Alyssa Lane
Mexico has achieved universal health coverage, with a public healthcare system that is used by most Mexican residents. The country's public healthcare operates through two systems: the Instituto Mexicano de Seguro Social (IMSS) and the Instituto de Salud para el Bienestar (INSABI), which replaced Seguro Popular in 2020. The former is a public healthcare insurance program that offers health and medical services to both Mexicans and expats living in Mexico, while the latter is a government agency that delivers health services to Mexicans not protected by the Mexican Social Security Institute (IMSS) or the Institute for Social Security and Services for State Workers (ISSSTE). Both systems have their advantages and disadvantages, and it is important for individuals to carefully consider their options before choosing a healthcare plan.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type of Insurance | Public |
| Administering Body | Instituto Mexicano de Seguro Social (IMSS) |
| Coverage | Primary care, hospital expenses, surgery, secondary care, and medication |
| Cost | Funded by a combination of the Federal government, employer and employee payroll taxes, and individual contributions |
| Availability | Available to Mexican citizens or legal foreign residents with temporary or permanent residency status |
| Waiting Period | 4 weeks |
| Exclusions | Eye care, dental, elective surgeries, infertility treatments, treatments for self-inflicted injuries, medical evacuation from Mexico, pre-existing conditions |
| Language of Services | Spanish |
| Alternative Options | Private health insurance, INSABI (Instituto de Salud para el Bienestar), Seguro Popular |
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What You'll Learn
IMSS and voluntary enrolment
Mexico operates a public healthcare program run by the Instituto Mexicano de Seguro Social (IMSS) that provides defined healthcare services to payroll employees as well as others who voluntarily enrol in the system. The service is formally called Seguro de Salud Para La Familia but colloquially it’s referred to as "el IMSS". 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.
Voluntary enrolment is open to those not in formal employment and those who wish to enrol on a voluntary basis, for example, foreign residents who are retired in Mexico. Non-Mexicans who wish to enrol 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. The fee for annual enrolment depends on your age. By way of example, a person in their 60s currently pays $18,300 pesos per year. A retired couple both in their 60s would pay about $37,000 Mexican pesos per year for IMSS insurance coverage in Mexico.
To enrol voluntarily as an expat, you must either have temporary or permanent residency status to apply for IMSS, the public health insurance system in Mexico. To receive benefits under the IMSS program, you must contribute for at least four weeks. After four weeks, you will receive coverage for primary care, hospital expenses, surgery, secondary care, and medication. The IMSS pays a portion of your salary if an illness or accident prevents you from working. These payments last a maximum duration of 52 weeks.
Everyone enrolled in the IMSS program receives full coverage (with prescriptions included) except for dental, preventive, and maternity care. As an expat, relying only on the IMSS is ill-advised. Private hospitals and clinics provide modern medical facilities and healthcare services as compared to the government or public hospitals in Mexico. Natives and expats also opt for private health insurance in Mexico. Private health insurance in Mexico is beneficial in rural Mexican areas, where public healthcare services are basic. Private health insurance helps you gain access to the private network of hospitals and clinics that offer shorter waiting times, better infrastructure, English-speaking medical staff, and specialized services customized to specific needs.
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IMSS and private insurance
Mexico operates a public healthcare program called Seguro de Salud Para La Familia, commonly known as IMSS (Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social). This program provides defined healthcare services to payroll employees and others who voluntarily enroll. The service is funded by the Federal government, employer and employee payroll taxes, and individual contributions.
IMSS covers hospital expenses, primary care, secondary care, surgery, and medication. However, it does not cover dental, eye care, elective surgeries, infertility treatments, or treatments for self-inflicted injuries. Additionally, IMSS does not provide medical evacuation from Mexico, and there are waiting periods for non-emergency procedures.
Private health insurance in Mexico offers access to a private network of hospitals and clinics with shorter waiting times, better infrastructure, English-speaking medical staff, and specialized services. It is beneficial in rural areas where public healthcare services may be basic. Private insurance is also more comprehensive, often including coverage for dental, vision, and emergency transportation to your home country.
Expats in Mexico can choose between IMSS and private health insurance. While IMSS is more affordable, it may not meet the standards of healthcare that expats are accustomed to. Private insurance, on the other hand, can be surprisingly affordable for the significant increase in the quality of care provided. It is important to note that private hospitals in Mexico do not accept foreign health insurance.
Therefore, for expats residing in Mexico, a combination of IMSS and private international health insurance may be the best option. IMSS can provide basic coverage, while private insurance can offer additional benefits and services that better meet their specific needs and expectations.
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IMSS and public hospitals
Mexico operates a public healthcare program run by the Instituto Mexicano de Seguro Social (IMSS) that provides defined healthcare services to payroll employees as well as others who voluntarily enroll in the system. The service is formally called Seguro de Salud Para La Familia but colloquially it’s always referred to as “el IMSS”. The IMSS healthcare service is funded by a combination of the Federal government, employer and employee payroll taxes, and individual contributions. 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. Expats are automatically enrolled in the IMSS program by their employers.
