15 Expats Talk about Health Insurance and Healthcare 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," commented one expat who moved to Puerto Vallarta.

" 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. ," said one expat.

"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," remarked one expat in Coatepec.

"Medical services in Mexico vary depending on the region. Generally, the country has a wide range of medical facilities, including public and private hospitals, clinics, and medical centers. Many of these facilities offer quality care and modern medical technology. In addition, Mexico has a number of specialized medical centers that provide specialized care for specific conditions. Mexico also has a number of medical tourism destinations, where people from other countries can receive medical care at a lower cost than in their home countries," remarked one expat living in Mexico.

"I only have Medicare part A. It is pretty much useless stateside or elsewhere. For a time I purchase dental insurance but gave it up because it's cost was higher than the cost of the care I received," commented one expat who moved to Tijuana.

"Healthcare and health insurance in Mexico can be expensive, depending on the type of coverage and services needed. Generally, public healthcare is available at a lower cost than private healthcare, but the quality of care may not be as high. Private health insurance can be expensive, but it often provides more comprehensive coverage and access to better quality care. Additionally, many employers in Mexico offer health insurance plans to their employees, which can help to reduce the cost of healthcare," said one expat.

"I do not have medical insurance here in Mexico. And, most of my Dr's do not accept insurance anyway. Office visits, and hospital care are 1/5th the cost of USA and much better. In office appointments are usually an hour long instead of the 15 minute flyby of USA. Few Specialist have nurses. They do their own scheduling," remarked one expat in Queretaro City and Tequisquiapan.

"Medicare and supplements are only of use within the US except for certain life threatening emergencies when traveling. If you have substantial financial resources and a high respect for the health services in major cities you can pay for private care. Most insurance in MX will not cover preexisting conditions and the premiums are out of reach, especially for people over 70 or so. Staying connected with doctors and hospitals in the US is the most logical thing for us, we make several trips a year to see our doctors but are prepared to pay for care here in MX as needed," remarked one expat living in Merida.

"Again,the best hospitals are PRIVATE - CostaMed and Hospitan. They are both located on the main highway that runs between Tulum and Cancun. In case of an emergency you simply dial "911". Of course, depending on your emergency, a patient may be brought to one of the hospitals mentioned above until stabilized and possibly moved to Cancun -where there are larger facilities and more medical equipment," wrote one expat.

"I know of 3 hospitals in the area. Mexico General, Angeles Hosp. and Hospital Mexico are the ones I have heard of and I think 2 of them are public with nobody I have met telling horror stories, but I have not been to a hospital since the 80s and have not idea how one would get an ambulance. ," commented one expat who moved to Tijuana.

"Emergency services in Mexico are generally reliable and efficient. In the event of an emergency, you can call 066 for an ambulance. This is a free service and the operator will be able to direct you to the nearest hospital or medical facility. The ambulance will be equipped with medical personnel and the necessary equipment to provide medical assistance. In some cases, the ambulance may also be able to provide transportation to the hospital," said one expat.

"We live in PV 6 months of the year in our condo there and are just a 5 minute walk from 2 private first rate hospitals, Medasist and CMQ in downtown Puerto Vallarta. You can literally walk in and be seen immediately by a doctor in Emergency. I was admitted for 2 days in 2015 for bronchitis. I had a large private room with a window, couch, large bathroom and everything was absolutely spotless and shining clean... floors etc. Nurses uniforms new and clean also. I speak Spanish so I was able to communicate with all my caregivers. The food was excellent, delicious actually. The lady at the front desk, who was also in charge of activating insurance quickly and efficiently coordinated with my insurance provider so that I was not out of pocket at all in the admission stage where they normally ask for a credit card. I was recommend insisting at this stage that the hospital contact your insurance company to take care of all costs or you will end up paying something and having to claim it back. For a 2 day stay, my bill was around $2355 USD," remarked one expat in Puerto Vallarta.

"Mexico City, Guadalajara, Monterrey, and Cancun are all cities in Mexico that have a wide selection of experienced medical specialists. Other areas that are well-known for their top-tier medical care include Baja California, Quintana Roo, Nuevo Leon, and Jalisco. In addition to these main cities, many small towns also offer quality medical care and specialist services," mentioned one expat in Mexico.

