Health Insurance for Short Visits to Mexico

If you’re visiting Mexico for a short period —on a vacation or short business trip, for example— travel insurance policies which cover you for a limited time while you’re away from home should suffice.  These might be provided by your current healthcare provider (but double-check the small print), through an employer’s health plan if you’re here on a short business visit, or through purchase of a short-trip travel insurance policy.  You can learn more about short-term travel health insurance on our guide to insurance in Mexico.

Health Insurance for Extended Stays in Mexico

If you plan to be in Mexico for an extended stay, but don’t intent to take-up residence in Mexico – for example, you might take a sabbatical, a volunteer job, or plan to stay in Mexico for six months or less, then a short-term travel insurance policy might not cover your needs.  In these circumstances, you may consider a private health insurance policy that covers you locally and, if you retain health coverages in your home country, you might also consider taking out a medical evacuation plan in the event of a serious medical incident that requires you to be flown home for treatment and recovery.

Health Insurance for Foreign Residents in Mexico

If you intend to apply for, or have, legal residency in Mexico, a travel insurance policy won’t be valid as these are designed for people who come to Mexico for a short defined period and return to their country of residence.  If you have health insurance cover in your country of residence, the policy might cover you if you’re living abroad (but probably won’t) and in most cases you would need to evacuate back to your home country to avail yourself of any coverages.  Therefore, if you plan to reside in Mexico, you should consider health insurance coverages that will be valid and provide adequate care for your needs.  Here are the options:

Mexico’s IMSS Medical Insurance

Foreign residents (temporary or permanent) can apply for the Mexican public healthcare insurance system known an IMSS on a voluntary basis which provides access to certain doctors, clinics and hospitals in Mexico.  Some medications are also covered under this plan.  Coverage costs depend on your age; restrictions and limitations apply and, like all publicly-funded healthcare systems, patient demand is usually higher than the supply of services, so you may have to wait for care. (Note also that people who are enrolled in IMSS through an employer get priority over those who enroll voluntarily.)  This article explains the IMSS medical insurance system in Mexico.

Private Medical Insurance in Mexico

Most foreign residents who can afford to do so will take out a private medical insurance plan that covers their personal needs and gives them direct access to private doctors, clinics and hospitals in Mexico.  Policies are crafted to the individual situation of the person, couple, or family, and premiums depend on things like your age, term of coverage, coverages included, and the deductible you are willing to pay in the event of a claim.  You can complete this health insurance request and our associate will contact you personally to discuss your situation and needs, and provide a no-obligation quote for you to review.

Medical Evacuation from Mexico

If you are resident in Mexico and continue to have health coverage in your home country then you might consider a medical evacuation plan to enable you to get home for treatment and to convalesce close to your own doctors and family in the event that you experience a serious accident or health event (e.g. heart attack) while you are here.  Note that medical evacuation insurance coverages only cover evacuation costs in serious cases and so you’ll need to get routine or non-critical health matters attended to in Mexico.

Who is eligible for Medicare

Medicare is only available to legal residents of the USA who are of a certain age (or with specific medical situations).  Here are some helpful links for further research; we also recommend you talk to your insurance broker or healthcare providers about your individual situation.

• This Medicare page contains an eligibility questionnaire, and
• This page on the Medicare Interactive website describes the Medicare situation for those who live abroad; and
• This page on the Medicare website describes Medicare policies when outside of the U.S.

Access to Medicare outside of the USA

Outside of the 50 States and the District of Columbia, Medicare is only available in Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, and American Samoa.

Medicare may pay for specific types of medical care in a foreign country if a foreign hospital is closer to the nearest U.S. hospital should a medical emergency arise while you’re in the U.S., or traveling through Canada between the continental U.S. and Alaska; or if you live in the U.S. and the foreign hospital is closer to your home than the nearest U.S. hospital that can treat your medical condition.

If you’re traveling on a ship, Medicare might pay for medically-necessary services provided the vessel is not more than 6 hours away from a U.S. port.

In all cases, Medicare drug plans don’t cover prescription drugs you may buy outside the U.S.

You can get full details about the policies and coverage here on the U.S. Medicare official website.

Alternatives to Medicare when you’re in Mexico

When you’re planning to live in Mexico and need to consider health insurance coverages, there are several options you can consider.

Mexico’s IMSS coverage

As an alternative to Medicare, some foreign residents in Mexico opt to take Mexico’s government-sponsored IMSS health coverage under an insurance program that charges based on age-brackets; typically between US$50-$70 per month for someone of retirement age.  Conditions and exclusions apply, and you must be a legal resident of Mexico to avail yourself of this coverage.

