IMSS - INSTITUTO MEXICANO DEL SEGURO SOCIAL
THE MAIN OBJECTIVE OF SOCIAL SECURITY IS TO GUARANTEE THE RIGHT TO
GOOD HEALTH, MEDICAL ASSISTANCE, THE PROTECTION OF THE MEANS OF SUBSISTENCE
AND THE NECESSARY SOCIAL SERVICES FOR THE COLLECTIVE AND INDIVIDUAL WELL
BEING, AS WELL AS THE ASSIGNMENT OF A PENSION THAT COMPLIES TO THE LEGAL
REQUIREMENTS THAT SHOULD BE GUARANTEED BY THE STATE.
This is article 2 from IMSS. It is a rough translation from Spanish, but that is their main statement. Us as foreigners do not qualify for Social Services, but we do qualify for the health portion.
How do you qualify? To sign up you must have a, Passport, FM2, FM3, or Immigrado status, birth certificate*, marriage license* if you are married, and proof of residency. IMSS will require you to bring the above, along with 2 pictures of yourself (infantile size), and fill out the questionnaire they have. For a copy of the question IMSS asks, please click here.
The Cost? Every individual pays a set rate depending on your age, the
price (pesos) structure is as follows: 0-19 $1222; 20-39 $1428; 40-59
$2134; 60+ $3211.
What does it cover? Your first year in the system only covers minor illness,
such as colds etc, nothing involving surgery. You are also covered for
emergencies such as car accidents, and such things as appendicitis, heart
attack, etc. Year number 2 covers everything except broken bones. 3rd
year covers everything. In the 3rd year, all your medication is covered
as well as long as you get it at IMSS. You are not covered if you get
it at any other pharmacy. The only thing that is not covered at anytime
is pre-existing conditions.
How good is it? It is excellent. We have heard of a number of cases in
which they received excellent care. The facilities might not what you've
come to expect in the US or Canada, but the doctors and staff are top
notch, many of the Doctors having been trained in the US and Canada.
* Must be translated into Spanish.
Please Note: IMSS pricing is subject to change at the beginning of each year