Healthcare In Mexico

An overview of the healthcare system in Mexico and information on local hospitals and heath care providers.

Overview of Healthcare in Mexico

Mexico has excellent healthcare facilities through public and private hospitals and clinics. The quality of healthcare in Mexico is exceptional. Many Mexican doctors receive their medical training in the US and Canada. Also, increasingly more Americans and other foreign students attend Mexican medical schools.

Hospitals in Mexico are safe and affordable.  Americans who cannot afford medical care in the US have traveled to Mexico for years for everything from dental implants, face lifts, weight loss surgery, general surgery or any other medical procedure. Mexican is one of the most popular places in terms of catering to US medical tourists.

Does Mexico have good hospitals?

The majority of private hospitals in Mexico are outstanding. They have modern facilities, medical equipment and supplies. They have highly trained staff and many doctors speak English. Nurses and administrative staff at private hospitals in Mexico may not speak English. The best private hospitals in Mexico are found in the Mexico City, Guadalajara and Monterrey.

Below is a list of hospitals in Mexico by popular expat destination (on page link to private hospitals in Mexico).

Is healthcare in Mexico free?

There are three basic public healthcare institutions in Mexico:

  • ISSSTE – Instituto de Seguridad y Servicios Sociales de los Trabajadores del Estado (Mexican Civil Service Social Security and Services Institute)
    ISSSTE provides social security and healthcare services for federal works.

  • IMSS - Instituto Mexicano de Seguro Social (Mexican Institute of Social Security).
    IMSS is a social welfare system providing social security, healthcare, and pension plans to Mexican employees, contractors, freelancers, and foreign residents.

  • INSABI – Instituto Nacional de Salud del Bienestar (National Institute of Health for Welfare).
    INSABI provides medical services to those individuals who are not covered by IMSS or ISSSTE.  It was established in 2020 and replaced the Seguro Popular health program created in 2003.

The Mexican Constitution guarantees the right to health protection and healthcare to Mexicans as well as foreigners who are legal residents in Mexico (individuals with a temporary visa or permanent visa in Mexico).

Public healthcare in Mexico

Public healthcare in Mexico is provided through IMSS and INSABI hospitals and clinics. Mexican public hospitals offer excellent medical care, however access to care can be a challenge due to the high demand for medical services and shortages in medical supplies and staffing.

The public healthcare system may not be up to expats standards or expectations. In general, expats seek medical care via private doctors and hospitals in Mexico because they can count on immediate access to healthcare and more modern medical facilities. We recommend that expats purchase an international health insurance plan (link to Health plans page) before arriving in Mexico. This will help provide peace of mind and protection from any unforeseen medical costs.

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Signing up for IMSS or INSABI healthcare

Expats with legal residency status in Mexico may elect to sign up for IMSS or INSABI.

Those employed in Mexico are automatically enrolled in the IMSS system and their health plan contributions are automatically deducted from their salary. Mexicans who work for themselves and expats with a permanent or temporary visa, may voluntarily enroll in the IMSS system. The cost of IMSS voluntary enrollment is based on age and an application is required. Most expats seek the assistance of a bilingual consultant to apply for an IMSS health plan. Coverage limitations may apply to IMSS healthcare based on applicant’s pre-existing conditions.

Individuals who cannot afford an IMSS health plan can sign up for an INSABI plan. INSABI may or may not be free, depending on your socio-economic status and what neighborhood you live in. INSABI offers basic health coverage, but does not cover all advanced medical treatment or surgeries. For a list of covered INSABI conditions, please click here.

Private healthcare in Mexico

Most expats choose private health care in Mexico, which they finance through private health insurance. Although private hospitals are more expensive, they are better equipped, provide greater access to doctor specialists, and generally offer higher quality medical care.

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Pharmacies and medication in Mexico

Pharmacies are prevalent in all Mexican cities and most medications are available in Mexico. 24- hour pharmacies can be found, especially in the larger cities. Not all pharmacies have English speaking staff, so expats might prefer visiting hospital pharmacies, where there is generally a higher chance of English being spoken.

Some pharmacies in Mexico have medical clinics attached to them, in which doctors provide medical consultations. Farmacias Similares and ISSEG are some of the most affordable pharmacies in Mexico.

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Private Hospitals Hospitals in Ensenada – Hospitales Privados en Ensenada

Velmar Hospital - Hospital Velmar
Address: De Las Arenas 151, Playa Ensenada, 22880 Ensenada, B.C., Mexico
Phone: 646 173 4500
Website: http://www.hospitalvelmar.com/english/index.html

Sirona Hospital - Hospital Sirona
Address: Colorín 284, Valle Dorado, 22890 Ensenada, B.C., Mexico
Phone: 646 173 2280

Hospitals in Mexico City – Hospitales de la Ciudad de México

Angeles Hospitals Mexico City– Hospital Angeles Ciudad de México

Several locations in Mexico City:

Hospital Angeles Acoxpa
Address: Calz Acoxpa 430, Coapa, Ex-Hacienda Coapa, Tlalpan, 14308 Ciudad de México, Ciudad de México, Mexico
Phone: 55-5679-5000

Hospital Angeles Lindavista
Address: Calle Riobamba 639, Lindavista Sur, Gustavo A. Madero, 07760 Ciudad de México, Ciudad de México, Mexico
Phone: 55-5754-7000

Hospital Angeles Lomas
Address: Vialidad de la Barranca 240, Hacienda de las Palmas, 52763 México, Mexico
Phone: 55-5246-5000

Hospital Angeles Metropolitano
Address: Tlacotalpan 59, Roma Sur, Cuauhtémoc, 06760 Ciudad de México, CDMX, México
Phone: 55-5564-6759

Hospital Angeles México
Address: Agrarismo 208, Escandón II Secc, Miguel Hidalgo, 11800 Ciudad de México, CDMX, Mexico
Phone: 55-5516-9900 

Hospital Angeles Mocel
Address: C. Gobernador Gregorio V. Gelati 29, San Miguel Chapultepec I Secc, Miguel Hidalgo, 11850 Ciudad de México, CDMX, Mexico
Phone: 55-5278-2300

Hospital Angeles Pedregal
Address: Camino Sta. Teresa 1055-S, Heroes de Padierna, Héroes de Padierna, La Magdalena Contreras, 10700 Ciudad de México, CDMX, Mexico
Phone: 55-5449-5500

Hospital Angeles Roma
Address: C. Querétaro 58, Roma Nte., Cuauhtémoc, 06700 Ciudad de México, CDMX, Mexico
Phone: 55-5265-3000

Hospital Angeles Santa Mónica
Address: Temístocles 210, Polanco, Polanco IV Secc, Miguel Hidalgo, 11560 Ciudad de México, CDMX, Mexico
Phone: 55-5531-3120

Médica Sur Hospital Mexico City – Hospital Médica Sur Ciudad de México
Address: Puente de Piedra 150, Toriello Guerra, Tlalpan, 14050 Ciudad de México, CDMX, Mexico
Phone: 55-5424-7200

American British Cowdray ABC Medical Center Mexico City – Centro Médico ABC Ciudad de México
Address: Av. Carlos Fernández Graef 154, Santa Fe, Contadero, Cuajimalpa de Morelos, 05330 Ciudad de México, CDMX, Mexico
Phone: 55-1103-1600