Yucatan Living

Hospitals in Yucatan

25 September 2019 Healthcare 25

We are fortunate in Merida to have a number of fine hospitals and clinics to choose from, and in this article, we will do our best to list and describe the hospitals in Merida so that you can make an informed choice.

What is A Tercer Nivel Hospital?

One thing to understand is that in Mexico (and other places like Cuba, Spain and some other Latin countries), hospitals are designated according to levels: First, Second and Third Level Hospitals (hospitales de primer nivel, segundo nivel, tercer nivel). While these designations are not used in the USA or Canada (as far as we know... not generally, anyway), these are common references in Mexico. A hospital de tercer nivel in Mexico is one that provides all the services that we would associate with a top hospital: doctors and specialists on staff, surgery facilities, recovery rooms and any number of additional specialized treatment facilities. It is a hospital that is able to provide integrated care for whatever ails you, and it is usually also a teaching hospital. A secondary level hospital is characterized by the ability to provide surgical and recovery facilities, as well as providing the services of specialists, but without emergency facilities. A first-level hospital provides care for patients without serious injury, usually has testing equipment, monitoring equipment and provides First Aid. After being seen at a first-level hospital, you might be referred to a second- or third-level hospital for further treatment. As you can see, the levels have nothing to do with quality, but rather quantity and breadth of facilities and care.

Expatriate Hospital Experiences

We know many expatriates that have been cared for in the various hospitals around Merida, and have mostly heard very good things from them all. We see and hear about stories like this all the time:

"Posted January 20, 2014, at 12:13 PM by Yolisto member Dave_in_Ont

...I have just gotten the clearance to head back to Chelem after a 4 day stay at the Centro Medico Americano in Progreso. I thought I had pulled a groin muscle last Wednesday, went to the hospital on Thursday to have it checked out. They did x-rays on the spot and it turned out I had broken my hip. An orthopedic surgeon, from Merida, did a hip joint replacement on Friday morning and I am outta here today (Monday), using a walker, as soon as I pay the bill!!! The surgery was performed at CMA in Progreso. I couldn't have asked for better service or care. Virtually every doctor and nurse spoke some English and with my limited Spanish we got along just fine.
For those who might be curious... At my age with pre-existing conditions and for the length of time we spend in Mexico, private medical insurance is way too expensive. I paid for this procedure on a credit card, which will be totally reimbursed by my Ontario health insurance once I submit all the paperwork, including X-rays. Total cost was 77,000 pesos or appx. $6500. AND the procedure was done within 14 hours of the diagnosis. Pretty quick service!"

You can also read about various expatriate experiences in healthcare in our Health Section on this website.

For U.S. comparisons, consider the information in this article in the New York Times. Here's a quote from that article, where the person in question chose to go to Brussels for his hip replacement, but many of the facts are relevant no matter where outside of the USA you decide to go:

"“Very leery” of going to a developing country like India or Thailand, which both draw so-called medical tourists, he ultimately chose to have his hip replaced in 2007 at a private hospital outside Brussels for $13,660. That price included not only a hip joint, made by Warsaw-based Zimmer Holdings, but also all doctors’ fees, operating room charges, crutches, medicine, a hospital room for five days, a week in rehab and a round-trip ticket from America.

“We have the most expensive health care in the world, but it doesn’t necessarily mean it’s the best,” Mr. Shopenn said. “I’m kind of the poster child for that.” "

Hospital and Clinic Choices in Yucatan

Whether you are going for a minor issue, elective surgery or major surgical procedures, cancer treatment or any other medical treatment, it is good to know what your options are regarding medical care in Merida and how things are done in Yucatan and Mexico.

Unlike in the USA, you do not necessarily have to go to a hospital for surgery. In Merida, there are about twenty different clinics that also provide surgical and recovery services. (A clinic is similar to a second level hospital, but usually it only provides for one specialty, such as Obstetrics or Cancer Treatment. A second level hospital will provide services for multiple specialties.) For instance, if you need your gall bladder removed, your doctor can quote you the cost for having it done at a tercer nivel hospital like Star Medica, or at a local clinic. We got a quote on gall bladder surgery (non-emergency) in late 2013. The prices quoted by the doctor were approximately $7,000 USD for the entire procedure at Star Medica, versus $5,000 USD for the procedure at a local clinic. Both surgeries would be done by the same doctor, just in two different places.

