Insurance in Mexico

There is a public health insurance program available to residents of Mexico, but the quality of public health facilities remains relatively basic with longer waiting lines, while the quality of private health care for those who can afford private insurance is excellent with state of the art equipment. The public health program is partly funded by income withholdings of all those who work in Mexico, regardless of whether or not they pay additional private insurance premiums.

Many in Mexico do decide to get private health insurance to expand the options for faster and better treatment at a private health care facility. There are plenty of private health coverage providers in Mexico, both Mexican and international. Many companies in businesses in Mexico also offer private health insurance benefits to their employees. Those who do not have public insurance as residents of Mexico can still be treated at a public hospital, but they must pay directly and can apply for reimbursement from their private health insurer.

To be treated at a private hospital requires proof of private insurance or some means of direct payment, and in cases where the private hospital is unsure about extent of private coverage and ability to pay the balance, they may hold a credit card or even hold the patient in the hospital a few extra days until it is sorted out.