Truth About Mexico Cancer Clinics|Chipsa Hospital FAQ

Can you cure cancer?
Are you affiliated or certified by the Gerson Institute?
Is it dangerous in Mexico?
Do you take insurance?
Do you have any data or statistics?
Are past patients videos removed?
Do I need a passport to travel?
Are take home medications included?
How does after care work?
Where do I fly?
What is the best route to the hospital?
Are your treatments legal in the USA?
Do you offer Ibogaine treatments?
Do you treat auto-immune diseases?
Do you treat Leukemia?
Do you treat Glioblastoma?
Are your medical records in English?
Do you have after care options?
Do you supply supplements?
Is the price for treatment inclusive?
Do you treat late stage cancers?
Are scans provided by the hospital?
What are the admitting procedures and patient guidelines?
What are the food services options?
What should I do with my valuables?
What are the amenities and conveniences for patients?
What services are available for people with special needs?
What are my rights and responsibilities as a patient?
What do I need to know before leaving the hospital?
Will my medical information protected?

CHIPSA Hospital Costs?

CHIPSA Hospal Reviews?

Can you cure cancer?

While we have many patients that are currently cancer free, to our
knowledge there is no known cure for cancer.
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Are you affiliated or certified by the Gerson Institute?

We have no official connection to the Gerson Institute.  The institute
is a non-profit organization that provides research and advocacy for
those interested in the nutritional protocol.  CHIPSA is a licensed
hospital that uses Gerson and an enhanced Gerson nutritional protocol;
along with many other integrative therapies for patients with a
diagnosis of cancer.
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Is it dangerous in Mexico?

While we cannot speak for all of Mexico, our corner of the world
(Playas de Tijuana) is a quiet beach community with retirees, family
owned businesses, shops, restaurants and plenty of sunshine.  The
entire Metropolitan Area of Tijuana is expansive and inclusive of
approx. 2 million residents.  Care should be taken when travelling
abroad to any large city.
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Do you take insurance?

We would love for your insurance companies to accept CHIPSA
treatments, directly.  However, at this moment, most US/Canadian
insurance companies will not bill from abroad.  There are, however, several patients that have successfully gotten reimbursed for all or part of their treatment when they return home.
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Do you have any data or statistics?

At CHIPSA, our focus is on patient care.  We use a combination of
therapies and every patient is unique.  Likewise, since we see a very
broad range of diagnoses at varying stages, we do not have a large
enough patient population of any one specific diagnosis or stage to
offer a statistical model.  Note that there are over 100 different forms of cancer and we apply combination therapies to most of them.  
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Are past patient videos removed?

Frequently we add and remove videos from the online landscape.
Sometimes it is at the request of the patient.  Other times it is at our
digression.
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Do I need a passport to travel?

Unless you are a Mexican citizen, you will need a passport.
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Are take home medications included?

Take home medications are not included in your treatment cost.  As
with any other hospital, your physician will give you a prescription
towards the end of your stay, so that you can continue the therapies at
home.
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How does after care work?

CHIPSA’s aftercare is a non-emergency department of our hospital that
conducts follow up calls to check on our patient’s progress.  Most of
our patients come to CHIPSA 2-4x a year and the aftercare department
helps them plan, keep a steady supply of medications they need, and
coordinate follow up visits to the hospital.
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Where do I fly?

Most patients in the United States fly to San Diego International
Airport [SAN], patients also have the option to fly directly to
Tijuana International Airport [TIJ].  Each patient is assigned a
Patient Intake Specialist who can go over the various travel options
with you, so you don’t have to figure everything out on your own.
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What is the best route to the hospital?

We have shuttle service from the major airports and hotels in the region.
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Are your treatments legal in the USA?

Most of our treatments are legal and available in the United States.
Many are only available in Mexico.
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Do you do Ibogaine treatments?

We do not do Ibogaine treatment.
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Do you treat auto-immune diseases?

Our current Inpatient Treatment Model is for cancer; however, we do
refer autoimmune to our partner outpatient clinic that provides many
of the same services that we do.
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Do you treat Leukemia?

No.
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Do you treat Glioblastoma?

No.
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Are your medical records in English?

By law, our medical records are in Spanish.  However, there are
several translation services on the internet that can translate your
records, for free or affordably.
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Do you have after care options?

Yes, we have an entire Aftercare Department.
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Do you supply supplements?

Yes.
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Is the price for treatment inclusive?

