Often referred to simply as IMSS, the Instituto Mexicano de Seguro Social is Mexico\u2019s social security system. At the point of delivery, the social security system is free to Mexicans and eligible foreign nationals. The latter includes expats with residency status who are employed full-time by an IMSS-registered company.<\/p>\n Foreigner residents in Mexico who are not working for an IMSS-enrolled company, or who are not working at all, may choose to buy the IMSS health insurance separately for a small monthly fee.<\/p>\n Under the IMSS, employees of Mexican companies pay a percentage of their salary every month. Along with giving them access to healthcare in Mexico, IMSS also provides insurance coverage for their salary in case they cannot work due to an illness or accident.<\/p>\n The payroll tax that goes towards healthcare is payable even if you take out a private insurance plan. Individual contributions are required for those who take IMSS voluntarily.<\/p>\n Application procedures, information, and healthcare services<\/a> are provided solely in Spanish. Therefore, you\u2019ll have to get a Spanish-speaking friend or interpreter to help you apply if you don\u2019t speak Spanish. The same goes for whenever you go for treatment. The two ways to enrol in IMSS are through employment or voluntarily.<\/p>\n Any Mexican national or foreign resident who is officially employed in Mexico has to pay for their employee IMSS contribution to become enrolled in the program. This contribution is required regardless of whether they have any other private health insurance.<\/p>\n Voluntary enrollment is available to those who are not formally employed and would like to enrol on an independent basis. For example, this could be a good option for foreign residents who have chosen to retire in Mexico. If you wish to enrol voluntarily, note that you can only qualify if you have legal residency status. The cost of annual enrollment<\/a> depends on your age.<\/p>\n The IMSS does not cover pre-existing conditions such as:<\/p>\n A person with any of these conditions will not be able to enrol in the IMSS insurance program. Other specific pre-existing conditions may be covered on deferment, which means healthcare services will only be covered under the program once the waiting period is over.<\/p>\n You can apply in person at your local IMSS office or online. Either way, you\u2019ll have to present the required documents<\/a> at your local IMSS office, including:<\/p>\n Once you\u2019re enrolled, your coverage starts on the first calendar day of the next month. You\u2019ll be assigned to a local clinic upon enrollment, which is where you\u2019ll go to see your doctor, for check-ups, and to get prescription medications. Your assigned doctor is the only person who can make a referral to IMSS medical specialists if you require specialist services.<\/p>\n If your doctor prescribes any medications, you can get them for no additional cost at the pharmacy connected to the local IMSS office. It\u2019s worth noting that this isn\u2019t the case for all medicines. If the medication you need isn\u2019t available at the pharmacy, the doctor will provide a prescription so you can buy it at a private pharmacy. In this case, you\u2019ll have to pay for the medication separately.<\/p>\n If you want to know more about the cost of treatment in Mexico, you can read our article here<\/a>.<\/p>\n As with most public healthcare systems<\/a>, waiting periods are common for non-emergency procedures. IMSS members who are covered through employment are given priority over voluntary enrollments. The quality of care varies, and your experience could even come down to where you\u2019re seeking medical services in Mexico.<\/p>\n Another factor that\u2019ll influence the quality of care is the local demand for healthcare services when you\u2019re seeking treatment. With some foreigners reporting good care from IMSS and others expressing disappointment, it\u2019s difficult to know what quality of care you\u2019ll get.<\/p>\n However, one likely thing is that the resources available may not be able to keep up with the demand for services, which means compromises are to be expected. You should also understand that friends and family are expected to look after you while you\u2019re admitted to a public hospital in Mexico.<\/p>\n Unlike private healthcare coverage where everything is taken care of, hospital treatment under IMSS means those close to you will have to bring amenities and provide support. Be sure to ask your assigned doctor about your options if you\u2019ll have to be hospitalized for treatment or an operation.<\/p>\n If you have visited public hospitals before, then it would be no different in Mexico. There will be long wait times, and overcrowding. That is why most expats consider private health insurance to be the ideal fit for their needs. Hence, when you get IMSS, we recommend you get extra coverage with private insurance.<\/p>\n There are many positives when it comes to medical care in Mexico. You\u2019ll be relieved since most of the hospital systems, both private and public, will quote the cost of treatment beforehand. Mexico is a popular destination for medical tourism since the cost of surgeries and other medical care are one-third of the cost in the United States.<\/p>\n If you have pre-existing conditions, like cancerous tumors, congenital illnesses, chronic diseases, addictions, mental illness, and HIV, sadly you\u2019ll not be covered by the IMSS. However, other pre-existing conditions are covered but there is a waiting period before the coverage comes into full effect.<\/p>\n Healthcare Options in Mexico<\/p>\n Whether working or retired, most expats living in Mexico secure private health insurance if they can afford it. With private medical insurance, you can access the private healthcare system in Mexico, including doctors, clinics, and hospitals. If you\u2019re employed, your employer might provide private medical insurance as part of your employee benefits package.<\/p>\n Want to know more about health insurance in Mexico<\/a>? Look no further than Pacific Prime Latin America<\/a>. As a reputable insurance broker, we offer plans ranging from individual health insurance<\/a> and family insurance<\/a> to corporate policies<\/a>. Contact us<\/a> for impartial advice or for an obligation-free plan comparison<\/a> to help you compare health insurance<\/a> options.<\/p>\n![\"General](\"https:\/\/www.pacificprime.lat\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/Blog-Banner_Mexico_4.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p><\/div>\n<\/span><\/p>\nHow Does IMSS Work in Mexico?<\/h2>\n
How to Access IMSS<\/h2>\n
Employment<\/h3>\n
Voluntary Enrollment<\/h3>\n
IMSS Limitations<\/h2>\n
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How to Apply and Pay<\/h2>\n
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I\u2019m Enrolled. Now What?<\/h2>\n
What Quality of Care Can I Expect from IMSS?<\/h2>\n
Other Information You Should Be Aware Of<\/h1>\n
![\"Get](\"https:\/\/www.pacificprime.lat\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/PPMX_gen_CTA.jpg\")
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