IMG Health Insurance for Expats in Latin America: Options and Costs
IMG offers comprehensive international health insurance options for expats in Latin America through their Global Medical plans. Coverage comes in four different levels: Bronze, Silver, Gold, and Platinum, providing a range of options to fit the varying needs of expats living in the region.
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Latin American countries are home to large and still-growing expat communities thanks to their vibrant culture and affordable cost of living. However, the quality of healthcare varies widely across the region, making reliable health insurance essential for expats to access quality care.
In this Pacific Prime article, we explore IMG’s health insurance options for expats in Latin America, including available plans, pricing, and key benefits. We also highlight why health insurance is essential and share tips on choosing and applying for the right plan for your stay abroad.
Why Health Insurance is Essential for Expats Living in Latin America
Health insurance in Latin America is critical for legal compliance, accessing quality care, protecting your finances, and ensuring peace of mind while living abroad. The right plan can make your expat experience safer, smoother, and stress-free.
Navigating Visa and Residency Requirements
Several Latin American countries require health insurance for long-term stays or visa applications:
- Colombia: Visa applicants, including those applying for the Digital Nomad Visa, must provide proof of private medical coverage that meets minimum requirements. Once approved, expats must enroll in the EPS, Colombia’s public healthcare system.
- Costa Rica: Residency and visa applicants must show proof of adequate health insurance based on their visa type. Some may register with the CCSS (Costa Rica’s Social Security system), while private coverage is accepted in certain cases.
- El Salvador: Comprehensive international health insurance valid for their full stay is required for certain visa application processes, including the Digital Nomad Visa.
Access to Quality Private Healthcare
Health insurance gives expats reliable access to private healthcare across Latin America, where costs are often higher than in the public system. While public care is usually free or low-cost, most expats choose private hospitals for shorter wait times, English-speaking staff, and modern facilities.
Cities like Mexico City, Buenos Aires, São Paulo, and San José have excellent private hospitals with internationally trained specialists and advanced technology. However, without insurance, these services can be expensive and must be paid upfront.
For instance, a basic emergency visit may run USD $100–$300, serious surgeries USD $5,000–$15,000, and medical evacuation to the U.S. or Europe can exceed $50,000. Health insurance protects expats against these expenses while granting access to quality care whenever they need it.
Coverage for Unexpected Events and Emergencies
Accidents, sudden illnesses, and tropical diseases can happen at any time. Health insurance ensures you get treatment quickly without facing large bills. Some plans may also provide protection for popular sports and adventurous activities in Latin America like surfing, hiking, or zip-lining.
Managing Pre-Existing Conditions Abroad
For those with chronic conditions, insurance covers ongoing treatments, medications, and specialist visits. International plans often provide better protection for pre-existing conditions when disclosed upfront. Planning ahead and being transparent helps ensure you get the coverage you need.
Protection for Your Loved Ones
For expats moving with family, family health plans keep everyone protected under a single policy with better value. They cover pediatric care, vaccinations, maternity care, and emergency services, ensuring your whole family can enjoy your life in Latin America without worrying about medical what-ifs.
IMG Health Insurance’s Plans, Benefits, and Options
Since 1990, IMG Health Insurance has been a top-ranked global provider, offering a wide range of insurance products and dependable service to members in over 190 countries, including across Latin America.
IMG is recognized for its high-quality worldwide coverage and additional services designed to make expats’ lives easier. Key features of their Global Medical Plan include:
- Emergency Medical Evacuation Support: Assistance when you need urgent care abroad
- Travel and Medical Concierge: Guidance and support for healthcare and travel needs
- 24/7 Multilingual Support: In-house assistance in 18 languages
- MyIMG Member Portal: Easy policy management and claim submission
- Choice of Coverage Area: Worldwide or Worldwide excluding the U.S., Canada, China, Hong Kong, Japan, Macau, Singapore, and Taiwan
Global Medical Bronze: Starter Plan for Budget-Conscious Expats in Latin America
Global Medical Bronze is IMG’s standard plan, offering an annual benefit limit of USD $1,000,000. It’s an ideal choice for budget-conscious expats seeking long-term, reliable global coverage without anticipating extremely high medical costs.