"This is a bit long, but you asked and I wish I had known before all of this happened to me. I have been in 3 hospitals (PRIVATE) in Queretaro. 1 for shoulder in Juraquilla and 2 in Qro. proper. ALL were extremely up to date, clean and better than the last on in Texas I had to go to. The staff of Dr's is amazing. ALL of my Dr's have spoken English, which is good because my Spanish is poco! 1. a good orthopedic surgeon 2. a good Internist! When I was extremely ill, and not knowing why, and my little housekeeper saying I had to go to a Dr., I ended up calling a friend in Qro. and she helped with finding me an English speaking Internist. Little did i know he is an amazing Professor that has taught most all of my other Dr.s. This was when we found the spider bite and i was immediately admitted into San Jose Hospital in Queretaro. I was there for 7 days with multiple IV, Oxygen etc. Private room. I ended up with a team of 7 Dr's. I had no idea about this spider nor how bad it is. I have been told I was lucky to be alive. The ONLY thing at San Jose was I was a single woman and thy kept hounding me about WHO was going to take care of me and How was I going to pay? They expect some family member to stay with you 24/7. I told them that wasn't going to happen unless it was one of my 4 legged dogs. They weren't too sure about that and we DID have a big go round about this when they started yelling at one of my visitors as to why they weren't there to take care of me. Be forewarned! So I had a 'team' of Dr.'s that all speak English in place. I had talked to another Orthopedist last fall when I found a 'hole' left by CEA in front of my house. So when I fell, I pretty much knew where I wanted to go, and where my Dr's were all located. BIG THING before they will look at you or admit you, you usually have to put up a deposit of $10,000 pesos.($500 usd). But, you will be refunded what you do not use. Emergency room fee (also included my Ambulance ride) and you can call your Dr you want to see you. I ended up with X-rays, an CT scan. My Dr. came and I was in surgery at 9 pm and even had my anesthesiologist (I see 2 times a year for pain injection management for my shoulder Dr. in Texas screwed up) HOSPITAL H plus is where I wanted to go. Clean, all my Dr's in one place. The ONLY thing I have an issue with is for a major surgery (plate and 6 screws) they only kept me 2 days then sent me "home". There are ** NO REHAB FACILITIES *** fortunately I had a Mexican family to look after me in their home for the next 8 weeks. Since then I have Physical Therapist that come to MY home to give therapy. Would I return to USA for medical Care. Everyone is different. But NO, honestly I feel my Dr's, each and every one are better than what I had in the USA! They are compassionate, very well educated - some even in USA and then come back to Mx to practice. Everyone is different and expects different ...... I am a Nurse by trade so I am very picky. Summary: The issues I have I've stated above. 1. They want someone of your family to stay with you in hospital for your care. ( That is what a nurse is getting paid to do, tell them that!) 2. No Rehab facilities. 3. Prices are CHEAP at private hospitals compared to USA. AND, watch out for Violinista Spiders. ," commented one expat who moved to Queretaro City and Tequisquiapan, Mexico.

"The bulk of people I have met getting medical care in Tijuana live in the US and travel to receive their care. Tijuana, as a large border town is easy to get to and has many Doctors and dentists. People don't generally care to be evacuated to go to a country with worse care. I no longer go there now that my major dental issue is over, and now that I have moved to a more distant place," remarked one expat living in Tijuana.

"Farmacia Guadalajara is a chain, so you are reasonably sure of the quality of the drugs and since their prices are standardized, chain-wise, you are reasonably sure that you are not paying the gringo price at one of the tourist pharmacies. Many common drugs available. Also Freddy's on Olas Altas," mentioned one expat in Puerto Vallarta.

"3 miles, there are 2, there is a Red Cross ambulance 2 blocks from my house and the fire dept (Bomberos) ambulance is 3 blocks away, we have a 911 system," remarked one expat living in Puerto Penasco.

"We have one major private hospital in Playa. This is a really important thing to me as the public hospitals are not up to par with what expats are accustomed to coming from the US, Canada or Europe. The care is really outstanding in the private hospitals with most doctors speaking fluent English. They are also required to have an additional level of training to be able to work in a private hospital. I have been retired for 15 years but I actually sell international health insurance to expats which allows us to use ANY PRIVATE hospital or doctor in the world. I got involved in this because I was hit by a taxi cab about 15 years ago while traveling and ended up in a public hospital. The conditions were so bad - no soap or toilet paper in the bathrooms - 50 people in a group room..... I never wanted to be in that situation ever again. That was when I went quest for international health insurance. It is something critical to have," said one expat living in Playa Del Carmen.

"Yes, as a foreigner living in Mexico, you will have access to public healthcare. The public healthcare system in Mexico is known as the Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social (IMSS). It provides a range of services, including preventive care, medical and surgical treatments, and hospitalization. The quality of care varies from region to region, but overall it is considered to be of good quality. The cost of care is also relatively low, making it an attractive option for those living in Mexico," remarked one expat living in Mexico.

"Suffered a ruptured lung requiring surgery. treatment was outstanding and affordable," said one expat living in Xcalak.

"The pandemic has had a significant impact on the healthcare system in Mexico. Access to healthcare has been limited due to the closure of many medical facilities, and the availability of medical supplies and personnel has been reduced. Additionally, the cost of medical care has increased, making it difficult for many people to access the care they need. Despite these challenges, the Mexican government has taken steps to ensure that the healthcare system remains functional, including providing financial support to medical facilities and increasing the availability of telemedicine services," mentioned one expat in Mexico.