Ambulance Services for Expats in Mexico

Expats with legal resident status in Mexico may use public ambulance services. All expats can use private ambulance services, and private international health insurance can provide coverage for emergency medical evacuation and private treatment options in Mexico.

Are you moving abroad to Mexico? Perhaps you’re just making sure you’ll have options in a medical emergency. Figuring out how to get medical care abroad can be intimidating, but it’s possible!

Keep reading to learn more about the ambulance service options for expats in Mexico.

This article by Pacific Prime will offer insights and guidance for expats in regard to contacting ambulance services while living in Mexico. You’ll learn about private, public, and pirate ambulance services. You’ll be more knowledgeable and prepared in the event of an emergency.

You’ll also want to consult this list for the best expat health insurance providers in Mexico. 

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Expat Guide: Public vs. Private Ambulance Services in Mexico

Mexican citizens and legal residents can use public ambulances free of charge. Expats who are unable to access the public healthcare sector in Mexico may use private ambulance services. Contact reputable private ambulance services for assistance. Your private insurance can help.

To use the public ambulance service, call 911 during an emergency. For private ambulance services, contact your health insurance or your chosen private ambulance service.

Instead of waiting to look up the ambulance company’s or health insurance’s emergency numbers during the actual emergency, save the emergency numbers in your phone contacts for easy reference in a crisis.

The benefit of contacting your private health insurance in Mexico for assistance is that your insurance company will provide assistance in your chosen language. Private clinics are also more likely to have English-speaking providers for Americans.

Beware of Private Ambulance Scams

In Mexico, you need to be aware of shoddy private ambulances that scam people during medical emergencies. When you call 911, private ambulances may arrive before the public ambulance and pressure you into going with them. You can deny their services and await a legitimate ambulance.

Private, unregistered ambulances that respond to 911 calls often lack the appropriate medical training and may dispense expired drugs. These “pirate” ambulances also often transport patients to private clinics, where they receive kickbacks.

If you would like to use a private ambulance, contact the company directly to ensure quality ambulance services and transportation to your desired clinic.

Ambulance Options for Expats in Mexico

For many emergencies, ground ambulance services will be adequate for transporting expats to an appropriate emergency department in Mexico. However, it may be necessary to use a helicopter or ambulance jet during emergencies that require faster treatment or treatment further away.

Ground Ambulance Services in Mexico

Ground ambulance services can be provided by private or public ambulances. Save emergency phone numbers for quality private ambulance companies that are in-network with your insurance. Public ambulances can be contacted by calling 911 in Mexico.

Medical Evacuation by Helicopter in Mexico

If a medical emergency occurs in a remote location in Mexico, an expat may need to be evacuated by helicopter to an emergency department adequately equipped to treat them. Trained medical personnel accompany the patient during the flight.

Medical Repatriation or Domestic Transfer by Ambulance Jet

An ambulance jet can transport patients within Mexico, out of Mexico, or into Mexico during a medical emergency. Transporting patients to a home country for treatment is called medical repatriation. Ambulance jets have in-flight doctors and Intensive Care Unit (ICU) equipment.

This means that expats can be safely transported home during a medical emergency because they will be able to receive the same care that is available in an ICU. 

Contact a private repatriation service to arrange medical repatriation transportation for the following day. Your private international medical insurance plan may also cover emergency evacuation and repatriation.

The in-flight medical team and your family will have the final say on whether or not you can be safely transported using onboard equipment and available services on an ambulance jet. 

When using an ambulance jet, a ground ambulance will transport you from the hospital to the nearest airport.

Our Top Insurance Recommendations in Mexico

• Worldwide Coverage (excluding the US)
• Access to Cigna's trusted global network of hospitals and doctors
• 4 Core Insurance Plans

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• Lifetime Renewal Possibilities
• 24/7 Medical Help via Global Virtual Care
• Direct Billing Options

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Expat Insurance Coverage for Ambulance Services in Mexico

Expats who need or want coverage for private ambulance services in Mexico should look for insurance plans and policies that include medical evacuation and repatriation coverage. This coverage is only valid for medical emergencies, not minor injuries or illnesses. 

Contact your insurance company with questions. We recommend having the emergency numbers for your private insurance policy saved on your phone for easy access during a medical emergency.

Your private health insurance abroad will provide assistance in your chosen language, so the insurance company’s assistance during an emergency is indispensable. Your insurance company can also provide information on where to receive medical care based on your current needs.

