Health Insurance In Mexico For Expats

Everyone who works in Mexico is enrolled in the public healthcare system by their employer, whether they are an expat or a citizen. However, many people who can afford it choose to obtain private health insurance in order to have access to the higher quality of care available in private hospitals.

Understanding the Mexico Healthcare System

There are two main types of public health insurance in Mexico: the Instituto de Salud para el Bienestar (INSABI) and the Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social (IMSS), as well as the private insurance sector.

• The INSABI scheme (which means Institute of Health for Wellbeing) is a health insurance program for unemployed Mexicans and those who cannot afford to enroll voluntarily. It offers them health services and treatment free of charge. It has replaced the Seguro Popular scheme, which was in effect until December 2019.
• The IMSS scheme is health insurance for employees working for private companies, regardless of whether they are a Mexican citizen or an expat.

Does Mexico Have Universal Healthcare?

Yes, since the introduction of the INSABI scheme in January 2020, Mexico has universal healthcare for all its citizens and expats.

Who Exactly Needs Expat Health Insurance in Mexico?

Everyone who lives in Mexico as a legal long-term resident, whether working, accompanying a family member, or retired, must enroll in a health insurance plan.

If you are in Mexico, you can simply use your international travel insurance in one of the following scenarios:

• You are in Mexico under a visitor’s permit (FMM)
• You will stay in the country for less than 180 days during which time you will not work.

Mexico Health Insurance Options for Expats

Expats in Mexico have the following health insurance options:

Public health insurance (IMSS):

• All employed expats are enrolled under the IMSS scheme. Additional private health insurance is optional.

Private health insurance:

• Heath insurance for expats from a local Mexican company. You buy private health insurance for a local company in Mexico, but you will not be covered if you decide to go back to the US for a visit or if you travel abroad.
• Health insurance for expats with international coverage. You can compare and purchase Mexico health insurance online from Insubuy or International Citizens Insurance. You are covered in Mexico, the US, and worldwide, depending on the policy.

Public Health Insurance for Employed Expats

If you work for a Mexican company, your employer will automatically enroll you in the IMSS health insurance scheme. You are not required to apply yourself. Both you and your employer contribute to the scheme; your portion of the contribution is deducted from your salary.

You cannot opt out of IMSS and only use a private health insurance company. You can, however, obtain additional insurance from a private provider, which will provide you with access to private healthcare as well as greater flexibility in where you are treated.

Unemployed expats must apply for the IMSS themselves or choose a private insurance scheme.

Private Health Insurance for Expats in Mexico

You can buy private health insurance through international health insurance companies, or insurance brokers

which allow you to compare plans from different companies online to choose what best suits your needs:

• Enter your personal information.
• Browse through the plans that suit your profile. Read the policies carefully to learn what they include.
• Select the plans you think are most befitting to your needs.
• Click on the “Compare” button and you can see detailed comparisons of the policies side by side.
• Select which way you want to pay and whether you wish to pay on a monthly, quarterly, or semi-yearly or yearly basis.

Many US expats in Mexico combine public and private health insurance because private insurance provides coverage in private clinics and hospitals, as well as the freedom to choose your own healthcare provider.

Private hospitals in Mexico have shorter wait times, better infrastructure, and more English-speaking doctors, which is beneficial to expats.

Although healthcare in Mexican private hospitals is roughly half the cost in the United States, it can still be prohibitively expensive to pay out of pocket, so a good private health insurance policy is essential.

Can Unemployed Expats Get Health Insurance in Mexico?

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.
• Pay the annual insurance fee, for yourself and any family members included on the scheme.
• If you do not speak Spanish: Make sure you have a translator with you since the application process is entirely in Spanish.
• Once enrolled, your coverage will start on the first day of the following month.

Required Documents When Applying for Expat Health Insurance in Mexico

When applying to be enrolled under the public health insurance scheme in Mexico, you need the following documents:

• A valid Identification Document
• A certified copy of your Marriage Certificate (if applicable)
• A certified copy of Birth Certificate/s (if you have children)
• Your Unique Population Registry Code (CURP)
• Proof of payment of the fee for each member of the family group
• Proof of address
• Your personal information
• The medical questionnaire which is provided by the IMSS

Document guidelines:

• All the documents you submit have to be in their original form along with a copy
• All the documents from your country (such as marriage and birth certificates) have to be translated into Spanish and Apostilled (or otherwise legalized) before you submit them.

What Does Expat Health Insurance in Mexico Cover?

Public health insurance in Mexico covers:

• Accidents and emergencies in the first year of coverage.
• Surgeries and other health conditions, starting from the second year.
• Medication (only when prescribed by your doctor).
• Part of your salary if you are unable to work due to an illness or accident for up to 52 weeks.

Private health insurance for expats offers coverage for the following:

• In-patient and out-patient medical treatment.
• Dental and vision treatment.
• Mental health care.
• Physiotherapy.
• Rehabilitation.
• Pre-existing health conditions.
• Evacuation or repatriation.
• Travel health insurance.
• Coverage in private hospitals, which have a higher quality of care and where the doctors are more likely to speak English, making for easier communication.

Remember: If you are enrolled only in the public health insurance scheme, there are specific doctors and clinics which you can visit, depending on locale. This means you cannot choose your doctor and you cannot be treated in private clinics or hospitals, otherwise, you pay from your own pocket.

Does Expat Health Insurance in Mexico Cover Pre-Existing Conditions?

If you enroll in Mexico’s public insurance yourself, certain pre-existing conditions may not be covered; alternatively, if you have certain pre-existing conditions, you may be unable to apply for the IMSS. This includes diseases like malignant tumors, late-stage diabetes mellitus, chronic liver disease, chronic kidney failure, valvular heart disease, and heart failure, among others.

When applying for IMSS, you should be able to view a list of pre-existing medical conditions that are not covered by the public health insurance scheme.

Whether a private health insurance scheme will cover you for pre-existing conditions will depend solely on the company and the plan you purchase. Read the policy carefully.

Can I Use My US Health Insurance in Mexico?

Most US health insurance won’t cover treatment in Mexico. Medicare won’t cover you abroad.

Even with international insurance, you must pay upfront before being reimbursed in the US. You may use your US insurance for evacuation to the US for treatment if you have expat health insurance in Mexico and the US, but there is usually a time limit.

Your health insurance provider back home may have exceptions, so check your policy or contact them for more information.

How Much Does Health Insurance for Expats in Mexico Cost?

If you subscribe to the IMSS health insurance scheme, the cost of Mexican health insurance ranges from MXN 4,650 (appx. USD 218) per year to MXN 12,750 (appx. USD 590) per year. Here the cost of expat health insurance in Mexico by age range:

Cost of private health insurance in Mexico

The cost of private health insurance for Mexico expats depends on the company, your age, medical history, coverage amount, and policy.

Choose a global policy if you frequently visit the US. Due to the high cost of healthcare, this will raise your premium, but it’s better than going without insurance.

If you won’t return to the US, you can choose a policy without it and pay less monthly/annually.