Where is Hope Clinics International?
Hope Clinic is located a few miles across the Texas/Mexico border from Del Rio, Texas, in Ciudad Acuña, Coahuila, Mexico.
Distance to clinic from a few Texas towns:
San Antonio: 150 miles
San Angelo: 155 miles
Lubbock: 350 miles
Fort Worth: 420 miles
Why is Hope Clinic located in Mexico?
According to the Wall Street Journal, the price to get a new drug approved by the FDA is currently $500,000,000. And that’s after a 7-15 year waiting period to prove the efficacy and safety of the drug. The real tragedy is that people in the U.S. die needlessly each day from diseases that have been successfully treated in other countries for decades. The system designed to “protect the U.S. citizens from bad medicine” is also the system that keeps good medicine from being readily available – truly a double-edged sword.
In the meantime, until the system is changed, many suffering patients can find help at Hope Clinics International. The clinic’s Mexico location allows our staff the freedom to incorporate natural medicine at the necessary dosages for effective treatment. Previously proven medicines from other countries are also frequently used to the tremendous health benefit of our patients.
What are your prices and policies?
Hope Clinics International accepts insurance, and PPOs pay the best. HMOs unfortunately do not provide any coverage. To see what your insurance pays, contact them and ask what their coverage is for out-of-country, out-of-network, outpatient treatments for your particular ailment. Most insurance companies will give you a percentage of coverage after your deductible is met.
The clinic does not accept insurance associated with U.S. or state government, such as Medicare, Medicaid or Tricare, simply because government-associated policies will not pay for treatments outside of the United States.
Payments are taken weekly in the form of cash, check, MasterCard and Visa. (A surcharge is added for conversion rates on credit cards.) Patients are informed upon admission what their weekly payment responsibilities will be. Clinic fees are all-inclusive, covering physician consultations, nurse care, supplies and medications administered.
For information about specific prices, contact Hope Clinics International.
What can I expect on an average day?
Hope Clinic operates as an outpatient clinic. Patients travel across the border each day for treatment. The clinic opens at 12 p.m. CST and closes around 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. IV therapy, individually tailored to meet each patient’s needs, is the typical daily therapy for all patients. After receiving treatments for the day, patients return to Texas, leaving the remainder of the evening and weekends to rest.
We recommend taking high protein snacks (cheese, nuts, avocado, etc…), juices, and water with you to help your glucose levels remain stable as you receive your IV therapy. You can bring your lunch or supper, eat at a restaurant in Mexico right before or after treatment, or do as you wish when you return to Texas. If you like to read, bring books or magazines. Treatment rooms have magnetic chairs, recliners, blankets, and pillows for your comfort. The stations are set up in a circle to allow patients the therapeutic benefit of talking with other people who are going through similar health struggles. Visiting also makes the time pass more quickly.
What other services are available?
Masseuse
Available at Hope Clinic.
Counseling
Available at Hope Clinic.
Magnetic Therapy
Available at Hope Clinic. Helps to accelerate the healing of damaged tissues.
Chiropractor
We highly recommend Dr. Kent Lowery’s gentle therapy for the pain management of muscles and joints. For more information or to schedule, contact:
Dr. Kent Lowery, D.C.
401 Cantu Suite A
Del Rio, TX 78840
830-775-7777
Dr. Lowery also has an office located in Bracketville. Separate fees apply to this service and should be made payable to Dr. Lowery per your arrangement with him. Dr. Lowery accepts insurance.
Dentist
We also recommend Dr. J.A. Ortiz Ramón as a highly trained, nutritionally-oriented, mercury free dentist. For more information or to schedule, contact:
Dr. J.A. Ortiz Ramón
located on the corner of Hidalgo Street and Aquiles Serdan
Ciudad Acuña, Coahuila, Mexico
(830) 317-1345
Separate fees apply to this service and should be made payable to Dr. Ramón per your arrangement with him.
