Quality of IMSS/Medical Care?

[doncoulter]

My wife and I have had IMSS coverage for several years and are generally pleased with it. For most of that time, we had little occasion to make use of it, but it's come in very handy over the past year, when I've had to see a variety of specialists. To answer your questions:

* What are people's experiences in using IMSS for health care in Guanajuato (ciudad)?
--In Guanajuato you will get assigned to a family doctor (médico familiar) for routine care. Some doctors are better than others, of course, so there is some luck of the draw involved here. If you don't like your doctor, you can ask to be reassigned.
--Seeing your doctor sometimes involves a long wait. But that was always my experience in the States as well.

* Are there good doctors and/or decent hospitals in Guanajuato, or would you instead want to go for care in Leon?
--If you live in the city of Guanajuato, you are assigned a doctor here. You don't have the option of going to León. However, you will go to León in most cases if your family doctor refers you to a specialist. IMSS in Guanajuato has a few specialists, including a cardiologist, but for most specialist care you would go to León.
--As for hospitals, IMSS has a smallish hospital here across from Parque Cantador. I went to the ER there last year and then was admitted for a three-day hospital stay. I thought the care was very good. In some circumstances, one might be transferred to the larger hospital in León.

* Are emergency services available in Guanajuato, such as a 911-type system and/or ambulances?
--You can call 066 for any kind of emergency (police, fire, medical). I don't know whether IMSS has its own ambulance service here, but I believe the Cruz Roja (Red Cross) ambulances will take you anywhere.

Don