Healthcare Guide: Hospitals, Doctors & Insurance

Expats most often use Hospital Lomas de San Luis (444 102 5900), Hospital Angeles (444 834 0300) and Star Médica (444 812 3737). All three are private hospitals with 24/7 emergency rooms, some English-speaking doctors, and agreements with major insurers. Confirm that your specific insurer is accepted before treatment.

Private general practitioner visits typically cost $400-800 MXN. Specialists usually charge $600-1,500 MXN. Pharmacy-adjacent clinics charge much less (roughly $50-120 MXN) for minor issues. These are estimates; prices vary by doctor, and all are well below typical US out-of-pocket prices.

While not legally required for visitors, health insurance is highly recommended. Medical costs are affordable, but a serious illness or accident can still be expensive. Options include Mexican private major-medical insurance (price depends heavily on age), international expat insurance, IMSS through formal employment, or IMSS voluntary enrollment for residents.

Most US insurance plans do not cover routine care in Mexico. However, some plans cover emergency care abroad. Contact your insurer to verify. Many expats purchase separate Mexican insurance or use international plans like BUPA Global or Cigna Global.

Dial 911; Cruz Roja (Red Cross) ambulances are dispatched through it. Private hospitals also run their own ambulances - for example, Hospital Angeles: 444 834 0300.

Some medications that need a prescription in the US/Canada are sold over the counter in Mexico. However, antibiotics have required a prescription since 2010, and controlled substances (opioids, benzodiazepines) require a special prescription. Pharmacists can often recommend medications for common ailments.

Many doctors in private hospitals speak some English, especially at Hospital Lomas, Hospital Angeles and Star Médica. When booking, request an English-speaking physician. For public hospitals, English speakers are less common.

IMSS (Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social) is Mexico's public health system. Expats can access IMSS through: 1) Formal employment (employer enrolls you), or 2) Voluntary enrollment (Seguro de Salud para la Familia) if you have temporary or permanent residency. The 2026 annual fee is $9,300-22,150 MXN per person depending on age. Some pre-existing conditions are excluded and others have waiting periods.

Private hospital ERs work similarly to the US: register, triage, treatment, payment. Wait times are usually shorter than in public ERs. Public hospital ERs can have very long waits but treat everyone. Private ERs require payment or insurance verification upfront.

Standard vaccinations recommended: Hepatitis A & B, Typhoid, Tetanus update, and routine vaccinations. COVID-19 vaccination is widely available. Ask about rabies vaccine if you'll work with animals. The CDC says yellow fever vaccine is neither required nor recommended for Mexico.

Options include: 1) Ask your general practitioner for referrals, 2) Contact hospital physician directories, 3) Use Doctoralia (Mexican doctor review site), 4) Ask in expat Facebook groups for recommendations. Most specialists are located in Lomas and hospital medical towers.

Many pharmacies (Similares, Ahorro, Guadalajara) have adjacent doctor's offices offering low-cost consultations (roughly $50-120 MXN). These are great for minor issues: cold/flu, minor infections, skin rashes. The doctor can diagnose and prescribe medications on the spot. Not suitable for serious conditions.

Yes, dental care in SLP is excellent and 60-80% cheaper than the US. A cleaning costs $500-800 MXN, fillings $400-1,000 MXN, and crowns $3,000-6,000 MXN. Prices vary; ask for a written estimate before treatment and check reviews on Doctoralia.

For serious emergencies: 1) Call 911 or go directly to nearest private hospital ER, 2) Hospital Angeles ER: 444 834 0300, 3) Hospital Central (public): 444 834 2700. For an ambulance, dial 911. Don't wait if having chest pain, stroke symptoms, or severe injuries.

Antibiotics and controlled medications require a prescription from a doctor licensed in Mexico; a US prescription is not enough. Many other medications are available without a prescription. Bring your US prescription bottles for reference, or see a pharmacy-adjacent doctor for a local prescription.