6 replies to this topic

[zunigan]

Here's one more dumb question. Do they have medical insurance for mexican citizens? If so how to you go about getting it and is it expensive?

[Chiquito]

There is a socialized medicine program for people working in above the table jobs. But I don't know anything about it except that it exists. Someone else know more?

Most doctors total consult cost in Tijuana is about the same as your copay would be with US insurance. And the Mexican doctors tend to spend a lot more time with you whereas their US counterparts tend to arrive late, rush you thru, and get out ASAP. But find a good Mexican doctor that is not trying to cater to visiting Americans, they will tend to be more expensive.

[vagabundo]

Mexican citizens have the Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social or IMSS. It's my understanding that mexican employers are required to pay for this insurance for all of their employees. It's also available to non-citizens as well if you have a valid FMT, FM2 or FM3. There is a waiting period of a year before surgery would be covered.

Here's a link to the government website www.imss.gob.mx.

For more information you can also visit mexico connect @ www.mexconnected.com and search for IMSS.

[Pieancho]

There is also a federal govenment employees insurance plan called ISSSTE. My wife is a retired federal school teacher and she has this insurance as well as her spouse, me. There hospital is in La Mesa near Plaza de Americas. I also have Kaiser for my family from the time when I worked in San Diego. Guess which one we prefer to use. See my post from my experiences there. http://www.tijuanabl...ighlight=isssteAdditionally, there is a Baja California government employees plan called ISSSTECAL. The have a hospital in Mirador.

[otayBill]

Mexican national health insurance is available if you have legal resident status. There is a six-month waiting period after you apply. It costs about $250 a year for a family. You have to go to the government clinics and hospitals. Some people have the national health insurance as a backup plan, but visit a private doctor for most treatments.

[libertythor]

I recommend that you go for paying into IMSS because it is very cheap to participate in and it will be there if you are broke at the moment and need to go to the emergency room.

Trust me. In three years I have been here, I just about always use the private system. But during a few months when I was practically broke, IMSS covered me for a respiratory distress situation.

If you are documented, and you can reasonably pay the premium that they require (any American that works in the US or here can reasonably pay 22 bucks a month for this.....110-300 bucks a year depending on the number of people and situation), do it!!!!!

Socialized medicine can suck, but it helps in a pinch. Just as US emergency services will treat you regardless of you payment history....in Mexico you just need to pay a nominal amount a month. ( compared to the US.

If you enroll in a public university such as the UABC you are automatically covered under IMSS.

(Another reason to take the Spanish for foreigner classes at the UABC. Its worth the 200 bucks a semester no?)

If you have doubts as to whether the school has enrolled you, ask them.

[zunigan]

So how exactly do you go about applying for this insurance. I don;t need it I have my own here in the us but my husband needs it. He is not working as yet but we can pay I just need to find out how to get it.