Our friend, a Yucatecan, went to a different doctor and was quoted a price of $20,000 pesos for the same surgery at a different clinic, with one overnight stay for recovery. We also have a friend who recently had a baby. Instead of going to a third or second level hospital, she chose to deliver her baby at a clinic that specializes in Obstetrics (Maria Jose, listed below), thus realizing significant savings. As an example, delivering a baby at Clinica Esperanza in 2013 cost approximately $15,000 pesos. At another similar clinic, $20,000 pesos. Compare that with the cost of delivering a baby at Star Medica, which is about $50,000 to $60,000 pesos.

While we have listed a few clinics, this is not a comprehensive list. Usually your doctor is associated with clinics where he or she can practice. If you choose to go the clinic route, your doctor can recommend the best clinic for your procedure.

Who Can Go?

You will notice that while some, like StarMedica and Clinica Merida, are private hospitals, many of the hospitals below are subsidized by the Mexican government. Of course, private hospitals accept anyone who can pay. While some expatriates living in the Yucatan have signed up for IMSS health insurance, others have either no insurance, insurance from their country of origin or expatriate private insurance. It is good to know that expatriates living or traveling in the Yucatan are eligible for all available medical services, though you will not enjoy the subsidized prices unless you are an IMSS member. If you are an expatriate who needs care, you can receive it. You are not required to have medical insurance, only to pay your bills. Though you do not receive subsidies, you will find that the prices are probably less than what you would pay out of pocket for the same services back home. Medicaid, Medicare, and private U.S. medical insurance are at this writing not accepted in Mexico.

Vicki at Merida Expat Services says...

Seguro Popular (SP) is for the very poor and works on a sliding fee scale. IMSS is also a government insurance policy but you pay an annual fee and different hospitals are involved. There are some pre-existing conditions that IMSS does not cover so you must be informed before you sign up. SP has no policy on pre-existing conditions. We find that most expats will sign up for IMSS. If they have a pre-existing condition that is not covered they opt for private insurance over SP.

Beatriz says,

The important thing about hospitals in Yucatan is whether it's private, public by IMSS or public by seguro popular. if it's IMSS or ISSSTE you must be a member to receive the services except for emergencies in which case you can be taken to any hospital to be stabilized. Public hospitals are usually crowded and you'll have to wait. A private hospital, like Clinica de Merida or Starmedica, will offer top quality, but all costs are out of pocket. If you have private insurance it will depend on your policy.

If you don't have IMSS, ISSTE, money or private insurance then you can still apply for seguro popular. If you have this state-subsidized health insurance, the service provider will treat you and payment is according to your financial situation; it can be free or a very low fee. For example, a private psychiatrist at starmedica would charge 800 pesos per visit. The same psychiatrist also works for the government at a public hospital. There he would charge you 70-200 pesos depending on your income (and assuming you have seguro popular). The appointment will typically be set 2-4 weeks from the time of request. The biggest problem with public clinics is the long wait to see a specialist.

A Wide Range of Choices

As with most things in Mexico, there are a range of choices. We submit this list for you so that you can be well-informed and make the best choice for you. If you have questions or experience with any of these hospitals, we welcome your Comments!

*****

List of Hospitals in Merida

Clinica de Merida

Phone: +52-999-942-1800
Location: Centro Merida
Address: Av. Itzáes No. 242, Colonia García Ginerés, Merida
Email: clinmer@sureste.com
Levels: Third Level Hospital
Services : Blood Bank, Diabetes Education, Centre for Physiotherapy, Rehabilitation and Sports, Osteoporosis Center, Cardiovascular Diagnosis, Sensorineural Diagnosis, Dialysis and Hemodialysis, Electrodiagnostic, Tomographic scintigraphy, Clinical Laboratory, Extracorporeal lithotripsy, Hyperbaric Medicine, Nuclear Medicine, X -Ray, Ultrasound and Mammography, Magnetic Resonance Imaging , Ambulance Service, Helical Computed Tomography, Intensive Care Unit , Pediatric Intensive Care Unit, General Emergency, Pediatric Emergency, Vaccination Center.
Comment: Clinica de Merida was originally started by a group of doctors as a small consortium (probably why it has "clinic" in its name...), and has grown to be a very comprehensive hospital and a mainstay of Merida medicine. For those of us who live in the centro, it has the closest Emergency facilities of a tercer nivel hospital. The hospital is familiar with dealing with the expatriate population, and many of the doctors speak English.
Website: www.clinicademerida.com.mx/