Emergency Medical Evacuation Coverage

Emergency medical evacuation coverage provides insurance coverage for transporting a policyholder to the nearest medical facility equipped to handle their emergency. This may mean transporting an expat to a nearby country with better medical services in an emergency.

This type of coverage is often available on travel insurance plans and private international medical insurance plans.

Emergency Medical Repatriation Coverage

Emergency medical repatriation coverage means that you will have coverage for being transported to your home country for medical treatment if and when your medical team deems that is the best option for your condition.

Emergency medical repatriation coverage is often available on travel insurance plans and private international medical insurance plans.

Cost of Expat Health Insurance in Mexico with Coverage for Ambulances

Insurers offer basic and comprehensive health insurance plans for expats in Mexico that include emergency repatriation and evacuation coverage. For a 30-year-old American male, basic health insurance plans in Mexico start at $55 monthly and include emergency repatriation and evacuation coverage.

The following insurance companies are some of many that offer international health insurance plans for expats in Mexico, which include emergency repatriation and evacuation.

• NOW Health International
• William Russell
• Cigna

NOW Health International Insurance Plans for Expats in Mexico with Ambulance Coverage

The following table illustrates plan options and estimated monthly premiums for a 30-year-old American male through Now Health International in Mexico. These expat plans all include Emergency repatriation and evacuation coverage.

William Russel Insurance Plans for Expats in Mexico with Ambulance Coverage

The following table illustrates some plan options and estimated monthly premiums for a 30-year-old American male expat in Mexico through William Russell. Plans all include Emergency repatriation and evacuation coverage.

Cigna Insurance Plans for Expats in Mexico with Ambulance Coverage

The following table illustrates some plan options and estimated monthly premiums for a 30-year-old American male living in Mexico through Cigna. Plans all include Emergency repatriation and evacuation coverage.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you get an ambulance in Mexico?

You can get a public ambulance in Mexico by calling 911 during an emergency. You can also contact a private ambulance company or your private health insurance for transportation during a medical emergency.

How do I find English-speaking medical emergency services in Mexico?

Contacting your private health insurance provider in Mexico will help you get connected with English-speaking medical services. You can also try calling 078 to contact the Angeles Verdes emergency roadside assistance for English-speaking emergency assistance.

What countries use 911 for emergencies?

The United States is not the only country that uses 911 as its emergency number. However, not all countries use 911. Canada, Mexico, Belize, Bermuda, Brazil, Costa Rica, and the Dominican Republic are some of the other countries that use 911 for all public emergency services.

Our Top Insurance Recommendations for Mexico

• Worldwide Coverage (excluding the US)
• Access to Cigna's trusted global network of hospitals and doctors
• 4 Core Insurance Plans

Get a Quote NOW

• Lifetime Renewal Possibilities
• 24/7 Medical Help via Global Virtual Care
• Direct Billing Options

Get a Quote NOW

Conclusion

Private and public ambulance services are available for expats in Mexico. Expats with legal resident status may choose between public and private ambulance services. Other expats will need to select a private ambulance service.

Make sure that you have the proper medical insurance coverage when you move abroad to Mexico. In addition to coverage for private ambulance services, you may have additional access to English-speaking providers and telehealth services with a private international medical insurance plan.

For additional information, consult Pacific Prime’s Understanding Emergency Response Systems in Mexico. 

More guidance for expats is also available in Handling Medical Emergencies in Mexico.

For help finding expat health insurance options in Mexico, try Pacific Prime’s no-cost, obligation-free online quote generator. You’ll be able to easily find and compare plans with emergency medical evacuation and repatriation coverage.

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Serena Fung

Head of Content at Pacific Prime

Serena Fung is the Head of Content at Pacific Prime, a global insurance brokerage and employee specialist serving over 1.5 million clients in 15 offices across the world. With 6+ years of experience writing about the subject, she aims to demystify the world of insurance for readers with the latest updates, guides and articles on the blog.

Serena earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from the University of British Columbia, Canada. As such, she is an avid advocate of mental health and is fascinated by all things psychology (especially if it’s cognitive psychology!).

Her previous work experience includes teaching toddlers to read, writing for a travel/wellness online magazine, and then a business news blog. These combined experiences give her the skills and insights she needs to explain complex ideas in a succinct way. Being the daughter of an immigrant and a traveler herself, she is passionate about educating expats and digital nomads on travel and international health insurance.

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