Job Discussion Forums

[Johnny T.]

How do ex-pats in Mexico cover emergency or regular medical expenses? I'm moving down from Toronto in July, does anyone from Ontario, or other parts of Canada know how long OHIP or other Canadian Medical Insurance will continue coverage if one is working (as opposed to vacationing) in Mexico? Can any form of Mexican Health Insurance be bought in the same way Car Insurance can be?

[kitkat1]

Johnny T
I don't know how it works in Canada but here's one idea for starters: get a Teacher Identity Card for less than $30 USD
http://www.istc.org
It comes with super basic health insurance and you can add-on coverage until you are covered by a school in Mexico or have other local health insurance. I did it for 3 months before I had insurance from my school and it gave me peace of mind. I've also used the other services that come with the card -- lost baggage coverage, emergency passport replacement, etc. and it has been very helpful.

[samizinha]

If you leave Ontario, your OHIP is good for 6 months, but it's really limited in what it covers. If you are planning on moving to another country, however, you're supposed to cancel your OHIP.
My employer here pays into the national health care plan for me, and we have doctors that I can visit for emergencies at my campus. I also purchased insurance for about $300 pesos a year. If I would like to visit a specialist, it costs $150. They also have funny packages, like visiting a knee specialist and for an additional $100 getting a massage and laser teeth whitening

[bryan_s]

This may get you deported, but....

If you need to go the hospital, just say you are on vacation. Your health care should cover you while you spend only a few days (wink, wink) in Mexico.

[Guy Courchesne]

Bryan, do you mean to tell provincial health ministry that you've been on vacation or to tell the Mexican hospital? I'm not following you...

I've never had to file an OHIP claim before, at home or abroad. I've always assumed that while in Mexico, you would have to pay in cash, then be reimbursed in Ontario once you've gone back. A Mexican hospital is not going to accept an OHIP card would they?

I also recall reading somewhere that OHIP covers you for only $400 CDN per day while in a hospital abroad. That's not a whole lot from what I've seen here. There's probably more to it though.

[danielita]

[Samantha]

Bryan, that is weird advice. What in the world does insurance coverage back home (or lack thereof) have to do with deportation from Mexico? Mexican hospitals and insurance billing agents check up on these things if you claim to have valid coverage somewhere. Insurance fraud isn't tolerated, and the result may be a criminal charge in your home country, but certainly not a deportation order from Mexico.

BTW, Johnny, I am on the "pay as you go" plan, meaning I pay a doctor if and when I ever have to visit. "Dr. Simi" at Farmacias Similares (Mexico wide, I think) charges $2.00 US for a doctor visit (20 pesos) and that's who we usually go to. They are adequately trained doctors to refer you off to labs for appropriate tests or x-rays or write you a prescription which will be filled in the adjoining discount pharmacy. (Speaking of Mexico on the Cheap!)

[ls650]

I have medical coverage through IMSS. Our local facility is not the nightmare that IMSS can apparently be in other parts of Mexico, but on those rare occasions when I've needed a doctor or a dentist, I've paid to go visit a private office.

For example, I can walk into the local Red Cross office and for 40 pesos, see a competent doctor after about a 10 minute wait. I went to see a private dentist last week for a cleaning: the cost was 200 pesos with no wait.

[cwc]

Sam, why do you think that an overworked doctor that charges 20 pesos can treat you adequately? Isn�t your health worth a little more? Get real!
Please don�t send people to Dr. Simi. I highly suggest avoiding him if you have a little money. You get what you pay for. Why risk your health? Just look at the clientele. cwc

[ls650]

[Samantha]

Well cwc, Dr. Simi has done just fine by my family. I related my personal experience is all, and I stand by it for good reason. They are the equivalent of a walk-in clinic and we all have used those from time to time. Many don't recommend IMSS, but in my area they are also quite acceptable with no terrible horror stories that I am aware of. Anyone with major medical history of course will have to do what's right for himself. We have also used the local Mexican Military Hospital (something most foreigners wouldn't think to do). They are quite competent and very inexpensive. You don't need to be military to use them, but you do need to speak Spanish.

P.S. yes, the clientele comment got my attention too. We have 3 or 4 Dr. Simi locations in my area and I have never been mugged, beaten, raped or robbed in the waiting room! Their doctors are NOT overworked in this area. I have never waited more than 5 minutes to see a doctor. One of the "Why I love Mexico" things.

[Johnny T.]

Thanks everyone for all the advice and if there's any more, keep it coming. I read about IMSS on Mexconnect where those retired ex-pats certainly must occasionally have some medical needs. I'll look into it. Also, I guess I should ask my employer what kind of Health Plan they might pay into - tho' I'm not banking on much. Thanks also to danielita's advice about cancelling and renewing OHIP - I'm lucky to have one of those old-fashioned non-expiring cards, so I may play that one by ear and just not attempt to use it while I'm there, tho' I think I can see what Bryan means about just reporting to OHIP that you were down for a few weeks vacation - it has nothing to do with Mexico, but a little risky when you make the claim and expect OHIP to pay you back - especially if you have them send it to your Mexican address! (How do I drag one of those laughing "emoticons" over here?)

[cwc]

Is650, Poverty, Misery, Desperation. cwc

[bryan_s]

Okay, I concede that deportation probably won't happen. I was just interjecting a little plan that I created. Going to the doctor to get stitches can be paid "out of pocket." However, if you need some life-saving surgery, it may be better to go to the U.S. (please don't flame me about how Mexican doctors are just as good at doing kidney transplants as any U.S. doctor). That is when it is good to have your insurance believe that you were on vacation.

[Ben Round de Bloc]