International Health Insurance in Mexico (2024)

FAQs

Will my US health insurance cover me in Mexico? ›

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.

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.

The Mexican social security program, known as the IMSS, covers employees in the private and public sectors. In short, if you work for a Mexican company, you directly quality for medical coverage under the IMSS. The employee's portion of the costs comes directly off from their paycheck.

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.

Healthcare services received beyond U.S. borders are not covered. Medicare may cover inpatient hospital costs, ambulance services or dialysis for the following circ*mstances: You are in the U.S. when emergency treatment is needed and the closest hospital is in a foreign country (e.g., Canada or Mexico).

A recent study reported that a single day in a hospital in the U.S. costs around $1,514 while according to the World Health Organization the healthcare costs in Mexico are less than $120.

If you do need medical treatment whilst in Mexico, you may be required to pay for the services up front. At the very least, you will be asked to show proof of your ability to pay. This means that prior to any treatment you would be expected to: a) to show evidence of your insurance policy; b) give credit card details.

If you don't have enough money upfront, you could end up paying the bill later with a huge interest rate. The hospital can even call your credit card company once they receive your bill and charge them directly. It is recommended to get Travel Insurance for instances like these.

Some expats choose to purchase private insurance, which usually offers a higher quality of care, albeit at more expensive rates. Mexico also has a universal healthcare program, Seguro Popular, which has recently been replaced by the Instituto de Salud para el Bienestar (INSABI).

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.

How is IMSS calculated in Mexico? ›

Contribution. IMSS (Social Security) are influenced by various factors, such as minimum wage, UMA, the worker's age, industry, number of working days per month, fringe benefits, and the location of the employer or the worker's residence. Typically, the deduction range varies between 10% to 30%.

In 2020, approximately 47 million people in Mexico had access to the public health insurance system through Mexican Social Security Institute (IMSS). It reached more than 37 percent of the Mexican population that year.

U.S. health insurance plans typically do not cover regular and routine medical care required overseas. This means your health insurance won't pay for care if you need to visit a doctor for a prescription medicine, or if you need treatment for a condition that is not considered an emergency.

Some preexisting conditions are not covered and these include malignant tumors, congenital diseases, chronic degenerative diseases, addictions, mental illness, and HIV—among others. If you have any preexisting excluded conditions, you cannot enroll into the IMSS insurance program.

If you need medical care outside the U.S, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands you can rest assured that the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Service Benefit Plan offers worldwide coverage. Through the Overseas Assistance Center, you're covered when working or traveling overseas.

U.S. Medicare and Medicaid do not cover medical costs overseas. Private U.S. insurance policies also might not cover any or all expenses. Check with your insurance before traveling to see if it provides coverage overseas. More information is also available on the CDC insurance page.

Make sure you have a plan to get care overseas, in case you need it. Consider buying additional insurance that covers health care and emergency evacuation, especially if you will be traveling to remote areas.

Special care if you become ill or injured while traveling

Contact the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate for a list of local healthcare providers and medical facilities. If your illness is serious, consular officers can help you find medical assistance. If you want, they can inform your family and friends.