The last thing you want as an expat living in Mexico is to get sick and not be able to afford medical care.
Or worse, needing to go back to your passport country to be treated.
If you are already living in Mexico and don’t have insurance or have a permanent move planned, it may be time to get it because it may be more costly than you think.
So how much does expat health insurance cost in Mexico?
Keep reading to find out.
The Cost of Health Insurance in Mexico for Expats
How much does expat health insurance cost in Mexico?
Well, it depends on several factors.
For instance, insurance rates increase annually based on the cost of medical inflation, global issues, and other economic problems.
These increases can be anywhere from 7% – 40% depending on the insurer and what’s going on around the world.
For example, before Covid, premium increases were in the 7 – 9% range but jumped to a 20 – 30% range the following years based on availability of medical resources and overall cost of healthcare.
That’s just one example.
Here is a look at some of the other factors that influence the cost of health insurance in Mexico.
Age & Gender
Your age and gender influence your insurance rates.
There are age brackets that mean higher premium increases at certain ages: 50, 55, 60, 65, etc.
These rate increases are usually capped once the client hits 70 or 75 depending on the insurer.
Typically, the cost to insure women is less than the cost of premiums for men.
There are a few reasons for this – based on risk assessment and general reasoning.
Men tend to engage in riskier behaviors than women, such as drinking and smoking more.
Men also tend to develop conditions like heart disease and prostate cancer in their later years, which can get very costly.
One final note: Insurance companies take lifestyle into consideration when evaluating applications.
Pre-Existing Conditions
It is important to be honest about pre-existing conditions when applying for coverage to avoid any denied claims or coverage later.
International health insurance companies can exclude pre-existing conditions from coverage and even outright deny coverage.
However, while pre-existing conditions should not affect premiums, they may affect deductibles.
Just note that what determines your premium is your age, your gender, and the number of people on the policy.
[Related Read: Can I Get Health Insurance in Mexico If I Have a Pre-Existing Condition?]
Coverage Level
The coverage level you choose is a big cost factor.
If you choose a more basic, catastrophic plan, you will pay less. If you choose a more comprehensive plan, you will pay more.
Consider these examples:
- Individual, aged 35 – 70: A plan that one would consider catastrophic and not offer comprehensive coverage, LATAM-coverage only, $5,000 deductible = approximately $1,300 to $9,500 USD annually
- Family of 4: A plan that one would consider catastrophic and not offer comprehensive coverage, LATAM-coverage only, $5,000 deductible = approximately $3,500 to $7,300 USD annually.
- Individual, aged 35 – 70: Full-coverage plan with low maximum benefit coverage ($250,000 vs. $500,000), $5,000 deductible = approximately $1,300 to $6,800 USD annually.
- Individual, aged 35 – 70: Full-coverage plan with high maximum benefit coverage ($1 million), $5,000 deductible = approximately $1,600 to $10,400 USD annually
- Family of 4: Full-coverage plan with high maximum benefit coverage ($1 million), $5,000 deductible = approximately $6,500 to $7,600 USD annually.
Deductibles and Copays
The deductible is the amount of money you are expected to pay before the insurance company starts covering costs.
The expat health insurance cost in Mexico will vary depending on the cost of deductibles.
Most international insurers offer deductibles of $500 – $25,000 USD.
The lower your deductible, the higher your premiums.
Some insurers offer a coinsurance structure.
Coinsurance refers to the percentage of medical care costs you are required to pay after you meet your deductible.
However, not all insurers have coinsurance, and not all products have coinsurance.
The typical coinsurance structure is 10 – 20% coinsurance with a cap in place for inpatient care.
For example, coinsurance may set a limit of $3,000 for surgeries (a $3,000 cap) but no limit for outpatient care.
Think of coinsurance as another deductible you have to reach.
It can add up if you have a major medical issue, but this option offers lower premiums.
Provider Network
The size and scope of the provider network can also influence pricing.
International health insurance outside of the US is considered to be a “free network.”
This means you are free to choose any hospital and provider without premiums and coverage costs being affected.
However, if you have US coverage, you must use the network the insurer uses or face anywhere from a 50 – 60% penalty on your coverage.
Most insurers use the Aetna network, which has an easy-to-use site to find the clinic, hospital, and specialists needed.
Additional Benefits
The cost of health insurance in Mexico can also increase if you choose to add on benefits, such as travel rider coverage.
Most insurers already include additional “perks” in their policies, but there are always additional options depending on your coverage needs.
NOTE – Any additional rider will add cost to the annual premiums.
Some common riders are:
- Travel Rider – There are limitations for additional travel coverage outside of resident country.
- Maximum Benefit Rider – Increase maximum coverage if you are in the US frequently.
- Dental Rider – Basic dental care.
- Vision Rider – For eyeglasses, contacts, etc.
- Medical Air Evacuation Rider – Transportation to the nearest facility that can treat you, not your choice.
- Genomic Testing Rider – For cancer diagnosis, this test is not required. However, genomic testing is being used more to help tailor your treatment. And, it’s NOT covered by insurers nor is it cheap. The average test costs 25,000 pesos.
These riders typically cost an additional $150 – $300 USD to your policy and are only available to add at the time you apply for your policy or at the time of renewal.
You cannot add riders in the middle of the policy year.
What Is the Average Expat Health Insurance Cost in Mexico?
Again, several factors affect the expat health insurance cost in Mexico, but here are some averages to give you an idea.
