Transporting patients by ambulance in Mexico — It's not a cheap pleasure at all. Calling an ambulance (ambulancias) is justified if the patient is not transportable or there is a clear threat of deterioration of his condition, requiring medical intervention during transportation. These are truly emergency cases. In other cases, to transport a patient to the hospital, it is faster and easier to call an ordinary taxi, which will cost several times, if not ten times, less.
The only truly free ambulance in Mexico — These are Red Cross vehicles (Cruz Roja Mexicana). Red Cross — An international non-profit private organization that relies on donations and payments from patients. The Red Cross will only provide an ambulance at no charge if «the medical situation is sudden, requires immediate treatment or attention, and involves a high likelihood of risk to life». If a health situation arises suddenly, but “without a risk to life and requires medical care within a reasonable period of time,” transportation of the patient will be carried out only on a paid basis.
In Mexico, calling an ambulance most often requires calling the single emergency number 911 and describing in detail the severity of the situation. For emergency calls to the Red Cross, you should also call 911. The operator will then decide what medical support you need, how urgent your situation is, and whether transport by ambulance will be necessary.
Hospitals and clinics that are part of the public health system operate three types of ambulances:
- transport ambulance: it has at least one pre-hospital medical specialist, also known as a driver, trained in the transport of outpatients,
- basic ambulance: driver and one pre-hospital medical care expert,
- critical care ambulance: a driver and at least one professional to manage critically ill patients who will require intensive care.
The technical equipment of the car with medical equipment will be appropriate to the type of transportation, although externally all cars may look the same.
In Mexico City, ambulance rates are regulated. Let's say the basic cost of transportation by ambulance reaches 1800 MXN and 3300 MXN if the patient is accompanied by another consultant. Cost of basic transportation services — 2000 MXN and up to 5500 MXN when accompanied by another specialist. Transportation by intensive care vehicle is estimated at 8500 MXN.
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Hospitals of the public IMSS system throughout the country provide patient transportation services at the following prices (2023):
- in first level departments (non-specialized hospitals) — 2389 MXN,
- in second-level departments (specialized hospitals, surgery, intensive care) — 3341 MXN,
- in third-level departments (surgery, resuscitation, intensive care) — 8203 MXN.
This is the cost of services for patients who do not have insurance.IMSS. Anyone who is officially employed, or Mexicans and foreigners who separately take out IMSS insurance, is provided with transportation services free of charge.
There is a significant remark to be made here. IMSS, in addition to the Red Cross, assesses the patient’s condition and the need for emergency assistance. IMSS does not transport patients as part of routine hospital transfers. If the patient's condition allows him to get to the hospital on his own, he will be asked to do so. If the patient's condition does not allow him to get to the hospital on his own, but does not raise concerns about rapid deterioration, the patient will be placed on a waiting list for transport.
There are no private commercial clinics and hospitals without pay or budget ambulances.
In large cities, ambulance services are also provided by many private companies. Their prices and quality of services can vary greatly. And they should be called not by calling 911, but by calling the specific number of such a company. Their advantage — they will quickly come for any reason and take you wherever you want, as long as you pay.
If you have health insurance, ask your insurance company if ambulance services are included. Most health insurance policies include ambulance services, but the insurance company may only work with a specific ambulance operator or partially cover the cost of such transportation. You should ask your insurance company for a list of the private ambulance companies they work with.