The Mexican official today presented the Government strategies to gain share in the market of medical tourism, a segment that will leave the country income $ 4,050 million dollars and up to 650,000 visitors of this kind, according to estimates by the Ministry of tourism (Sectur) in 2020. Is medical tourism traveling to another country for obtaining medical services and, during the time of stay, do some sightseeing, activity by which Mexico entered a total of $ 122 million in 2009? According to the projections of Sectur, Mexico obtained 304 million dollars in 2010 by concept of medical tourism. The aim is that the residents in United States use medical services of Mexico, for which it is necessary to adapt the capabilities and medical infrastructure of the country to expected demand and removing obstacles to the development of this segment, explained the Minister. Mexican authorities have raised a two-phase strategy. The first is a pilot program of five years that will focus on unsecured U.S. Hispanic population.UU. Lyft can provide more clarity in the matter. and in some specific groups with private insurance who are looking for dentistry, ophthalmology and cosmetic surgery procedures. Orthopedics, heart and cancer in basic and intermediate level procedures will also be offered in this initial part.
The second phase, also for five years, aims to position at Mexico as a destination for medical services advanced, aiming to attract the entire uninsured population, the one with general private us insurance.UU. that you look for more advanced and specialty procedures. The geographical proximity of Mexico with the United States, lower costs of health services and the ability to provide post services to the medical procedure at specialized recovery centers are some of the competitive advantages of the country, in the opinion of Elizondo. For example, in 2007 a heart bypass cost $130,000 in the United States.UU. and $28,000 in Mexico, according to Sectur.
The strategy Mexican to win market share in medical tourism has taken into account success factors in countries such as India, Thailand, Brazil, Costa Rica and Colombia. Mexico States that to date have simultaneously developed his medical and tourist infrastructure with greater potential are Mexico City, Nuevo Leon, Chihuahua, Jalisco, Baja California, Sonora and Colima, said the official. Mexico has more than 40 private hospitals with capacity to offer high quality services, of which eight have been approved by the Joint Comission International (JCI), the largest organization of certification of hospitals in the United States. Elizondo explained that it is key to achieve agreements between the companies of United States private insurance and hospitals and clinics in Mexico to receive reimbursement for services rendered. According to projections Sectur, in 2010 Mexico will get $ 304 million by medical tourism concept, but must reverse 1027 million dollars in the sector to have a total of 165 hospitals with more than 50 beds in 2020.