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. Foreigners do not qualify for Social Services, but they do qualify for the health portion.
How do you qualify? To sign up you must have a Blood test and an X-Ray from a laboratory (please see below for details of the blood test) FMM/FMT, Passport, FM2, FM3, or Immigrado status. The also need a translated into Spanish birth certificate (which must show your parents names), translated into Spanish 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.
The Cost? Every individual pays a set rate depending on your age, the price (pesos) structure is as follows: 0-19 $1362; 19-40 $1603; 41-60 $2396; 60+ $3605.
What does it cover? Your first year in the system only covers minor illness, such as colds etc, nothing involving surgery. Year number 2 covers everything except broken bones and orthopedic surgery. 3rd year covers everything except chronic illnesses. In the 3rd year, all your medication is covered (except for chronic illnesses) as well as long as you get it at IMSS. You are not covered if you get it at any other pharmacy. Applicants who smoke or have preexisting conditions will not be accepted into the IMSS system.
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.
Please Note: IMSS pricing is subject to change at the beginning of each year, usually in February.
BLOOD TEST REQUIREMENTS: Glucosa / BH / QS / E60
X-Ray: RX Torax