FEATURE STORY
My Cross-Border Medical Experience in Mexico, Courtesy of WGAT By Michelle Rivera, Communications Manager I ’ve always pictured my first visit to Mexico would be a touristy hotspot, complete with a pool, beach and a refreshing drink in hand. Instead, as someone with an immense appreciation for the agricultural industry and its workforce, I was privileged to visit Mexico for an entirely different reason. The occasion for my visit was purely medical and came thanks to Western Growers Assurance Trust (WGAT). My journey started on a Tuesday
The Full Mexico Cross-Border Experience OSMED’s reception room was bright, airy and spacious and was completely devoid of the typical discomfort often associated with doctor’s offices. The clinic’s efficiency started the moment I approached the reception desk, where multiple employees were greeting and assisting patients. After a smooth intake process in the reception area, I had my vitals taken in a room adjacent to the reception desk and then proceeded to an examination room for a general checkup with a physician. The exam room was large and comfortable, complete with an examination table and several chairs positioned beside the doctor’s station. When Dr. Payan constructed this facility six years ago, he designed it with the patient experience in mind. “It’s important for patients to establish a personal rapport with their doctors, and we strive to make sure each
visit is personalized, conversational and designed for their comfort,” he said. Once my checkup was complete, I was escorted a short distance to the diagnostics, imaging and specialty medicine unit’s reception area. From there, I was guided to a private room for my blood draw, where I was informed my results would be ready in a few short hours. The experience was quick and efficient, and the staff went above and beyond to accommodate me. I’m not fluent in Spanish, so a bilingual care provider was by my side throughout the entire process. She mentioned that she grew up in Arizona, attended school in Mexico and eventually decided to stay there for work. Raising the Bar I must confess that before my visit to OSMED, I was expecting to see a standard medical facility, at best. I’ve lived in multiple states in the U.S. and have seen my fair share of waiting rooms, doctor’s
morning, when I crossed the border to visit the OSMED medical clinic in San Luis Rio Colorado in Sonora, Mexico, a border town about 20 miles south of Yuma, Arizona. The 24-hour facility is operated by Dr. Raul Payan, who has been an independent provider contractor in Mexico for WGAT for more than 30 years. Dr. Payan and his team provide general and urgent care, imaging and routine medical services to the community, including essential migrant workers who play a significant role in growing our food. OSMED medical clinic stands out as an ideal destination for migrant agricultural workers due to its convenience. An estimated 80 percent of the clinic’s patients reside in the U.S. and commute across the border to receive their care. I arrived at the facility within minutes after crossing the border and was warmly greeted by Dr. Payan at the entrance. But before starting my tour of the facility, I made sure to get the full Mexico Cross- Border health care experience. WGAT designed its comprehensive Mexico Cross-Border Program to provide flexible medical and dental care options for members and their families who prefer to receive their care in Mexico. Within WGAT’s exclusive network, members can find licensed providers and medical facilities in several convenient locations. These providers offer a comprehensive range of specialty and diagnostic services, including anesthesiology, cardiology, neurology, dermatology, internal medicine and orthopedics. Making an appointment works the same way as it does in the U.S.—by simply reaching out to a provider to schedule a date and time for your services. At this facility, walk-ins are welcome for general practice services, while appointments are necessary for specialty care, imaging services and lab work.
OSMED San Luis
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MARCH | APRIL 2024
Western Grower & Shipper | www.wga.com
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