Health Insurance for Travel to Mexico

Peace of mind while traveling in Mexico (Photo: Michele Westmorland/Photodisc/Getty Images )

Related Articles

The US Department of State recommends that Americans traveling to Mexico check with their health insurance provider to make sure that they are covered for emergency medical treatment as well as evacuation in case of an emergency. If not, consider purchasing a travel insurance policy that provides for health care while in Mexico.

The Mexican Health Care System

Mexico has a national health care system called the Insituto Mexicano de Seguro Social, but it provides coverage only for Mexican citizens and legal immigrants who are paying into the system. Mexico does not have any kind of reciprocal medical care arrangements with foreign countries, so you are responsible for paying for medical treatment of any kind. While health care in Mexico is less expensive than in the United States, without medical travel insurance you will still face potentially exhorbitant bills. This is particularly true for emergency medical treatment.

Issues with Mexican Health Care

If you travel to Mexico without health insurance coverage and you need medical treatment, you might be required to pay for the services up front. You will be asked to show proof of insurance and give the facility a credit card number before you are seen. The US State Department indicates that there have been numerous complaints from US citizens regarding inflated medical charges at health-care facilities in beach resort areas. You can avoid this problem by having health insurance that is valid for the duration of your travel in Mexico.

Your US Health Insurance and Coverage in Mexico

Your current health insurance company might offer coverage for travel to Mexico, but that doesn't mean that you will have an easy time invoking the coverage. In many cases you will have to pay the costs up front and wait to be reimbursed. You might be covered only for a limited number of days instead of your entire trip, and also might be limited to a few clinics or facilities in the entire country. Contact your health insurance provider to understand the limits of any coverage that you do have while in Mexico. If the coverage is not sufficient, you can supplement it with a travel health insurance policy.

What to Look for in a Policy