Private medical insurance

Private medical insurance is widely available in Mexico, with policies priced depending on the coverages you seek, your age, health, and medical history.

Medical evacuation insurance

If you’re only in Mexico for short periods, and you have coverages which give your healthcare options in your home country, you might consider a medical evacuation insurance plan to help you get back home in the event of medical emergency.

Discover options for healthcare coverages in Mexico

For details and descriptions of the various healthcare coverages available to foreign residents, read our article about Health and Medical Insurance Options for Mexico that includes options for short visits, extended stays, and long-term residency.

Service, qualification, and enrolment

The service is formally called Seguro de Salud Para La Familia but colloquially it’s always referred to as “el IMSS.”

Note that the information, application procedures, and all healthcare services are provided in Spanish only.  If you don’t speak Spanish, you’ll need a friend to help you, or you’ll need to hire an interpreter when you apply, and when you go for any treatment.

The IMSS healthcare service is funded by a combination of the Federal government, employer and employee payroll taxes—and individual contributions where the service is taken on an independent/voluntary basis.

There are two ways to become enrolled:

• First, anyone (Mexican national or legal foreign resident) who is formally employed in Mexico must pay their employee IMSS contributions and become enrolled in the program, regardless of any other private health insurance they might have.
• The second way is by voluntary enrollment, which is open to those not in formal employment and those who wish to enroll on a voluntary basis—for example, foreign residents who are retired in Mexico.

Foreigners who wish to enroll voluntarily must have legal residency status (Residente Temporal or Residente Permanente, formerly FM3/FM2) to qualify; foreigners in Mexico with FMM visitor permits are not eligible.

Note: IMSS is not the same as the program formerly known as Seguro Popular now replaced by the INSABI program.

Annual fee for voluntary enrollment in IMSS

If you are not formally employed in Mexico you can opt to enroll in the IMSS healthcare program voluntarily and paying an annual fee.

• The fee for annual enrollment varies depending on your age.
• You can get the current rates from the table on this page.
• By way of example, a person in their 60s currently pays $18,300 pesos per year. (Equivalent to this many US dollars.)
• Therefore, a retired couple both in their 60s would pay about $37,000 Mexican pesos per year for IMSS insurance coverage in Mexico. (Equivalent to this many US dollars.)

Preexisting conditions

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.

Other specific preexisting conditions are covered on ‘deferment’ and these don’t preclude you for joining the program, but are subject to specific waiting periods before you can seek healthcare services within the IMSS system related to them.

You can see the list of excluded and deferred preexisting conditions on this page

Application and payment

You can begin the application online or in person at your local IMSS office. You’ll need to attend your local IMSS office to present your paperwork (original and copies) duly completed, which includes:

• Your current passport(s)
• Your current residency permit(s)
• Proof of address, e.g. your latest electricity bill
• Marriage certificate* (if applicable)
• Birth certificate(s)*
• Application form and health questionnaire provided by IMSS
• Two photographs, same format as those for a passport
• Bank payment receipt for the first-year’s premium (made on the day you visit the local IMSS office)

You can see the list of required documents on this page

*Some foreign-issued documents will require Apostille & Translation: If you have foreign-issued marriage and/or birth certificates these will need to be Apostilled (sometimes referred to as ‘notarized’) and translated into Spanish before you can submit your application.

On enrollment

Upon enrollment, your coverage begins on the first calendar day of the following month of your application.

After you’re enrolled, you’ll be assigned to a local clinic, where you will go to see your doctor, go for regular check-ups, and obtain prescriptions for any medications you may need.  If you need the services of a specialist, referrals are made to IMSS medical specialists only via your assigned doctor.

Medications prescribed by your doctor can be obtained for no additional cost at the pharmacy associated with the local IMSS office.  However, not all medicines are available this way and if the medication you need is not available there, the doctor will give you a prescription to get the medicine at a private pharmacy and you will have to pay separately for this.

Speed and quality of care

There are waiting periods for non-emergency procedures, and IMSS members who get their coverage as part of their formal employment are given priority over those who enrolled independently.

The reported quality of care varies, and the experience you have will likely depend on where you are in Mexico and what the wider local demand is on health services when you’re seeking treatment. Some foreign residents report good care from IMSS, others report disappointments and shortcomings.

Limit of resources under IMSS: It’s fair to say —as with all large, publicly-funded healthcare systems world-wide— that the demand for services usually exceeds the supply of resources available and compromises must therefore be made.