The second way to enroll in the IMSS program is by voluntary enrollment, which is open to those not in formal employment and those who wish to enroll voluntarily. Non-Mexicans 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. To receive benefits under the IMSS program, one must contribute for at least four weeks. After four weeks, one will receive coverage for primary care, hospital expenses, surgery, secondary care, and medication. The IMSS pays a portion of one's salary if an illness or accident prevents one from working. These payments last a maximum duration of 52 weeks.
Everyone enrolled in the IMSS program receives full coverage (with prescriptions included) except for dental, preventive, and maternity care. As an expat, if you are looking to have more comprehensive coverage, then relying only on the IMSS is ill-advised. Private hospitals and clinics provide modern medical facilities and healthcare services as compared to the government or public hospitals in Mexico. Private health insurance in Mexico is beneficial in rural Mexican areas, where public healthcare services are basic. Private health insurance helps you gain access to the private network of hospitals and clinics that offer shorter waiting times, better infrastructure, English-speaking medical staff, and specialized services customized to specific needs.
Public hospitals and clinics may also lack bilingual or multilingual doctors, which can be incredibly problematic for non-Spanish speakers. Private health insurance for expats in Mexico makes up for higher premiums by offering a greater range of coverage areas such as dental and vision care. The higher quality of care and freedom to choose specific doctors are also beneficial for non-Spanish-speaking expats seeking treatment in Mexico. Due to potentially long waiting times and crowded public hospitals, investing in an additional private health insurance policy is strongly recommended.
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Seguro Popular and INSABI
Seguro Popular was a nationwide medical care program in Mexico that offered health services to those who did not have social security. It was replaced by INSABI in 2020.
The Instituto de Salud para el Bienestar (INSABI) or the Institute of Health for Well-Being is a Mexican government agency that delivers health services to Mexicans who are not protected by the Institute for Social Security and Services for State Workers (ISSSTE) or the Mexican Social Security Institute (IMSS). INSABI aims to provide quality healthcare to everyone residing in Mexico who is not covered by employment-based systems. It offers coverage to Mexicans who are not formally employed, provides services and medicines free of cost, and covers all conditions irrespective of the patient’s socio-economic status.
The Mexican Social Security Institute, commonly known as IMSS, is a public healthcare insurance program that offers health and medical services to both Mexicans and expats living in Mexico. Expats are automatically enrolled in the IMSS program by their employers. Those who are not formally employed or who are self-employed can voluntarily enroll in the IMSS program.
While IMSS provides full coverage, including prescriptions, it does not cover eye care, dental, elective surgeries, infertility treatments, or treatments for self-inflicted injuries. There are also waiting periods for non-emergency procedures, and IMSS members who are employed are given priority over those who enrolled independently.
Both Seguro Popular and INSABI aim to provide healthcare to those who are not covered by IMSS or ISSSTE. However, unlike Seguro Popular, INSABI is an institute that has its own clinics and installations. Additionally, while Seguro Popular required people to voluntarily enroll, INSABI does not require people to enroll and go through a bureaucratic process.
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INSABI and expats
INSABI, or Instituto de Salud para el Bienestar, is a free healthcare program for Mexican citizens who have no social security. It replaced Seguro Popular in 2020. While INSABI is open to expats, it is not recommended as their primary healthcare option. This is because INSABI does not cover the cost of treatment for more serious or specialized conditions, and there are long waiting periods for appointments.
Expats who are 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. Expats who are not formally employed, or who are self-employed, can voluntarily enroll in the IMSS program. However, to enroll voluntarily, expats must have temporary or permanent residency status. After four weeks of contributions, enrollees will receive coverage for primary care, hospital expenses, surgery, secondary care, and medication.
Expats may want to look into purchasing supplemental insurance if they are covered by IMSS but live in a rural area, as public care facilities in these areas are very basic. Private health insurance in Mexico is beneficial in rural areas, as it helps you gain access to the private network of hospitals and clinics that offer shorter waiting times, better infrastructure, English-speaking medical staff, and specialized services customized to specific needs.
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Frequently asked questions
IMSS, or Instituto Mexicano de Seguro Social, is a public healthcare insurance program that offers health and medical services to both Mexican citizens and expats living in Mexico. Seguro Popular, now replaced by INSABI, was a nationwide medical care program.
IMSS covers hospital expenses, primary care, secondary care, surgery, and medication. It does not cover dental, preventive, maternity care, or pre-existing conditions.
If you are employed in the private sector in Mexico, your employer must enrol you in IMSS. If you are not employed, you can enrol voluntarily if you have legal residency status.
