IMSS - Pre-Existing Medical Condition

[RVGRINGO]

As for 'filling in the gaps' or a real emergency back-up plan; that seems to be the way most expats look at IMSS. For routine medical care or even short hospital needs, most choose to use private hospitals and pay the bill themselves. Those who are under 60 may choose to purchase private health insurance in Mexico.
IMSS is basically a government social security plan for Mexican employees with options for others, including expats, to purchase membership. ISSTE is, I think, for government employees only. Both suffer from lack of funds and less than admirable facilities, yet the surgeons may be first class as they work part time to gain government pensions. If you don't speak Spanish, you will need a private interpreter with you in most IMSS hospitals or clinics.

[Traveler123]

Originally Posted by jlms

Do you have any reference for this?

I skimmed quickly through the respective law (updated to May 2009) and could not find a reference to this.

My understanding is that IMSS will cover your no matter what as long as you are able to work.

What does working have to do with IMSS eligibility? If you are a retired expat and apply for IMSS, you are obviously not working. I hadn't read that anywhere that eligibility was related to working. If that was the case, no retiree, Mexican or US or Canadian would qualify. And I have read on other forums of retired expats who were using IMSS. Do you have a source for that information? Thanks.

[cookjmex]

Originally Posted by HolyMole

This is another instance where no one seems to know what's covered and what isn't. I'm at a loss to understand how the average guy in the street is expected to make decisons on health care insurance when there is such obvious confusion surrounding an absolutely critical issue like "does it cover pre-existing conditions?"

In my own case, I'm faced with a decision to take out-of-Canada insurance that will cost me about $2000/year in premiums.....but I can't get simple answers from the insurer as to what they cover, and, more importantly, what they do not cover.

In a relatively poor country like Mexico, it seems inconceivable that the public health care plan would exclude pre-existing conditions. That kind of nonsense is usually restricted to so-called civilized countries like the USA.

Mexico is actually a more civilized country than the USA (I'm an American) because they actually already have the so-called "public option" insurance (IMSS) that my compatriots up north have seen fit to have such a fight about. Here's a little reality check about Mexico, rules are constantly changing, and may vary from location to location, or even depending upon which shift of workers you are dealing with. This not only applies to health care, but to immigration, customs, traffic laws, etc. If you can't live with it, you better stay out of Mexico.

[joco69]

IMSS is one of the biggest Government run agencies in Mexico, however its funded largely by employers who have to enroll all employees by law. IMSS can be joined by everybody including foreigners living on a fm3/fm2 in Mexico on a voluntary basis.
You will have to get used to the bureaucracy, but then Canada can be just as bureaucratic in some way.
My experience has been good, so it helps if you speak spanish. They run frequently out of medication in local Clinics but with lots of discount pharmacies around this is not a problem.
My experience in Guadalajara at the hospital has been very satisfying, good care, pleasant staff and very clean.
Don't compare IMSS with the Canadian Healthcare System, its very different. If in hospital you are expected to have someone to be with you at all the time. The nurses will do just basic tasks, the family the rest, you have to get friendly with a mexican family who will gladly help you out. You also must be accompanied by somebody when over 60+. This of course is no problem for Mexican Citizens, they have large families and in their culture it is expected to help out the family, something we are not used to in Canada anymore.
If you can live with those conditions IMSS can be a great experience, if you can't you better go private. For more info on private insurance plans check out Tio Corp. at lakeshore.

[moisheh]

Personally I would not trust the IMSS. But it does depend on where you live. In the North of Mexico the quality of care varies from bad to unbelievable! More like butchers. Some in the Chapala area do use the service and think it is fine.

Moisheh

[RVGRINGO]

This thread is running off topic. It is about IMSS eligibility and pre-existing conditions. Quality of care in various regions is not the issue.