Zihuatanejo-Ixtapa Message Board - Health Insurance

Health Insurance (reply)

Linda from Canada — Mon, 11 Aug 2014 23:14:30 +0000

There are several options for private medical coverage....GNP and several banks also offer it.

resident visa (reply)

HolyMole — Mon, 11 Aug 2014 19:37:02 +0000

Yes, I am well aware of how difficult it is for Mexicans to get visas to visit the US. Even business owners who want to go to a Rotary exchange have difficulty. And I can't help wondering (like Holy Mole) if some of this might be a bit of retaliation. On the plus side -- and completely off topic -- Mr. Mole might like to know that the election year noise-making seems to have moved away from Plaza Kioto. And least for now. They have stationed themselves down the street, near the Commercial. Seems like someone figured out the traffic there makes easier targets for handing out fliers etc.

I hope the election campaign noise really has moved. They were totally blasting in Plaza Kyoto last Tuesday when I was going to work. 6 speakers on full volume!!!

Our experience during the election year we stayed within sight AND SOUND of Plaza Kyoto wasn't one we would rush to repeat. I still hear Manuel Anorve's theme song in my sleep. How I prayed he would get trounced in that election.....and my prayers were answered, gracias a Dios.

election noise (reply)

katherine — Mon, 11 Aug 2014 19:33:02 +0000

Yes, I really hope they stay down there by La Comer. Seems like a better spot for it.

resident visa (reply)

jr — Mon, 11 Aug 2014 18:17:20 +0000

I hope the election campaign noise really has moved. They were totally blasting in Plaza Kyoto last Tuesday when I was going to work. 6 speakers on full volume!!!

resident visa (reply)

frostbite — Mon, 11 Aug 2014 13:53:26 +0000

Since I rent out our place in Zihua on occasion, I'm considered to be in business there. In May I was obliged to be finger printed and have my irises scanned. That seemed excessive.

Health Insurance (reply)

debio — Mon, 11 Aug 2014 13:20:21 +0000

We went to the IMSS building on Highway 200 in Zihua not far from Sams Club to apply for IMSS health insurance. This was 3 years ago..we both had FM3's (temporary resident). We brought along a translator to be sure we understood it all. We paid about $200 usd for annual insurance. We filled out a form disclosing any pre-existing conditions. We were immediately covered for office visits and small illnesses. When we returned the following year we were told we had full coverage. If we were to get a serious illness we must go to a IMSS hospital but we could request to go to any IMSS hospital in the country..not limited to Zihuatanejo. So far we haven't had to test how good the coverage is other than one bout with tourista. At that appointment I was given free medications and a free (covered) Dr. visit. I know there is another avenue of mexican insurance that I think I read about on MexConnect or through Rolly Brooks website...rollybrook.com

resident visa (reply)

katherine — Mon, 11 Aug 2014 11:12:34 +0000

resident visa (reply)

HolyMole — Mon, 11 Aug 2014 03:39:23 +0000

Yes, I understand that now. I am just a bit surprised that the government seems to be making things more difficult for immigrants. You would almost think they did not want us here.

I'm with you, Katherine. Although Mexico's 180 day tourist visa is very liberal by world standards, for some unknown reason Mexico has decided to make it much more difficult to qualify for resident status. Panama, on the other hand, goes the other way and encourages immigration of retirees.
Maybe Mexico's tightening is a knee jerk response to US (and Canadian) immigration policies over the past years?

resident visa (reply)

LadyM in Zihua — Mon, 11 Aug 2014 02:39:26 +0000

You sure have that right. The part about not giving a reason is so stupid even our government should be ashamed of themselves. I thought they were going to escort me from the Mexico City embassy in handcuffs several years ago because I dared question their policies.

resident visa (reply)

Gringo Viejo — Sun, 10 Aug 2014 23:22:19 +0000

I tried to help an 18 yo girl in Patzcuaro get her U.S. passport. She was born in L.A. to a Guatemalan mother and MX father. She had the required original and embossed birth certificate from CA and all other documents called for on the U.S. Dept of State website. She was supposed to go thru the Guadalajara consulate. It had to be done on line. We could never get anyone to answer an email or return calls from the consulate (always had to leave a voice msg).

