LEGAL
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THE
MAIN OBJECTIVE OF SOCIAL SECURITY IS TO GUARANTEE THE RIGHT TO GOOD
HEALTH, MEDICAL ASSISTANCE, THE PROTECTION OF THE MEANS OF SUBSISTENCE
AND THE NECESSARY SOCIAL SERVICES FOR THE COLLECTIVE AND INDIVIDUAL
WELL BEING, AS WELL AS THE ASSIGNMENT OF A PENSION THAT COMPLIES TO
THE LEGAL REQUIREMENTS THAT SHOULD BE GUARANTEED BY THE STATE. This
is article 2 from IMSS. It is a rough translation from Spanish, but that
is their main statement. Foreigners do not qualify for Social Services,
but you do qualify for the health portion. How
do you qualify? To sign up you must have a, Passport, FM2, FM3, or Immigrado
status, birth certificate*, marriage license* if you are married, and proof
of residency. IMSS will require you to bring the above, along with 2 pictures
of yourself (infantile size), and fill out the questionnaire they have.
For a copy of the question IMSS asks, please click here. The Cost? Every individual pays a set rate depending on your age, the price (pesos) structure is as follows: 0-19 $1147; 20-39 $1340; 40-59 $2003; 60+ $3015. What does it cover? Your
first year in the system only covers minor illness, such as colds etc, nothing
involving surgery. You are also covered for emergencies such as car accidents,
and such things as appendicitis, heart attack, etc. Year number 2 covers
everything except broken bones. 3rd year covers everything. In the 3rd year,
all your medication is covered as well as long as you get it at IMSS. You
are not covered if you get it at any other pharmacy. The only thing that
is not covered at anytime is pre-existing conditions. How good is it? It is excellent.
We have heard of a number of cases in which they received excellent care.
The facilities might not what you've come to expect in the US or Canada,
but the doctors and staff are top notch, many of the Doctors having been
trained in the US and Canada. Please Note: IMSS pricing
is subject to change at the beginning of each year Adriana
Perez Flores |