As part of our Living Well Begins Here series, we’re talking about one of the most important concerns for people considering moving full or part-time to Puerto Vallarta: healthcare. The medical system in Mexico consists of both public and private healthcare and we’re going to explain the differences, quickly and easily.
The public healthcare system is a universal program which is maintained by the government and can be accessed by legal, full-time residents (including foreign residents) of Mexico through a program entitled Seguro Popular. While very affordable, this system of healthcare does come with sliding scale premiums based on financial indicators like income level and property ownership.
While some foreigners that move to Puerto Vallarta use Seguro Popular, it is more common for part-time residents and other foreign owners to choose the private health system. A visit to any type of specialist, including eye doctors and dentists, is very affordable, usually somewhere between $450 to $650 pesos per visit and appointments can usually be had same or next day. That said, it is important to have an insurance policy in the case of an accident, serious condition or extended hospital stay. Some Americans may find that their existing company health plans such as Blue Cross may cover them at certain private hospitals in Puerto Vallarta. Most Canadians will not be covered although some may have coverage through Union Pension Plan insurance. In either situation, it is wise to check the specific details of your health insurance policy before you arrive in Puerto Vallarta to see if you need to purchase travel insurance or long-term stay insurance. And, as with any insurance policy, make sure you read the fine print carefully.
But one of the best things about living in Puerto Vallarta is that healthcare is affordable, and the quality of care is exceptional, with highly skilled doctors who are often bilingual working with modern, state-of-the-art technologies and training. It’s just another reason why living well begins here.
Click here for more about living well in Puerto Vallarta from Tropicasa Realty.