That was in the summer of 2012; she is still trying to get her U.S. passport. It sure leaves a sour taste in my mouth.

resident visa (reply)

Linda from Canada — Sun, 10 Aug 2014 22:05:23 +0000

This is all part of the new legislation that came in just 1 1/2-2 years ago.
Compared to other country's immigration laws, Mexico is not out of line at all. You should see what we had to go through to get Canadian visas for our Mexican friends to visit us in Canada! We also some Mexican folks who couldn't get a US visa, even though their sibblings and parents had them...nor were they given any reason. (She has since gotten it) At least Canada has to provide a written reason for saying no, so the person can comply with their next application. This immigration stuff can get quite complicated.

resident visa (reply)

Linda from Canada — Sun, 10 Aug 2014 22:01:24 +0000

I have come across a really good website which talks about this medical coverage thing: http://www.focusonmexico.com/Applying_for_IMSS.html
It says that if a person has temporal or permanent status, they qualify for IMSS. Of course this would need to be verified at IMSS.

resident visa (reply)

katherine — Sun, 10 Aug 2014 21:43:59 +0000

Yes, I understand that now. I am just a bit surprised that the government seems to be making things more difficult for immigrants. You would almost think they did not want us here.

resident visa (reply)

jr — Sun, 10 Aug 2014 18:45:05 +0000

If you are applying for any sort of "new" visa for RESIDENT status you now need to apply in your home country. Your husband already has resident status, and is just moving to "permanent" resident status. When you switch from a tourist visa to a resident visa that is when you must apply in the U.S. or Canada

Health Insurance (reply)

katherine — Sun, 10 Aug 2014 17:47:49 +0000

I was not aware of the need to apply for different status outside the country. My husband went recently to renew his temporary resident card and was told to apply for permanent resident instead. His application is currently being processed. Once you have had temporary status for 5 years, you cannot renew temporary and must apply for permanent.

Health Insurance (reply)

Gringo Viejo — Sun, 10 Aug 2014 14:40:00 +0000

Linda, a gold mine of info in only a few words in your post. As I understand it--
If you are on a tourist visa then you want to find some coverage from a company licensed and doing business in the U.s/CN. Almost all companies offer some sort of health insurance coverage out of country for short periods. Read the contract carefully, it may only cover 'emergency' care out of country and require you return to home country--now you may need MASA or MedJet for airvac. It can get complicated.

If you are on a non-tourist (resident) visa then it is a whole new ball game! Some folks just bite the bullet and self-fund (medical care in MX is inexpensive) and get to home country for in depth care.

I doubt that I have said anyting that is not already common knowledge.

Health Insurance (reply)

Linda from Canada — Sun, 10 Aug 2014 00:34:56 +0000

Right. You need to have "permanent resident" status in order to apply for IMSS. We also have private coverage with GNP. You can email me for more detailed info. If you are arriving on a tourist visa...you said "relocating" right? Are you aware that the tourist visa only allows you 180 days? and that you can not longer apply for a different status here in Mexico? You must apply at a consulate in your own country. This has been the case for well over a year now.

Health Insurance (reply)

jr — Sun, 10 Aug 2014 00:18:23 +0000

Try googling international health insurance. That's what I did to get a quote for my mother. I don't think you can apply for IMSS on a tourist visa.

Health Insurance

jarad — Sun, 10 Aug 2014 00:16:19 +0000

We will be relocating to I/Z in September. Does anyone have information pertaining to health insurance in Mexico. Any info would be greatly appreciated. I tried the web, but are not getting much information. For the record, we will be arriving on a tourist visa.