Expat Health Insurance for Foreigners Living in Mexico
The healthcare system in Mexico provides expatriates with several choices of insurance coverage, including two public government schemes and a large market of private insurance providers. Expats may qualify for a public program and also choose to add private insurance for additional coverage.
The choice is up to you! The majority of expats, however, do often prefer to get more comprehensive and reliable private insurance. This page will explain all of your insurance options and guide you to how you can secure your chosen type of coverage.
Recommended International Health Insurance Plans for Expatriates Living in Mexico
Cigna Global Insurance Plan
- Worldwide Coverage (excluding the US)
- Access to Cigna’s trusted network of hospitals and doctors
- Numerous Deductible Options
- 24/7 Customer Support
- 4 Core Insurance Plans
Allianz Care Health Insurance
- World-leading Health Insurance Provider for Expats
- Extensive Network With Over 1.9 Million Medical Providers
- Quick and Efficient Claims Process
- Maximum Plan benefit up to USD $5,000,000
Table of Contents
How the Healthcare System Works in Mexico
Mexico’s healthcare system is organized into three tiers: the IMSS social security program, the INSABI universal healthcare scheme, and the private insurance sector. Mexicans and expatriates alike are able to use whichever insurance program they qualify for and prefer.
It is most common for expatriates to use private insurance since the services rendered through private hospitals most resemble the high-quality care they are used to. Some expats, however, do use the public insurance programs.
Access to health care is widely available in Mexico but rural public health facilities should only be trusted for basic medical needs, due to the possibilities of lack of equipment and supplies. The majority of health facilities both private and state-organized provide adequate care. Medium to large sized cities in Mexico will typically have at least 1 first-rate hospital.
If you should be hurt or injured in any way in remote areas, an international medical insurance policy through a private provider will help ensure you receive the air ambulatory or medical evacuation services necessary to reach the nearest center of medical excellence.
Public Medical Insurance Schemes for Expats in Mexico
There are two Mexican public health insurance schemes: IMSS and INSABI. Foreigners and Mexicans who are employed will enroll in IMSS and those who are not employed and cannot afford private insurance can enroll in INSABI.
IMSS Scheme - Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social
The IMSS scheme is the social security program in Mexico that provides medical coverage for employed individuals and their families. Expats and Mexicans who work in Mexico will be automatically enrolled in this insurance scheme by their employer. If you’re self-employed, you can apply yourself.
Members of IMSS will pay a portion of your insurance fees (this premium is subtracted from your salary), and your employer will pay the remaining portion. Over 50% of Mexicans use the IMSS scheme in some way.
If you are employed in Mexico, you cannot unenroll from the IMSS scheme, but you can choose to add additional private insurance if you want more comprehensive medical coverage or would like access to private hospitals.
While the IMSS scheme offers basic coverage for healthcare services, it does not include coverage for some pre-existing medical conditions, and the prescription drugs it covers may be limited.
Learn more about how the IMSS scheme works at our partner website, Pacific Prime Latin America.
INSABI Scheme - Instituto de Salud para el Bienestar
Mexico’s INSABI scheme (Instituto de Salud para el Bienestar) is the Health Institute for Wellbeing. Its purpose is to provide free, universal healthcare to people in Mexico without social security. INSABI provides healthcare and the supply of medicines and associated supplies to its participants.
INSABI is designed for unemployed Mexicans and others who cannot afford to enroll in insurance voluntarily. Individuals who enroll in this insurance can receive healthcare services and treatments free of charge.
This scheme replaced the Seguro Popular scheme in December 2019.
Private Medical Insurance for Expats in Mexico
Private medical insurance is the preferred method of coverage for expatriates living in Mexico. With private coverage, you can customize your health insurance plan to include as much or as little coverage as you’d like by selecting your own plan, level of coverage, and optional add-ons.
Private insurance is provided by an insurance company of your choosing, and you can adjust your cost values by selecting your preferred premium, cost-sharing, and deductible responsibilities.
Even though private insurance may cost more than a public plan, most expats choose to get private insurance anyway because they consider the public coverage insufficient for their needs.
Private insurance can provide coverage for:
- Minimal or extensive inpatient care
- Basic up through comprehensive outpatient care
- A wider selection of prescription drugs
- Maternity and newborn care
- Preventative care, treatments, and well-checks
- Emergency evacuation and repatriation
- Cancer care
- Surgeries and rehabilitation
- Mental health and wellbeing care
- Much more!
Public vs. Private Health Insurance in Mexico
Public health insurance premiums may cost less annually than private health insurance, but public insurance has its drawbacks. After enrolling in a public insurance program, expats and Mexicans are not able to choose their own doctor. Instead, they are assigned a doctor.
