Health Insurance in Mexico for Expats: An Overview for Global Employers

Mexico is the most popular destination in the world for expats from the United States. In fact, an estimated 1.5 million U.S. citizens live in Mexico, according to the U.S. Department of State.

Employers sending talent to Mexico—for a temporary assignment or permanent relocation—must understand health insurance options and requirements to protect their workforce. Regulatory and legal compliance, employee well-being, costs, and business goals all come into play when sending employees abroad.

While Mexico’s healthcare quality and accessibility rank above those of many countries, its public healthcare system still presents challenges. That’s why working professionals in Mexico will expect supplemental health insurance. And, the cost of health insurance for expats may be a real concern.

Keep reading to learn about providing comprehensive and compliant health insurance to your expatriate employees working in Mexico.

Can expats get healthcare in Mexico?

Yes, expat employees can get healthcare in Mexico. However, they must hold a valid temporary or permanent residence visa to be eligible. Any foreign national in Mexico on a standard tourist visa cannot legally work in Mexico or enroll in the country’s national healthcare system.

When a Mexican company employs an expat, they are automatically enrolled in Mexico’s national healthcare system and may be enrolled in an International Private Medical Insurance (IPMI) plan. However, retired or self-employed expats are not automatically enrolled in Mexico’s national healthcare system but can enroll voluntarily and pay a recurring fee to receive public healthcare.

Healthcare for a short-term stay in Mexico

While visitors in Mexico on a standard tourist visa cannot work in the country, foreign nationals visiting on a working tourist visa are eligible to live and work in the country for up to 180 days.

Companies with foreign employees working in Mexico for up to 180 days can provide healthcare to their talent through corporate travel insurance. However, the employer must carefully review the policy to ensure it provides comprehensive coverage. This ensures legal compliance and employee well-being, while maintaining your company’s credibility.

Employers should ensure their employees’ travel insurance covers:

• Preexisting medical conditions
• Any high-risk activities required to do the job
• The duration of the trip and the destination
• Medical evacuation to the nearest medical facility
• Transportation to the country of residence

Travel insurance typically only covers emergency treatment and does not cover elective or regular check-ups. Also, leisure travel policies typically don’t cover employees traveling for business purposes, so you should disclose the purpose of the trip at the time of purchase.

How healthcare in Mexico works in practice for expats

Managing healthcare for expats in Mexico is not complicated when you understand the different insurance options and payments. Here are a few reminders about how healthcare works for expats:

• Employees using IMSS can get care at assigned clinics or with a referral without needing to file an insurance claim.
• Employees who have private insurance often need to pay upfront or present insurance for direct billing, or submit a reimbursement claim after treatment.
• Medication costs in Mexico are generally affordable. Pharmacies are widely available, and many medications are sold over the counter.
• Expats in Mexico can get public or private ambulance care depending on their location and insurance. Public ambulances are typically linked to government hospitals and are low-cost or free, but response times and service quality can vary, especially outside major cities. Private ambulances normally provide faster service but require upfront payment and proof of insurance.

Healthcare for long-term or permanent stays in Mexico

Healthcare options are essential for employees moving to Mexico on a long-term or permanent basis and for employer compliance.

Expats living in Mexico long-term (between 180 days and four years) can permanently qualify for national healthcare coverage under Mexico’s social security system (Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social or IMSS). Mexican labor law requires qualified employers and employees—local or expat—to make contributions.

Contributions, which are made through payroll taxes, cover:

• Accidents and emergencies
• Surgeries
• Medications
• Salary reimbursement for loss of work due to illness or accident.

While IMSS offers decent coverage, it can have limitations. Additionally, many long-term or permanent expatriates in Mexico expect to receive supplemental insurance as part of an expat benefits package providing more coverage for special treatments, dental, vision, and mental health care.

Health insurance options for expats in Mexico

There are two primary options for health insurance for expats in Mexico on temporary or permanent residence visas: public health insurance through IMSS, or private health insurance.

Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social (IMSS)

The IMSS covers all basic medical needs for Mexican employees and foreign residents in Mexico, including:

• Hospitalization
• Medical care
• Surgery
• Medication
• Compensation for loss of work due to illness or accident (up to 52 weeks)

IMSS insurance also covers the employee’s spouse or partner, their children up to age 16 (or 25 for students), and their parents if the parents live with the insured employee.

Mexico’s healthcare system doesn’t cover:

• Dental care
• Eye care
• Elective surgeries
• Infertility treatments
• Treatments for self-inflicted injuries

It also doesn’t provide medical evacuation from Mexico.

The IMSS assigns a primary care physician to each insured person. Unfortunately, this assignment is difficult to change should the primary care physician not meet the needs of the insured and their family members.

Cost of health insurance in Mexico for expats

The cost of health insurance in Mexico for expats varies based on the type of coverage, their age, and healthcare needs. Those who voluntarily enroll in IMSS typically pay hundreds of dollars per year. Costs increase with age. Annual premiums based on the IMSS website are as follows:

How to enroll in IMSS

All local or foreign residents who are formally employed in Mexico are automatically enrolled in IMSS and contribute through payroll taxes. Enrollment and contribution are compulsory regardless of whether you provide supplemental insurance to your talent in Mexico.

Retired or self-employed foreign residents with legal residency in Mexico can enroll in IMSS voluntarily and pay a recurring fee if they want public health insurance.