Hospital treatment under IMSS: If you are interned in a public hospital in Mexico, your family and friends will be expected to provide support and bring amenities to you while you are admitted. This is something that is quite different to private healthcare coverage, where everything covered is ‘laid-on’ (and billed to the account). Ask your assigned IMSS doctor about this if a treatment or operation you are undergoing will require your hospitalization.

This guide highlights the key aspects of getting access to health care services in Mexico for you and your family.

Health Emergencies in Mexico

When you move to Mexico, you should acquaint yourself with the local medical and health facilities available in your local area. Find out where your nearest hospitals and clinics are, as well doctors, dentists and opticians and keep their telephone contact numbers at hand.

You can find this information out from neighbors, friends, work colleagues or contact your local consulate who may be able to provide you with a list of local health facilities in the city or town where you live.

Although Mexico has a number of universal emergency numbers, numbers for specific emergency services vary by state and locality, so inquire about the numbers for the local police, ambulance and fire station and keep these handy by the home and office phone (and save them in your mobile phone).

Mexico has recently introduced a national “911” (or in Europe 112, 999) emergency number. (Previously 060 worked in certain regions across in Mexico.) You can ask for the police, an ambulance or the fire brigade on this number.

Private insurance companies supply their own emergency contact numbers to policy holders and, depending on the insurer and the plan, some services will connect you to an English-speaking operator for assistance.

If you have a serious medical emergency a Medical Evacuation plan can help you get home to your own doctors, hospitals and be close to your family for recovery.

Mexico’s Social Security System

Mexico’s social security system is called the Instituto Mexicano de Seguro Social, often abbreviated as just IMSS.

Mexico’s Social Security System is free at the point of delivery for Mexicans as well as foreign nationals with residency status who are in full-time employment by a company registered in the IMSS system (payroll taxes cover healthcare – see below). Foreigners resident in Mexico who are not working (e.g. retirees) or not working for company enrolled in IMSS may elect to purchase the IMSS health insurance separately for a modest monthly fee.

See: How to Access the Mexican Healthcare System (IMSS)

Employees of Mexican companies (including foreign employees) pay a percentage of their salary each month to the service, which entitles them to access the healthcare system and also provides insurance cover for their salary in case accident or ill-health prevents them from working. The payroll tax that covers healthcare is pay-able regardless of whether you pay into private insurance plan(s) separately.

The level of care delivered by the IMSS depends, in part, on where in Mexico you live: big cities have more resources but more people seeking them; villages and small towns have less people and also considerably less IMSS resources and expertise at their disposal.

Note: U.S. Medicare is not available in Mexico.

Seguro Popular

Seguro Popular was a nation-wide medical care program designed as a safety net to cover citizens who are not enrolled or otherwise covered by the IMSS.  It was replaced by INSABI in January 2020 (see next section).

INSABI

INSABI is the replacement program for Seguro Popular.  It’s an acronym for Instituto de Salud para el Bienestar and was introduced in January, 2020.

The service is intended to ensure that all Mexicans, regardless of their socio-economic status, have access to some medical care. INSABI is intended to cover  Mexicans who are not in formal employment (and thus not covered by IMSS) and who cannot afford the voluntary IMSS subscriptions.

Private Health Insurance in Mexico

Mexico has a wide range of insurance companies that, for a monthly premium, will provide you with private health coverage. In the event that you or a member of your immediate family are taken ill or suffer an accident, the insurance company will cover the medical fees.

How much is covered depends on what health care plan you choose to buy. The more cover you need, and the older you are, the more expensive the premiums and/or deductibles will become. Other factors (such as whether you smoke or take regular exercise at a gym) may also influence the price of your premiums.

Most large companies provide a health care plan as part of their remuneration package. If you don’t work for a company that offers health insurance, or you are retired in Mexico, then a private plan is another other option. You should shop around for the best deal and find a plan that matches your individual circumstances, potential needs, and budget.

Private health insurance policies are crafted to the individual situation of the person, couple, or family, and premiums depend on things like your age, term of coverage, coverages included, and the deductible you are willing to pay in the event of a claim.

Although legal foreign residents with Residente Temporal or Residente Permanente can apply for Mexico’s IMSS health insurance on a voluntary basis (you don’t have to be employed here to access it), most foreign residents who can afford to do so will take out a private medical insurance plan that covers their personal needs and gives them direct access to private doctors, clinics and hospitals in Mexico.  Visitors in Mexico under the auspice of a visitor visa (FMM) are not eligible for IMSS health insurance.

Doctors in Mexico

Mexico has many fine doctors and many also speak good English.

