The essentials
- The Seguro de Salud para la Familia (often called Modalidad 33) lets families in Mexico without social security pay an annual fee for IMSS healthcare.
- 2026 fees, effective March 1, range from MX$9,300 a year (ages 0–19) to MX$22,150 (80 and over), per person.
- It covers general and specialist consultations, hospital care, surgery, medicines on IMSS's basic list, maternity, lab tests and emergencies.
More things to know
- Serious pre-existing conditions are excluded, and some treatments have waiting periods of up to two years.
- Most expats use it as a low-cost backstop alongside private care or insurance, not instead of it.
In this guide
IMSS is Mexico's largest public health system. Employees of Mexican companies are enrolled by their employer; everyone else who lives in Mexico without social security can enroll voluntarily through the Family Health Insurance. It's affordable — but it has gaps that matter for older applicants.
2026 annual fees by age
| Age | Annual fee per person |
|---|---|
| 0–19 | MX$9,300 |
| 20–29 | MX$11,550 |
| 30–39 | MX$12,350 |
| 40–49 | MX$14,350 |
| 50–59 | MX$14,850 |
| 60–69 | MX$20,600 |
| 70–79 | MX$21,500 |
| 80 and over | MX$22,150 |
Fees are paid in advance for the year, per family member, and took effect on March 1, 2026.
What's covered
- General practitioner and specialist consultations
- Hospital care and surgery
- Medicines on IMSS's basic list (cuadro básico)
- Maternity care
- Laboratory and imaging studies within the IMSS network
- Emergencies
Exclusions and waiting periods
According to a summary of the Social Security Law regulations, these pre-existing conditions are not covered for voluntary enrollees:
- Malignant tumors and chronic degenerative diseases
- Chronic liver disease, chronic kidney failure and heart valve disease
- Systemic connective tissue diseases
- Addictions such as alcoholism, and mental disorders such as psychosis and dementia
- Congenital diseases and HIV/AIDS
| Treatment | Waiting period from enrollment |
|---|---|
| Benign breast tumors | 6 months |
| Childbirth | 10 months |
| Tonsillectomy, hemorrhoid and hernia surgery | 1 year |
| Orthopedic surgery | 2 years |
How to enroll
- Get your residency card and CURP first.
- Gather an official ID, proof of address and the enrollment form for the Seguro de Salud para la Familia.
- Apply through IMSS's digital services or at your local IMSS office.
- Pay the annual fee for each family member; you're then assigned to a local family clinic (UMF).
Service is in Spanish and specialist waits can be long, so many expats keep private insurance for major events.
Keep reading
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Frequently asked questions
How much does IMSS cost for expats in 2026?
The Seguro de Salud para la Familia costs between MX$9,300 and MX$22,150 per person per year in 2026, depending on age; for example MX$14,850 for ages 50–59 and MX$20,600 for 60–69.
Can foreign residents join IMSS?
IMSS offers the Family Health Insurance to families in Mexico who don't have social security. Residents enroll with their CURP, ID and proof of address.
Does IMSS cover pre-existing conditions?
Serious pre-existing conditions — including cancers, chronic degenerative diseases, chronic kidney and liver disease and heart valve disease — are excluded for voluntary enrollees, and some treatments have waiting periods of up to two years.
Sources & official references
- IMSS — Seguro de Salud para la Familia (FAQ and 2026 fees)
- El Imparcial — IMSS Modalidad 33: coverage and requirements (June 22, 2026)
- Veritas — Social security for expatriates and pre-existing conditions (April 2024)
This page is general information, not legal or tax advice. Consulates interpret rules differently — confirm with your consulate or a licensed professional before acting.