Here are some features of public and private insurance:
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Public insurance |
Private insurance |
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How to Get Private Health Insurance in Mexico
Expatriates and foreigners in Mexico can secure private medical insurance by researching Mexican insurance providers, selecting the provider you want, customizing your preferred insurance plan, and signing the policy. You can simplify this process by enlisting a broker to do this work for you.
Start by Comparing Insurance Plans Online
Compare Between 50,000 International Health Insurance Plan Options.
The Best Private Insurance Providers for Expats in Mexico
The best private international health insurance providers for expatriates living in Mexico are Allianz, Cigna Global, NOW Health International, VUMI, AXA, BUPA, GeoBlue, and Best Doctors Insurance. Each of these offer excellent benefits that can also cover you anywhere in the globe.
Allianz
Allianz is a world-renowned expat health insurance provider with over 72 million clients in over 75 countries and 58 languages. Allianz stands out for its travel security services, expansive global medical network, and its quick and efficient claims processes that are often processed in 48 hours.
Here are some summaries of their three expat health insurance plans:
- Care: This plan offers basic healthcare coverage for expats needing coverage for inpatient, day patient, emergency, nursing at home, rehabilitation, and more.
- Care Plus: Care Plus offers the same benefits as Care at higher limits. It also adds coverage for emergency outpatient dental treatment and coverage for a private room.
- Care Pro: Pro is the most comprehensive plan with an annual limit of USD $5,000,000 and the same benefits as the previous plans. It also covers preventive surgery and laser eye treatment.
In addition to these plans, Allianz offers additional plans that focus on the needs of nomads living abroad for less than a year, expat families and families to be, and children and adults who need critical illness insurance.
Allianz Travel offers the following exceptional single-trip and multi-trip travel insurance plans:
- OneTrip Prime
- OneTrip Basic
- OneTrip Premier
- OneTrip Emergency Medical
- OneTrip Cancellation Plus
- AllTrips Basic
- AllTrips Premier
- AllTrips Executive
- AllTrips Prime
- Inpatient costs
- Diagnostics and laboratory tests
- Surgeries
- Ambulances transport
- Cancer treatment
Cigna Global
Cigna Global is a leading international health insurance provider for expats with partnerships in more than 200 markets and territories. Cigna offers products for individuals, families, businesses, and more. Cigna is popular for its affordable health plans that address your whole health.
There are four health insurance plans by Cigna that can be customized to your needs:
- Silver: This plan has the core medical benefits any expat would need in Mexico, including inpatient care, palliative care, emergency care, and more.
- Gold: Gold is a step up that adds benefits for maternity care, pregnancy and childbirth, home nursing, advanced imaging, and more.
- Platinum: This is Cigna’s most comprehensive plan with an unlimited annual limit. It adds cancer care, mental and behavioral health care, acupuncture, and much more.
- Close Care is Cigna’s affordable option for expats who want health coverage only in the country where they currently live. It covers inpatient, emergency care, short trips, and more.
- Hospitalization
- Inpatient and day-patient treatments
- Cancer treatments
- Physiotherapy
- Accidental death or total permanent disability compensation
NOW Health International
NOW Health International is an award-winning international health insurance provider covering over 125,000 members in over 200 territories worldwide. NOW Health is a favorite because of its customer-focused services and extensive provider network. Its values are innovation, excellence, and empathy.
NOW Health offers two types of plans - WorldCare and SimpleCare. You can select your level of coverage for each type of insurance plan as introduced below:
- SimpleCare: SimpleCare is designed to help expats save money on premiums. It does not have an option to get coverage in the U.S. The three levels of coverage are Core, 100, and 250.
- WorldCare: WorldCare is designed for more comprehensive coverage with the option to get coverage in the U.S. The four levels of coverage are Essential, Advance, Excel, and Apex, the final plan having an annual limit of USD $4,500,000.
- In-patient and day-patient care
- Organ transplant
- Evacuation and repatriation
- Cancer treatment
- Rehabilitation
VUMI
VUMI has more than 35 years of experience providing medical coverage and travel insurance for expats, corporations, and travelers. VUMI is an expat favorite for its flexible plans, direct billing options, unrivaled hospital discounts, in-house administration, and outstanding customer service.
Here are VUMI’s Global Flex VIP plans and their annual limits of medical coverage for expats:
- Basic: USD $3,000,000
- Standard: USD $3,500,000
- Superior: USD $4,000,000
- Ultra: USD $4,500,000
- Total: USD $5,000,000
All plans include coverage for a private hospital room, the ICU, psychiatric treatments, prescribed medications, surgery, lab testing, cancer tests and treatments, dialysis, and more.
