When planning on moving to Mexico a primary concern should be healthcare. People who have moved to Mexico are very lucky since Mexico health care is generally very good, in most places, it is positively exceptional.
Many health care practitioners in Mexico receive at least part of their training in the United States and many American doctors have trained in Mexico, notably in Guadalajara.
Every mid-sized to large city in Mexico has at least one first-rate hospital and a big plus about health care in Mexico is that the costs are generally half or less than one might expect to pay in the U.S.
The same thing also applies for prescription drugs. Those prescription drugs that are manufactured in Mexico are about fifty percent less on the average, compared with similar drugs manufactured in the United States.
There are two options to consider for healthcare in Mexico: IMSS (Social Security) and Private.
Thousands of U.S. retirees are moving to Mexico and taking advantage of IMSS – Mexican social security healthcare (Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social).
Mexico has allowed retirees and people who wish to stay in the country for a longer period of time to contribute to this scheme, this is the closest to socialized medical coverage as it is possible to get.
There are some pre-existing conditions that would prevent you from coverage by way of IMSS. The typical cost of payment is calculated having a full time job on a minimum wage salary; the cost will increase marginally each year.
You can apply for IMSS on the official government web site by answering general health care, medical history and a questionnaire. The annual fee will give you access to resources like regular doctor and dental checkups, emergency surgeries, lab tests from your doctor, prescription medicine and even eyeglasses.
In a recent article about IMSS from USA Today, the paper said “The system has flaws, the facilities aren’t cutting-edge, and the deal may not last long because the Mexican government said in a recent report that it is notorious for losing money. But for now, (American) retirees say they’re getting a bargain.”