Starmedica

Phone: +52-999-930-2880
Location: North Merida
Address: Calle 26 #199, por 15 y 7, Col. Altabrisa, Merida
Levels: Third Level Hospital
Services : Emergency room, Surgery and rehabilitation, Tocosurgery(Surgery in Pregnancy), ICU and recovery, Nursery and neonatal intensive care, Blood bank, Imaging, Clinical Laboratory, Cardiology, Pathology, Endoscopy, Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Interventional Radiology, Hemodialysis, Inhalotherapy, Cardiovascular Center.
Comment: Star Medica is part of a national Mexican chain of hospitals, and is the newest, most modern private hospital in Merida. The top floors house offices of various specialists, and the bottom floors house the hospital itself. Hospital rooms are roomy, modern and some of them even include sitting rooms and TVs for the families that come to visit. We have one friend who had emergency surgery there who said that if it hadn't been for the surgery, it was one of the nicest hotels she ever stayed in. Star Medica also has a responsive Emergency Room with English-speaking doctors usually somewhere close by. This hospital is also becoming more familiar with expatriate clientele.
Website: www.starmedica.com.mx

Centro Médico de las Américas

Phone: +52-999-926-2111
Location: Centro Merida
Email: cma@centromedicodelasamericas.com.mx
Address: Calle 54 #365 x 33-A y Avenida Pérez Ponce, Colonia Centro, Merida
Levels: Second Level Hospital
Services : Blood Bank, Cardio CT, Physiological Nursery, Diagnostic Imaging, Hemodialysis, Hospitalization, Laboratory, Maternity Packages, Physical Medicine, Nuclear Medicine, Operating Rooms, Magnetic Resonance, Preventive Screening, Ambulatory Surgery, Coronary Care, Intensive Care, Infant Care, Emergency Adults, Pediatric Emergency.
Comment: Founded in 1984, the Medical Center of the Americas (CMA) is a private hospital with over 50 beds. This hospital is affiliated with the Mercy Hospital in Miami, Florida.
Website: www.centromedicodelasamericas.com.mx

Centro de Especialidades Médicas

Phone: +52-999-920-4040
Location: Centro Merida
Address: Calle 60 #329-B x 35, Colonia Centro, Merida
Levels: Second Level Hospital
Services : 24 HR Emergency, Laboratories, Pharmacy, Hospitalization, Operating Rooms, X-ray, Labor rooms, Recovery Room, Ultrasound, Adult intensive unit, Neonatal intensive care unit and pediatric, Endoscopy and Gastroenterology, Pediatric Surgery.
Comment: This small hospital (CEM) has 26 patient rooms, doctors offices, an Emergency Room and other facilities, and is located in the Zona Hotelera (Hotel Zone), across the street from the Hyatt Regency. CEM is specifically available for tourists and visitors, although it serves the Merida population as well.
Website: www.cemsureste.com

Centro Medico Pensiones

Phone: +52-999-920-0184
Location: West Merida
Address: Calle 7 #215A x 32 y 34, Colonia García Ginerés, Merida
Levels: Second Level Hospital
Services : 24 HR emergency, Laboratories, Pharmacy, Hospitalization, Operating Rooms, X-ray, Labor rooms, Recovery Room, Ultrasound, Adult intensive unit, Neonatal intensive care unit and Pediatric, Pediatric Surgery, Hemodialysis, Tomography and Mammography.
Comment: Founded in 1986.
Website: www.centromedicopensiones.com

Centro Medico Americano

Phone: +52-969-935-0769
Location: Progreso
Address: Calle 33 #320 x Calle 82, Colonia Centro, Progreso
Levels: Second Level Hospital
Services : 24 hrs emergency, Laboratory studies, Pharmacy, Hospitalization, Operating Rooms, X-ray, Labor rooms, Recovery Room, Ultrasound, Pediatric, Hemodialysis, Ultrasound, Mammography.
Comment: Centro Medico Americano was founded December 6, 1989 and is the only hospital located along the Yucatan Gulf Coast.
Website: www.cmaprogreso.com.mx/en/

IMSS T-1 Ignacio García Tellez

Phone: +52-999-922-5656
Location: Merida
Address: Calle 34 x 41, Ex Terrenos "El Fénix"
Levels: Third Level Hospital
Services : All the services of a major third-level hospital.
Comment: You have to be part of IMSS to use this hospital. All services are free for IMSS members. Depending on where you live in Merida, as an IMSS member, you will be assigned to either "T-1" hospital or Benito Juarez. If the specialist you need is not here, you will be sent to the other hospital.
Website: Not available

IMSS- Hospital Benito Juarez

Phone: +52-999-925-0866
Location: Merida
Address: Av. Itzáes x Av, Colón s/n, Colonia García Ginerés
Levels: Third Level Hospital
Services : All the services of a major third-level hospital.
Comment: You have to be part of IMSS to use this hospital. All services are free for IMSS members. Depending on where you live in Merida, as an IMSS member, you will be assigned to either "T-1" hospital or Benito Juarez. If the specialist you need is not here, you will be sent to the other hospital.
Website: Not available

Hospital Regional Issste

Phone: +52- 999 920 6791
Location: Merida
Address: Av. 7 s/n Colonia pesiones
Levels: Third Level Hospital
Services : Blood Bank, Transplants, Hemodialysis, Hospitalization, Laboratory, Outpatient surgery, laboratory, Gynecology, Intensive Care, Infant Care, Emergency Adults, Pediatric Emergency, oncology
Comment: This is a major public hospital for ISSSTE members, usually government workers and their families.

