Job Discussion Forums

Allie · Joined: 15 Sep 2005 Posts: 32 Location: UK

Hi guys,

I'm moving to Mexico from the UK at the beginning of July with my Mexican husband, our baby daughter and my parents. I've been trying to find out about health insurance but haven't had much luck so far. Can anyone offer any advice on companies to use, average prices, etc.

Any info would be really helpful.
Thanks, Allie

mapache · Joined: 12 Oct 2006 Posts: 202 Location: Villahermosa

It's a big gamble, but I don't have health insurance in Mexico. One employer begrudgingly provided some coverage but my deductible was $2,500 (pesos) and you damn near had to be on your death bed to qualify for service.

In the village where I live, a Mexican family member registered me for $40 (pesos) and I have free access to doctors, prescriptions and the IMSS hospital (albeit not the best service available). I also try to be healthy and careful I don't have accidents. Faith in guardian angles helps me not to worry about it as alternative to paying $7,000 (pesos) every six months for limited coverage.

Oreen Scott · Joined: 11 Jan 2008 Posts: 179 Location: Oaxaca, Mexico

I'm currently in the proccess of deciding on health insurance, as in England, as a Canadian I'm use to universal health care.

I can be out of province, for two years, and still be covered under Manitoba health.

I can't get travel insurance because I will be gone for more than 6 months.

Expatriate insurance, without coverage in U.S. or Canada is $200/month Canadian (approx).

I know there is Mexican private health insurance but I haven't any information on that - yet.

Samantha · Joined: 25 Oct 2003 Posts: 2038 Location: Mexican Riviera

There are several private health care plans available here in Mexico. I suggest speaking to some insurance agents since they can only do quotes once they know your medical history, age, etc. Some working here have private insurance plans, in addition to IMSS (which you can get once you have an FM3).

notamiss · Posted: Thu Apr 03, 2008 5:35 pm Post subject:

You might also want to check what's already been said in these threads:
http://forums.eslcafe.com/job/viewtopic.php?t=54772
http://forums.eslcafe.com/job/viewtopic.php?t=58006

Something to note is that a simple doctor's visit is not very expensive; we pay $100 MXN at our local clinic for a GP or $3�400 to see the GynOb. We don't even bother claiming those on our insurance. You basically only need insurance for major expenses; i.e. involving hospitalizaton or long-term treatment.

MELEE · Posted: Thu Apr 03, 2008 7:25 pm Post subject:

Wow--I'm impressed that your parents are moving over too!
My parents like to visit, but not for more than 2 weeks at a time.

What part of Mexico will you be in?
In some cities there are private hospitals called "Star Medical" that are just as fancy as any anywhere in the world and offer a medical insuranse plan you can buy into, but you'd have to do that locally. There is one in Morelia, Michoacan. Does your husband have family here who can look into it for you?
Also if either you or your husband end up getting jobs that offer either IMSS or ISSTE coverage there is a chance you can put your parents on it too. I'm not sure if they take In-Laws, but they do take parents, my mother-in-law has ISSTE coverage through one of her son's jobs.

MO39 · Posted: Thu Apr 03, 2008 10:29 pm Post subject:

notamiss · Posted: Thu Apr 03, 2008 10:54 pm Post subject:

Prof.Gringo · Posted: Fri Apr 04, 2008 1:28 am Post subject:

Here in DF the govt. is providing free emergency medical care to tourists. I am not sure what that covers Confused

, but I assume accidents, sudden illness and whatnot.

IMSS is the best free/low cost option, if you are planning on living here a long time. They use a three tier system. Your first year in the system they only cover minor things, outpatient stuff mostly. The second year covers most medical issues. The third year and up you are covered for everything including chronic illness.

Wall Street Institute for example offers private medical insurence. Sure, the pay is low, but I understand the insurence to be good. A friend of mine at WSI got laser eye sugery paid for by his insurence. Check with various schools to see what they offer. Question

Many medical services are much cheaper in Mexico than in other places. Most minor problems can be paid out of pocket as the healthcare costs are so much lower here. No medical malpractice suits. If the Doc. messes up or kills you while treating you, too bad! Shocked

MO39 · Posted: Fri Apr 04, 2008 1:56 am Post subject:

MELEE · Posted: Fri Apr 04, 2008 7:11 pm Post subject:

Jetgirly · Joined: 17 Jul 2004 Posts: 741

Oreen -

In late 2004 I bought twelve months' worth of travel insurance from BCAA/CAA. After eleven months I was back in Canada for a visit, and I extended the policy for another five months. My brother also bought a year of coverage from BCAA in 2006, and when he had to come home ten months early he was able to get a refund on the unused portions. You should definitely be able to get coverage for more than six months.

Oreen Scott · Joined: 11 Jan 2008 Posts: 179 Location: Oaxaca, Mexico

Sorry this is so long, but I thought this might be important/useful information for people to have.

Jetgirly:

Thanks so much for sharing. I know it is possible to get 12 month travel insurance. However, none of the insurance brokers in Manitoba, including CAA Manitoba handle 12 month travel insurance. At least I couldn't find one.

None of the insurers in Manitoba know anything about expatriate insurance.

In August, when I'm on the west coast, I grew-up in Burnaby, I'm going to go a broker in Vancouver who handles expatriate health insurance, and I'm quite sure any agent who handles expatriate health insurance will also handle travel health insurance.

Here's what I know so far. The difference between expatriate and travel health, as I understand it is this, when you buy travel insurance you need to state when you are returning home. And the operative word here is home. You are travelling, not setting up residence elsewhere. If you do not return within the specified time you stated and you have used the insurance while away you would have to reimburse the travel insurer. Which, as you can imagrine, could be very costly if something catatrophic happened.

The other point is, if you were to have a catastrophic illness, or accident, the travel insurer would get you home as quickly as possible.

What if you were ill, used your insurance, and wanted to stay where you were and continue working while being treated? What if you where you were working was your new home? I don't think your travel insurer would allow that.

Expatriate insurance allows you leave your place of residence and take up residence elsewhere, move, travel, work . . .whatever, and you are still covered.

$200/month Canadian covers everywhere in the world except Canada and the United States. $300/month covers anywhere in the world. (I should add here these rates are for a female between the ages of 60 and 64 in good health - obviously the younger you are the less expensive the health insurance)

If I leave Manitoba, let Manitoba Health know I'm leaving, get a job in Mexico, send a copy of my contract to Manitoba Health I can be out of province for a maximum of 2 years and still be covered, as long as I'm in Manitoba. What if I end up being gone longer? I wouldn't have coverage in Manitoba for three months, upon my return.

For those of us who have not had to pay for health coverage and to a certain extent take universal health care for granted it might just be that health insurance becomes our major monthly expense.

I don't know, I'm still figuring it all out. I may be able to buy health coverage for Mexico while in Canada, which might be cheaper than coverage for the entire world.

My life is full of questions, and no hard and fast answers. I like it that way.

Again, thanks for thinking of me.