One of the considerations for Americans and Canadians who are planning on spending winters in Mexico or who are moving to Mexico full time, is health care insurance. Mexico is well-known for having inexpensive, quality healthcare. Mexican healthcare is provided through a combination of private and public providers. Private healthcare is offered on a free-market system, available to anyone who can afford it; public healthcare is offered through a universal healthcare system put in place and maintained by the Mexican government.
If you choose to retire to Mexico or live here full time and become a legal resident, you may apply for Seguro Popular, the universal public healthcare program in Mexico. The cost of this coverage is based on a sliding scale, with premiums depending on factors like income and whether you own a home.
But you may prefer to access the private system, in which case making certain that you are covered with a good health insurance policy is wise. Some Americans may find that their current policy, such as Blue Cross, gives them coverage at certain private hospitals. For Canadians, provincial health care will not cover them in Mexico.
Travel insurance for snowbirds is generally the most reasonable option, but it is important to comparison shop as policy prices can vary widely. It is also very important to read policies carefully to look for exclusions. For permanent residents, international health insurance is usually the most popular option, but again, it is important to comparison shop and read policies carefully as rates can vary from $1000 USD per year to $20 000 USD per year depending on many factors, such as pre-existing conditions, deductible, the breadth of coverage, etc.
For most foreigners living in Mexico, health insurance is an affordable part of the expat lifestyle, particularly when offset by the low cost of living in Mexico and the affordability of owning a home in Mexico.
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