The plan includes essential medical services such as inpatient and outpatient treatment, prescription drugs, and emergency care. Optional add-ons are available, including Dental & Vision, Term Life and Accidental Death & Disability, and Mobile Device Protection.
Overview of IMG’s Global Medical Bronze:
| Global Medical Bronze | Plan Details (USD) |
| Annual Benefit Limit | $1,000,000 |
| Deductible Options | $250 to $10,000 |
| Hospitalization Room/Board | ✓ |
| Surgeon and Surgery | ✓ |
| ICU | ✓ |
| Diagnostic Tests | ✓ |
| Physical Therapy | ✓ |
| Chemotherapy or Radiation Therapy | ✓ |
| Prescriptions | ✓ |
| Transplants | $250,000 |
| GP and Specialist Visits | ✓ |
| Emergency Medical Evacuation | $50,000 |
| Dental Rider | $750 (6-month waiting period) |
| Vision Rider | Exams: $100 per 24 months
Materials: $150 per 24 months |
Global Medical Silver: Enhanced Plan for Savvy Expats in Latin America
Global Medical Silver is IMG’s most popular international health plan, offering a generous USD $5,000,000 annual coverage limit and broader benefits than the Global Medical Bronze tier. It delivers comprehensive worldwide protection without the cost of a top-tier plan.
Coverage includes inpatient and outpatient care, mental health counselling, prescription drugs, disclosed pre-existing conditions, and emergency services.
Members can further enhance their plan with optional add-ons, including Dental & Vision, Term Life and Accidental Death & Disability, and Mobile Device Protection.
Overview of IMG’s Global Medical Silver:
| Global Medical Silver | Plan Details (USD) |
| Annual Benefit Limit | $5,000,000 |
| Deductible Options | $250 to $10,000 |
| Hospitalization Room/Board | $600 per day / 240 day max |
| Ancillary Services | $400 per day |
| Surgeon and Surgery | ✓ |
| ICU | Limit per day: $1,500
Maximum consecutive days: 180 |
| Diagnostic Tests | ✓ |
| Physical Therapy | ✓ |
| Chemotherapy or Radiation Therapy | ✓ |
| Prescriptions | Included in ancillary services |
| Transplants | $250,000 |
| GP and Specialist Visits | Combined maximum visits: 25
Physician/Specialist maximum per visit: $70 Chiro max per visit: $50 (with referral from physician) Surgical Intervention Consultation max: $500 |
| Mental or Nervous Counseling | Outpatient after 12 months of
continuous coverage |
| Emergency Medical Evacuation | $50,000 |
| Dental Rider | $750 (6-month waiting period) |
| Vision Rider | Exams: $100 per 24 months
Materials: $150 per 24 months |
Global Medical Gold: Extensive Health Coverage for Active Expats in Latin America
Global Medical Gold is designed for expats seeking broader flexibility and richer outpatient benefits than the mid-tier plans. With a USD $5,000,000 annual coverage limit, it suits those who want predictable out-of-pocket costs and wider global access to care.
This plan delivers extensive inpatient and outpatient coverage, mental and nervous counseling, stronger preventive and specialist benefits, disclosed pre-existing conditions, emergency evacuation, and added non-insurance services, such as telehealth support.
Optional upgrades include Dental & Vision, Term Life and Accidental Death & Disability, Mobile Device Protection, and the Sports Rider, making it ideal for active expats who also want coverage for sports-related injuries.
Overview of IMG’s Global Medical Gold:
| Global Medical Gold | Plan Details (USD) |
| Annual Benefit Limit | $5,000,000 |
| Deductible Options | $250 to $25,000 |
| Hospitalization Room/Board | ✓ |
| Surgeon and Surgery | ✓ |
| ICU | ✓ |
| Diagnostic Tests | ✓ |
| Physical Therapy | $50 per visit |
| Chemotherapy or Radiation Therapy | ✓ |
| Prescriptions | ✓ |
| Transplants | $1,000,000 |
| GP and Specialist Visits | ✓ |
| Mental or Nervous Counseling | Maximum limit: $10,000
Lifetime maximum: $50,000 |
| Emergency Medical Evacuation | Up to benefit limit |
| Dental Rider | $750 (6-month waiting period) |
| Vision Rider | Exams: $100 per 24 months
Materials: $150 per 24 months |
| Sports Rider | Amateur Athletics: $10,000 lifetime max
Adventure Sports: – Up to age 49: $50,000 – Age 50–59: $30,000 – Age 60–64: $15,000 |
Global Medical Platinum: Prestige Coverage for Executive Expats in Latin America
Global Medical Platinum is IMG’s highest-tier international health plan with a benefit limit of USD $8,000,000, designed for expats seeking unmatched protection, maximum flexibility, and well-rounded worldwide coverage, including pre-existing conditions.