The price you are given is an estimate based on your conversations
with our medical team before you arrive.  While we try to include
everything that we can so that there are no surprises, some times upon
arrival our doctors denote that there may be a procedure that we could
not have known by a phone call.  We do accept all major forms of
payment in the event the patient has a small balance or wants to
extend their stay.
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Do you treat late stage cancers?

Yes
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Are scans offered by the hospital?

Yes.
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What are the admitting procedures and patient guidelines?

During admission, you will be welcomed and given a healthcare consent form that covers important information regarding your stay: consent to treat, responsibility for payment, assignment of benefits, release of medical information in respect to US-HIPAA compliance, personal belongings and independent physician services. If you wish to receive another copy once you are in your room, your CHIPSA Coordinator.
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What are the food options?

On your meal tray, you may receive a menu from which you can select your meals for the next day. Complete the menu right away so that it is ready for pickup. If you are on a special Gerson diet, your menu will be modified according to your doctor’s orders. We work closely with your nurse and physician to decide on the best nutritional therapy for your health condition. They are available for nutritional education or counseling. The CHIPSA kitchen is located on the fourth floor near the dining room. Monday through Friday – 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays the kitchen is busy preparing for new patients and may be unavailable to outside visitors. Visitors, may however, purchase coffee, tea and assorted health food from the kitchen-dining window area located on the fourth floor in the dining room.
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What should I do with my valuables?

If you bring something of value, and it cannot be sent home, we suggest that you place it in the hospital safe during your stay in. CHIPSA cannot be responsible for money, jewelry, credit cards or other valuables you choose to keep in your room or on your person. Inform the onsite CHIPSA administration staff if you need an item(s) secured or call the coordinator. If you have valuables in the hospital’s safe, your doctor or administration will give you access to the CHIPSA safe upon discharge. Present this request at the coordinator’s office on the first floor on your way out, and the coordinator will attend to your request (Monday through Friday only).
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What are the amenities and conveniences for patients?

Patient rooms are designed for efficient medical care and safety. Your room is selected on the basis of your condition as indicated by your physician. You will receive instructions on how to operate your hospital bed, television, telephone and call light from your in-take nurse. Most home appliances do not meet hospital electrical safety standards and are not permitted. Cell phones are certainly permitted in the hospital.

The services of an interpreter are available free of charge to patients who do not speak or read English or Spanish. Interpreters are available for many foreign languages; please notify our patient services department before arriving. Sign language and other auxiliary aids or services are available for a nominal fee to people who are deaf, hard of hearing or have speech impairments.
The hospital has companion beds and amenities that can be rented for an overnight stay by members of a patient’s family. They are located in the CHIPSA facilities, in the same room of your friend or relative. These rooms are usually booked in advance, but you may check their availability by calling the patient service department.

For information regarding area lodging, contact the patient services or contact CHIPSA’s information services. Due to the frequently changing status of area hotels and motels, the hospital makes no official recommendations for lodging facilities.

What services are available for people with special needs?

The services of an interpreter are available to patients free of charge for those who do not speak or read English. Interpreters are available for Spanish and English languages; please notify your CHIPSA coordinator. Sign language, TTYs or other auxiliary aids and services are available to people who are deaf/hard of hearing or who have speech impairments.

Smoking policy – The CHIPSA Medical Center has adopted a smoke-free policy in cooperation with the CHIPSA staff on behalf of all patients and visitors. Smoking is not allowed in patient rooms, hallways, bathrooms, cafeterias or elsewhere in the CHIPSA medical center buildings. Patients are prohibited from smoking except when authorized by a physician’s prescription. A dedicated outdoor smoking area is possible outside the hospital (north side of hospital). Smoking is not permitted on the hospital premises, entrance ramp or emergency department entrance.
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It is your right as a CHIPSA patient:

