Mexico Expat Forum

suspirar
Joined 2008
Posts: 334

14 years ago

doctor´s fee

14 years ago

I had a strange experience that I can´t resolve in my head, so I´m posting here to try to understand.

I found a private doctor´s office in Tijuana on a busy street. The office had no support staff. The wall of the office had prices painted on it, which were ridiculously cheap: 30 pesos for a consultation, and 35 pesos for a medical certificate. The doctor was young and looked like a recent graduate. I asked the doctor if a medical certificate really would only cost 35 pesos (ridiculously cheap, at under $3), and he said, "Sí ". However, he said that my school would probably require a certificate from a public medical entity, not a private office. I befriended this doctor and we later corresponded by e-mail.

I went back to that office to find my doctor friend for a medical certificate, after learning that my school would accept a medical certificate from him. However, he was not there. Instead, another doctor, older and more experienced, was there. I asked him if the medical certificate would cost 35 pesos, and he said, "Yes." I got my exam and certificate from him. When it came time to pay, I gave him a 50-peso bill, and the doctor told me that he could not give me change. I then told him that I could pay him in coins. Then he found 15 pesos on himself and gave them to me as change. He told me that he normally charges 50 pesos. The medical certificate that he gave me was on a different form than what my friend would have used. He says he charges 200 USD for botox injections to the face.

I admit that 35 pesos and even 50 pesos are ridiculously cheap, but I was still a bit offended, because I would have paid my friend only 35 pesos.

First of all, how can a doctor charge only 30 pesos for a consultation? The doctor denied being paid a salary from a foundation, but maybe he wasn´t telling me the truth.

Should people, who can afford to pay doctors more than the advertised fee, pay more?

I would like to keep going to this office with the ridiculously low prices, but I´m a bit leery of them, afraid that they´ll quote me one price but later ask for more. So is this a normal, typical behavior for respectable doctors?

William Russell

Get a quote for international health insurance from our partner, William Russell.
Get Quote

William Russell

Get a quote for international health insurance from our partner, William Russell.
Get Quote

Living in Mexico Guide

Our Living in Mexico Guide is an introduction to everything about the basics for moving to Mexico: best places to live, cost of living, pros and cons, healthcare and insurance, and more.

Mexico Forum
Join our Mexico forum to meet other expats and talk about living in Mexico.

Contribute
Help other expats and newcomers by answering questions about the challenges and adventures of living in Mexico.

Best Places to Live in Mexico

If you're thinking about living in Mexico, here are the 15 Best Places to Live in Mexico in 2023.

Healthcare in Mexico

If you're moving to Mexico or an expat living in Mexico, understanding the Mexican healthcare system is essential. We offer an overview of the public and private healthcare systems in Mexico, health insurance for expats in Mexico, hospitals and prescription drugs.

Cost of Living in Mexico

Expats offer insight into the cost of living in Mexico.

Moving to Mexico Guide

Expats in Mexico share important tips for people preparing to move to Mexico. From banking in Mexico to finding a safe city, read these 8 tips before moving to Mexico.

Real Estate in Mexico

Real estate listings in popular cities and towns in Mexico.

Pros & Cons of Living in Mexico

Take off your rose-colored glasses and learn what expats have to say about the biggest challenges and the greatest rewards of living in Mexico.

Retiring in Mexico

Advice for people retiring in Mexico.

Mexico Visa & Residency Guide

If you plan to move to Mexico, you'll need to understand the process involved and the order in which requirements need to satisfied. Here is an excellent primer on what you'll need to do regardless of the amount of time you plan to spend in Mexico.

10 Tips for Living in Mexico

If you've recently arrived in Mexico, here are 10 tips for digital nomads living in Mexico.

Additional Information:

Visit our Mexico Index for a Full List

William Russell

Get a quote for international health insurance from our partner, William Russell.
Get Quote

William Russell

Get a quote for international health insurance from our partner, William Russell.
Get Quote

Contribute
Help others in Mexico by answering questions about the challenges and adventures of living in Mexico.