The answer to that question is somewhat complex. In the case of U.S. citizens—with universal health coverage still not a reality and with health care costs being among the highest in the world—it’s simply cheaper to go to Mexico. (For those without health insurance, it can be as much as 80 percent less expensive in some countries)
Mexico is the most popular destination in the Western Hemisphere for Canadian and US citizens going abroad for medical treatment. Over one million people are expected to travel to Mexico this year for affordable or alternative medical procedures, where healthcare costs keep rising.
A plastic surgery procedure such as rhinoplasty (i.e. nose job) is about 56 percent cheaper in Mexico than in the United States. A heart valve replacement, meanwhile, can be as much as 89 percent less costly.
Some of the most popular Mexican medical tourism destinations right now are Baja California, Baja California Sur, Chihuahua, Mexico City, Jalisco, Nuevo León, Puebla, Quintana Roo, San Luis Potosi, Sonora, Tamaulipas and Yucatan.
In addition, Mexico (along with other popular medical tourism destinations such as Costa Rica, Thailand and India), have some of the best health care in the world. This assessment is based not just on affordability, but also the quality of staff and medical facilities.