International Health Insurance in Mexico (2024)

FAQs

Can US citizens get health insurance in Mexico? ›

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.

How Much Does International Health Insurance Cost? International health insurance can cost you anywhere from $200 to $900 per month— with an average of $500. However, your international health insurance can vary depending on the following factors: International or local.

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.

Also, the healthcare in Mexico is very much affordable as compared to the other countries, which makes it a best destination for medical tourism. An expat in Mexico can go for any of these types of healthcare insurance in Mexico, i.e., public, private, or a combination of both.

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.

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.

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.

Those employed in Mexico are automatically enrolled in the IMSS system and their contribution to the scheme is deducted from their salary. Those who are not formally employed may voluntarily enrol in the IMSS system, in which case they will have to pay an annual contribution fee.

In general, health care costs vary widely depending on the doctor, hospital or the magnitude of the situation. However, you can expect to pay a basic sum of between 350-500 pesos for a visit to the doctor. (That's about US$18-25).

How to get medical care in Mexico? ›

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.

As a Kaiser Permanente member, you're covered for emergency and urgent care anywhere in the world.

The Instituto Mexicano de Seguro Social (IMSS) provides healthcare services for both Mexican citizens and expats legally residing in the country. People enrolled in the IMSS program receive full coverage, including prescriptions. To find out if you will qualify for the program, check the IMSS site.

Medical tourism in Mexico is rising among Americans Before the pandemic halted travel, some 1.2 million American citizens visited Mexico for health care. The number is rising quickly again, with border restrictions eased.

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.

Whether you are covered with the IMSS or the Seguro Popular, healthcare in Mexico is free and there is no co-payment. The main downside is that you are not free to choose your own doctor (except in specific cases). You are not covered abroad, in the private sector or in your home country.