of whom studies and trained in the US of Europe. A few even speak some English, but don't plan on it. BUT, interestingly enough, my doctor at the VA clinic barely speaks English and he was trained in Pakistan.

Above I emphasized NEEDS. If I want something that is not covered or want something sooner than the IMSS system can provide it (a special procedure or a particular medication) I always have the choice to go to a private doctor, or even my clinic doctor at her private practice office and pay for it out of pocket. This is widely available and used by both Mexicans and Americans. Even then the costs for the entire procedure is little more than the co-pay at my former HMO.

Here is another factor that may leave some Americans a little vexed.

When you sign up for the plan you are given a booklet that is your passport to services. Within the pages of this booklet are listed all of the routine preventive care procedures, laboratory tests, dental exams and procedures and other health related tests and procedures for which you are eligible. There are about a dozen different booklets. WHY? Because the booklets are complied for different genders and age groups. That's right, some stuff that's in the booklet of a twenty year old is not in my booklet and vise versa. There is stuff in my booklet that is not in my wife's booklet and vice versa. And, when I turned 61 my booklet changed. The bottom line is that the Mexican IMSS administration has decided, after years of data collection, what goes into each booklet. Some may call this selective care based on age or gender, and it is. At my age, I would never be placed on a list for any type of transplant and when I need dentures I will have to buy them. On the other hand, a twenty year old does not need nor will receive a prostate exam or calcium supplements. By the way, everyone is considered an organ donor unless they specify they do not want to be included. There's an urban legend that those who opt out of the donor program do not get transplants. I like to think otherwise, but who knows?

Yes there are sometimes delays in seeing a doctor without an appointment. And, yes, occasionally the prescribed medicines are not available that day or even the next. I feel quite at home in the IMSS hospital. I think because I worked in a Navy hospital in the 60's and a VA hospital in the '70's. In our small city the IMSS hospital is older and appears to have been organized by committee. Having been a Corpsman in the Navy and an LPN in civilian life, I can attest to the fact that the equipment is neither outdated nor state of the art, with certain exceptions. My wife had an ultrasound the other day and the doctor used a brand new laptop style portable sonargram instrument. MRI and cancer related radiography technology is top drawer. The cardiology clinic is as good as the ones in general hospitals in the States. In the lab, schedules are a 'cattle call'; dozens of people scheduled for the same time and a line forms about a half hour before. Vacutainer technology is reserved for emergencies. Blood is drawn with a syringe and placed in test tubes. Just like we did 50 years ago. This is perfectly OK, but some Americans may see this as backwards. In Mexico it's a cost control issue. X-ray equipment is state of the art and strictly monitored by factory trained technicians.

So, without overstating, or more so, health care in Mexico is professional, inexpensive, and up to date. All the more reason to consider retiring to Mexico. And if you are considering retiring to Mexico, you may want to read my ebook RETIRE TO MEXICO-20 Questions You Need To Answer, available at www.ebookmall.com