Can I Keep My Health Insurance After I Move to Mexico?
Short Answer.
Maybe. Some health insurance plans continue to provide benefits after you move to Mexico, while others may offer limited coverage—or none at all. Before relying on your existing coverage, it's important to understand how relocating to another country may affect your benefits and whether your plan was designed to protect you while living abroad.
Whether You Keep Your Coverage Depends on The Type of Health Insurance You Have.
Some health plans may continue after you move to Mexico, while others have residency, travel, employment, or eligibility requirements that affect how they function. Understanding those differences is an important part of planning your move.
Employer-Sponsored Health Insurance.
Some employer-sponsored health plans may continue if you remain employed and your employer allows you to work remotely or travel between Mexico and your home country. Coverage depends on your employer's plan and how it functions outside your home country.
COBRA
COBRA allows eligible individuals to temporarily continue their employer-sponsored health insurance after leaving a job. It provides coverage within the same geographic service area where they were previously insured, making it a useful short-term solution for people in the process of moving to Mexico and a bridge for those who may need to return home for medical care before establishing a long-term healthcare strategy in Mexico.
ACA Marketplace Plans - Obamacare
ACA Marketplace plans are generally designed to provide coverage within a specific service area in the United States, often based on your state, county, or ZIP code of residence. If you relocate to Mexico, it's important to understand how your move may affect your eligibility and plan options before making changes to your coverage.
Medicare
Medicare should generally not be canceled simply because you move to Mexico. While Medicare provides little or no routine coverage for individuals residing in Mexico, maintaining your Medicare enrollment may be an important part of your long-term health protection strategy. Life can be unpredictable, and preserving your Medicare benefits may help protect your future healthcare options should you need to return to the United States. It also helps you avoid potential late enrollment penalties that could affect your coverage later in life.
Canadian Provincial Health Plans
Canadian provincial health plans have residency requirements that vary by province. In most cases, maintaining coverage requires spending a minimum amount of time in your home province each year in order to remain eligible.
European National Health Systems
Coverage rules vary by country. If you are relocating from Europe, it's important to understand how your national health system functions once you establish residency in Mexico.
You May Still Be Wondering…
Can I Keep My COBRA Coverage After Moving to Mexico?
Can I Keep My ACA Marketplace Health Insurance if I Live in Mexico?
Can I Keep My Employer Health Insurance if I Work Remotely from Mexico?
Can I Keep My Canadian Provincial Health Insurance After Moving to Mexico?