Thinking of moving to Mexico or already living here and wondering how to get reliable private health insurance? You’re not alone. As more Americans, Canadians, and Europeans relocate south, one question keeps coming up:
“What’s the best health insurance in Mexico for expats in 2025?”
Spoiler: there’s no one-size-fits-all answer. But in this guide, we’ll help you cut through the noise and choose the right plan for you — based on what really matters, not just marketing hype.
Why You Can’t Trust Google or Facebook Groups
Let’s be honest: health insurance in Mexico can be confusing.
Between unfamiliar providers, technical terms like “coaseguro” and “deducible,” and hundreds of Reddit threads full of half-truths, it’s hard to know who to trust.
Some plans sound cheap, but won’t help you when you actually need surgery. Others include global coverage you’ll never use. And some brokers just want a quick sale.
We’re here to make this simple, honest, and tailored for expats… We also made this guide for you:
> A Guide to Healthcare Insurance for Expats in Mexico
What Really Matters When Choosing Health Insurance in Mexico
Forget the ads. These are the things that actually make a difference:
- Hospital Access: Not every plan lets you go to top private hospitals like Médica Sur or ABC. Some restrict you to lower-tier clinics. Know this before you buy.
- Deductible & Coinsurance: These are the out-of-pocket costs you will pay when something happens. Some plans let you skip both — others can stick you with huge bills.
- Waiting Periods: Many common surgeries (like hernias or knees) aren’t covered in the first year. Some take up to 3 years. Always check the fine print.
- Maternity Coverage: Not planning a baby? Skip this. But if you are, all plans will not cover childbirth unless you’ve had the policy for 10 months.
- Pre-existing Conditions: Every company handles these differently. Some will exclude them forever, some will accept them with extra cost, and others will reject your application.
- Customer Service & Claim Approval: This is huge. You don’t want an insurance company that makes you jump through hoops or ghosts you when things get serious.
Best Health Insurance in Mexico for Expats (2025)
Here’s a side-by-side comparison of top providers we recommend — based on years of experience working with expats across Mexico.
All national plans include $100,000 USD in emergency coverage abroad. But if you’re looking for full international protection, you’ll need to upgrade to a global plan.
Not sure which one is right for you? Check out our detailed comparison here:
> Expat Health Insurance in Mexico: Should You Get Global or Local Coverage?
NOTE:
- This list is ordered alphabetically.
- The “Hospitals” section refers only to Mexico City facilities. We’ll soon publish hospital lists for other cities and states — stay tuned!
Allianz (Master, Amplio, and Clásico)
Coverage limit: Up to $150M MXN (lifetime)
Deductible from: $22,500 MXN
Coinsurance: 10%, capped at $85,000 MXN
Maternity: $19,500 to $65,000 MXN
Maximum age to apply: 59
Risky activities (motorcycling, horseback riding, etc.): can be covered with an extra cost
IDATU score: 2
Hospitals:
- Master: ABC Observatorio, ABC Santa Fe, Médica Sur, Ángeles Pedregal
- Amplio: Ángeles Roma, Bité Médica, Hospital Español, Star Médica Centro
- Clásico: CAMI, Dalinde, Santa Rosa
Axa (Diamante, Esmeralda, and Zafiro)
Coverage limit: Up to $173M MXN (lifetime)
Deductible from: $19,000 MXN
Coinsurance: 10%, capped at $58,000 MXN
Maternity: $17,000 to $64,000 MXN
Maximum age to apply: 64
Risky activities (motorcycling, horseback riding, etc.): can be covered with an extra cost
IDATU score: 5
Hospitals:
- Diamante: ABC Observatorio, ABC Santa Fe, Ángeles Pedregal, Sedna
- Esmeralda: Médica Sur, Ángeles Acoxpa, Ángeles Roma, Bité Médica
- Zafiro: Dalinde, CAMI, Cedros, HMG, San Ángel Inn Universidad
Bupa (Nacional Vital, Nacional Plus, and Global)
Coverage limit: Up to $10M USD per year
Deductible from: $0
Coinsurance: 0%
Maternity: $40,000 MXN to $20,000 USD
Maximum age to apply: 74
Risky activities (motorcycling, horseback riding, etc.): covered at no extra cost
IDATU score: 1
Hospitals:
