Healthcare in Mexico | Health Insurance in Mexico | Allianz (2024)

FAQs

How does Mexico health insurance work? ›

Public healthcare system in Mexico

Those employed in Mexico are automatically enrolled in the IMSS system and their contribution to the scheme is deducted from their salary. Those who are not formally employed may voluntarily enrol in the IMSS system, in which case they will have to pay an annual contribution fee.

Overall, the healthcare system in Mexico offers good standards and operates efficiently. Healthcare is affordable and large cities, in particular, have superb hospitals and clinics. A large number of Mexican doctors go to medical school or do extra training in the United States or Europe.

Currently, 2.3% of the population is insured through the private sector while over 32 million Mexicans (26.5%) have no access to any form of healthcare.

It is largely characterized by a special combination of coverage mainly based on the employment status of the people. 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.

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.

Mexico coverage refers to (1) the coverage provided under certain nonstandard automobile policies issued by US insurers for operation of an insured motor vehicle within Mexico, usually limited to a stated number of miles from the US border.

Mexico's healthcare system is underfunded and inadequately organized to meet the needs of its population in light of increasing longevity and the growing challenges created by the prevalence of noncommunicable diseases such as diabetes, obesity, heart disease, and cancer.

A 2020 research paper that surveyed some 427 Americans crossing the U.S.-Mexico border in California for medical services found that most of the respondents "felt that Mexican health care services are of the same or better quality compared with those in the United States, for a lower cost."

The major health concern in Mexico is Obesity. In Mexico, 32.4% of the population is obese, making it the country with the 2nd highest prevalence of obesity, behind the US. The country also has the highest prevalence of diabetes in the OECD, with 15.9% of the population having diabetes.

How does Mexico pay for healthcare? ›

Health insurance in Mexico

Formal sector employees are enrolled by law in the Mexican National Social Security (IMSS, for its acronym in Spanish), at the federal level. This social security is financed by employer and employee payroll taxes by legal mandate and by the government.

The share of people considered vulnerable due to a lack of access to health services in Mexico amounted to more than one third of the country's population in 2022. In that year, it was estimated that 39.1 percent of the Mexican population suffered vulnerabilities for this reason.

Do Mexican hospitals accept USA coverage? USA health insurance coverage is not accepted in private hospitals of Mexico. The same is applicable for Medicare as well. Unless you have a USA health plan that covers healthcare in Mexico, you will have to pay out-of-pocket for availing medical services.

Average cost of a doctor's visit

A trip to the doctor's office will run you roughly the same amount as a trip to the emergency room -- about 400 pesos (US$20). It's worth noting an added perk, however, which is that doctors making house calls is relatively common in some parts of the country.

Mexico was ranked #61 in the 2020 Global Healthcare Quality and Access rankings. In Mexico, government spending on healthcare comprised 51.3% of total healthcare spending in 2018. Mexico had a density of 2.43 doctors per 1000 population in 2017. The life expectancy at birth in Mexico was 74.6 years in 2018.

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. Who is covered by the public health insurance? People who are formally employed in Mexico are given IMSS coverage.

No, U.S. auto insurance policies aren't valid in Mexico.

Remember that healthcare in Mexico isn't free, and medical cover would be necessary if you were to get hurt or fall ill. Check whether your insurer can pay your medical expenses for you or whether you will need to pay upfront and be reimbursed at a later date.

Healthcare System in Mexico

The services offered by IMSS are free of charge for its beneficiaries. For temporary residents and tourists, private healthcare is available in Mexico. There are many private hospitals and clinics that offer high-quality medical services.