How much is healthcare in Mexico for expats?

Asked by: Johann Bayer  |  Last update: August 5, 2023
Score: 4.7/5 (64 votes)

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

Is healthcare free for expats in Mexico?

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

Can foreigners get healthcare 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 much does private insurance cost in Mexico?

How much does healthcare insurance cost in Mexico? An IMSS coverage can cost around US$400 per year. The cost of private insurance can vary, but on an average it cost around US$1,700 per year.

Is health insurance affordable in Mexico?

In Mexico, healthcare is much more available and far more affordable. So many people end up in better health after moving to Mexico because the doctors in Mexico genuinely care about your overall health.

What is Mexico Healthcare Like? - Costs & Medical Insurance

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How expensive is medical care in Mexico?

The costs will vary depending on the type of medical insurance, level of cover, the number of family members covered, among other factors. Just as an estimate, the average cost is around 38,000 MXN (1,700 USD) a year, with a deductible of approximately 11,000 MXN (5,000 USD).

Is healthcare expensive in Mexico?

Healthcare in Mexico has the reputation to be excellent whilst being affordable compared to other countries. To give an idea, costs are estimated to be 25 to 30% lower than in the United States. This makes Mexico a destination of choice for medical tourism.

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.

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?

What to Do If You Have a Life-Threatening Medical Emergency. Obviously, if you have a life-threatening emergency, your best bet is to leave Mexico and return to the United States at once. In order to do this, you likely need to procure the service of an air ambulance company like AirEvac International.

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.

Is medical care in Mexico good?

The World Health Organization noted that the overall efficiency of Mexico's publicly-funded healthcare system ranked well below the developed world. Mexico ranked #61 compared to first place France. Spain ranked #7, the UK #18, Canada #30 and the U.S. #37.

How much do you need to retire comfortably in Mexico?

A retired couple can expect to retire comfortably in Mexico with an average income of about $2,500 a month, or $30,000 a year, according to InternationalLiving.com. These figures include the cost of a house, a maid service, utilities, groceries, entertainment, health insurance and more.

Does Mexico require Covid insurance?

Travel insurance is not currently required for all of Mexico. However, travel insurance with medical coverage is required for visitors to Puerto Vallarta and Riviera Nayarit. This insurance is to protect travelers against any unforeseen medical event, including those derived from COVID-19 contagion.

Are hospitals good in Mexico?

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. Mexico has achieved universal health coverage and its public healthcare is used by most Mexican residents.

Where is the best healthcare in Mexico?

The very best hospitals in Mexico are in Guadalajara, Mexico City, and Monterrey, which means if you need very specialized treatment, you might want to go there.

Is Mexican healthcare free?

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.

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.

Does Mexico tax US Social Security?

US Citizens Working in Mexico: Taxes for Social Security

For US citizens working in Mexico, taxes for social security should be paid, but it may take a Mexican expert to go over the details of the arrangement and determine to which country social security taxes should be paid.

Can I collect Social Security and live in Mexico?

If you are a U.S. citizen and qualify for Social Security retirement, family, survivor or disability benefits, you can receive your payments while living in most other countries.

Does Mexico tax US retirement income?

U.S. taxes when retiring in Mexico

You still pay taxes when retiring abroad. If you retire in Mexico, you will still file a tax return and report income just as you would if you retired in the U.S.

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.

Is it cheaper to go to the doctor in Mexico?

The cost of medical care in Mexico is up to 75% cheaper than that of the US. It offers far less expensive rates for everything from dental work to bariatric surgery.

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.