If you are in need of an English-speaking doctor in Mexico you may contact your local consulate as they usually keep a list of local doctors at hand. Also asks friends, neighbors and work colleagues for recommendations of good local doctors.

If you are visiting Mexico for leisure, ask your hotel or resort to call a doctor if you need one.

Searching on Google from your location-enabled smartphone will also provide you with a list of local doctors and clinics and some might also have reviews listed.

Your insurance company may also provide a list of doctors and, even, may have a list of approved doctors you may contact as part of your insurance cover.

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Dentists in Mexico

Mexico is well-served by highly qualified and professional dentists.

A large number of Americans travel south of the border every year to have dentistry work undertaken here, as they can have excellent work done for a fraction of the cost USA.

As with doctors and other medical professionals, word-of-mouth recommendations are ideal: ask friends, neighbors or work colleagues if they know of a good dentist locally.  If you are visiting Mexico, ask your hotel for a recommendation.

If you are insured for dental treatment, your insurance company may have a list of local dentists that you may contact for treatment.

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Opticians in Mexico

Mexico is awash with opticians and you should have no trouble finding someone to test your eyesight in most of Mexico’s larger towns and cities.

Most of the opticians you’ll find in Mexico are franchises which offer a complete eye-treatment service: from eye exams through to supplying glasses and contact lenses.

You will also be able to find local, independent, opticians some of which have been practicing for years and have a great deal of experience.

Eye Examinations: Eye exams are usually free provided that you purchase eye glasses or contact lenses, if you need them, at the same place. The quality of eye exams varies and you should try and select an optician that offers you experienced eye doctors and modern testing equipment.

Eye Glasses and Frames: If you need your eye-sight corrected, you’ll have an enormous choice of glasses, frames, designer frames and frame styles to choose from. Frames and glasses are relatively expensive in Mexico, especially if you want brand-name designer frames.

Contact Lenses: Contact lenses are widely available in Mexico, including the monthly disposables. Daily disposables are available in fewer places and may need to be pre-ordered for later pick-up. Some of the larger Sanborns Stores stock a wide range of daily disposal lenses which they sell over-the-counter. Although contact lenses are available over the counter without a prescription, you should have ‘contact lens eye test’ undertaken annually when you wear contact lenses as the optician will check for infections or other issues which may arise with the use of contact lenses.

Laser Treatment: Laser Eye Treatment is available in Mexico. Talk to your eye doctor or optician about this. Prices for treatment have fallen in recent years although prices here compare favorably with equivalent treatments in the US and Europe.

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Hospitals and Clinics in Mexico

Mexico’s best hospitals and clinics are based in Mexico City, Guadalajara and Monterrey. If you are seeking specialist hospital treatment in Mexico you will probably have to travel to one of these cities.

Your insurance company may give you a list of hospitals you may make use of in Mexico or, if you have an open choice, then your local consulate will be able to provide you with a list of hospitals and clinics in the local area. Also talk with friends, colleagues or neighbors to ask them about local hospitals and clinics they may recommend.

Note that private hospital and clinical treatments are expensive in Mexico. You will need to have proof of private medical insurance or present a credit card with sufficient credit to cover several thousand dollars worth of treatment when you are admitted. Even if you have medical insurance, the hospital may still request a credit card imprint while the insurance policy and its details are confirmed; it can take up to 24 hours for this to happen.

In recent years, there has been a significant increase in the investment of private clinics and hospitals in Mexico, especially in areas popular with tourists and foreign residents, particularly retirees. For example, a new medical center in Merida has been receiving extremely good reviews from retirees in the area: the center was built, in part, to provide services to the increasing number of foreign retirees living in that region.

The doctors, nurses and specialist healthcare professionals working at Mexico’s private hospitals are exceptionally well trained and usually have access to the latest equipment, technologies and medicines. Although wealthy individuals still travel to the USA for some types of very specialist treatments (for example, Houston Texas is renown for it’s world excellence in cancer treatments), you can expect very high levels of healthcare and attention at Mexico’s private hospitals and clinics.

For a complete guide to private hospitals in Mexico, go to the website of the Association for National Private Hospitals in Mexico for a list and links to the individual hospital websites.

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Medical Evacuation from Mexico

While Mexico offers patients an ample choice of quality medical care facilities in-country, there are times when a Medical Evacuation may be necessary or preferable to medical treatment locally.

Medical evacuation is typically undertaken when people have a catastrophic illness or accidents, primarily cardiac events, strokes, or serious injuries and vehicle accidents. Patients might also be medically evacuated when they need a transport to a specialty hospital or when their medical condition has been stabilized locally, but ongoing care  is best undertaken at a medical facility near to family back home or where their primary healthcare plan can cover such care.

