In September we published an article about health insurance in Mexico, where we mentioned IMSS as one of the options available for expats living in Mexico. Here is an update about the conditions to sign up for this health insurance. A foreign citizen can obtain Voluntary Health Insurance in the National Institute of Social Security (IMSS), under the Modality #33. This type of insurance can be accessed by members of Mexican families, or Mexican expats, as well as foreign residents that don’t have any other insurance scheme.
How does it work?
This service is contracted voluntarily through the signing of an agreement with the IMSS. The subjects covered by this insurance are the insured and his immediate family: spouse or common law, their children, mother and father of the insured, grandparents, grandchildren, siblings, cousins, nieces or nephews, uncles and aunts of the insured. Â An annual fee is paid that covers medical services for this period of time; this fee is paid for every member of the immediate family incorporated to the social security. Coverage starts the first day of the month following the contracting, and it must be renewed 30 days prior to the expiration date.
Your rights
- Medical assistance, surgical, pharmaceutical, hospitalization and maternity
- In case of maternity, coverage includes pregnancy, birth and puerperium.
- There are preexisting medical conditions that can stop you from being able to contract this insurance, illnesses with a waiting period, as well as some exclusions, such as aesthetic surgery, glasses, auditory devices and chronic disease treatments that require therapeutic control permanently.
 Affiliation requirements
- Go to the sub delegation with all the documents ready
- Give your general information and fill out a medical questionnaire
- Cover the payment of the annual fee
- Also, for Mexicans residing outside of Mexico, proof of residence in the foreign country and POA
 COSTS
| AGE GROUP | FEE 2016 |
| 0-19 | $2,250.00 |
| 20-29 | $2,700.00 |
| 30-39 | $2,850.00 |
| 40-49 | $4,000.00 |
| 50-59 | $4,250.00 |
| 60-69 | $6,150.00 |
| 70-79 | $6,450.00 |
| 80+ | $6,500.00 |
DOCUMENTS NEEDED
You need to turn in all these documents and pictures for each member of your family to be incorporated to IMSS.
- Official ID (voting card, military service card, professional ID, consular ID)
- Birth certificate
- CURP
- Proof of residence
- Marriage certificate
- Medical questionnaire issued by IMSS
- 2 recent photos (tamaño infantil)
- Letter where you state under oath that you don´t have family members should this be the case
In case of foreigners, all documents have to be provided in original and copy translated and apostilled.  These requirements were obtained in our local IMSS clinic and applies nationwide. If you don’t speak Spanish, we recommend you to recruit a Spanish-speaking friend to go with you when you sign up, in order to make the process easier in case that the person in charge doesn’t speak English. At TOP Mexico Real Estate we are experts in providing real estate services to Americans and Canadians. Feel free to contact us, we will be glad to help you find your very own piece of paradise.
At TOP Mexico Real Estate… We make it happen!
