Can foreigners get healthcare in Mexico?

Asked by: Madisen Wuckert II  |  Last update: September 6, 2022
Score: 4.4/5 (48 votes)

Health Insurance for Foreign Residents in Mexico
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.

Is healthcare free for foreigners in Mexico?

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.

Can I get free healthcare in Mexico?

Every Mexican citizen is guaranteed no cost access to healthcare and medicine according to the Mexican constitution and made a reality with the “Institute of Health for Well-being”, or INSABI.

How do I get access to healthcare 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.

How much is healthcare in Mexico for expats?

For foreigners living in Mexico, the average cost of a comprehensive health insurance plan is $5,900 per year.

What is Mexico Healthcare Like? - Costs & Medical Insurance

24 related questions found

Can I use my US health insurance in Mexico?

US citizens traveling to Mexico however should know that their domestic US health insurance does not travel south of the border, and they should buy the best travel medical insurance for Mexico.

What happens if you have a medical emergency in Mexico?

You should head to the nearest hospital or clinic if you experience a medical emergency. If you're in a rural area, go to the closest town and find the local police station or hospital.

Is Mexico's healthcare system better than the US?

A study published this year in The Lancet found that Mexico's Healthcare Access and Quality Index rating rose from 49.2 in 1990 to 62.6 in 2015. This 100-point scale is a measure of citizens' access to quality healthcare.

Is Mexico's healthcare system good?

Mexico boasts an impressive and efficient healthcare system consisting of public and private schemes. The majority of Mexican hospitals are excellent and are staffed by highly trained and often English-speaking doctors. However, some nursing and care staff might not speak English.

Is medical care in Mexico good?

Fortunately, you will find, in general, healthcare in Mexico is very good…and in many places it is excellent. Many doctors and dentists in Mexico received at least part of their training in the U.S. (And many U.S. doctors have trained in Mexico, notably in Guadalajara and Mexico City.)

Why is healthcare so cheap in Mexico?

Doctors in Mexico do not purchase malpractice insurance (so there is no incentive for patients to sue for malpractice), thus saving the $4,000-$20,000 in annual malpractice insurance that doctors in the U.S. typically pay.

How much does it cost to see a doctor in Mexico?

One thing that will surprise you about Mexico is that often you can get quicker care by specialists (often trained in the U.S., and who speak English!). A general practitioner may charge from $2.50 to $35 USD for an office visit. A specialist's rates can be $40-60 USD, and you get a full hour of caring attention!

Is healthcare in Mexico expensive?

One of the many benefits of living in Mexico as an expat is the generally excellent level of medical care and the comparatively low cost of healthcare in the country. It is one of the key reasons more and more Americans, Canadians and retirees from other countries are choosing Mexico as a place to live.

Can I buy medical insurance in Mexico?

Health Insurance for Foreign Residents in Mexico

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.

How do the citizens of Mexico pay for healthcare?

Costs of the Mexican Healthcare System

The healthcare system in Mexico is part of the national social security program. It's funded in part by employees and employers who contribute to the IMSS each month. It's further augmented by funding from the federal government, which is raised through general taxation.

Are hospitals good in Mexico?

International Living also said medical facilities in Mexico, including in medium-sized cities, are first-class. Medical technology and treatment for major medical conditions are as well. You can find plenty of first-hand reports on the Internet that attest to the quality of healthcare in Mexico.

Should I go to the doctor in Mexico?

Quality of Medical Care in Mexico

Mexico's medical infrastructure is highly developed. Quality of care is, in general, very high. Doctors will have the same level of education and qualification as they do in the US or Canada. Americans have been traveling across the border for cheaper medical care for decades.

What city in Mexico has the best medical care?

In alliance with the German market and consumer data company Statista, the magazine ranked hospitals in 27 countries for its World's Best Hospitals 2022 index. Médica Sur, located in the borough of Tlalpan, ranked No. 1 in Mexico with a score of 94.37.

What happens if I need to go to the hospital in Mexico?

If it's an emergency, you can call 911—same as in the United States. Ambulances in Mexico are typically private companies, and you may even have several ambulances arrive to try and compete for your business. Be warned that you may have to pay for them on arrival, privately owned ambulances aren't free.

Does Medicare cover me in Mexico?

The simple answer is no. Medicare is only available to citizens and permanent residents of the USA who are residing in the USA. Some exceptions when Medicare may cover your expenses in a foreign country include; If you have a medical emergency and the foreign hospital is closer than the nearest US hospital.

How much is an ambulance ride in Mexico?

These fees usually range from US$25,000 to US$60,000 for a dedicated air-ambulance to transport you from Mexico back to the US or Canada, and more if your home country is in Europe or Asia.

Do you have to pay for hospital in Mexico?

Translating Your Medical Bill

One thing you probably won't think about if you're looking into medical care in Mexico is your hospital bill. Especially if you specifically chose a place because you found an English speaking doctor. Expect the hospital to give you a bill in Spanish.

Is America safer than Mexico?

1. Mexico may be more dangerous than the US overall, but not for Americans. According to FBI crime statistics, 4.8 Americans per 100,000 were murdered in the US in 2010.

Can I go to Mexico for medical reasons?

Medical tourists from the United States commonly travel to Mexico and Canada, as well as countries in Central America, South America, and the Caribbean. People may travel to another country to get health care for many reasons, including: Cost: To get treatment or a procedure that may be cheaper in another country.

How many Americans go to Mexico for medical treatment?

Jacob Pope, Chief Operating Officer of Medical Departures says medical departures account for about 15% of total U.S. outbound business, and sends 100,000 or more Americans each year to Mexico alone. He estimates that roughly 780,000 Americans in total went abroad for healthcare in the prepandemic year of 2019.