Often the first step in becoming medical tourists is receiving a diagnosis in your home country. (Your doctor there can also advise you on travel care and any needed vaccinations. Always bring home medical records with you.)

If medical tourism then seems an attractive option --- for financial or other considerations --- your personal physician might have some recommendations. If not, you might have friends who have undergone treatment abroad that you can consult with.

You might choose to select a medical tourism company or facilitator. This can make the entire process the equivalent of one-stop shopping --- but be sure to choose such a company wisely, checking reputation and references and getting a detailed cost breakdown in advance.

If you deal directly with a facility of doctor, ask for credentials and licenses as well as references.

Mexico’s Ministry of Health (Consejo de Salubridad General) certifies hospitals; its website is www.csg.gob.mex

To verify that doctors are licensed in their specialty, visit www.conacem.org.mx/consejos-de-especialidades-medicas.html (Both websites are in Spanish so you might need some assistance).

Also, the state of Baja’s provider list in the following section contains only facilities and practitioners that have proper license and credentials. Once you have chosen a provider, be sure to bring U.S. medical records, including list of prescriptions, with you.

As a global leader in medical tourism, Baja wants to ensure that every visitor receives high quality treatment and has a positive experience. It also has a medical arbitration board to facilitate this: www.camebc.gob.mx