Healthcare System in Mexico: everything you need to know

How does the Mexican health care system work?

In Mexico, healthcare is considered a right for every citizen. The National Health System operates in two sectors: a public and private one. Both sectors are divided into three levels.

The first level provides primary care. It consists of outpatient medical centers with laboratory and imaging. This level is very important in early detection and treatment of diseases such as hypertension, obesity and diabetes.

Health care providers at this level can attend patients in their homes or at work.

The second level is composed of general hospitals that provide pediatrics, general surgery, internal medicine, hospitalization, emergency and medium complexity procedures.

Patients who were treated at the first level can be referred to the second level if they require further treatment.

Finally, in the third level are the specialty hospitals where complex and high-risk diseases are treated. These facilities have specific treatment technology.

The services provided by the public sector are financed by the federal and state governments through taxes on workers and employers. In contrast, the private system is financed by individual members with the economic means to pay. 

How does the system work for foreigners?

If you move to Mexico to work or study, you will have access to the public health system, which provides free health care. Some institutions of higher education offer health insurance that you can include in your program of study.

The Instituto de Salud para el Bienestar (INSABI), recently created by the Mexican government allows foreign residents to enroll for free in the public health care system. It does not allow you to attend private clinics, nor does it cover high-cost treatments, it only covers what is included in levels 1 and 2. To register with INSABI you must go to the nearest public health center with your Unique Population Registry Code (CURP) and identification card.

You will also have the option of registering to the private system if you are able to pay for it. This way you will have access to better medical attention in high quality specialized clinics.

If you are traveling to Mexico for tourism, it is important that you have medical insurance, either travel or international, with coverage in the country. This way you will be able to get medical attention even in private sector clinics.

At InternationalHealth.com you will find travel insurance and international medical insurance plans that will allow you to travel with covered and protected against any medical expenditure. 

What do I do if I have an emergency in Mexico?

The general emergency number in Mexico is 911. Public ambulances are free of charge, however, the service is often criticized due ambulances taking a long time to het to an emergency, and even overcharging some patients. The companies that provide this service are ERUM, ISMM, Cruz Roja Mexicana, among others.

If you are affiliated to the private system, the clinic where you are treated will have its own ambulance service, therefore it is best to call directly to the clinic's emergency number. Usually, in this case, the service has an additional cost over your health insurance.

911 will put you in contact with ambulance services as well as fire and police services.