How to Navigate the Health System in Mexico

Mexico's healthcare system is a mix of public and private healthcare options. The public healthcare system is provided by the Mexican Social Security Institute (IMSS) and is available to all Mexican citizens and legal residents. Foreigners (expats and digital nomads) are allowed to use the public healthcare system in Mexico, but it is not widely used by them. People generally recommend using public hospitals for serious medical emergencies and major surgery, but the quality of care can vary greatly. Public hospitals in Mexico are often overcrowded and understaffed, and the quality of care can be lower than in private hospitals.

Mexico's Private Healthcare System

Mexico's private healthcare system is widely used by expats and digital nomads. Private hospitals in Mexico are generally well-equipped and offer a higher quality of care than public hospitals. Private medical care is more expensive than public care, but many expats and digital nomads prefer to use private hospitals for serious medical emergencies and major surgery.

Mexico's Top Hospitals

Mexico has a number of well-known hospitals, both public and private. Some of the most well-known hospitals in Mexico include:

• Hospital Angeles Tijuana (private, located in Tijuana)
• Hospital Angeles Lomas (private, located in Mexico City)
• Hospital ABC Santa Fe (private, located in Mexico City)
• Hospital General de Mexico (public, located in Mexico City)
• Hospital Civil de Guadalajara (public, located in Guadalajara)
• Hospital San Javier (private, located in Monterrey)
• Hospital Angeles Metropolitano (private, located in Monterrey)

Health Insurance Companies in Mexico

The most popular private health insurers in Mexico are Seguro Popular, IMSS, and GNP. Expats and digital nomads typically use these companies or specialized expat health insurance providers.

Insider Tips from Expats in Mexico: How to Navigate the Health System

"I avoid cut-and-drug as much as possible and take responsibility for the key aspects of health: eating wisely and exercising. If I don't do those things, what can anyone do for me? What I do no t like about the government health program that I joined is that doctors have the same reliance on drugs as in the US. I have not had hospital care, but friends who have report excellent care. I would like to start a movement to ban Coca Cola and other diabetes-inducing "foods." And I would like to see more attention paid to use of traditional medicinal plants, which are widely available in Mexico," commented one expat living in Coatepec, Mexico.

"Healthcare is better, quickly available, affordable. For instance, I suffered a severe bacterial infection that required 3 major surgeries and 35 days in hospital. $11,130. !! Doctors treated me 7 days a week, sometimes twice a day, and the care was outstanding. Comparable care in the US would have cost over $400,000.00 and would not have been as good," mentioned one expat living in Mexico.

"Public healthcare here works well here as long as one is patient! There are plenty of inexpensive clinics and laboratories. MRI price start at 150dlls," said an expat in Mexico.

"I had an ear infection and was able to see a nurse at a clinic and to get a prescription immediately, both for very little cost," remarked one expat in Mexico.

"Haven't needed to test it out seriously, but have made inquires and am confident. Needed an antibiotic for a tooth infection. Got it VERY affordably and easily on the sopt. A tooth extraction was $20.00 USD," said one expat living in Mexico.

" It depends on finances and age. If you're a professional moving to Mexico for business reasons, then you'll no doubt be given a private insurance plan. For those still young, private insurance is cheaper than in the USA but still ultimately unaffordable. Those working for public or private sector employers should automatically be enlisted in the IMSS which is our national system free to the user. Roughy equivalent to the UK's NHS, if you need something major it is excellent. For minor problems you may care to go private. Besides the IMSS, if you're not working you can enroll in the govenment's Seguro Popular system which is probably a bit inferior to the IMSS but again will protect you against major events. Next, I recommend paying monthly to subscribe to a private ambulance/outpatient service such as EMME. The price is reasonable and they come quickly with a fully equipped ambulance and medical team. They also have an outpatient walk-in centre open until late. Most pharmacies have an attached doctor available during work hours (sometimes morning only) and you can get a quick consultation either free or at insignificant cost - very useful if you need an antibiotic because these need a prescription now. ," commented one expat living in Monterrey, Mexico.

"Make sure to join the national system and also subscribe to a local emergency ambulance service," mentioned one expat living in Mexico.

"Be sure to have travel insurance... helps to speak Spanish to communicate more freely with the caregivers, however someone there will speak English," said an expat in Mexico.

"Medical care is readily available in our area and we have a very nice private hospital called Hospitan. Another private hospital - not as well equipped - CostaMed. The doctors all speak English and as we have Global Health insurance, we have the option to choose any hospital or doctor we wish. Private hospitals are really the only way to go if you expect the type of facilities and services that you would receive in the United States. As Playa Del Carmen is a smaller community, many times you will need to go to Cancun for specific needs. They have several private hospitals - Galenia, a larger Hospitan. If you have a chronic medical condition you might want to check with either hospital to make sure that the resources you will need are available," remarked one expat in Mexico.

"Although I have met people having care for serious conditions, my experience has only been dental. People I know who had the same procedure done just across the border in San Diego had side effects I did not experience with my Mexican dentist," said one expat living in Mexico.

"Unfortunately, we do not have great options for people with serious issues - like cancer. But diabetes and high blood pressure, although serious, can be cared for here. Our issue in Huatulco is we do not have a private hospital, so we rely mostly on the Red Cross and the Marine Hospital.," commented one expat who moved to Mexico.

"Healthcare services in Mexico are provided by both public and private institutions. The public healthcare system is known as the Mexican Social Security Institute (IMSS) and is funded by the government. It provides basic medical services to Mexican citizens and permanent residents, including preventive care, diagnosis, and treatment. The quality of public healthcare in Mexico is generally considered to be good, although there are some areas where it is lacking. Foreign residents do not have access to the public healthcare system, but they can purchase private health insurance to cover medical expenses. Expats in Mexico typically use private healthcare services, although some may opt to use the public system if they are eligible," said one expat.