- Nacional Vital: Bité Médica, Dalinde, Ángeles Acoxpa, Ángeles Roma, CAMI, HMG Coyoacán, MAC Periférico
- Nacional Plus: No national restrictions
- Global: No national restrictions; full international network
GNP (Premium, Platino, Flexible: Indigo, Ambar, and Cuarzo)
Coverage limit: Up to $166M MXN (lifetime)
Deductible from: $18,000 MXN
Coinsurance: 10%, capped at $86,000 MXN
Maternity: $32,500 to $62,500 MXN
Maximum age to apply: 64
Risky activities (motorcycling, horseback riding, etc.): can be covered with an extra cost
IDATU score: 4
Hospitals:
- Premium: ABC Observatorio, ABC Santa Fe, Ángeles Pedregal, Bité Médica
- Platino: Médica Sur, Ángeles Acoxpa, Ángeles Universidad, MAC Periférico
- Flexible Indigo / Ambar / Cuarzo: Dalinde, Roma, San Ángel Inn Patriotismo, Santa Mónica
MetLife (Ejecutivo, Más, and Básico)
Coverage limit: Up to 51,500 UMAM (lifetime)
Deductible from: $26,000 MXN
Coinsurance: 10%, capped at $80,000 MXN
Maternity: 12 to 22 UMAM
Maximum age to apply: 64
Risky activities (motorcycling, horseback riding, etc.): can be covered with an extra cost
IDATU score: 6
Hospitals:
- Ejecutivo: ABC Observatorio, ABC Santa Fe, Ángeles del Pedregal
- Más: Médica Sur, HMG, Ángeles Acoxpa
- Básico: Dalinde, Santa Rosa, Clínica CIME
Note: MetLife uses monthly UMAs (Unidad de Medida y Actualización) to define coverage limits instead of mexican pesos. You can check the current UMA value published by the Mexican government here:
👉🏻 https://inegi.org.mx/temas/uma/
Monterrey NYL (Pleno, Íntegro, and Práctico)
Coverage limit: Up to $160M MXN (lifetime)
Deductible from: $20,000 MXN
Coinsurance: 10%, capped at $75,000 MXN
Maternity: $35,500 to $60,000 MXN
Maximum age to apply: 64
Risky activities (motorcycling, horseback riding, etc.): can be covered with an extra cost
IDATU score: 3
Hospitals:
- Pleno: ABC Observatorio, ABC Santa Fe, Ángeles Pedregal
- Íntegro: Médica Sur, Ángeles Lindavista, Ángeles Acoxpa, HMG, Español
- Práctico: CAMI, Dalinde, Santa Rosa, Torre Médica Arcu, San José
Waiting Periods You Need to Know
Even with great insurance, some things won’t be covered immediately.
| Insurer | Waiting Periods |
|---|---|
| Allianz | 30 days: general waiting period 10 months: maternity 300 days: gallbladder, kidneys, breast 600 days: spine, nose, prostate, hernias, knees, etc. 48 months: HIV/AIDS |
| Axa | 30 days: general waiting period 10 months: maternity 18 months: spine, breast, urinary tract, pelvic floor, knees, acid reflux 24 months: hernias, nose, sinuses, tonsils, prostate 48 months: HIV/AIDS, bariatric surgery |
| Bupa Nacional | 30 days: general waiting period 10 months: maternity 12 months: cancer 24 months: bunions, orthopedic issues, nasal surgeries 36 months: HIV/AIDS |
| Bupa Global | 30 days: general waiting period 10 months: maternity 12 months: prophylactic surgery 36 months: HIV/AIDS |
| GNP | 30 days: general waiting period 10 months: maternity 12 months: cancer 24 months: spine, knees, hernias, tonsils, breast, prostate, varicose veins, gallbladder, pelvic floor, etc. 48 months: HIV/AIDS |
| MetLife | 30 days: general waiting period 10 months: maternity 12 months: cancer, bariatric surgery, acid reflux 24 months: hernias, breast, prostate, tonsils, nose, gallbladder, varicose veins, spine, knees 48 months: HIV/AIDS 60 months: undeclared pre-existing conditions |
| Monterrey NYL | 30 days: general waiting period 10 months: maternity 24 months: bunions, orthopedic issues, nasal surgeries 36 months: spine, gallbladder, nose, breast, prostate, knees, etc. 60 months: HIV/AIDS |
Tip: Start your policy early — before something happens. Insurers don’t backdate coverage.
What If You Have a Pre-Existing Condition?
If you’ve already been diagnosed with something before purchasing insurance, it’s considered a pre-existing condition — and that can make things more complicated.
What do insurers do in those cases? It depends, but these are the most common outcomes:
- They accept the condition, but require a waiting period.
- They cover it, but charge an extra fee (called an extraprima).
- They exclude it entirely and will never cover it.
- They exclude it and still charge extra due to general risk.
- They reject your application completely and suggest you look elsewhere.