The plan’s benefits are unmatched, providing extensive inpatient and outpatient care, mental health services, specialist and preventive care, complementary medicine, emergency services, pre-existing conditions, dental treatment, and maternity coverage as well as newborn care.
Non-insurance benefits include telehealth support and remote mental health services. The available optional add-ons are Dental & Vision, Term Life and Accidental Death & Disability, Mobile Device Protection, Sports Rider, and Terrorism coverage.
Overview of IMG’s Global Medical Platinum:
| Global Medical Platinum | Plan Details (USD) |
| Annual Benefit Limit | $8,000,000 |
| Deductible Options | $100 to $25,000 |
| Hospitalization Room/Board | ✓ |
| Surgeon and Surgery | ✓ |
| ICU | ✓ |
| Diagnostic Tests | ✓ |
| Physical Therapy | $50 per visit |
| Chemotherapy or Radiation Therapy | ✓ |
| Prescriptions | ✓ |
| Transplants | $2,000,000 |
| GP and Specialist Visits | ✓ |
| Maternity Care | $50,000 |
| Dental Treatment | $750
(6-month waiting period) |
| Newborn Care | $250,000 |
| Adult Preventive Care | $500 |
| Complementary Medicine
(Acupuncture, Aromatherapy, Herbal Therapy, Magnetic Therapy, Massage Therapy and Vitamin Therapy) |
$500 |
| Mental or Nervous Counseling | $50,000 |
| Emergency Medical Evacuation | Up to benefit limit |
| Dental Rider | $750 (6-month waiting period) |
| Vision Rider | Exams: $100 per 24 months
Materials: $150 per 24 months |
| Sports Rider | Amateur athletics: $10,000 lifetime max
Adventure sports: – Up to age 49: $50,000 – Age 50–59: $30,000 – Age 60–64: $15,000 |
| Terrorism | $50,000 |
IMG Health Insurance Cost Comparison for Expats in Latin America
Depending on your plan tier, chosen deductible, age, and coverage area, monthly plan premiums may cost from USD $100 up to $3,600. Generally, higher deductibles help reduce premiums, while older age results in higher premiums.
To help expats estimate costs, the table below compares Bronze, Silver, Gold, and Platinum plans, showing potential premiums for a 30- and 60-year-old living in Mexico seeking worldwide coverage.
| Plan Tiers | Annual / Lifetime Maximum | Deductible
(USD) |
Estimated Monthly Premium (USD) | |
| 30-Year-Old | 60-Year-Old | |||
| Bronze | $1,000,000 | $250 | $240 | $465 |
| $10,000 | $100 | $230 | ||
| Silver | $5,000,000 | $250 | $330 | $640 |
| $10,000 | $140 | $320 | ||
| Gold | $5,000,000 | $250 | $570 | $1,480 |
| $25,000 | $180 | $635 | ||
| Platinum | $8,000,000 | $100 | $990 | $3,600 |
| $25,000 | $360 | $1,470 | ||
Choosing the Best Health Insurance for Expats in Latin America
Selecting the right health insurance plan requires careful consideration of your unique needs, lifestyle, and budget. Here’s what to evaluate when comparing your options.
Assess Your Coverage Needs
Start by reviewing your personal health profile, including your age, current health, and any pre-existing conditions. Families may need strong pediatric and vaccination benefits, while older expats often benefit from plans that support ongoing management of chronic conditions.