VUMI’s maternity insurance is particularly appealing to wanna-be parents because its benefits only have a waiting period of 12 months.
Here are the travel insurance plans offered by VUMI:
- VUMI Single Trip
- VUMI Annual Travel Insurance
- VUMI Travel Insurance Riders
- Over 35 Years of Experience
- Flexible Plans
- Maximum Annual Benefit Limit up to USD $4,500,000
- Exclusive Proprietary Medical Network
AXA
AXA has more than 50 years of experience offering health insurance to expats, nomads, businesses, and individuals working abroad. AXA spreads its reach to over 95 million clients in over 50 countries. AXA highlights include their second medical opinion service, mind health support, and 24/7 help.
AXA offers five international medical insurance plans for expats:
- Foundation: This plan offers basic coverage for inpatient and emergency care, ambulance transport, cancer treatments, outpatient treatments, imaging, and more.
- Standard: This plan takes it up a notch by increasing the annual limits and adding dental benefits.
- Comprehensive: Increasing the max limit again, this plan adds coverage for outpatient, chronic conditions, and vision care.
- Prestige: This health plan adds to the comprehensive benefits with coverage for routine maternity care and annual health checks.
- Prestige Plus: This is the most extensive plan with an annual limit of USD $8,000,000. It includes all the benefits of Prestige but at an increased total limit.
- Hospital charges and surgery
- Emergency coverage
- Medical evacuation and repatriation
- Cancer treatment
BUPA
Bupa was established in 1947 and has expanded to over 190 countries with 38 million customers. Bupa offers international insurance for individuals, families, groups, and businesses, and it is particularly appreciated because their plans don’t require specialist referrals.
Bupa has the following four expat health insurance plans:
- Major Medical: This is designed to cover unexpected emergencies and major medical expenses while expats live worldwide.
- Select: This is a basic plan with regional coverage instead of worldwide. It covers health screenings, well checks, and medical evacuation.
- Premier: This intermediate plan has worldwide coverage with benefits for health screenings, well checks, medical evacuation, vaccinations, dental, and optical.
- Elite: This comprehensive plan covers the same benefits of Premier, plus routine maternity care, repatriation, and complementary therapies. Annual limit up to USD $4,764,300.
- Inpatient coverage
- Emergency evacuation and repatriation
- 24/7 access to medical advice through the Bupa Global service center
- Direct access to specialists without referral
GeoBlue
GeoBlue offers short-term and long-term health and travel insurance options for individuals, families, groups, or students. They have coverage in more than 180 countries and territories and have more than 1.7 million medical providers. Members love GeoBlue’s extensive direct billing network.
GeoBlue has two medical travel insurance plans for expats:
- Xplorer Essential: This health plan is best for expats who don’t plan to return to the U.S. while living abroad. It includes coverage for preventive and primary care, inpatient and outpatient care, emergency medical, and several optional add-ons such as pharmacy benefits.
- Xplorer Premier: This plan is designed for expats who plan to live outside of the U.S. for at least 3 months of the year but who want to retain coverage in the U.S. for return trips home. Benefits include preventive care, surgery, inpatient care, emergency medicine, mental health, and more. There is an unlimited maximum benefits amount.
GeoBlue has the following two travel insurance plans:
- Voyager Single Trip: This is for U.S. citizens traveling worldwide. It has 100% coverage for inpatient hospital services, medical emergencies, lab work, surgery, and more.
- Trekker Multi-Trip: This is for travelers who want unlimited trips covered within a single year with the first 70 days of each trip covered. You must be a U.S. citizen or resident.
- Diagnostic lab work and X-rays
- Surgery
- Inpatient medical emergencies
- Emergency evacuation and repatriation
- Yearly physicals
Best Doctors Insurance
Best Doctors Insurance has been the leading international insurance provider in Latin America since 1989. It has an exclusive database of over 53,00 world-leading doctors in more than 450 specialties and subspecialties. Its services include InterConsultation, concierge, and an elite navigator.
Best Doctors Insurance has a number of top plans in Mexico:
- Primer Plus: This offers worldwide benefits with 100% coverage for the ICU, surgery, the ER, cancer treatment, and more. The maximum annual limit is USD $7,000,000.
- Global Care: This offers coverage outside of the US, with 100% coverage for the ICU, surgery, ER, cancer treatment, and more. The maximum annual limit is USD $5,000,000.
- Ultimate Care: This plan has the most comprehensive coverage for catastrophic events like transplants, cardiovascular surgery, severe trauma, and more.
- Medical Care: This offers coverage outside of the U.S. with coverage for inpatient and emergency care plus maternity and birth, and emergency dental.