It’s worth bearing in mind that commercial airlines will not fly passengers who are in a severe medical state, so it’s false to presume that, in the event of an incident that leaves you or a family member in a medically-acute situation, you’ll be able to be flown home on a regular flight.

Read our comprehensive Guide to Medical Evacuation from Mexico for full details about what it is, who needs it, and how to arrange coverage for your stay in Mexico.

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Pharmacies and Medications in Mexico

Pharmacies are ubiquitous across Mexico; even the small towns have one. You’ll always be able to find a 24/7 pharmacy somewhere locally in Mexico.

Before July 2010, you could buy almost any medications you ask for over the counter in Mexico—including a full range of antibiotics and powerful pain-killers that would only be available on prescription in the USA, Canada and Europe. Today, high-powered pain killers and antibiotics require a prescription from doctor before they will be dispensed by pharmacists. Contact a doctor in Mexico if you need to purchase these (now) controlled substances.

Because of the high cost of medications in the USA, many Americans are crossing the border into Mexico to buy their medicines. Some may be buying brand-names at discount prices; others may be purchasing generic brand medications.

A concept of ‘discount medications’ has gained popularity in Mexico during recent times, principally through the rise of companies like ‘Farmacias Similares‘—a pharmacy franchise which offers generic drug alternatives to brand-name drugs. The issue with generic drugs on the cheap is that their precise source may be unclear.

The Guardian, a UK-based daily newspaper, published an article about over-the-counter medication in under-regulated environments like India and Mexico. The article highlights some of the risks involved with self-prescription and, in particular, generic (possibly counterfeit) medications.

Even brand-name medications in Mexico usually cost less (not always) than they do in the US and Europe, so buying the ‘real thing’ when you do have to take medications in Mexico may not cost you much more (your insurance policy might cover the costs anyway) and will mitigate the risks of generic or deep-discount medications.

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Register of Births and Deaths in Mexico

Each State in Mexico has its own official register of Births, Marriages and Deaths. In Spanish it’s called the Registro Civil.

By law, all Births, Marriages and Deaths in Mexico must be registered with the Mexican authorities. Additionally, if you are not Mexican and your children are born in Mexico you may want to register the birth with your local consulate. Deaths of foreign nationals in Mexico may also be registered with the deceased’s corresponding consulate.

See Also: Guide to Society and Culture in Mexico

Civil Registry Offices in Mexico

Each State in Mexico has its official registry office.

Download this Directory of Civil Registry Offices in Mexico (PDF) for a list of states and the corresponding details including a link to the State’s official web site.

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General Health Precautions

When you first arrive to live in Mexico, you are likely to encounter a settling-in period in regard to your general health. Here are some pointers and links that may be helpful:

Getting Used to Higher Altitudes in Mexico: If you are not used to living at high altitude, and go to live in Mexico City, Guadalajara or one of Mexico’s colonial cities, it will take some time to adjust to the thinner air. It’s quite normal to feel more tired than usual, and you might also experience some headaches as your body adjusts to its new environment. Read the Blog, Breathing Easy in Mexico, for more details.

Getting Used to the Food and Drink: It may take you a while to adjust to the local food and drink in Mexico. Depending on what type of foods you are accustomed to eating, you may experience some intestinal discomfort, diarrhea, etc. as your regular diet changes and your body becomes accustomed to Mexican food.

Street Food in Mexico: Street food (including food sold at market stalls) can be quite tempting and is also a way that you can taste authentic Mexican cooking as the locals eat it. If you are living in Mexico, it may become one of the regular options for your daily meals. You should exercise care in selecting what street vendors you buy from, and what you eat there, because most likely your body will need to go through a period of adjustment as it’s exposed to new bacteria. Choose places that come recommended by other people as having hygienic standards and where the food is always fresh. Be especially cautious with water-based drinks, and fruit drinks prepared with water as its base; ask for an alternative prepared with milk or pure fruit juices, or if you really would like to taste a water-based drink, ask the vendor to prepare it with bottled water. Some people come to Mexico and eat street food, never suffering much more than an occasional upset stomach (if at all); it depends on your body’s digestive system, immunity, and how courageous you are with your eating habits!

Common Health Ailments in Mexico: For a good overview of general health in Mexico, including travel health matters, read the Mexico Travel Health Guide in the Mexico Essentials section on Mexperience.

See Also: Blog Articles about Healthcare in Mexico