Mexico Health Insurance
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Estados Unidos Mexicanos or the United Mexican States is the
official name of Mexico, a large, diverse and fascinating
country situated in North America. Mexico is located to the
south of the United States with the Pacific Ocean to its west
and south, and the Gulf of Mexico to the east. Mexico shares
its southeast borders with Belize and Guatemala, and the area
fronts the Caribbean Sea. Although Mexico does not have an
official constitutional language, Spanish is spoken at all
public functions and is by far the predominant language spoken
across the country by the majority of its 114 million
residents (CIA, 2012), which makes Mexico the largest speaking
Spanish country in the world. A number of indigenous languages
are also used. Over 80percent of the population indicated they
were Roman Catholic during their last consensus in 2010,
making Mexico the second largest catholic community on the
planet. The capital, Mexico City is the cultural, political,
and financial center of Mexico and one of the richest cities
in the world. Mexico’s climate is defined by the Tropic of
Cancer which runs through the 24th parallel (a circle of
latitude 24 degrees north of the Equator). To the north of the
parallel, the weather is milder and gets cooler in the winter
months. To the south, the climate is more tropical and any
variances in the temperature can be mostly attributed to the
changes in elevation in relation to sea level. This makes the
weather system in Mexico one of the most diverse in the world.
Mexico as a destination has something for everyone whether it
be golf or sailing, extreme sports or fishing, relaxing on one
of its many beautiful beaches, or indulging in its rich
archaeological history. As such it is a popular destination
for holiday makers throughout the year.
Mexico Health Care and Insurance
Over the last decade the health care system in Mexico has
greatly improved, with more funding and more locals are able
to access health-related services. The Ministry of Health of
Mexico is responsible for managing the health sector and
delivering healthcare services to the populace. The public
system is funded primarily through taxes, social insurance
payments and the government. Payments are deducted from
employee salaries and channeled through the Institute of
Social Security, with employers also making additional
contributions. The Institute runs its own hospitals and
primary care units for insured workers, which currently
numbers around 50 million Mexicans. The quality of these
medical facilities varies greatly. Some urban hospitals and
care centers offer a reasonable standard of service however in
rural areas, residents often only access facilities which
suffer from crowding, long waiting times, have outdated
equipment and a shortage of medical personnel. The Ministry of
Health is working towards universal healthcare offering the
uninsured, which are usually the unemployed and the poor, a
limited Mexico health insurance plan. This extends to
approximately 40 million people.
Often quoted as a measure of the quality of life in a
country, estimated life expectancy in Mexico has progressively
risen over recent decades and currently sits at 73 years for
males and 79 years for females (CIA, 2012) which positions
Mexico higher than Uruguay, but lower than the United Arab
Emirates, which both flank it on a comparative scale. Another
indicator of health conditions within a country is the
maternal mortality rate, which in Mexico is estimated at 85
deaths per 100,000 live births; far in excess of the country’s
target of, a still considerable, 22 deaths. Also of public
health concern is the prevalence of disease and consistent
outbreaks; however the Ministry of Health has indicated that
the outbreak of swine flu in 2010, in which 10 people died and
573 people were infected, is now under control and infection
rates are expected to drop by April 2012. Those in the most
vulnerable groups are exposed to infection more so than any
other and the potential exists for increased prevalence. The
limitations of the universal healthcare sector are evident,
with infant mortality for those of the populace that access
the service, 10 times higher than those who engage the
services of the private sector.
The private system is accessed by the wealthiest Mexicans
and the middle class, and offers a relatively high standard of
care. Private Mexico health insurance is popular with these
groups. In contrast to public sector facilities, the private
sector offers some of the most advanced healthcare centers in
the world and many of the doctors working in the sector have
trained in either the United States or Europe. Due to the
lower cost of services than those available in the United
States, Mexico attracts a significant number of US citizens to
its healthcare system, despite there being a greater risk
involved with receiving a lower standard of care in the
country. Unless there is no other option, local facilities
should be avoided in favour of private-sector treatment,
however international health insurance should be arranged to
cover the cost of such treatment.
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Mexico's medical insurance industry is a fast paced ever evolving market however our staff are experts and at your disposal. |
Expatriates and Travelers in Mexico
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Mexico Health Insurance Concerns
Although the overall health care offering in Mexico is
reasonable, there are a number of potential health risks which
expatriates should ensure they are prepared for by visiting a
healthcare professional experienced in travel medicine, prior
to visiting. One of the leading causes of illness for visitors
to Mexico, particularly those visiting the capital, is
altitude sickness. Mexico City has a 7,600 ft elevation,
resulting in most people requiring an adjustment period.
Advisories recommend that people with heart conditions should
consult a doctor prior to travel to Mexico. There are a number
of steps visitors should take to protect themselves against
illness whilst in Mexico. To avoid food or water-borne
diseases, only bottled water should be consumed and at-risk
foods should be cooked thoroughly. Travelers should ensure
they receive all recommended vaccinations for their
destination, the following of which are endorsed for Mexico;
Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, Typhoid and Rabies, the latter for
those who expect to undertake activities that may bring them
into contact with stray animals. Malaria and Dengue Fever are
prevalent in the country. Because it is likely private
facilities will be used in the event of illness or injury,
international health insurance should be arranged to offset
the cost of treatment.
The country is subject to a number of natural disasters and
severe weather occurrences including earthquakes, hurricanes
and volcanic eruptions. Monitoring local and international
weather forecasts is essential, particularly in the months of
June to November when weather fronts generally occur. In the
event of natural disasters, expatriates and visitors should
follow the advice of local authorities.
There are a number of travel restrictions in place as
stipulated by advisories from developed nations. All but
essential travel is recommended to be undertaken to the area
of Ciudad Juarez, due to an increase in violent activities
around the Mexican/US border. Caution should also be exercised
in the Monterrey area and on the roads leading from the US
border to Monterrey, as a number of abductions, robberies and
car hijackings have taken place. The installation of illegal
roadblocks is also of concern. Expatriates are advised not to
travel on the roads at night, as this is when most incidences
of violence are reported to occur. Travel advisories note it
is also prudent to lock doors and keep windows closed at any
time of the day, especially whilst sitting in traffic. Drug
related killings have occurred in many of the country’s
states, with authorities reporting there were 15,273 victims
of narcotic related crime in 2010, some expected to be
innocents caught up in crime. This highlights the need for
visitors to research their destination prior to travel and
ensure they remain informed and gain up-to-date travel advice.
In addition to being aware of violent crime, expatriates
should take care of personal belongings, especially passports
and guard against opportunistic petty thieves. Comprehensive
travel and health insurance should be arranged to cover costs
associated with unexpected medical care or for the replacement
of stolen belongings.
Mexico Expat Health Insurance
The health care service in Mexico in some parts is
comparable to that of western standards however there are
inconsistencies in the services offered, particularly so in
rural areas. Expatriates should ensure they purchase
comprehensive medical insurance and discuss their specific
requirements with their insurance provider prior to travel.
Medical Air Ambulance provision should be included in the
event of an emergency. Globally transferrable policies are
available from International Medical Insurance, which provides
coverage wherever individuals may travel. A range of benefits
are delivered including emergency medical evacuation,
repatriation, hospital and doctors’ fees and costs
associated with maternity services. To ensure the cost of
medical care in Mexico is covered, make contact with an
International Medical Insurance consultant for a free
quotation.
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