Average Cost for Singles
- Single woman, 62 years, $2000/$3000 USD deductible, maximum annual benefit $500,000 – average $5400 USD and up annual
- Single man, 62 years, $2000/$3000 USD deductible, maximum annual benefit $500,000 – average $5800 USD and up annual
Average Cost for Couples
- Couple, ages 61, 62, $2000/$3000 USD deductible, maximum annual benefit $500,000 – average $12,000 USD and up annual
- Couple, ages 40, $2000/$3000 USD deductible, maximum annual benefit $500,000 – average $4,400 USD and up annual
Average Cost for Families
- Family of 4, spouses 40, kids ages 5 and 7, $2000/$3000 USD deductible, maximum annual benefit $500,000 – average $5,600 to $8,200 USD annual. Premium costs will be more depending on how many dependents are on the policy.
Can I Use My US Health Insurance in Mexico?
It depends on your US health insurance provider.
Some insurance companies offer emergency coverage that you may be able to use temporarily.
Don’t wait to find out if your US insurance coverage will cover medical care in Mexico. Do your research before you relocate.
If you are using Medicare, be aware that Medicare does not provide coverage in Mexico.
NOTE – There are some international riders, like Medigap, which are sold privately and can extend Medicare coverage for 30-60 days outside the US.
How Much Does Maternity Coverage Cost in Mexico?
From conception to birth, average maternity care for expats in Mexico costs about 50,000 to 60,000 pesos – assuming a normal pregnancy.
This includes monthly prenatal visits and tests, ultrasounds, and the birth itself.
[Related Read: Maternity Care for Expats in Mexico: Your Complete Guide to Coverage and Options]
Does International Health Insurance in Mexico Cover Dental and Vision?
Dental and Vision are not built in to any policies, but check with your insurance broker to see if there are optional riders available.
If an accident results in the need for oral care, it will be covered – but only if it’s an accident.
Eye issues, such as glaucoma and cataracts, are covered.
However, general vision care, such as glasses and eye exams, are not covered. You should check with your broker if a vision rider is available.
Can I Get Health Insurance in Mexico If I’m over 65?
Yes, you can get health insurance if you are 65 years of age or older.
The typical cut-off ages for applications are 70 – 75.
There are a few insurers that offer coverage with a cut-off date well into your eighties, but these policies cost tens of thousands of dollars a year and don’t offer comprehensive coverage.
NOTE – If you already have an international health insurance policy, it is guaranteed for life unless you cancel it.
What Happens If I Don’t Have Health Insurance in Mexico and I’m Injured, Sick, or Have an Emergency?
If you have an emergency without health insurance and you want to go to a private hospital, you will need to pay a deposit of at least $20,000 – $30,000 pesos before you can even get treated.
You will also be expected to pay the full bill before being sent home.
Mexican hospitals don’t offer a billing service and will not let you leave the hospital until the bill has been paid in full. It’s serious!
They will call security, and sometimes the police, if you aren’t able to pay.
A more economical option would be to go to the Hospital General (public hospital) to be treated for little cost.
However, the wait times will likely be long (and detrimental to your medical issue), bilingual staff will typically not be available, and costs, like medication, will still need to be paid.
Another option is to “self-insure,” which involves paying directly out-of-pocket for all medical issues or trying to raise funds through platforms like Facebook, GoFundMe, and other similar sites if you need surgery or long-term cancer treatment, both of which can be very costly.
If you have a MedEvac plan, you can utilize it to return to your passport country for care, but only once you have been stabilized. The costs to get you medically stable enough to travel can add up, too.
If you are sick with something like a cold or a small infection and just need a doctor to prescribe medication or antibiotics, see a consultorio.
Consultorios are doctors who practice in offices attached to most major pharmacies, like Farmacia Ahorro or Similares.
These doctors are inexpensive, costing only 40 – 50 pesos a visit, but you should expect wait times as many people use them.
[Related Read: How Does International Insurance Work with Hospital Stays in Mexico?]
How Do I Find the Best Health Insurance Plan for My Needs in Mexico?
Take time to research the best health insurance for expats in Mexico before you purchase a plan.
Here are some suggestions for finding health insurance for expats in Mexico.
- Research online. Start by researching online blogs, reviewing sites, and expat social media groups.
- Determine what type of coverage you need. Do you need full coverage or catastrophic coverage? Do you need additional coverage for when you are in the US?
- Consider pre-existing conditions. You may want to look at more expensive coverage to ensure your needs are met.
- Talk to people in your community. Often, the best advice comes from the people you know. Ask other expats what type of health insurance they have and why they chose it.
- Look at online reviews. Spend time reading reviews of the various agencies, brokers, and insurance companies.
How Can I Get Affordable Health Insurance in Mexico?
If you are living on a limited budget, we recommend looking into Mexican insurance options through IMSS and Servicios de Salud para los abuelos (INSABI).
Be sure to find out what the Mexican residency requirements are before applying for these options.
Since these are less expensive, both services have limitations, including no dental or vision coverage and exclusions for pre-existing conditions.
An additional downside of these options is that they are only available for use in public hospitals, which can mean long wait times.
The MedEvac plan is another budget-friendly option that is very inexpensive and can be sold to any individual or family.
With MedEvac plans, there isn’t an underwriting process, which means pre-existing conditions aren’t an issue.
NOTE – In order to use the MedEvac plan, the patient must be medically stabilized enough to fly back to their passport country.
