KNOW THE LAW: Did you know that Mexican law requires you to have a Mexican doctor or pharmacist’s prescription to legally purchase or transport pharmaceuticals in Mexico? U.S. customs may enforce a law that limits you to an amount of medicine that is deemed for “immediate need”. If strictly enforced, a one month supply is all that is allowed but in practice you are usually permitted to transport as much as a 3-month supply. In Mexico, the possession of firearms, exposed or concealed, is against the law and carries a mandatory jail sentence. In contrast to North American law, in Mexico you are considered guilty until proven innocent. If you are involved in a motor vehicle accident you will be detained until you have paid a suitable fine or until you have proven your innocence.

TRAVELING WITH PRE-EXISTING MEDICAL CONDITIONS: Where do you feel safe? If you have a potentially serious medical condition but still don’t want to limit your travel experience would you feel safe in Mexico? With MedToGo you will. Imagine being in Guadalajara or Cancun and you run into a health problem; wouldn’t you like to know that you have the home phone number of a reputable English-speaking doctor that you can call at any time? How do you decide where to go? Many popular destinations have good hospitals and doctors but the majority do not. Most of the best health care is located inland in Mexico City, Guadalajara or Monterrey. Wouldn’t you like to know which cities have good care? Would it influence your decision on where to vacation? Do you require any special accommodations? Call a doctor before you travel and make arrangements.

TRAVELER'S DIARRHEA (MONTEZUMA’S REVENGE): Studies have shown that up to 40% of all travelers to Mexico that stay at least one week will end up with diarrhea. We all know that most public water systems in Mexico are contaminated with harmful bacteria but did you know that up to 70% of tabletop salsa is also contaminated. Bismuth Sulfate tablets taken four times a day can prevent most cases of diarrhea, and due out in the fall of 2004 is a newly FDA-approved medication called Rifamixin (Normix) that is effective in preventing 95% of all traveler’s diarrhea. And, there are few drug interactions or harmful side effects. The drug isn’t absorbed from the intestinal tract! Find out more about how to treat and prevent traveler’s diarrhea at medtogo.com.

TRAVELING WITH CHILDREN: Single parents traveling with children are required to carry written notarized permission from the parent that is not present allowing the child(ren) to travel. If the parent is deceased the traveling parent must carry a death certificate of the deceased parent. The MedToGo guide includes a chapter that provides parents with many other helpful health and safety tips where children are concerned in Mexico.

INCREASE YOUR STANDARD OF LIVING – RETIRE IN MEXICO: With the escalating cost of U.S. healthcare, many North Americans and Canadians have chosen Mexico as their place to retire. Planned and retirement communities are popping up throughout the country for seniors. Elder care is about 1/5 the cost in the U.S. Imagine a full-time aid, with accommodations and meals for under $1500 per month. Imagine all this within walking distance to a beach. North Americans and Canadians who have established residence in Mexico have available to them the state run medical network called the IMSS system. Cost for IMSS insurance, doctor’s visits, procedures and medications are minimal. The program is available to all full-time residents, regardless of nationality, after proof of residency in Mexico for one year and passing a prescreening physical and interview. For more information on how to apply for IMSS insurance visit medtogo.com.

SURGERY IN MEXICO: There are many qualified surgeons in Mexico. Many have received their training in the U.S., Canada or Europe. Plastic surgery, bariatric (stomach bypass for obesity) surgery and many orthopedic procedures are considered elective and not covered by U.S. health insurance. For those that do not have adequate health insurance surgical procedures are often 1/5 to 1/3 the cost. For example cardiac bypass may cost between $15,000 and $25,000 USD in the U.S. where in an excellent cardiac facility the same surgery may cost between $5,000 to $7,000 USD. Find some of Mexico’s best surgeons with MedToGo.

SUMMARY
Until now, health care in Mexico for North American travelers has been a subject of misunderstanding and fear. As we have discovered, there are many very competent and caring doctors and excellent medical facilities located throughout the country. And, with MedToGo you can find them; excellent help is just a phone call away. The MedToGo guide offers comprehensive health care solutions for travelers and options that previously never existed.

North Americans, Canadians, and Europeans may receive excellent care for their minor illnesses in many destinations, and in the event of more serious injuries or illnesses we recommend that they be transported to the level I care centers in the above-mentioned cities. In these cases, time is of extreme importance, so MedToGo has located the finest hospitals within crucial distances. We desire to curb many North Americans’ tendency to leave Mexico to seek emergency care in the US. We encourage travelers to stay in Mexico and believe that, in time, a trust and appreciation for the Mexican medical system will be earned.

As an example of the guide’s layout, the Central Pacific Coast region documents health care for four prominent cities: Lake Chapala, Puerto Vallarta, Manzanillo & Guadlajara. In this region, we have featured three hospitals, eleven physicians, city and hospital maps, as well as city emergency contacts and consular information. An example of one hospital and physician entry is as follows: