What to expect from Emergency Services in Mexico
- Unlike in the US or Canada, where paramedics might treat you extensively on-site, Mexican EMS prioritizes rapid transport over advanced care.
- In Mexico, paramedics assess you, stabilize if needed, and whisk you to the nearest hospital
- It is not a mobile ER,
- Medics won’t stitch you up or run an EKG on the spot. They are trained to prioritize, stabilize, and transport.
- Equipment is basic: Stretchers, oxygen, and first aid supplies.
- If you have private insurance, mention it upfront.
- Life-threatening cases go to the closest facility, public (IMSS) or private. You can request a specific hospital if possible.
- In rural areas, there are fewer resources.
How much do Emergency Services cost in Mexico?
Since Covid, costs have increased and are on the rise. Expect an 8.7% increase in 2025. An emergency that might have cost a couple hundred dollars can now be as high as a couple of thousand dollars- depending on the medical event.
A quick ambulance ride to the hospital may end up costing a couple of hundred dollars depending on which service you use and which hospital you are going to. Cruz Roja might not be available, so you may need a private ambulance. Many hospitals have their own ambulances for transport to their facility.
Here’s a scenario to give you an example of costs:
- It’s late at night and you have a bad case of food poisoning, and only the ERs are available.
- ER consultation / visit will cost around $1000 pesos. Tests will need to be done, which can cost $2000 pesos, depending on what tests are needed.
- It is determined that you are dehydrated. Add another $3000 peso for an IV to bring you back to life. Your total is now $300.00 usd.
- For most of us, this is not a life-changing amount of money.
Second Example:
- You’ve fallen down the stairs and are now dealing with a compound fracture that requires surgery.
- Ambulance ride- approximately $2500 pesos /$125 usd. (Red Cross was not available.)
- ER visit/initial doctor’s visit-approximately $1000 pesos /$50 usd to get in the door.
- X-rays-approximately $300 pesos / $15 usd
- Additional pre-op test- approximately $2500 pesos / $125 usd
- Surgery-approximately $8000 usd
- Hospitalization and general hospital cost, add approximately another $6000 usd
- An approximate total cost of $14,315 usd.
It’s going to be expensive, especially if you don’t have some type of health insurance. Travel health insurance, along with evacuation insurance, is available and you should check it out if you plan to travel for an extended period. Just remember that most travel insurance companies require you to pay up front, and then will reimburse after much paperwork and possibly months before you see the money.
My good friend had a medical emergency in Mexico. They had travel medical insurance. $70,000 usd was put on various credit cards with my friend being med-evacuated to Florida, the closest location for a much need surgery. This occurred over a year ago, and they are still fighting the insurance company for the last $10,000 the company owes them.
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