Health-Care System in Mexico

Mexico fosters three unequal yet parallel systems of health care. There are six governmental-run social security institutions that provide care for approximately 50 million of Mexico's gainfully employed. The uninsured poor, comprised of about 40 million persons, receive limited health-care benefits administered by the Health Secretariat. The private sector, which represents about 3 million Mexicans, is compromised of individuals whose health-care funding is met through private insurance carriers. We will limit our discussion to the two health organizations that are accessible to travelers and expatriates.

Social Security

The largest and most notable social security organization is the Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social or IMSS. The IMSS is available to foreigners residing in Mexico and is funded by contributions from employers, beneficiaries, and the Mexican Government.

Hopsitals and clinics that provide medical care for social security recipients are of variable quality. While major urban institutions may provide adequate to excellent tertiary care, rural hospitals often have outdated equipment, long waits, and inadequate staffing. Please note that in the IMSS system you cannot choose your primary care provider, thus your access to care (and hospitals) is regulated by your assigned physician. One way to circumvent the IMSS referral process is to see a doctor with IMSS privileges in private practice and then have that doctor refer you to the best IMSS facility for care (through the IMSS system). Social security costs for medical care and prescription drugs are minimal.

The Private Sector

In general, private medical care in Mexico is preferred; as much as 25 percent of patients with social security benefits or no coverage at all prefer to pay out-of-pocket for private care. Since health care in Mexico is, in general, much less expensive than in North America, cash payment is still an affordable option. The cost for a general medical consultation may begin as low as US$20 (of course, it is much more expensive than in major cities and tourist destinations). Very few Mexicans have private health insurance but this sector is growing.

Private hospitals in Guadalajara, Monterrey, and Mexico City are some of the most advanced tertiary care centers in the world. Most of the doctors in these hospitals have excellent Mexican medical education, and many have trained abroad in Europe or North America. Most private hospitals do not accept any form of foreign health insurance, and cash or credit payment is required in advance.

There are also very good medical centers in many smaller cities that are frequented by tourists. Private "hospitals" or clinics in rural destinations tend to be owned by groups of local physicians with varying levels of training. The facilities and technology are typically outdated but sufficient for managing minor illnesses. Patients with advanced care requirements should always be transferred to a tertiary medical center.

Health Secretariat

Nearly half of Mexico's 100 million inhabitants have no health insurance benefits at all. Their preventive care is limited to vaccinations and oral rehydration programs for children. Care in this sector is extremely limited. As an example, infant mortality is ten times higher than in the parallel private sector. Red cross or Cruz Roja hospitals service the indigenous poor and are accessible to anyone in Mexico regardless of their ability to pay. We cannot recommend that travelers seek care in this sector unless there are no other options.