Hospitals in Cozumel
There are several hospitals on the island, all of which are small compared to the US. I am often asked if medical care is safe here. My answer is, without any doubt whatsoever, YES! In my humble opinion, it far exceeds the care I or any of my friends or family ever received in the US! The hospitals are very clean and the staff is excellent. Of great importance to me has been the physicians themselves.
I have had to deal with some fairly serious medical issues since moving here, and I can honestly say that every physician has been amazing. My first experience was in Cancun when I had a blood clot obstructing my femoral artery. Not a good situation! I was rushed over by ferry and ambulance. The arteriologist met me in the ER of Hospital Galenia. I was understandably nervous given the circumstances, but I had no idea what to expect in a Mexican hospital! He was amazing! Two things surprised me during that 4-day stay. First, he came in daily to check on me, and HE was the one to bring in the ultrasound machine, unwrap the compression bandage on the entirety of my leg, do the ultrasound, told me the results on the spot, and wrapped me back up! That wouldn’t happen in the US! Second, when I was being discharged, he gave me his business card and wrote his private cell phone number on the back telling me to call if I needed anything at all. SERIOUSLY?
I experienced these same scenarios in Cozumel when I went into congestive heart failure and had to have a pacemaker/defibrillator. My cardiologist talked with me, telling me what really needed to happen. I did NOT want that, so he said I could wait over the weekend. If my condition had improved with the diuretics, we would hold off. I appreciated the willingness to work WITH me rather than dictate to me. I needed the surgery anyway. A year and a half later, I went into acute kidney failure and spent yet another week in a Cozumel hospital. Again, though, the experience was exceptional. I will say this, though. Whatever the situation, it seems the absolute worst part of hospitalization is getting discharged! You will NOT be released until your bill is paid in full (including any insurance they may accept in advance)!
Be advised that if you have to be taken to a hospital by ambulance, they will take you to the next one in their rotation. YOU MUST BE FIRM IF YOU WANT TO BE TAKEN TO A SPECIFIC HOSPITAL! Furthermore, I have it on good authority that no ambulance can charge you privately for its services. In fact, according to my source, it is illegal for them to do so! Each time an ambulance takes someone to any hospital, that hospital pays them for bring the patient! If you pay, that is just extra money in their pockets!
You will be required to pay in full by cash or credit card before any services are rendered. You will not be admitted to the hospital until you pay. If you have insurance that is accepted by the hospital, you will only need to pay your deductible in most cases. If you use a US insurance carrier, you will most likely have to pay in full and be reimbursed. In that case, be sure you get a facture from the hospital as well as all reports and an itemized bill.
If you just need to see a physician for antibiotics or everyday general medicine issues, you may want to go to one of the many Consultorios that are connected to pharmacies such as Ahorro and Similares. The doctor on duty can write a prescription that you can then take next door to the pharmacy. However, if you prefer to see a physician at a hospital where your complete medical records are maintained, I have comprised a list of some of the hospitals and the services they offer. If you have more to add, please do! Here is the list.