by LCR 
Lake Chapala is consistently ranked high because it has top-of-the-line hospitals and health centers with modern equipment, English-speaking physicians and extremely low costs. Many doctors in Chapala and the Guadalajara area have completed their medical training in the United States and continue their education through seminars and conferences in Europe and the United States. Guadalajara has a world-class teaching hospital.
To give you an example of how medical care compares to that of the U.S. Lago de Chapala has built three hospitals in the area that generally cater to expatriates. We also have a world class Cardiac Center in Ajijic, where they can check any heart problem you have, from checking your pacemaker to installing a new one.
It’s a double-edged sword, you have to work to control your health, but your health limits you from working. More and more people are beginning to fear that in order to have their basic health needs met, they have to look for alternative options, such as Lake Chapala. Lake Chapala has proven time and time again that the availability of good quality medical care and the great outdoor activities that are accessible, along with the awesome climate that allows for much more time outdoors, increase life expectancy beyond what many would experience in the stress-filled places they came from.
Main differences
The biggest differences are that in Chapala you will deal with the doctor on a one-on-one basis. And you will pay much less for medical care without having to sacrifice quality of care. You don’t deal with a doctor’s assistant or a doctor’s nurse. Your treatment is extremely attentive, and goes beyond your visit with them. In Lake Chapala, there is a different culture when it comes to medical care. People are treated with respect, and it really feels like your doctor cares about your well-being, not just your insurance company.
A typical doctor’s visit at your office is $20 to $40. For specialists, you will pay between $50 and $60. These are not co-pay prices. This is the actual cost to see a doctor in Lake Chapala. If you wish to access the public system (after you have your “Temporary Resident” or “Permanent” visa) you may do so, but your access is limited to one hospital in Jocotepec and not the Doctor of your choice, but it is free. Even if you are able (only as a couple) to be included in the IMMS health system you have to attend the clinic in Chapala at the hospital. This means standing in line just like any of the other people who are there today to receive care. IMMS is not free but charges a small monthly fee to members. Or you can be seen by Red Cross staff members or go to their clinic.
Diversity of therapies
You can also access healthcare for Stem Cell therapies that are far from the under-appreciated and somewhat discredited NOB practices. Many people here have benefited from Stem Cell injection in a carefully considered and administered program of recovery primarily for soft tissue damage from both age related problems and past accidents. I personally know at least 10 people who have benefited from the treatments, including one who at the age of 75 took the treatments for a couple of months to repair a disc in his spine. He then had keyhole surgery to repair the disc where the damaged particles were removed and was able to walk out 3 hours later and 6 weeks later has been allowed to ride his motorcycle. All this and being pain free since the surgery.
Stem cell therapy is the use of stem cells to treat or prevent a disease or condition. As of 2016, the only established stem cell therapy was hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. It is usually in the form of a bone marrow transplant, but the cells can also be derived from umbilical cord blood.
Many of our friends and past travel clients have shared that they have paid 10 times less for the same specialist than in the U.S. and the doctors at Lake Chapala will do everything possible to provide top-notch care. If you live in the US, you are lucky if you get 10 minutes of your doctor’s time.
Hospitals and Medical centers in Lake Chapala
Here is a partial list of hospitals and medical centers:
- Clínica De Especialidades Ibarra
- Dr. Sara Sandoval de Alba.
- Red Cross.
- Ajijic Hospital.
- Lakeside Medical Group.
- IMSS Chapala No. 40.
- La Ribera Medical Center.
- Nuga Best Chapala.
- San Antonio del Lago de Chapala Hospital.
- Hospital Ribera Medical Center.
- Chapala Med – Office of Dr. Santiago Hernandez.
- Heart Center, Trust Care.
- Hospital Comunitario De Jocotepec.
- And several smaller clinics.
If you need new glasses or eye care there are many good eye clinics, doctors and opticians and optometrists. Glasses are similar to other things here in Lake Chapala, and fairly inexpensive. For example, I got trifocal glasses and to get my new glasses with fittings and new lenses with very nice frames for only about $350. Back home in Canada, the last pair cost 4 times that.
When you have decided to move to Lake Chapala finding a doctor who will help you is easy to find. The expat community will be happy to help you find a doctor that you like or that meets your specific needs. Guadalajara is only 45 minutes away and has a large number of doctors and you will have a large percentage who speak some English as it is a requirement during training.
