Mexican Health Care is Quite Good and Very Affordable

Every medium and large city in Mexico has at least one first-rate hospital. And a big plus is that the cost of healthcare in Mexico is generally half or less than what you might expect to pay in the US. The same goes for prescription drugs. Prescription drugs manufactured in Mexico cost, on average, about 30% to 60% less than the same drugs in the US.

Indeed, healthcare in Mexico is good news for ex-pats and future ex-pats. That said, the medical care system is entirely different from what we have experienced in the US, so be prepared to go through a learning curve to participate in and negotiate the system. The primary difference and one that is usually quite obvious is that the care system is not profit-driven. Any decisions made about your care and well-being are not guided by any profit motive. In fact, you will be surprised that Doctors take plenty of time with you, and in fact, many will still perform house visits for patients.

Mexico’s national healthcare system consists of two primary paths. The IMSS system is part of the national Social Security process and was implemented for employees across the country. Employees and employers are both mandated to contribute to the IMSS plan every month (like FICA and SDI), and those funds are augmented by funds from the Federal Government.

Ex-pats who hold either Temporary or Permanent residency status, are also permitted to apply for the IMSS program under the voluntary participation process. You may begin the application process online or by visiting a local IMSS office in your community. Be prepared to negotiate this unfamiliar process in Spanish, filling out multiple forms. Those not fluent in Spanish are advised to bring an interpreter to assist and don’t be surprised if it takes multiple visits to complete the registration process.

Currently, participation costs about $40 per month, per person which is more good news, for sure. The bad news is that many pre-existing conditions will prohibit you from participating in the IMSS program. Such conditions include but are not limited to cancer, diabetes, heart disease, and addictions. Exclusions can be found here. Other pre-existing conditions may permit enrollment after a waiting period. Nearly all treatment is provided at no cost, including medications in the IMSS program.

The second option for participating in Mexico’s national healthcare program is Seguro Popular. Seguro Popular was established to provide for those who are not able to participate in the IMSS program for financial reasons and for those with pre-existing conditions, thereby ensuring medical coverage for all legal residents.

Seguro Popular is an entirely different system from IMSS and has its own set of rules and procedures, as well as its own clinics and participating hospitals throughout Mexico. While the IMSS Program is mandated for employees and employers´ participation (as well as those who voluntarily participate), Seguro Popular accepts all who apply without concern for pre-existing conditions or ability to pay. This encompasses the unemployed and chronically ill. Again, ex-pats holding either Permanent or Temporary residency may also apply.

The Seguro Popular application process is completed by the “head of the household” who can register his/her entire family for the program. To register for Seguro Popular, locate the Affiliation Office in your community and determine what documents will be needed for your family´s registration. This one scouting trip may save multiple return trips while applying.

Annual fees are charged based on income and range from $0 to $500 annually per family. Again, this system almost always includes free medication; however, supplies may be limited.

Another way that ex-pats can manage their medical care is to purchase a private medical insurance policy and/or medical evacuation insurance. The internet is a useful resource for exploring those two options.

Finally, ex-pats may choose to self-insure by paying out-of-pocket for all routine expenses while maintaining funds or a credit card balance sufficient to handle medical emergencies. This is the most flexible but also most likely to be the most costly.

Mexico’s hospital system is a mix of government-operated hospitals and clinics in conjunction with private hospitals. Typically all providers will quote the cost of treatment in advance so there will be no surprise huge bills; however, costs must be paid before leaving the hospital. For elective procedures, payment is generally paid upfront. Surgeries and procedures generally cost about 30% of what the cost would be in the US.

Many doctors speak English as they have often undertaken some significant training in the States. The quality of care is generally excellent. The one area of notable difference is in hospital nursing care – in the government hospitals, friends and family are expected to provide general bedside care, including meals. The professional nursing staff is light. Modern equipment is plentiful in bigger cities, and such things as cardiac and brain surgery are routine procedures with good results. In fact, Mexico now has a thriving medical tourism business because the cost of surgical procedures is usually around 30% of the cost for the same procedure in the US. Private hospitals usually provide a nursing experience more like what we are accustomed to in the US.

Here are some examples of the typical fees charged for services in Mexico if paid out-of-pocket. These are just example, and actual prices will vary according to location and your particular medical needs:

Treatment Type | Price US $

Routine Doctor Visit $12 to $15

Routine Dental Exam $25 to $50

Specialist Exam $40 to $50

Complete Blood Work $50 to $80

X-Ray $24 to $30

MRI $300 to $500

Dental Cleaning $30 to $35

Standard Filling $45 to $50

Dental Extraction $50 to $55

Single Implant $700 to $900

Crown $400 to $450

Dentures $350