A guide to Healthcare Insurance for Expats in Mexico (2024)

FAQs

How does an expat get health insurance in Mexico? ›

IMSS - Mexico's National Solution

The Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social or IMSS is Mexico's national healthcare program. Foreigners who are living and employed in Mexico are eligible for IMSS coverage. It is a popular resource for working expats with a temporary or permanent residency visa.

Your employer-provided health plan may have limited or no coverage in Mexico, and Medicare doesn't cover health care outside the United States, except in rare cases. Travel health insurance pays for emergency medical expenses during a trip. These expenses include the following: Ambulance service.

Premiums depend on age. For those aged 50 to 59, IMSS currently costs about $63 per month per person. For people 60 to 69, it is $89 per month, and 70 to 79-year-olds pay $93 per month. Nearly all treatments, including medications, are provided free of charge once you've paid your premium.

Mexico has a public healthcare system, the Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social (IMSS), which provides medical services to citizens and permanent residents. It is funded by the government and contributions from employees and employers. The services offered by IMSS are free of charge for its beneficiaries.

Standard Medicare A & B can be used only in the USA. No coverage is provided for Standard Medicare A & B in Mexico. Now what to do if you just have Standard Medicare A & B? Well, then you will have to enroll in a Medicare Advantage Plan or Medicare Supplement Plan.

How much does international health insurance cost? The annual cost of an international medical insurance plan will range from as low as $500, with limited benefits, to as much as $8,000 for a comprehensive global medical insurance policy, including coverage in the USA. The average cost is $5,500 per year.

Does US health insurance cover you living abroad? Generally, U.S. health insurance benefits will not cover you while outside of the U.S. Your domestic U.S. health insurance plans will cover you in a specific region within the USA.

If you are a legal resident in Mexico, but not formally employed (such as a retiree), you can apply to be enrolled in the IMSS public health insurance program yourself. The procedure is as follows: Collect the required documents (see below). Apply online at the IMSS website or apply in-person at the local IMSS office.

In Mexico, you will have good private and public health insurance options. Public health care is usually provided by the IMSS through employment or voluntary enrollment. The INSABI provides health care to individuals who are not covered by IMSS or who do not have private insurance.

What is the best medical travel insurance for Mexico? ›

If you plan to get active in Mexico and want to make sure you have adequate travel insurance coverage for medical expenses and emergency medical evacuation, we recommend the SafeTreker plan from Trawick International.

A simple doctor's office visit costs about 400 pesos or roughly US$20. Diagnostic tests can cost up to a third less in Mexico compared to the United States or Canada. However, costs can quickly add up for more complicated procedures.

Do Mexican hospitals accept USA coverage? USA health insurance coverage is not accepted in private hospitals of Mexico. The same is applicable for Medicare as well. Unless you have a USA health plan that covers healthcare in Mexico, you will have to pay out-of-pocket for availing medical services.

To be eligible for any Medicare benefits, these individuals must 1) be lawful permanent residents (LPR, holding a green card) and 2) have five years of continuous residence in the United States immediately prior to Medicare enrollment.

There are two primary options for health insurance for expats in Mexico on temporary or permanent residence visas: public health insurance through Mexicano del Seguro Social (IMSS), which is the country's national healthcare system, or private health insurance.

International health insurance is for anyone working and living abroad for an extended period, or where your employer does not provide health insurance as part of your contract. Professionals, families and students can benefit from health insurance for expats, giving access to worldwide healthcare at the drop of a hat.

For most people, to be eligible for the IMSS you have to be fully (and formally) employed in Mexico. As such, your employer makes the necessary arrangements with paperwork and to set up paycheck deductions. Alternatively, if you aren't formally employed you can also still join through voluntary enrollment.