Many expats and long-term residents wonder if they really need expat health insurance in Mexico.
The short answer is YES.
Keep reading for everything you need to know about expat health insurance in Mexico so you can make the best possible decision for your health – and the health of your family.
Types of International Health Insurance
Before diving into the specifics of why health insurance is crucial for expats in Mexico, it’s important to understand the different types of international health insurance available.
Knowing these will help you make the best possible decision for expat health insurance in Mexico.
Long-Term Health Insurance
Long-term health policies are designed for expats and foreigners living outside their passport country for an extended period or permanently.
Comprehensive policies can cover a wide range of medical expenses, including but not limited to…
- Doctor visits
- Medications
- Medical tests
- Diagnostic tests
- Surgeries
- Anesthesiologist fees
- ER visits
- Long-term treatments for chronic conditions
- Medical transportation
- Physical therapies
- Home healthcare
- Preventative care
- ICU
- Inpatient care
- Hospital accommodations to accompany minor(s)
- House calls and telemedicine (for some policies)
- Palliative care
- Hospice care
- Maternity (waiting periods may apply)
Exact coverage depends on your policy and insurance carrier.
Be sure to review the schedule of benefits with your broker before you sign on.
Travel Insurance
These policies are suitable for short-term trips, typically lasting less than 6 months. However, they can be renewed for up to 2 years.
Travel insurance covers basic medical expenses, such as doctor visits, emergency care, and some medications if prescribed during travel.
With travel insurance, you have more options for the maximum benefit limits and for deductibles.
Depending on your policy, it also often includes coverage for non-medical issues like flight delays or lost baggage.
Keep in mind that travel insurance often requires you to pay out-of-pocket and then submit a claim for reimbursement later.
[Related Read: Do I Need Short-Term or Long-Term Health Insurance Abroad?]
Medical Evacuation Coverage (Medevac)
This type of policy covers the cost of transportation to a hospital in your passport country or a city of your choice for treatment.
However, you must be stabilized before medevac can occur, which can be expensive if you’ve been in a serious accident or need intensive medical care.
[Read More: Medevac Insurance for Expats in Mexico: Do You Need It?]
If You’re in Mexico for Less Than 6 Months
If you’re planning to stay in Mexico for less than 6 months, a travel insurance policy may be sufficient.
Again, travel insurance policies are designed for short-term trips and can cover minor medical expenses and emergency care.
If You Live in Mexico for More Than 6 Months
If you live in Mexico most of the year, a long-term international health insurance policy is recommended.
Accidents can and do happen.
And serious illnesses can strike at any time.
Another reason is the cost of healthcare in Mexico has been rising steadily over the past few years, particularly since the pandemic – making self-insuring less feasible (and affordable) than it once was.
Another benefit of long-term health insurance is that many policies now include coverage for the United States – and are global. So you’ll be covered in most countries you travel to.
This means you can have continuous coverage while traveling between Mexico and your passport country.
Do I Have to Be a Resident to Get Health Coverage in Mexico?
More and more insurance carriers require temporary or permanent residency to get international health insurance.
Talk with your broker to make sure you are eligible for a policy.
It depends on the insurance company, but most, if not all, international insurance carriers require a document showing your address in Mexico with your information.
Some examples of what are acceptable are a bank statement, cell phone bill, or water or power bill.
What If I Have Medicare?
For American expats, Medicare does not provide coverage in Mexico.
The reason?
Medicare was designed to provide health coverage only within the US.
And, you can always go back to the US for treatment or surgery once you’ve been stabilized and/or cleared for travel.
There are some international riders, like Medigap, which are sold privately and can extend Medicare coverage for 30-60 days outside the US.
Medigap riders are helpful for covering the costs that Medicare doesn’t, which include copayments, coinsurance, and deductibles.
This rider is only available for people with Medicare Parts A and B, and must follow federal and state laws.
Keep the following in mind when looking for a Medigap rider:
- There are 10 standardized plans, A – N.
- Plans must be purchased individually, including couples.
- Covers foreign travel emergency care only during the first 60 days of your trip.
- Has a lifetime maximum coverage limit of $50,000.
- Riders pay 80% of the billed charges for certain medically necessary emergency care outside the US after you meet a $250 deductible for the year. The other 20% is out-of-pocket.
- Plans are guaranteed renewable.
Be cautious of any groups in Mexico claiming to work with Medicare at specific hospitals, as some have been investigated by the FBI.
If You Have a Family and Live In Mexico
There’s no question protecting your family’s health is a top priority – especially when living abroad.
Many expat families living in Mexico opt for long-term international health insurance because it covers all family members, including newborns.
