How does healthcare insurance for expats in Mexico work? It’s not complicated to find out if you’re covered with your current plan or to become insured with a new, international plan. Be sure you have the appropriate health insurance when you travel to Mexico.  Whether you are a retiree, world traveler, student or expat you should be sure to have adequate medical coverage for your time away from home. And depending on your Mexican residency status, you might be able to use the Mexican health care system.  Read on to know more about Health Insurance for Expats in Mexico.

Start With Your Current Insurance Provider

The first step is to contact your current insurance provider. Let them know where you are going and how long you will be gone. Ask them if they can cover you during your travels and what that specific coverage will include or exclude. Be sure to ask about repatriation in case you need to get home or to a distant hospital fast. 

Also, be sure to ask what the process is for submitting claims so there are no surprises down the road and so that you are ready in case the need arises.

Private International Insurance Plans

If you need to find a private international insurance plan, there are many to choose from and there are organizations that can help you find and manage the best plan for your situation. Below is a short list of companies with international plans for health insurance for expats in Mexico. We don’t recommend a particular one as each is appropriate for individual needs. You will want to explore these and others based on your needs.

https://www.expatassure.com/mexico/ 

http://amexcare.com 

https://www.aetnainternational.com/en/index.html 

Https://www.bupaglobal.com 

https://www.cignaglobal.com 

You will want to be sure your international health insurance plan can also follow you to other countries outside of Mexico. A Mexican health insurance plan is usually only valid locally. 

Ask Questions

Whether you are in Huatulco, Merida or anywhere else in Mexico, ask the medical facility you are visiting if they will accept your insurance. Some will and some won’t. 

For example, Merida is an expanding community and several of their facilities accept foreign insurance. This is also true in Huatulco. 

One such hospital that accepts nearly all insurances is Hospital Faro del Mayab in Merida. It is the newest specialty hospital in Merida and has over 200 doctors and specialists. Many of their doctors are fluent in English and other languages. 

Hospital Faro del Mayab works with Amexcare to process insurance claims. Amexcare is one of the foreign claims companies that assists travelers as well as national citizens who have foreign insurance policies (such as a Mexican national: someone who lives in Mexico part of the year but has a U.S. health insurance policy). 

Amexcare also works with other Merida hospitals: Hospital CEM Centro de Especialidades Médicas del Sureste, Onkort, and the newest EME RED Hospital. These same Merida hospitals will work with almost all foreign insurances.  

In sum, you may or may not need to go through a claims service like Amexcare. Many hospitals in Mexico will accept your international insurance. If they don’t work with your insurance directly, you will need to go through a claims service. 

But What About Healthcare Quality?

Medical care and specialists cost significantly less in Mexico. The quality of care is high, and facilities are modern. Many Mexican doctors have trained in Canada and the U.S. 

Prescriptions are also a fraction of the cost as in the States and are high quality (generics here meet high quality standards).  

Community expat sites and Facebook groups are excellent places to find specific information about local doctors, pharmacies, and costs. 

Long term care, which is expensive in Canada and the United States, can easily be arranged locally with negotiable pricing. Doctors, nurses, and other medical personnel will come to your home or hotel. See our article on arranging at home support.

What About Mexican Public Insurance Plans?

If you have Mexican residency, the medical plans you might qualify for are INSABI (formerly Seguro Popular) which is for temporary or permanent residents; or IMSS (Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social) which is for employed people. 

The main downside to the Mexican plans is that you are not normally able to choose your own doctor and the coverage does not extend abroad, to the private sector, or for your home country. International private health insurance is the best option. 

Check the Cedula

Finally, to ensure the medical person you are using has legal professional status they must have a Cedula, or their registration number for practicing in Mexico. You can ask for their Cedula number and check it on-line at either http://www.cedulaprofesional.sep.gob.mx/cedula/indexAvanzada.action or http://www.buholegal.com/consultasep/ 

In conclusion, it is wise to do some easy homework before you relocate or travel to Mexico. Be informed and carry the names and contact information you might need. Keep your emergency and embassy contacts handy. Canadian Embassy. U.S. Embassy. Emergencies are difficult and can be scary so if you have a system in place, you will be prepared.