Health insurance is a crucial aspect of living abroad, particularly for expatriates residing in Mexico. This country attracts many international residents seeking a new home because of the vibrant culture and diverse landscape. However, Mexico’s healthcare system might be challenging to navigate. Let’s examine how health insurance in Mexico for ex-pats works.
Mexico Health Care Insurance
The Instituto de Salud para el Bienestar (INSABI) and the Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social (IMSS) are the two main public health insurance providers in Mexico and the private insurance sector.
- A health insurance program called INSABI is available to unemployed Mexicans and those who cannot afford to sign up on their own also, it’s free of charge. The Seguro Popular program was in place until December 2019 and has been replaced.
- Regardless of whether they are Mexican nationals or foreigners, employees working for private enterprises are covered by the IMSS program.
Free Public Healthcare in Mexico
The healthcare system in Mexico comprises a combination of employer-funded, public, and private healthcare programs. With the introduction of the Seguro Popular program in 2004, the nation started attempting to provide universal healthcare coverage. This was intended to lower the cost of numerous preventative therapies for people who would not otherwise be able to pay for them.
As mentioned before, INSABI replaced Seguro Popular in January 2020. INSABI now is universal healthcare for all its citizens in Mexico, and it’s all free. The INSABI is a government agency that provides medical services to people not covered by the IMSS or the Institute for Social Security and Service for State Workers (ISSSTE).
What does Public Healthcare Cover in Mexico?
The country’s healthcare system has resources available at three different levels:
- The first level is the INSABI. The care of those who the IMSS or ISSSTE does not cover is the main objective of this program.
- The mid-level is the public sector national healthcare programs, IMSS and ISSSTEl. IMSS coverage is available to ex-pats who are employed in Mexico, but if you are self-employed, for example, you can choose to sign up voluntarily and pay contributions directly into the system.
- The top level is comprised of private clinics and hospitals. The most relevant stages for ex-pats are the last two.
Who Needs Expat Health Insurance in Mexico?
Anyone working, accompanying a family member, or retired legal long-term resident in Mexico must sign up for a health insurance program. In contrast, if one of the following applies to you when you are in Mexico, you can just utilize your worldwide travel insurance:
- You are in Mexico on a visitor’s visa (FMM).
- You won’t be staying here for more than 180 days at a time and won’t be working during that time.
How does Healthcare Work in Mexico?
Mexican nationals and foreigners legally residing in Mexico can get healthcare services through IMSS. The IMSS program offers comprehensive coverage to participants, including prescription drugs. Check the IMSS site to find out if you will qualify for the program.
The federal government, employer payroll taxes, employee payroll taxes, and individual contributions from persons not currently employed are the funding sources for this program.
Below are two enrollment paths.
- Anyone who is legally employed in the nation, whether they are a citizen of Mexico or a foreign national, is required to make employee IMSS contributions. It is possible to supplement it with additional private health insurance.
- People who are not currently employed in a formal capacity and other individuals who choose to enroll freely may do so. Expats who do not currently hold a regular job (such as retirees) and have either Temporary or Permanent residency status are eligible to apply. Please be aware that individuals who enlist in the IMSS through their employment are given preference over individuals who enroll independently.
Expats who voluntarily enroll must have proof of legal residency. You must either be a Residente Temporal (temporary resident) or Residente Permanente to be eligible (permanent resident). Foreign nationals having Forma Migratoria Multiple (FMM) visiting permits are ineligible.
Mexico’s healthcare and social security systems are partly overseen by the ISSSTE (Mexican Civil Service Social Security and Services Institute), a federal government agency. It assists government employees in circumstances of disability, aging, dangerous jobs, and death.
For between 55 and 60 percent of Mexico’s population, the IMSS and ISSSTE provide healthcare. People who do not meet the requirements for the ISSSTE or IMSS programs are covered by the INSABI.
Private Health Insurance for Expats in Mexico
You can get private health insurance through international health insurance providers or insurance brokers like Insubuy or International Citizens Insurance. These services let you evaluate multiple firms’ plans online and decide which one best meets your needs:
- Enter your personal information.
- Browse through the plans that suit your profile. To find out what is covered by the policies, thoroughly read them.
- Choose the programs you believe best meet your needs.
- Click on the “Compare” button to see detailed comparisons of the policies side by side.
- Select which way you want to pay and whether you wish to pay monthly, quarterly, semi-yearly, or yearly.
There are a lot of ex-pats in Mexico who combine both public and private health insurance. Private insurance lets you select the medical professional you want to receive treatment from at private clinics and hospitals.
Private hospitals in Mexico offer better care, shorter wait times, better facilities, and typically more doctors who speak English, all of which benefit ex-pats.
Mexico Health Care Costs
Age-related charges and other limits and limitations apply to the IMSS. On the website of the Mexican government, you can view tables with prices.
For reference, a person in their forties currently pays approximately 7,000 MXN (320 USD) each year, and a person in their fifties spends approximately 8,500 MXN (385 USD); a middle-aged (sixties) person worth 12,300 MXN (560 USD).
The IMSS does not cover some pre-existing conditions, such as malignant tumors, congenital diseases, chronic degenerative diseases, addictions, mental illness, and HIV.
You cannot enroll in the IMSS insurance if you have any of these conditions. The cost of private health insurance depends on the firm you buy from, your age, your medical history, the coverage level, and the policy you choose.
Conclusion
Health insurance is a critical consideration for ex-pats living in Mexico. With its diverse culture and vibrant landscape, Mexico attracts many international residents, but navigating the healthcare system can be challenging. Expats must carefully consider their insurance options and what they want to use.