Job Discussion Forums

[melisssssa]

Hi everyone,
I would really appreciate your help on this one.

I am Canadian and have been in Mexico for the last 6 months working under the table. I will be returning next week to work legally, independently. I purchased a one way ticket out of Montreal since I am not sure when/if I am coming back. I really want to be able to work and travel with a health insurance policy (I won't be getting it through work).

It seems easy: buy private health insurance. Except private health insurance piggy backs on provincial medicare: private cos. won't cover you if you are not covered by provincial health care (Quebec, in my case). And provincial health care ceases to cover you if you are out of province more than 6 mos. per calendar year. You can apply for extended coverage, up to 365 days, but only once every 7 years. So it's not even a possibility to enter and exit the country every 6 months: you really have to be in province. Exceptions are: being a student, being employed by a Quebec company outside of Quebec, working for an NGO, none of which apply to me, or really I think to many ESL teachers.

What do other Canadians do in Mexico? What kind of medical coverage do you have? Is it possible for foreigners to buy private health insurance from a Mexican insurance co.? Is this a good solution? I'm also wondering if having the actual document of the work visa is necessary for the purchase of such insurance, as I imagine there could be a lengthy delay.

thanks for your help on this one. it's much appreciated. Melissa

[Samantha]

Melisssssa wrote:

[melisssssa]

I have heard that with an FM3 you get a social security number and are therefore entitled to get public health care. Is this standard across the board? Is this what you are referring to when you mentioned IMSS insurance?
Thanks Samantha.

Melissa

[MELEE]

IMSS= Instituto Mexicano de Seguro Social

Having an FM3 doesn't entitle you to it, but working for a school or company that pays into it (and makes deductions for it from your pay) does.
My payments are 212.61 each two week pay period.
Maybe I'm cavalier, but it's the only health insurance I've ever had in Mexico. (except for two years when I was also covered by ISSTE=Instituto de Seguro Social para Trabajadores Estatales via my husband).

[notamiss]

You can even get IMSS on your own and pay for it yourself. There is a first-person account here: http://www.mexconnect.com/mex_/travel/blue/blue60.html (though not very encouraging).

Another thing to take into account is that the small stuff of medical care tends to be way more affordable in Mexico than in Canada, and even if you have insurance you might prefer not bothering with the public health system for a doctor's visit that only costs one or two hundred pesos with your doctor neighbour down the street, and s/he is willing to see you immediately any time of day or night.

[Samantha]

Melee wrote:

[hlamb]

Before I started work in Mexico I used an international medical insurance group. I can't remember the name offhand but it is listed in a thread from several years ago. I didn't have to make a claim with them so don't know how good they are, but the rates were decent and you didn't need to be covered by a provincial plan.

Remember that you will need insurance when you go back to Canada during holidays or the three month waiting period before you can get back onto provincial plans. I'm on holiday in Canada at the moment and am using a plan through Manulife which is for visitors or Canadians returning home.

[notamiss]

You might find some useful information in a thread on medical care at another forum: http://www.expatforum.com/expats/mexico-expat-forum-expats-living-mexico/406-medical-care.html.

[Ruffle the cat]

Many of my friends have gotten IMSS by themselves no problem it costs though not sure what. The care is good, friend just went to the DF to the back hospital and was well looked after. Another friend was very happy with them and he had many health problems.

[Samantha]

Are you talking about foreigners or are you speaking of Mexican friends? Foreigners need an FM3 to enroll into the IMSS system, something not all foreign teachers in Mexico possess.