Taxi services
Two taxi services listed by the Del Rio Chamber of Commerce are City Taxi at (830) 775-6344 and Del Rio Taxi Service at (830) 775-4448. Both provide transportation across the border. Taxis are also available in Mexico. Ask the clinic staff for more information.
Driving your own vehicle
Check with your insurance company about the coverage it offers to drivers in Mexico. Many insurance companies provide coverage for drivers within 25 miles of the border. Hope Clinics International is only a few miles past the border.
Staff assistance/carpooling
The clinic staff is happy to assist you in your transportation needs. We can arrange for you to ride with or follow a staff member to the clinic if necessary. Request this service upon scheduling so that we can make arrangements for you. We automatically provide an escort for you the first few days as a new patient, until you are comfortable driving to the clinic on your own.
Another option is to carpool with other patients to save on gas and border tolls.
Border crossing tolls
The toll to cross the border into Ciudad Acuña is $2.50, and the toll to re-enter the United States is $2.20. Rates are subject to vary slightly.
Border crossing rules
· IMPORTANT: Do NOT attempt to cross the border with firearms or ammunition of any kind. You will be arrested by the Mexican government and detained indefinitely.
· In 2009, passports will be required for border crossing.
· For 2008, passports are not required when driving across the border. However, everyone in the vehicle must present a photo ID (driver’s license) and a birth certificate. A birth certificate must be presented for any children without photo IDs.
· If you are unsure whether an item is acceptable to bring across the border, call the Mexican Consulate at (830) 775-2352 before you attempt to cross the border.
· Follow signs carefully to choose the correct lane. The right lane is for commercial vehicles, the middle lane is for those carrying only personal items, and the left lane is for vehicles that have items to be declared. The Del Rio Chamber of Commerce advises to take the left lane when in doubt. Entering the middle lane is the equivalent to swearing an oath to the Mexican government that you have no merchandise to declare.
· For more information on crossing the border, visit the Del Rio Chamber of Commerce at http://www.drchamber.com/play/xborder.html.
Airports
Many of our patients are from out of state and choose to fly instead of drive to Texas. If you do fly and end up renting a car for local transportation, many rental companies will not allow their cars to cross the border or will charge astronomical insurance prices in order to do so. If this is your situation, let us know and we’ll arrange for a staff member to drive you across the border.
Convenient airport options are:
- Del Rio International Airport
Offers flights on Continental Airlines only.
To book a flight, contact Continental Airlines:
(800) 523-FARE
For specific airport questions, contact:
Jack Richardson
(830) 774-8538
http://cityofdelrio.com/index.asp?NID=58
- San Antonio International Airport
Offers flights on most major airlines. Located 150 miles from Hope Clinic.
To book a flight, contact your airline of choice.
For specific airport questions, visit:
Unlike other border towns that make the news on a regular basis, Acuña is a safe, modern Mexican city with a population of about 250,000. The clinic is in a quiet neighborhood on the outskirts of Acuña, situated between a church and an orphanage.
CONDOS
· Hope Clinic Condo: Cavalry Man F
Fort Clark Springs
Bracketville, TX 78832
Contact Laura at (417) 239-1987 for availability of the Cavalry Man Condo at Fort Clark Springs. This condo is a 1 bedroom, 1 bathroom condo with a kitchen, dining space, and living area. Amenities include a fully furnished kitchen, including an oven, dishwasher, and refrigerator. Cable TV and DSL internet access are provided. Sleeping accommodations include 1 queen-size bed and 1 queen-size fold-out sleeper sofa. All bed and bath linens are provided. A community laundry room is located within walking distance of the complex. The condo is located in a peaceful setting on a private golf course and has access to nature trails and a spring-fed swimming pool.