Your lifestyle matters too. If you enjoy activities like surfing, mountain biking, or hiking, choose a plan that covers sports-related injuries. If you also expect to travel frequently within the region, make sure your policy includes international coverage.
Compare Plans from Multiple Insurers
Once you understand your needs, compare plans from multiple insurers and what each offers. Pay attention to coverage limits, outpatient and inpatient benefits, and exclusions. It is also helpful to review insurers’ reputations, customer support, and how they handle claims to avoid future problems.
Network of Hospitals and Doctors
Prioritize plans and insurers with a wide network of well-regarded private facilities, English-speaking staff, and internationally trained doctors, so you can access direct billing and receive care without paying upfront and filing for claims later.
Moreover, verify whether the plan provides access to reputable hospitals and clinics in the areas where you’ll spend most of your time. Networks vary widely across insurers and cities, so it’s important to confirm that the hospitals you prefer are included.
Understand Exclusions and Waiting Periods
Review the exclusions in your policy carefully. Many plans include waiting periods of 6–12 months for pre-existing conditions, maternity care, and certain treatments. Some may exclude high-risk sports, dental services, or mental health support unless you purchase extra coverage.
Partner with an Insurance Broker
Working with an insurance broker can help simplify the insurance process by guiding you through plan comparisons, explaining complex terms, offering personalized advice, and helping you identify coverage that truly matches your needs and budget.
As industry experts, brokers have a strong understanding of the health insurance market and the healthcare systems around the world. Their insight helps expats choose policies that comply with local regulations and provide real value.
Their support doesn’t end once your policy is in place. With your best interests in mind, a reliable broker continues to assist with claim filings, policy management, and any questions you may have as you navigate an unfamiliar healthcare system.
Get a Quote for IMG Health Insurance from Pacific Prime
IMG offers a range of high-quality coverage options—Global Medical Bronze, Silver, Gold, and Platinum—designed for expats moving to Latin America. The basic tier delivers essential international protection, while the higher tiers provide expanded benefits for more comprehensive care.
With 25+ years of experience, Pacific Prime helps expats find health insurance plans that match their healthcare needs and budgets. Whether you’re relocating to Mexico, Panama, Colombia, or Chile, you can rely on IMG’s international coverage along with Pacific Prime’s ongoing support.
Ready to get started? Get in touch with us today for a free plan comparison and expert, impartial advice.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does expat health insurance cost in Mexico?
Expat health insurance in Mexico costs an average of USD $5,485 for an individual per year, according to Pacific Prime’s Cost of Health Insurance Report 2024. However, premiums can vary widely depending on your selected coverage levels, deductible and copayment rates, age, and medical history.
Does expat health insurance typically cover pre-existing conditions?
Coverage for pre-existing conditions depends entirely on each insurer and plan. Some international health insurance policies, such as IMG’s Global Medical Gold and Platinum, do cover pre-existing conditions but may come with a waiting period, a higher premium, or certain exclusions.
Which Latin American country has the best healthcare?
Latin America offers a number of strong healthcare systems, with Brazil, Colombia, Mexico, and Argentina standing out for their highly rated private hospitals, especially in major cities. A smaller country like Costa Rica is also reputable for its universal health coverage and system efficiency.
Which is the safest Latin American country?
Uruguay, Chile, and Costa Rica are widely considered among the safest and most stable countries in Latin America. While safety depends on many factors, such as crime rates, political stability, and overall quality of life, these countries offer a relatively high standard of living.
What health insurance options are available for expats in Colombia?
Expats in Colombia can access both public and private health insurance. Legal residents must enroll in the Entidades Promotoras de Salud (EPS), which provides care through public facilities. Many expats, however, opt for private insurance for broader access to hospitals and faster treatment.
With her background as an avid traveler and as an exchange student in Spain, Palida values the benefits of insurance and understands the frustrations that may come with making the best decisions for your health and safety in an unknown environment. Here at Pacific Prime, she aspires to create content that will help expats and travelers understand international health insurance with ease.
In her spare time, Palida enjoys reading short stories as much as binging on sitcoms. She is also a self-proclaimed "foodie" with the goal of trying as many cuisines from all over the world as possible. Combining her passion for writing with her love for food, she is an aspiring Google Local Guide reviewer.
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