This is a complex topic. Below is a quick table to give you an idea, but if you want a deeper explanation, check out our full article: > Does private health insurance in Mexico cover preexisting conditions?
| Insurance Company | Waiting Period | Conditions | Exclusions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Allianz | Variable, depending on endorsement | No medical expenses during waiting period. Re-evaluated upon request. | Undeclared conditions. If expenses occurred before waiting period. |
| Axa | 2 years | No symptoms or expenses during this time. Must purchase additional “PRE” coverage. Coverage limit applies. | Undeclared conditions. If expenses occurred before the period. If PRE coverage is not purchased, nothing is covered. |
| Bupa Nacional | 2 years | If no symptoms in the last 5 years, standard waiting period applies. | Undeclared conditions. |
| Bupa Global | 2 years | Same as above — if symptom-free for 5 years, general waiting applies (as low as 30 days). | Undeclared conditions. |
| GNP | 2 years | No symptoms or expenses in that time. Medical certification required. | Undeclared or recently active conditions. |
| MetLife | 2 years | Requires written application and medical evaluation. Sum insured may be limited. | Recently active conditions. |
| Monterrey NYL | 4 years | No symptoms or expenses for 3 years. | Undeclared or recently active conditions. Chronic diseases, cancer, diabetes, HIV, spine issues, etc. |
Which Hospitals Can You Use?
When you choose a private health insurance plan in Mexico, you’re not just choosing an insurance company — you’re also choosing which hospitals you’ll have access to. Every plan comes with a hospital tier, and that directly impacts how much you pay and the kind of care you receive.
- If you have a high-tier plan (like Master, Diamante, Premium, Ejecutivo, or Pleno), you can access top hospitals like ABC or Médica Sur without restrictions.
- If you have a mid-tier plan, you can go to good hospitals — but if you use a top-tier hospital, you’ll pay a higher coinsurance (with no cap).
- If you go to a lower-tier hospital than what your plan allows, you often pay no coinsurance — meaning it costs you less.
It’s also important to understand that higher-tier hospital plans cost more, but they usually give you fewer surprises in emergencies.
Here’s a breakdown of hospital tier names by insurer:
| Insurance Company | High Tier | Mid Tier | Basic Tier |
|---|---|---|---|
| Allianz | Master | Amplio | Clásico |
| Axa | Diamante | Esmeralda | Zafiro |
| Bupa | – | – | – |
| GNP | Premium | Platino | Flexible |
| MetLife | Ejecutivo | Más | Básico |
| Monterrey NYL | Pleno | Íntegro | Práctico |
Why doesn’t Bupa have hospital tiers?
Because Bupa plays in a different league.
Among all their plans, only Nacional Vital has a restricted hospital network. The rest — including Nacional Plus and the entire Global line — are not limited by any network.
That means you can get treated wherever you want, without worrying if a hospital is “in” or “out” of your plan. Literally, you choose — Bupa pays.
How Good is Their Customer Service?
Mexico’s Financial Services Bureau (Buró de Entidades Financieras), managed by CONDUSEF, is a public platform that shows how well insurers and other institutions treat their clients. It tracks complaints, contract issues, sanctions, and customer service quality.
One key metric is the IDATU score, which rates how efficiently each company handles claims and resolves problems. It evaluates how quickly and fairly each company handles claims, responds to complaints, and resolves issues.
While the official score ranges from 1 to 10, we’ve simplified it into ranking positions (1st, 2nd, 3rd…) so you can easily compare performance.
Because yes — if you file a formal complaint and you’re right, they’ll have to pay you. But the real difference is: how fast, how smooth, and how many hoops they make you jump through to get what you’re owed.
| Company | IDATU Rank |
|---|---|
| Bupa | 1 (best) |
| Allianz | 2 |
| Monterrey NYL | 3 |
| GNP | 4 |
| Axa | 5 |
| MetLife | 6 (worst) |
If service matters to you (especially in English), Bupa is the most consistent with expats (and in general).
Do I Need an RFC (Tax ID) to Get Insured?
No — but you do need legal residency.
To purchase private health insurance in Mexico, you don’t need an RFC (tax ID). That requirement only applies to people who want to deduct the cost from their Mexican taxes.
However, insurers do require a valid CURP, which means you’ll need to have temporary or permanent residency in Mexico.
And the most important part… who are you buying from?
That super cheap policy someone offered you — do you even know if they’re a real insurance agent?
- Do they have experience?
- Do they have a license?
- And if they do — is it the basic one, or the professional one?
Because this isn’t just about “closing a sale”. It’s about making sure that when something serious happens, someone actually shows up to help.
We wrote a full article on this exact topic:
> How to Know if an Insurance Agent in Mexico Is Legit
Our Honest Take
At Donna, we’re independent advisors — we don’t push one brand over another. We work with Allianz, Axa, Bupa, GNP, MetLife and New York Life, so we can help you compare objectively.
In 2025, these are the three most requested plans by our expat clients:
- Bupa Nacional Plus – For English-speaking service and no hospital network restrictions
- Allianz Amplio – For access to high-quality hospitals at a more moderate price point
- Bupa Global Select – For international coverage with no network limits across Mexico and premium global support
Ready to Get a Quote? We’ll help you:
- Pic the best fit for your needs and budget
- Understand what’s actually covered (and what’s not)
- Apply even if you don’t have an RFC
- Get clear answers — in English or Spanish
Fill out this form to start the process or message us on WhatsApp — we’re real people, and we actually reply.
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