· Hope Clinic Condo: Master's Condo #1301
Fort Clark Springs
Brackettville, TX 78832
830-563-2493
Contact Laura at (417) 239-1987 for availability of the Master’s Condo at Fort Clark Springs. This condo is a 2 bedroom, 1 bathroom condo with a kitchen, living area, and elevator access. Amenities include a fully furnished kitchen, including an oven, dishwasher, and refrigerator. Cable TV and wireless internet access are provided. Sleeping accommodations include 1 full-size bed, 1 queen-size bed, 1 queen-size fold-out sleeper sofa, and one oversized-twin fold-out futon. All bed and bath linens are provided. A community laundry room is located on each floor of the complex. The condo is located in a peaceful setting on a private golf course and has access to covered parking, nature trails, and a spring-fed swimming pool.
HOTELS
· Ramada Inn
2101 Veterans Blvd.
Del Rio, TX 78840
830-775-1511
Microwave/refrigerator combo available upon request. Special weekly and monthly rates are available when you mention you’re a patient at Hope Clinic. Speak with the manager when calling to make reservations. The Ramada also has a restaurant located in their lobby.
· LaQuinta Inn
2005 Veterans Blvd.
Del Rio, TX 78840
830-775-7591
Microwave/refrigerator combo available upon request. Special weekly and monthly rates are available when you mention you’re a patient at Hope Clinic. Speak with the manager when calling to make reservations.
· Regency Inn
3811 Hwy. 90 W
Del Rio, TX 78840
(830) 775-7414
Microwave/refrigerator combo available upon request. Special weekly and monthly rates are available when you mention you’re a patient at Hope Clinic. Speak with the manager when calling to make reservations.
RV SITES
· Fort Clark Springs
P.O. Box 345
Brackettville, TX 78832
830-563-2493
The RV Park at Fort Clark Springs features 85 sites with full hook-ups, including television and telephone. The park provides bathrooms, showers, a kitchen, and a laundry room. Entertainment opportunities include games, a weekly potluck supper, arts and crafts, art studio, 18-hole golf course, spring-fed swimming, bingo, aerobic classes, hiking and biking trails, and bird watching.
· Amistad National Recreational Area
Physical address:
Visitor Information Center
9685 Hwy 90 West
Del Rio, 78840
Mailing address:
NPS Administration
4121 Hwy 90 West
Del Rio, TX 78840-9350
Visitor information:
(830)775-7491
http://www.nps.gov/amis/planyourvisit/campgrounds.htm
Lake Amistad has four campgrounds with 75 dry hook-ups. All sites feature a covered picnic table and barbecue grill. Fees range from $4 to $8 a night. “Coffee with a Ranger” programs are offered Thursday mornings from January through March. Golden Age/Golden Passport holders are entitled to a 50% discount.
· Lonesome Dove RV Ranch
4832 W Highway 90
Del Rio, TX 78840
(830) 774-1823
http://www.lonesomedovervranch.com
Lonesome Dove RV Ranch offers 54 landscaped sites, complete with modern amenities. Activities include fishing, boating, swimming, horseshoes, and pool.
· Buzzard Roost RV Campground
4411 Veterans Blvd.
Del Rio, TX 78840
(830) 774-5151
Buzzard Roost RV Campground offers 50 RV sites with 30/50 amp service available. Amenities include shaded pull-through sites, RV repair shop, propane station, cable TV, laundry/shower room, western-style saloon, and country/western dancing.
· Holiday Trav-L-Park
HCR 3 Box 40
Del Rio, TX 78840
(830) 775-7275
http://www.holidaytrav-l-park.com/
Holiday Trav-L-Park offers 150 grass/shaded sites, 119 pull through parking sites, 20, 30 and 50 amp service, laundry room, recreation hall and kitchen, free cable, free wireless internet access, clean bath houses, playground, swimming pool, and free coffee and breakfast.
Location: Drive north on Highway 90 West past Wal-Mart approximately 10 miles. The distance from the “Y” in the road is 6.8 miles.
Bring casual clothing you will be comfortable relaxing in for a few hours while receiving IV therapy. Refrain from highly fragrance perfumes and lotions as other patients may have chemical sensitivities.
For the current weather forecast for Del Rio, visit http://www.nws.noaa.gov and enter “Del Rio, TX” in the blank on the left-hand side.
