Why Medical Tourism to Mexico Is Rebounding

Mexican Pharmacy in Cabo San Lucas downtown, Mexico

anouchka/istockphoto

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Cutting the Cost of Care

It’s an open secret that certain medical procedures are cheaper in other countries, but travel of nearly any kind has been limited during the pandemic. Now, as restrictions loosen, medical tourism is bouncing back — and one of the most popular destinations is Mexico. But how much can you save by heading south of the border for dentistry, cosmetic surgery, or even a major operation like a hip replacement? According to an analysis from HealthCareInsider and Medical Departures, the answer is a lot. Exactly how much depends on the procedure and your insurance coverage, of course, but read on for some eye-popping figures.

Related: Countries Where Americans Can Save Big on Medical Care

Method for staying young and beautiful — SrdjanPav/istockphoto

Botox

U.S. average cost: $15/unit
Mexico average cost: $12/unit
Potential savings: 20%

Related: I Love My Botox — and Wish I Could Be More Open About It

Rhinoplasty, the surgeon hands touches the patient s nose. People, cosmetology, plastic surgery and beauty concept - surgeon or cosmetologist hands touching female face — Georgiy Datsenko/istockphoto

Rhinoplasty

U.S. average cost: $8,800
Mexico average cost: $5,000
Potential savings: 43.2%

Related: Reduce Your Healthcare Costs With These Expert Tips for Seniors

Hair transplant — byakkaya/istockphoto

Hair Transplant

U.S. average cost: $8,300
Mexico average cost: $4,600
Potential savings: 44.6%

Related: The Biggest Hair Myths You Should Get Out of Your Head

Doctor doing an exam or surgery, looking at images in monitor — FG Trade/istockphoto

Laser Eye Surgery

U.S. average cost: $2,200/eye
Mexico average cost: $1,200/eye
Potential savings: 45.5%

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Happy Senior Woman Patient in Hospital Bed — Spotmatik/istockphoto

Hip Replacement

U.S. average cost: $24,000
Mexico average cost: $11,000
Potential savings: 54.2%

Worried doctor looking at the monitor of medical apparatus — Andrey Shevchuk/istockphoto

Gastric Band

U.S. average cost: $11,000
Mexico average cost: $5,000
Potential savings: 54.6%

Dental prosthesis — Group4 Studio/istockphoto

Dental Crown

U.S. average cost: $1,164
Mexico average cost: $500
Potential savings: 57%

Related: 14 Ways to Save Money at the Dentist

Laboratroy technician fertilizing an egg — Morsa Images/istockphoto

In Vitro Fertilization

U.S. average cost: $12,000
Mexico average cost: $5,100
Potential savings: 57.5%

Doctors doing a surgery on operating room in hospital — FG Trade/istockphoto

Liposuction

U.S. average cost: $6,000
Mexico average cost: $2,500
Potential savings: 58.3%

Unrecognizable young woman measuring her waist — bymuratdeniz/istockphoto

Gastric Sleeve

U.S. average cost: $16,800
Mexico average cost: $7,000
Potential savings: 58.3%

Dentist showing the teeth implant — NickyLloyd/istockphoto

All-on-4 Dental Implants

U.S. average cost: $26,000
Mexico average cost: $10,000
Potential savings: 61.5%

Dentist uses a palette tooth color sample to determine shade of patient's male teeth. Stomatologist use color of teeth to make veneers, crowns, and dentures — peakSTOCK/istockphoto

Dental Veneers

U.S. average cost: $1,245
Mexico average cost: $477
Potential savings: 61.7%

medical assessment at home — sturti/istockphoto

Knee Replacement

U.S. average cost: $40,000
Mexico average cost: $15,000
Potential savings: 62.5%

Female doctor choosing mammary prosthesis in the office. — nensuria/istockphoto

Breast Augmentation

U.S. average cost: $11,500
Mexico average cost: $4,300
Potential savings: 62.6%

Dentist showing teeth dentures to a patient — aywan88/istockphoto

Dentures

U.S. average cost: $1,826
Mexico average cost: $669
Potential savings: 63.4%

Concentrating surgeons performing operation in operating room — JazzIRT/istockphoto

Bariatric Surgery

U.S. average cost: $10,000
Mexico average cost: $3,500
Potential savings: 65%

Woman at the Dentist — Geber86/istockphoto

Dental Fillings

U.S. average cost: $155
Mexico average cost: $51
Potential savings: 67.1%

Laser treatment for size reduction — Alina555/istockphoto

Gastric Bypass

U.S. average cost: $23,000
Mexico average cost: $7,500
Potential savings: 67.4%

Dentist Explaining Tooth X-Rays To A Patient. — ArtistGNDphotography/istockphoto

Dental Implants

U.S. average cost: $3,913
Mexico average cost: $1,250
Potential savings: 68%

Dentist choosing filling shade for smiling patient — Prostock-Studio/istockphoto

Teeth Whitening

U.S. average cost: $668
Mexico average cost: $174
Potential savings: 74%

Dentist at work — Maica/istockphoto

Root Canal

U.S. average cost: $1,275
Mexico average cost: $247
Potential savings: 80.6%

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