Last week, FinTech Weekly published an interview with Prometeo's Co-CEO Ximena Aleman, highlighting the fragmentation of financial ecosystems in Latin America. She contends that "open finance" is more than just data availability; it's the tougher side many overlook of ensuring that systems work together consistently through infrastructure, knowledge of compliance, and connections with institutions across all markets.
In the context of cross-border healthcare and medical tourism, that's more than a headline; it's day-to-day reality for patients seeking affordable, quality care abroad.
At heva, we treat Aleman's perspective as signals, rather than verdicts. These signals raise practical questions worth asking—especially for healthcare providers in Mexico and the Dominican Republic serving patients from the U.S. and Canada.
What Might True Interoperability Unlock for Cross-Border Healthcare?
Fewer abandoned bookings
When deposits move instantly with clear pricing and receipts, nervous last-mile friction drops. Patients can secure dates without stacks of cash or screenshot confirmations—and clinics avoid late-night back-and-forth interactions. This is particularly crucial for international patients who need confidence in their payment process.
Portable, patient-friendly financing
Interoperable checks for identity, risk, and disbursement would let a patient in Atlanta confirm financing for a Tijuana procedure—and see status updates in real time. This transparency builds trust and enables more patients to access affordable healthcare abroad.
Predictable rules of the road
Shared definitions for consent, KYC/AML, refunds, and chargebacks turn ad-hoc policies into consistent expectations that build trust and enable care across borders. This standardization is essential for the growth of medical tourism markets.