Quality of IMSS/Medical Care?
06-29-2014, 07:04 PM,
#1
Quality of IMSS/Medical Care?
I've heard that the quality of care you get from IMSS varies according to where you live. So wondering...

* What are people's experiences in using IMSS for health care in Guanajuato (ciudad)?
* Are there good doctors and/or decent hospitals in Guanajuato, or would you instead want to go for care in Leon?
* Are emergency services available in Guanajuato, such as a 911-type system and/or ambulances?

I've searched the forums. Would appreciate any information anyone might have to share.

Gracias.
Rosa

God Bless the Whole World, No Exceptions!
06-29-2014, 07:30 PM,
#2
RE: Quality of IMSS/Medical Care?
My wife and I have had IMSS coverage for several years and are generally pleased with it. For most of that time, we had little occasion to make use of it, but it's come in very handy over the past year, when I've had to see a variety of specialists. To answer your questions:

* What are people's experiences in using IMSS for health care in Guanajuato (ciudad)?
--In Guanajuato you will get assigned to a family doctor (médico familiar) for routine care. Some doctors are better than others, of course, so there is some luck of the draw involved here. If you don't like your doctor, you can ask to be reassigned.
--Seeing your doctor sometimes involves a long wait. But that was always my experience in the States as well.

* Are there good doctors and/or decent hospitals in Guanajuato, or would you instead want to go for care in Leon?
--If you live in the city of Guanajuato, you are assigned a doctor here. You don't have the option of going to León. However, you will go to León in most cases if your family doctor refers you to a specialist. IMSS in Guanajuato has a few specialists, including a cardiologist, but for most specialist care you would go to León.
--As for hospitals, IMSS has a smallish hospital here across from Parque Cantador. I went to the ER there last year and then was admitted for a three-day hospital stay. I thought the care was very good. In some circumstances, one might be transferred to the larger hospital in León.

* Are emergency services available in Guanajuato, such as a 911-type system and/or ambulances?
--You can call 066 for any kind of emergency (police, fire, medical). I don't know whether IMSS has its own ambulance service here, but I believe the Cruz Roja (Red Cross) ambulances will take you anywhere.

Don
06-29-2014, 07:50 PM,
#3
RE: Quality of IMSS/Medical Care?
Excellent information Don. Has anyone had experience with the "private" hospital/clinic on Paseo de La Presa. What range of care is provided there? Would it be a better first stop versus IMSS, specially for emergency care?
06-29-2014, 08:09 PM,
#4
RE: Quality of IMSS/Medical Care?
I appreciate Don's information and JESM's questions. I know that health care is decently affordable in Mexico, so would certainly like to learn as much as possible, also, about private pay options for health care practitioners in Guanajuato.
Rosa

God Bless the Whole World, No Exceptions!
06-29-2014, 08:12 PM,
#5
RE: Quality of IMSS/Medical Care?
As you probably know, jesm, the Presa clinic has a variety of doctors, including a bunch of specialists. I've seen a few of them over the years and had care that has run the gamut from good through indifferent to bad.

The Presa clinic does have what amounts to an ER. I went there several years ago when I thought I might be having a heart attack and was attended to right away. After they determined I was in no immediate danger, they recommended I see a local (non-Presa) cardiologist.

As to the question of Presa versus IMSS in an emergency, that could be a tough call. I believe the Presa clinic, like the IMSS hospital, is open for emergencies around the clock. However, I doubt Presa would have on hand at all hours the same level of staffing. And since I have IMSS coverage, I would prefer to go to the IMSS hospital at Cantador in an emergency. However, if I thought I needed to get to an ER ASAP, I would probably go to Presa, since it's much closer to where I live.

Don
06-30-2014, 03:54 PM,
#6
RE: Quality of IMSS/Medical Care?
One benefit of signing up for IMSS is that you are covered wherever you are in Mexico. While a friend was driving back to the US she was in a road accident in northern Mexico. IMSS covered her whole hospital expense, drs, etc.

IMSS locally has an internist every day including weekends and an eye doctor who refers to the eye specialist in Leon when necessary. Interesting about the cardiologist, one example of there definitely being a a learning curve to IMSS. It can be a Catch 22, meaning one has to know what to ask.

My only personal experience with an IMSS specialist in Leon was that he was excellent. Their specialists are also on the staff elsewhere. For example, one internist who works at IMSS Gto weekends has her day job at the Irapuato General Hospital. These specialists want to be on the IMSS pension track. If warranted,a member will be sent on to Mexico City, the most specialized IMSS facility.


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