Where are some good places to eat?
In addition to a wide array of chain restaurants, Del Rio dining options include authentic Mexican cuisine at Don Marcelino’s, a taste of Italy at Avanti Italian Restaurant, and local atmosphere at Cripple Creek Restaurant. For a list of restaurants in Del Rio, visit http://www.drchamber.com/play/visitors/restaurants.html.
Ma Crosby’s Restaurant in Acuña comes highly recommended as an option for local cuisine. Pricing is around $6 for lunch and less than $10 for dinner, and the restaurant is touted by reviewers as one of the cleanest and most delicious restaurants in the area. It is located at 195 Hidalgo Street.
Another fine restaurant, Taco Grill, is located downtown, right down the main street from the clinic. The restaurant features good prices, a Mexican food buffet, bottled water, and fresh-squeezed lemonade in glass goblets. The family-owned restaurant is steeped in authentic atmosphere, from the Spanish tile floor to the thatch ceiling. The waiters speak English, and the restaurant accepts U.S. currency.
For directions to restaurants in Acuña or Del Rio, ask anyone on our staff.
Hidalgo Street, Acuña’s main tourist location, is renowned as a haven for shoppers and diners. Lining the street for blocks are shops offering jewelry, souvenirs, clothing, and leather goods.
Elizabeth Mitchell, travel writer for About.com, writes, “When shopping in markets or small shops, offer half the marked or quoted price and negotiate from there. It is expected that you will bargain. Be cautious about quality. What may appear to be gold or silver might just disappoint you as soon as you cross back over the border!”
For a slice-of-life article on Acuña’s attractions, visit http://www.southernliving.com/southern/printerfriendly/
What can I bring back to America?
For information on what you can bring back across the border into the U.S., visit Trip Advisor at http://www.tripadvisor.com/
Travel-g150768-s602/Mexico:Crossing.The.Border.html or the U.S. Customs and Border Protection site at http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/travel/alerts/cbp_reqs_mexico.xml.
What can I do on the weekends?
Brackettville
Founded in 1852, the town is still referred to as Brackett by its residents (the postal authorities changed the name of the town to Brackettville because a Brackett, Texas, already existed). Its attractions include Fort Clark Springs, The Kinney County Museum, The Seminole Indian Scout Cemetery, and Kickapoo Cavern State Park.
The Alamo, released in 1960 and starring John Wayne as Col. Davy Crockett, was filmed in Brackettville. To learn about visiting the Alamo replica used in filming, click on http://www.thealamofilm.com/alamo-village-bracketville.shtml
For more information on attractions in Brackettville, visit http://www.texasescapes.com/TexasHillCountryTowns/
BrackettvilleTexas/BrackettvilleTx.htm
Kerrville
Considered paradise in the heart of the Texas Hill Country, Kerrville has activities for every season. Attractions include a family sports center, movie theater, and several parks along the Guadalupe River featuring swimming, fishing, boating, camping, and picnicking. Visit the chamber’s site at http://www.kerrvilletx.com for more information.
A 90-minute drive southwest of Kerrville takes you to the only maple forest in Texas, Lost Maples State Natural Area. For more information about this attraction praised as one of the most beautiful sites in Texas, visit http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/spdest/findadest/
Junction
Located on the western edge of the Texas Hill Country, Junction has ample opportunities for outdoor recreation, including hunting, fishing, birding, canoeing, and kayaking. Nearby is the South Llano River State Park. For more information, visit the Kimble County Chamber of Commerce at http://www.junctiontexas.net.
Del Rio
Along with shopping, dining, a library, a movie theater and museums, Del Rio also features Lake Amistad, one of the largest lakes in Texas. Forty-five miles west of Del Rio, Seminole Canyon State Park and Historic Site contains some of North America’s oldest rock paintings and pictographs. For more information, visit the Del Rio Chamber of Commerce at http://www.drchamber.com.
If you have any further questions
or would like to schedule an appointment,
just call our office.
We’d be happy to assist you in any way possible.