- My Choice: This is a medical plan exclusive to expats in Mexico and Brazil. It includes coverage for basic medical plus extensive congenital/hereditary disorders.
Why Expats Prefer to Use a Broker to Get Their Insurance
Expats and foreigners living abroad have found that getting their health insurance through a broker saves them money, time, and stress. Insurance brokers are international health insurance experts with extensive experience in the global insurance industry.
Rather than going straight to an insurance provider for a plan, you can work with an intermediary who can approach the provider on your behalf and help you negotiate for the best benefits at a cost you can afford.
Brokers are not loyal to any one provider, so our focus is on making you happy and guiding you to the plan that best meets your health needs.
Here are some of the benefits of using a broker:
- Brokers show you more insurance choices
- Brokers can get you the best plan for the best deal
- Brokers offer additional services that insurance companies don’t
- Brokers act as your educated advocate
- Brokers have country-specific knowledge of where you’re moving
- Reputable brokers don’t charge you a penny!
If you’re even remotely curious about how working with Pacific Prime could benefit you, read our post Why Expats and Travelers Use a Broker to Get International Insurance to learn all about it.
How to Compare Insurance Quotes
You can begin comparing health insurance quotes from the top providers today with our obligation-free online quote generator. This is an unparalleled resource that allows expatriates to analyze hundreds of plans from dozens of providers side by side.
You can read descriptions of the policies’ benefits, compare how your premium can change depending on your chosen deductible, and save your favorite plans for later reference. Rather than toggling back and forth between provider websites, you can see the best plans all in the same place.
To get help with your insurance research, talk to one of our Mexican brokers. They can answer all of your questions and direct you toward the best plans that meet your individual needs and priorities.
Health Threats for Expatriates Living in Mexico
Expatriates living in Mexico should be aware of the infectious diseases they may be exposed to during their travels. Some may be transferred through contaminated water and others through mosquito bites. You may also be the victim of petty crimes or caught in the destruction of a natural disaster.
Having international health insurance can mitigate any healthcare costs you may incur as a result of any of these types of health and safety risks in Mexico.
Start by Comparing Insurance Plans Online
Compare Between 50,000 International Health Insurance Plan Options.
Common Infectious Diseases Transmitted in Mexico
Several infectious diseases still affect Mexico today, making it a safety factor for expatriates living or traveling in the country. Some of the more commonly seen diseases for travelers in Mexico are Hepatitis A, Typhoid Fever, Dengue Fever, Malaria, Leptospirosis, Rabies, and bacterial diarrhea.
Several other mosquito borne diseases exist and an expatriate should take preventative measures to avoid being bitten.
Crime and Natural Disasters in Mexico
Though terrorism is seen throughout the world, domestic crimes are more of a concern for expatriates living or traveling in Mexico. Theft, kidnapping and drug related violence are the most common recurring crimes in Mexico. Theft and pick-pocketing is seen throughout the country.
Expatriates should exercise caution when traveling in public areas, such as airports and bus terminals, and should be careful when wearing anything visibly expensive.
Mexico’s weather and natural disasters are something for an expatriate to take into consideration when traveling or living in this country. There are 2 main seasons during the year, the rainy and the dry season.
The rainy season usually occurs for most of Mexico from May to September or October but the hurricane season lasts from June to November. Many parts of Mexico are subject to earthquakes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need health insurance in Mexico as an expat?
It is highly recommended for expats to have health insurance in Mexico, even though it’s not legally required. Medical costs can be significantly lower than in many Western countries, but having health insurance provides peace of mind and access to private healthcare facilities.
What are the best health insurance options for expats in Mexico?
The best health insurance options for expats in Mexico include international health insurance plans, local Mexican health insurance, and the Mexican Social Security Institute (IMSS). International plans from providers like Cigna and Allianz offer comprehensive coverage, including outside Mexico.
How much does health insurance cost in Mexico for expats?
The cost of health insurance in Mexico varies widely based on your age, health condition, coverage level, and the insurer. Basic local plans can start at around $100 to $200 per month, while more comprehensive international plans can cost several hundred dollars per month.
Can expats use Mexico's public healthcare system?
Expats with a residence visa can use Mexico's public healthcare system by enrolling in IMSS. IMSS provides a range of medical services at a low cost, though the quality and availability of services can vary. Many expats prefer private health insurance for more consistent and higher-quality care.
What does expat health insurance in Mexico cover?
Expat health insurance in Mexico generally covers hospitalization, outpatient care, emergency care, prescription medications, specialists, preventive care, and sometimes dental and vision. International plans might include coverage for medical evacuation, repatriation, and treatment outside Mexico.
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