To enroll, qualified residents can apply in person at their local IMSS office or online. They must also have the required documentation:

• Passport
• Residency visa
• IMSS application form and health questionnaire
• Proof of address
• Birth certificate
• Marriage certificate
• Two photographs
• Bank payment receipt of the first year’s premium

Private health insurance

Many employers in Mexico offer supplemental private health insurance to their expat employees in addition to IMSS as part of a comprehensive compensation strategy. This private health insurance gives the insured direct access to private doctors, clinics, and hospitals.

Private health insurance typically covers the following for expats and employees:

• Dental and vision
• Mental healthcare
• Inpatient and outpatient care
• Physiotherapy
• Rehabilitation
• Treatment for preexisting health conditions
• Private hospital coverage
• Evacuation or repatriation

Learn more: The Differences Between Public vs. Private Healthcare

Local private insurance vs. international expat insurance in Mexico

International employers and expats can choose between local private insurance and international expat insurance for healthcare in Mexico. Each option suits different needs depending on the employee and employer.

Local private insurance is typically for long-term residents who plan to get healthcare locally rather than outside of Mexico. It offers access to private hospitals, shorter wait times, and lower premiums compared to international plans. However, they usually exclude treatment abroad and may have stricter rules around pre-existing conditions.

International expat insurance provides healthcare coverage in multiple countries, including the employee’s home country. International plans typically include medical evacuation, repatriation, and expanded access to specialists, which may be better for employees on short-term assignments or frequent travelers.

International plans are typically more expensive but offer more flexibility, continuity of care, and peace of mind for globally distributed teams. Employers often choose international insurance for senior or short-term, mobile roles, and rely on local health insurance plans for long-term, Mexico-based employees.

The importance of private health insurance in Mexico

Despite Mexico’s relatively inexpensive and accessible public healthcare system, those who use IMSS experience challenges that make it difficult to receive quality care and support.

Like many public healthcare systems, the IMSS is overburdened, faces a shortage of doctors and medicines, and requires extensive wait times for treatment. It also does not cover all preexisting conditions, such as cancerous tumors, chronic diseases, mental illness, and HIV.

The quality of care also varies depending on where your expatriate employees reside in Mexico. Plus, Mexico’s highest-quality healthcare facilities are typically not part of the IMSS.

Providing private health insurance to your relocated talent in Mexico ensures that your employees continue to receive at least the same—if not better—quality of healthcare they would receive in their home country.

Plus, by exceeding statutory requirements and providing supplemental healthcare for your expat employees, you demonstrate that you value their well-being. This can improve talent retention and give you an edge in a competitive hiring market.

Simplify healthcare coverage in Mexico for expats

Health insurance in Mexico should be a priority for any employer looking to expand its business into the country and look after its employees’ welfare. But administering supplemental healthcare to talent in Mexico requires time, money, and an understanding of local labor laws.

Don’t let the difficulties of benefits administration stand in the way of you and your business goals in Mexico. Partner with a dedicated global benefits expert like Pebl instead.

As an Employer of Record (EOR), we ensure your workforce in Mexico and beyond receives the highest standard of benefits. Our Global Benefits service offers competitive, compliant, and comprehensive benefits packages tailored to your talent’s local market.

We remove the HR complexities so you can hire, relocate, and support top talent in Mexico and over 185 countries. Contact us to learn how we can help provide your distributed talent with employee benefits that matter most.

Frequently Asked Questions about Health Insurance in Mexico

How much does IMSS cost for expats who enroll voluntarily, and how does pricing vary by age?

Expats who enroll voluntarily in IMSS through the Seguro de Salud para la Familia pay an annual fee that varies by age, with each person charged separately. Pricing increases as age increases and must be paid upfront for the full year.

Rates apply only to voluntary enrollment (not employer payroll contributions) and are commonly used by foreign residents who are not formally employed in Mexico. Coverage includes access to public healthcare services but may have waiting periods and service limitations.

Does IMSS cover pre-existing conditions, and are there waiting periods or disqualifying conditions?

It depends on how someone is enrolled. Employees covered through mandatory employer IMSS contributions are generally covered for pre-existing conditions, though wait times may apply. Those who voluntarily enroll could face waiting periods of up to two years, and some chronic illnesses or conditions may be excluded entirely.

Can you combine IMSS and private insurance?

Yes, employers often combine IMSS with private health insurance. IMSS satisfies legal requirements and provides essential public healthcare. Private insurance fills common gaps in coverage and quality of care for expats, such as long wait times, limited specialist access, and lack of dental, vision, mental health, or medical evacuation coverage.

Do private hospitals in Mexico require upfront payment?

It’s common for private hospitals in Mexico to require upfront payment, a deposit, or proof of valid insurance before providing non-emergency treatment. Hospitals in Mexico don’t usually have billing agreements with insurance providers outside of the country, leading patients to cover the costs up front and get reimbursed later.

What is IMSS-Bienestar (formerly INSABI) and does it apply to expats without IMSS coverage?

IMSS-Bienestar is provided by the Mexican government to uninsured Mexican citizens and residents who don’t have IMSS. Expats who don’t have IMSS can get coverage through IMSS-Bienstar by presenting a residency card or CURP (population registry code, like a social security number); however, the quality of care can vary widely depending on location.

This information does not, and is not intended to, constitute legal or tax advice and is for general informational purposes only. The intent of this document is solely to provide general and preliminary information for private use. Do not rely on it as an alternative to legal, financial, taxation, or accountancy advice from an appropriately qualified professional. The content in this guide is provided “as is,” and no representations are made that the content is error-free.

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