A conversation with Berthe Saint-Cyr, Medical service coordinator, SANMARÉ Health-Care Group.
An appointment can involve several separate arrangements: the consultation, diagnostic tests, payment, language assistance and follow-up. Berthe explains how SANMARÉ coordinates these steps in Puerto Vallarta and what patients should confirm directly before their visit.
Interview by Ken Gardner.
Editorial note: This is a service-provider interview, not an independent credential or facility assessment. The services, fees and timelines described below are the contributor's account. Confirm the exact facility, service, appointment, price and arrangements directly. Insurance reimbursement is not guaranteed. This article provides general planning information, not individual medical advice. In an emergency, contact local emergency services rather than waiting for an interview contributor to reply.
1. Please introduce yourself and explain your role and the services SANMARÉ coordinates in Puerto Vallarta.
My name is Berthe, and I am the Medical Services Coordinator at SANMARÉ. I help patients navigate their medical journey, from scheduling appointments and connecting them with physicians and specialists to supporting them throughout their visit. I also assist with communication and coordination with family members when needed. My goal is for patients to feel supported, informed and cared for from arrival until they leave the clinic.
SanMare is a walk-in clinic and private hospital in Puerto Vallarta, offering outpatient care and inpatient services. We offer medical services, diagnostics, surgeries, private rooms and critical care. We coordinate specialist consultations, laboratory testing, diagnostic imaging and surgical procedures. See the service limits in answer 5. SANMARÉ is an ambulatory healthcare facility in Puerto Vallarta.
2. What should a foreign resident or visitor prepare before a first appointment?
I recommend bringing previous medical records, relevant test results and a complete list of current medications, including dosages. Information about allergies, previous surgeries and existing medical conditions is also helpful. An accurate medical history helps the physician assess the patient's needs.
An initial consultation can take 30 to 45 minutes so the physician has time to review the history, discuss concerns and determine the next steps.
The MXN 700 consultation fee applies exclusively to general practitioners at SANMARÉ. Specialist consultation fees vary depending on the physician and specialty. Follow-up consultations with specialists may be charged at the same rate as the initial consultation or at a reduced fee, depending on the physician. Unlike our general practitioner follow-up courtesy, specialist follow-up appointments are not complimentary. The MXN 700 fee does not include additional services such as laboratory tests, diagnostic imaging, procedures, or medications, which are quoted separately when needed. Patients are encouraged to confirm consultation fees, accepted payment methods, and any insurance or reimbursement arrangements directly with the clinic before their appointment. The total cost of care will depend on the physician’s assessment and any additional services required.
Editor's planning note: Ask which consultation and follow-up the quoted fee applies to, what is excluded, which payment arrangements apply and whether the current terms fit your appointment. This is not a guaranteed total treatment price or an insurance-coverage statement.
3. How can patients arrange laboratory tests or imaging and confirm preparation, costs and results?
SANMARÉ works with Grupo Diagnosti-K to coordinate laboratory testing and diagnostic services. Blood draws are available at SANMARÉ without an appointment. We can also arrange ultrasound examinations and X-rays at our facility. For CT and MRI scans, patients must visit Grupo Diagnosti-K's main imaging centre.
Patients can contact reception to confirm availability, or I can help coordinate appointments and obtain the necessary information.
A physician's prescription is preferable and may be required for a particular examination. If a patient does not have one, our medical team can help determine whether a consultation is needed to obtain the appropriate order. We can also review prescriptions from Canadian or American physicians, subject to the requirements of the specific test.
Costs vary by examination or service. Grupo Diagnosti-K may offer promotional discounts on selected services. Confirm the total cost, preparation requirements and any additional fees before proceeding. Results are generally available within 24 to 48 hours, depending on the type of test, and are typically sent to the patient by email.
Editor's planning note: These are general arrangements, not promises for every test. Confirm the exact location, preparation instructions, reporting time, delivery method and who will interpret your results. Do not change medicines or preparation on the basis of this interview.
4. What language assistance and medical-record support can patients request?
Our team includes bilingual physicians and medical professionals. Being French-speaking allows me to offer an additional layer of support to francophone patients visiting or living in Puerto Vallarta. My assistance is free of charge, and I can help patients who feel uncomfortable communicating.
I help facilitate communication, clarify administrative steps, coordinate appointments and identify whom patients can contact with questions about their care.
Patients may request a copy of their medical records. If they are uncomfortable with a Spanish-language copy, SANMARÉ can provide a courtesy translation into English or French, subject to the clinic's procedures.
5. What happens if someone needs urgent care beyond the facility's capabilities?
SANMARÉ is an ambulatory healthcare facility offering a broad range of medical services, diagnostics, surgeries, private rooms, and critical care. We can manage many of the same medical needs as a large hospital, although our capabilities differ. We do not have a dedicated emergency department or a cardiac catheterization (hemodynamics) laboratory for interventional cardiology procedures.
Our critical care unit is staffed 24/7 to support patients who require intensive monitoring or treatment after surgery or whose condition deteriorates during their stay. Patients requiring emergency services beyond our capabilities may need transfer to an appropriate facility.
We maintain working relationships with other hospitals in Puerto Vallarta and the Banderas Bay area so patients needing a higher level of specialized or emergency care can be referred or transferred when necessary.
Visitors and residents should know how to access emergency assistance, keep important medical information readily available and understand their insurer's emergency coverage and authorization requirements.
When a transfer is necessary, the receiving facility, transport, communication between medical teams and insurance requirements should be addressed as circumstances permit. These arrangements should never delay urgent, potentially life-saving treatment.
6. What common planning mistake do you see, and what three checks would you recommend?
Patients sometimes travel with medical insurance without understanding its coverage or exclusions. They may assume consultations, diagnostic tests, specialist fees and treatment will all be reimbursed, then discover otherwise when they receive their bills.
My three recommendations are:
1. Understand your insurance before you need it. Confirm inclusions and exclusions, upfront payments, covered providers, preauthorization and required documents. Keep your insurer's contact information accessible.
2. Avoid booking tests without a clear medical plan. Patients sometimes schedule several tests before confirming which ones are appropriate, how to prepare, and who will interpret the results. More testing is not automatically better.
3. Ask for a breakdown of anticipated costs and possible additional charges. Total cost can change with the clinical condition, procedures or urgent developments. A consultation fee may exclude specialist fees, laboratory work, imaging, supplies, medicines or additional procedures.
About the contributor
Berthe Saint-Cyr is Medical Services Coordinator at SANMARÉ Health-Care Group in Puerto Vallarta. She helps foreign residents and visitors navigate the local healthcare system by coordinating appointments, facilitating communication with medical professionals, and helping patients prepare for consultations and diagnostic services. As an added benefit, she also provides French-language support to the francophone community.
Professional contact: SANMARÉ Health-Care Group.
Read the Puerto Vallarta relocation guide.
About the Author
Ken Gardner develops and curates MexPat Guide from Vancouver, Canada. He focuses on Mexico relocation research and practical comparison questions. This is educational planning information, not a claim of local residence or individual immigration advice.
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