Here is a photo of our local pharmacy in Mexicali, but more on that later.

I saw a very interesting article from International living.

Which foreign country will be the first in which Americans can use Medicare and Medicaid benefits?

Mexico, of course.

It just makes sense. Mexico is right next door to the largest market of health care consumers in the world. Some health services in Mexico can cost 12 times less than what is charged in the U.S., experts say.

It’s no wonder that Americans (and yes, Canadians, too) cross the Mexican border in frequently increasing numbers to avail of the high-quality but low-cost health care Mexico provides, including reduced cost prescriptions.

Already, the four largest commercial U.S. health insurers-with enrollments totaling nearly 100 million people-have either launched pilot programs exploring or offering overseas travel to countries like Mexico for health services. Some smaller health insurers and brokers also have introduced travel options for hundreds of employers around the country.

It also makes sense that Americans should be able to use insurance benefits from Medicare and Medicaid in Mexico. And that ability may become reality very soon, says Bruno Ferrari, the chief executive officer of Promexico, Mexico’s foreign investment agency.

And he believes that within one year, the governments of Mexico and the U.S. may have an agreement to let Americans use their Medicare and Medicaid insurance at Mexican health care facilities.

Already, 10 U.S. and Canadian companies have expressed an interest in building facilities to cater to Americans seeking to take advantage of low medical expenses, he says.

This is all good news for those of us who live in Mexico and for anyone thinking about relocating or retiring there.

Anticipating the approval of both U.S. private insurance and Medicare/Medicaid programs in Mexico, real estate developers are getting in on the act, too. Many of them are creating special communities that cater to the health needs of foreign retirees, including assisted living centers.

Since Mexico has been hard hit by the global economic meltdown, and the peso has recently lost 30% of its value against the dollar, there are deals to be had on real estate in Mexico right now. There truly will never be a better time in your lifetime to start a new life in Mexico.

It makes sense that the U.S. insurance companies give coverage in Mexico. It saves them money and will help you on your co-pays, approvals, and maybe even on your premiums.

Even without insurance I still have many health care advantages in Mexico.

Prior to my Tarlov cyst operation, I had to take some very expensive pain killers. Originally, I was prescribed Lyrica, which was very good – at the beginning. When my pain increased, I went to the local pharmacy in Mexicali, called La Farmacia Mas Barrata, which means the least expensive pharmacy.

It is a huge place. open 24 hours a day, every day of the year. I have not seen anything that can compare to it in the U.S. This pharmacy gives a 30% discount over local Mexican prices.

Inside La Farmacia Mas Barrata

I asked the fellow behind the counter what I should take. He recommended Artidol, which I bought on the spot – no prescription, no expensive doctor needed. In Mexico, aside from things like Valium, you do not need a prescription or an expensive doctor visit, where you have to plead for another month’s supply.

The Artidol worked great. Unfortunately for Americans, I understand it is not available in the United States. Without Artidol, I do not know how I could have made up as we saved our pennies for the operation.

After my operation, I needed antibiotics to prevent a possible infection. Again, I went to La Farmacia Mas Barrata and got what I needed.

Again, there was no doctor needed to ration out a small supply of pills to get me to to return and pay him for another visit for my re-fill – and so on.

Thank God we came to Mexico! I wrote before that we couldn’t have made it just for simple living in America.

Without the competence and affordability of caring health care in Mexico, I would still be suffering from Tarlov’s desease – just like so many Americans.

"Clinicas"

Jim and I came across a pretty cool website. It was written by a guy from California, who hit the skids, lived in his car, and finally found a good job.

His website gave a lot of good tips on where to get free medical care. Jim and I are not into freebees for ourselves, but feel that others should have a chance. I guess our conscience got us when we saw a young couple living in a car in Calexico.

One of the clinics the website mentioned for free medical care was Clinicas DE Salud Del Pueblo, in Calexico. The place is known as “Clinicas.” The mission statement of the clinic is that Clinicas is open to everyone. Our fees for medical and dental services are based on family size and income for patients without insurance. No one, regardless of race, creed, sex or physical disability is denied services because of their inability to pay.

Jim was looking for a place to get a flu shot so we stopped by “Clinicas.”

Unfortunately, Clinicas did not give flu shots.

Since we were there, Jim asked about their free medical services.

Turns out Clinicas is not entirely free. If you fall below a certain income level, they reduce their normal $60 charge to $30 – which ain’t free! Just two miles away from Clinicas, in Mexicali, you can see a doctor for 250 pesos ($21.50).

Jim asked, “What do I need to get the thirty dollar rate?”

The very nice lady attendant said, we would need an income statement, and proof that we lived in California.

“What kind of proof?” asked Jim.

The attendant told Jim, rent receipts, utility bills, something to prove you lived in California. No, a driver’s license wouldn’t do.

Jim pressed on, “What if we just live in our car out on the street here in Calexico?”

The attendant was getting a bit nervous, but maintained her cool, and said, “We need receipts.”

“How about a receipt from the filling station showing I bought gas here?” asked Jim.

“I’m sorry,” the attendant replied.

“No point in beatin’ a dead horse,” said Jim as we parted company with the attendant.

Jim’s last visit to a doctor in the US was paid for by Medicare with the exception of $60 – again far more than we would pay in Mexico.

They say Obama is going to fix things – we’ll see.

So much for health care in America.!