Health Care in La Paz
Summary: Health Care in La Paz: Locate providers, hospitals, and medical centers to find the best health services available for expats and nomads.
La Paz offers a range of healthcare services for both locals and foreigners. The healthcare system in the city consists of public and private hospitals, with varying levels of quality and accessibility.
Mexico's Healthcare System
Mexico's public healthcare system, known as Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social (IMSS), is available to both citizens and foreigners. However, many expats and digital nomads prefer to use private hospitals due to the higher quality of care and shorter waiting times. Public hospitals in La Paz can be crowded and may not have the same level of equipment and facilities as private hospitals. For serious medical emergencies and major surgeries, it is generally recommended to use private hospitals in La Paz. Foreigners are allowed to use the public healthcare system in Mexico, but many expats primarily use private hospitals for their healthcare needs.
Hospitals and Clinics for Expats in La Paz
Some recommended hospitals and clinics in La Paz include:
- Salvatierra Hospital (public) - located in the city center
- Hospital de Especialidades (private) - located in the city center and specializes in various medical fields
- Centro Médico La Paz (private) - located in the city center and offers a range of medical services
- Clínica San José (private) - located in the city center and offers general medical services
Emergency Services in La Paz
There are ambulance services in La Paz, which can be called by dialing 911. However, response times may vary depending on the location and traffic conditions. In some cases, it may be faster to arrange private transportation to the nearest hospital or clinic.
Health Insurance Companies in La Paz
Some popular private health insurance companies in La Paz include Seguros Monterrey, GNP Seguros, and AXA Seguros. These companies offer a range of health insurance plans for individuals and families. Expats and digital nomads living in La Paz may choose to use these local insurance providers or opt for specialized expat health insurance providers, depending on their needs and preferences.
About the Author
Betsy Burlingame is the Founder and President of Expat Exchange and is one of the Founders of Digital Nomad Exchange. She launched Expat Exchange in 1997 as her Master's thesis project at NYU. Prior to Expat Exchange, Betsy worked at AT&T in International and Mass Market Marketing. She graduated from Ohio Wesleyan University with a BA in International Business and German.
Some of Betsy's articles include 12 Best Places to Live in Portugal, 7 Best Places to Live in Panama and 12 Things to Know Before Moving to the Dominican Republic. Betsy loves to travel and spend time with her family. Connect with Betsy on LinkedIn.