Website: https://www.gob.mx/issste

Hospital General "Dr. Agustín O’Horan"

Phone: +52-999-930-3320
Location: Merida
Address: Av. Itzáes por Av. Jacinto Canek s/n, Colonia Centro
Levels: Third Level Hospital
Services : Blood Bank, Transplants, Hemodialysis, Hospitalization, Laboratory, Outpatient surgery, laboratory, Gynecology, Intensive Care, Infant Care, Emergency Adults, Pediatric Emergency.
Comment: Founded in 1906 by Porfirio Díaz, this hospital has been a school for all doctors in Yucatan. It is a hospital run by the government and takes people from first and second level hospitals from around Yucatan State. Services are subsidized if you are part of Seguro Popular. It is a teaching hospital and also has been the site of donations of time and money from visiting doctors from University of Michigan. This article is just one example of the programs between the two. Because of its strong history in the area, it runs many government programs. So for example, when Working Gringa needed rabies shots (from a dog bite), she was sent to O'Horan where the shots were recorded as part of a government tracking program, and administered for free.
Website: http://horan.yucatan.gob.mx/wp/

Hospital Regional de Alta Especialidad

Phone: +52-999-942-7600
Location: North Merida
Address: Calle 7, No. 433 por 20 y 22, Fracc. Altabrisa
Levels: Third Level Hospital
Services : Cardiovascular and neumonology, neuroscience, hematology and oncology, intensive care for adults and children, internal medicine, nefrology, transplants, blood bank, laboratory.
Comment: This highly specialized hospital is run by the Mexican government and services are subsidized if you are part of Seguro Popular.
Website: http://www.hraeyucatan.salud.gob.mx/

Hospital De la Amistad Corea-Mexico

Phone: +52-999-168-7067
Location: South Merida
Address: Calle 60 Sur S/N San José Tecoh por Anillo Periférico, San José Tecoh
Levels: Third Level Hospital
Services : Children's Hospital
Comment: This hospital is run by the Mexican government and services are subsidized if you are part of Seguro Popular. It was built with a $1 million dollar donation from the South Korean government in honor of the 100th anniversary of the arrival of Koreans to the Yucatan.
Website: N/A

General Hospital de Valladolid

Phone: +52-985-856-2883
Location: Valladolid
Address: Avenue Poligono Chanyodzonot
Levels: Second Level Hospital
Services : Ambulances, 60 beds, Blood laboratory, pharmacy, general surgery, internal medicine, gynecology and obstetrics, pediatrics, orthopedics, anesthesiology, nutrition, physical therapy, psychiatry, psychology, and radiology. Read more in our article about the new Hospital in Valladolid.
Comment: This hospital is run by the Mexican government and services are subsidized if you are part of Seguro Popular.
Website: N/A

Clinics in Merida

Centro Anticanceroso Cruz Roja

Phone: +52-999-928-5679
Location: Merida
Address: Calle 59 N/A x Avenida Itzaes, across from the Zoo
Services : Cancer specialty hospitals. Services include Pap tests, Colonoscopies, Chemotherapy, Radiation Therapy, Pain Medicine, Operating Rooms
Comment: Run by Red Cross and Mexican Government
Website: https://www.facebook.com/CentroAnticancerosoMerida/info

Clinica Benefactora Esperanza

Phone: +52-999-928-6231
Location: Merida
Address: Calle 76 # 446 x 45, Colonia Centro, Merida
Services : Maternity
Comment: One of the best maternity clinics in the city.
Website: Not available

Hospital de Ortopedia de la Cruz Roja

Phone: +52-999-983-3454
Location: Merida
Address: Calle 65 #104, Colonia San Jose Vergel, Merida
Services : Orthopedic Hospital
Comment: Run by Red Cross and Mexican Government
Website: Not available

Maria Jose Clinic for Mothers and Babies

Phone: +52-999-928*5325
Location: Merida
Address: Calle 53 #484, Colonia Centro
Services : OB/GYN and Pediatric clinic
Website: Not available