Quick answer
In Piedras Negras, medical tests —blood work, ultrasound, and X-rays— usually cost a fraction of what they run in Texas without insurance: where an ultrasound in Texas can range from $150 to $1,000, on the Mexican side it's typically an approximate $25 to $60. Thousands of patients from Eagle Pass and Del Rio cross for exactly this. At AVA Médica you can handle your visit, lab work, and imaging the same day, and with the Medical Lane the crossing drops to 15-20 minutes.
If you live in South Texas without health insurance, you already know what a simple blood test or ultrasound costs: a bill that shows up weeks later and is almost never explained up front. Across the International Bridge, in Piedras Negras, those same tests cost a fraction, are paid on the spot, and often come with same-day results.
Why do so many patients cross for medical tests?
It isn't about lower quality. Labs and imaging centers on the Mexican border use the same technology and standards as the American side. The difference is operating costs: rent, salaries, and administration are lower in Mexico, and that flows straight to the final price. For an uninsured family, that difference is what decides whether they get the test or put it off.
Price comparison (approximate)
Prices vary by test and by facility. These ranges show the difference; they are approximate and worth confirming with the clinic before you cross:
| Test | Texas, uninsured (approx.) | Piedras Negras (approx.) |
|---|---|---|
| Blood work (CBC + metabolic panel) | $50 – $400 USD | $10 – $30 USD |
| Ultrasound | $150 – $1,000 USD | $25 – $60 USD |
| X-ray | $100 – $1,000 USD | $15 – $40 USD |
In Texas, the biggest cost driver isn't the test itself — it's the facility: the same blood panel can cost a few dollars at a direct-access lab and several hundred at a hospital down the road. On the Mexican side, the price starts low and there are no surprises on the bill.
The advantage of getting everything done in one visit
The real savings isn't only the price — it's the time. Instead of getting an order from one doctor, going somewhere else for the lab, and waiting days for results, at a full-service clinic you can do the visit, the lab work, and the imaging in the same place and leave the same day with your results in hand.
- Same-day doctor visit (no appointment needed).
- Lab work and imaging under one roof.
- Clear payment on the spot — no surprise bills weeks later.
- Same-day results for most tests.
How to cross fast: the Medical Lane
The biggest barrier to crossing was always the time at the bridge. The Medical Lane, a program of the City of Piedras Negras (RETMEDE), opened a priority lane at International Bridge #1 that cuts the crossing from hours to 15-20 minutes for medical-tourism patients. AVA Médica is a certified point of this program and we help you with the pass.
Tests available at AVA Médica
At AVA Médica we offer lab work, ultrasound, and X-rays, plus general doctor visits, dentistry, nutrition, and psychology in the same place. If you're coming from Eagle Pass, Del Rio, or South Texas, message us on WhatsApp for an exact quote on the tests you need and guidance on the crossing.
This information is general and does not replace a medical consultation. Always consult your doctor for a personalized diagnosis and treatment.