While vaccinations aren’t typically covered for adults on the policy, standard vaccines are covered for kids under 18 years of age.
If you’re planning to start or expand your family, most policies have a maternity benefit, too.
The cost of coverage will depend on factors like your age and gender, but having a comprehensive policy in place can provide peace of mind for you and your loved ones.
Also, most international healthcare policies only apply 2 deductibles per family, which can be financially beneficial.
What If I Have a Pre-Existing Condition?
Unlike health insurance in the US, where pre-existing conditions are covered by law, international health insurance companies can exclude pre-existing conditions from coverage and even outright deny coverage.
Some international health insurance policies may offer a coverage alternative for pre-existing conditions, such as a longer waiting period or offering a higher deductible.
It all depends on your current medical standing.
Be prepared to take additional tests or dig up old medical records during the underwriting process.
One final (and important) note: It’s essential to disclose any pre-existing conditions when applying for coverage to avoid any denied claims or coverage later on.
[Related Read: Can I Get Health Insurance in Mexico If I Have Pre-Existing Conditions?]
Traveling outside of Mexico and Your Passport Country
If you plan on traveling outside of Mexico and your passport country, it’s crucial to ensure that your health insurance policy provides coverage in those destinations.
Many long-term international health insurance policies offer worldwide coverage, but it’s always best to confirm this with your insurer or broker before traveling so as not to be caught unaware in an emergency.
Is Health Insurance Required by My Passport Country?
For US citizens, it is not required.
Some countries, particularly in Europe, may require their citizens to maintain long-term health insurance coverage while living abroad.
Make sure to check with your passport country’s authorities to make sure you comply with their requirements.
The Cost of International Health Insurance
The cost of international health insurance depends on several factors, including age, gender, and coverage level.
Let’s look at 2 examples to give you an idea of costs. These are not exact figures, but meant to give you an idea of what you could pay.
Let’s say you’re a 32-year-old woman and you’re single. Here are annual premium averages with a $5000 deductible:
- $1,000,000 maximum coverage – $1,600
- $500,000 maximum coverage – $1,400
- $250,000 maximum coverage – $1,300
Here are annual premium averages if you’re a 65-year-old single woman with a $5000 deductible:
- $1,000,000 maximum coverage – $5,600
- $500,000 maximum coverage – $5,400
- $250,000 maximum coverage – $4,800
We can’t stress this enough: Health insurance premiums are rising globally due to healthcare inflation.
And expat health insurance in Mexico is no exception.
The cost of international health insurance in Mexico is lower than in the U.S, where the average family pays around $2,200 per month in 2024.
But it’s still a significant expense that should be factored into your budget when planning your move to Mexico.
How to Choose the Best International Health Insurance Policy in Mexico
When selecting an international health insurance policy, consider the following factors.
Coverage level: Determine if you need comprehensive coverage for all medical expenses, or if a catastrophic policy with a higher deductible to cover only major accidents or illnesses is a better option.
US coverage: Do you travel to the US frequently? Ensure your policy includes coverage while there, how much that coverage is, and if there are riders to increase that coverage.
Deductible: Choose a deductible that balances your premium costs with the amount you can comfortably pay out-of-pocket for medical expenses. Keep in mind all international health insurance policies are reimbursement-based.
Pre-existing conditions: Disclose any pre-existing conditions and understand how they may impact your coverage. Be prepared to have a higher deductible, longer waiting period, or even be denied coverage based on your medical history.
Provider network: Even though coverage outside of the US is considered a “free network” for all countries, check to see if your preferred healthcare provider in Mexico already has a relationship with the insurer. It will make medical events smoother.
Renewability: Look for a policy that is guaranteed renewable for life, as long as premiums are paid, to avoid losing coverage due to age or changes in health status.
Bottom line, if you want to find the best health insurance policy in Mexico for your needs, do your own research.
Tips to Help You Find the Best Expat Health Insurance in Mexico
At the end of the day, the decision to purchase health insurance ultimately depends on your individual circumstances.
But here are our best tips to help you out:
- Ask for recommendations from other expats in your community. Join local social media groups and pages to get a better reach of experiences. Word-of-mouth referrals and opinions from peers is by far the best way to go.
- Research online for “best international health insurance for expats in Mexico.” You might find the local companies are the best for your needs.
- Contact insurance brokers who specialize in international health insurance in Mexico. Don’t just contact one. Talk to multiple brokers.
- Compare policies from multiple insurers. While they might initially look the same, there can be important policy differences that decide for you.
- Read reviews on specific insurance companies. What do people have to say about filing claims and overall support?
- Let us help you partner with a vetted broker.
