Almater Hospital

Almater Hospital is a modern 100-bed medical facility in Mexicali, Baja California, strategically located just minutes from the US-Mexico border crossing at Calexico, California. Founded in 2011, Almater was purpose-built to serve the growing demand for affordable, high-quality medical care among US patients — particularly those from Southern California, Arizona, Nevada, and the broader American West. The hospital's border location makes it one of the most convenient international healthcare destinations in the world, with patients able to walk or drive across the border for their procedures. The hospital holds Consejo de Salubridad General (CSG) certification, Mexico's premier national healthcare quality accreditation. This certification ensures that Almater's clinical processes, patient safety protocols, surgical facilities, and infection control measures meet Mexico's highest healthcare standards. The hospital's modern infrastructure, built to international specifications, features state-of-the-art operating rooms, a fully equipped intensive care unit, and comfortable patient rooms. Mexicali's unparalleled border proximity is Almater Hospital's greatest advantage for US patients. The Calexico-Mexicali border crossing is one of the busiest in the world, and Almater is located within minutes of the crossing point. Patients from San Diego (2 hours), Los Angeles (4 hours), Phoenix (3.5 hours), and Las Vegas (4.5 hours) can drive to the border, park on the US side, and walk across to the hospital. This eliminates the need for international flights, passports for US citizens using enhanced driver's licenses, and the complexity of navigating a foreign airport. Bariatric surgery is Almater's most popular specialty, and the hospital has become one of Mexico's leading destinations for weight loss surgery among American patients. Experienced bariatric surgeons perform gastric sleeve gastrectomy, Roux-en-Y gastric bypass, mini gastric bypass, gastric balloon, duodenal switch, and revisional bariatric surgery. The comprehensive program includes pre-surgical medical evaluation, psychological assessment, nutritional counseling, and long-term follow-up including virtual consultations after patients return to the United States. Gastric sleeve surgery at Almater costs approximately $3,800-$5,500 — compared to $15,000-$25,000 at US hospitals — representing savings of 70-80%. Orthopedic surgery at Almater encompasses total hip replacement, total knee replacement, shoulder arthroplasty, arthroscopic surgery, ACL reconstruction, meniscus repair, rotator cuff repair, and fracture management. The hospital uses the same premium implant brands available at US hospitals, including Stryker, Zimmer Biomet, and DePuy. Total knee replacement costs approximately $9,000-$13,000 at Almater, compared to $30,000-$50,000 in the United States. Plastic and cosmetic surgery is a major service line, with board-certified plastic surgeons performing rhinoplasty, breast augmentation and reduction, abdominoplasty (tummy tuck), liposuction, Brazilian butt lift, facelift, blepharoplasty, otoplasty, and post-bariatric body contouring. Many patients combine bariatric and plastic surgery procedures during staged visits. Cosmetic surgery at Almater costs 50-70% less than at US plastic surgery centers. The dental center is one of the most comprehensive on the border, providing dental implants (including All-on-4 and All-on-6 full-arch rehabilitation), porcelain crowns and veneers, dental bridges, root canal therapy, wisdom tooth extraction, teeth whitening, and full-mouth reconstruction. Dental implants at Almater cost approximately $800-$1,500 per implant compared to $3,000-$5,000 in the United States. Full-mouth rehabilitation with All-on-4 implant-supported dentures costs $8,000-$12,000 versus $25,000-$40,000 in the US. Gastroenterology offers advanced endoscopic procedures including diagnostic and therapeutic upper endoscopy, colonoscopy, and management of gastrointestinal conditions. Cardiac sciences provide diagnostic cardiology and interventional procedures. The fertility center offers IVF and assisted reproduction at a fraction of US costs. Oncology services include surgical oncology and medical oncology with chemotherapy and supportive care. Spine surgery treats herniated discs, spinal stenosis, and degenerative conditions with minimally invasive techniques. Dermatology provides medical dermatology, cosmetic dermatology, and skin cancer screening and treatment. Almater's international patient services are specifically designed for US patients, with fully bilingual (English-Spanish) staff throughout the hospital — from reception and nursing to physicians and surgical teams. Services include free shuttle from the border crossing to the hospital, detailed pre-arrival coordination, transparent all-inclusive pricing, post-operative care instructions in English, and telemedicine follow-up appointments. The hospital also coordinates with US-based primary care physicians for seamless continuity of care. For US patients in the Western states, Almater Hospital offers the ultimate in medical tourism convenience — world-class medical care at 50-70% savings, with the simplicity of a cross-border day trip or overnight stay.