1. To be informed of your rights and to participate in the development and implementation of your plan of care.
2. To receive care without regard to your race, color, national origin, religion, age, gender, ability or disability, or sexual orientation.
3. To request and receive care which respects your individual cultural, spiritual and social values.
4. To receive care which is free of verbal, physical, psychological abuse or harassment, which promotes your dignity, privacy, safety and comfort.
5. To be informed that relief of pain is an important part of your care. To receive information about options to reduce, control or relieve pain. To have pain effectively managed.
6. To be free from any form of restraint or seclusion that is not medically necessary or used as a means of coercion, discipline, convenience or retaliation by staff. A restraint or seclusion may only be used to improve your well being or protect you from harm, and when you or your family has been informed.
7. To expect that efforts will be made to provide you continuous, coordinated, and appropriate care during and after your hospitalization.
8. To be informed of your health status, including the nature of your illness and treatment options, including potential risks, benefits, alternatives and costs, and to participate fully in your health care decisions.
9. To expect that we will communicate with you in a manner that you can understand.
10. To make decisions regarding your care by being involved in your care planning and treatment. This includes making informed decisions regarding your care, as well as a right to accept or refuse recommended tests or treatments, or to request treatment.
11. To formulate advance directives, such as a living will or power of attorney for health care, and to expect that your advance directives will be followed when applicable.
12. To expect that appropriate decision-makers will be sought in case you lack decision-making ability and have no advance directive.
13. To receive information about and access to protective and advocacy services when they are an appropriate option.
14. To raise ethical issues concerning your care with your care providers and/or the ethics committee, and to participate in the resolution of those issues.
15. To have reasonable access to visitors and unrestricted communications by mail and telephone unless you have been informed that there are sound medical or institutional reasons to restrict such access.
16. To be informed of any proposed research or experimental treatment that may be considered in your care, and to consent or refuse to participate.
17. To express complaints or grievances concerning the quality of care or service and to voice them without fear of discrimination or reprisal, and to receive a prompt and courteous response to your concerns. You will be provided with information as to how to file a complaint or grievance.
18. To be allowed access to information contained in your clinical records within a reasonable time of your request.
19. To request and receive information regarding the charges for any treatment, and to receive an explanation of your bill upon request.
20. To have a family member, companion or representative of your choice, and your physician, promptly notified of your admission to the hospital.
21. To have personal privacy, including confidentiality of your clinical record, and to be assured that medical and personal information will be handled in a confidential manner.
22. To receive care in a safe setting and environment.

It is your responsibility as a CHIPSA patient:

1. To provide all personal and family health information needed to provide you with appropriate care. This includes reporting if you are in pain, or require pain relief.
2. To participate to the best of your ability in making decisions about your medical treatment, and to comply with the agreed upon plan of care.
3. To ask questions of your physician or other care providers when you do not understand any information or instructions
4. To inform your physician or other care provider if you desire a transfer of care to another physician, caregiver, or facility.
5. To be considerate of others receiving and providing care.
6. To observe facility policies and procedures, including those regarding smoking, noise, and number of visitors.
7. To accept financial responsibility for health care services and to work cooperatively with CHIPSA to resolve financial obligations.

If you have any questions, please contact us.
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What do I need to know before leaving the hospital?

When it is time for you to leave the hospital, your doctor will write a discharge order. This order will specify when you should be released and any additional information about your care. On most days, discharge time is 11 a.m., providing your physician has written your discharge order.

1. Your CHIPSA Coordinator and attending physician will then give you a patient discharge instruction sheet and discuss it with you. These instructions include information about juicing, the Gerson diet, diet activities, coffee enemas, medications, symptoms or problems to watch for, and other information you may need. If you have any questions about these discharge instructions, ask your doctor or nurse.

2. When leaving the hospital, some may need help at home or will need to spend time in a special facility or rehabilitation center. The members of our care management services can evaluate your needs and help you make the necessary arrangements.
   A CHIPSA Coordinator and physician are assigned to each patient care area and are available during your hospital stay to answer questions and assist you with discharge planning. The services of the CHIPSA Coordinator are available to all patients and families at no cost. They can assist you with:

• Selecting, contacting and admission to an extended-care facility or home hospice care service
• Arranging home care services (i.e., housekeepers, home equipment, home health services)
• Arranging transportation services
• Counseling you or your family who are depressed or anxious about your illness and recovery
• Discussing advance directives for health care and assisting with completing the appropriate forms   to ensure your personal wishes are carried out

1. If you would like to talk to a hospital coordinator, call our CHIPSA Coordinator for assistance in all patient visit matters concerning your previous stay with us.
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   Will my medical information be protected?

   We respect and understand that individuals may be concerned about privacy issues that surround the use of the Internet for access to health care services, especially outside the United States.

2. We also believe that individuals and patients should have control over who receives their personal information, where they live, what their interests are, or how they choose to conduct personal, intimate health care. This is why we attend to recently adopted US healthcare compliancy responsibilities and HIPAA patient information retrieval systems for secure billing protocols.

3. We do not use the personal information that an individual provides, except to provide healing and provide for financing of healthcare services. We never sell, trade, or rent personal information to other individual health care concerns, pharmaceutical entities or medical companies.
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