IMSS: what is it and how to get free student health insurance

As students, one of the biggest concerns is to take care of one's health so that you don't have to go to a doctor because, even if it is something necessary to cover to avoid complicating any discomfort or illness, it means a significant expense when there is no health insurance to cover it.

In order to avoid this situation, the Mexican Social Security Institute (IMSS) made available to all students of higher secondary, higher or postgraduate level in public institutions the Health Insurance for students to cover this need in case of request it.

According to the portal of this federal health institution, this benefit is free and provides a medical insurance scheme that covers services such as medical consultation, laboratory analysis, X-ray, drug delivery, hospitalization, surgery, pregnancy assistance and PREVENIMSS.

The student insurance is valid for as long as the beneficiary remains registered as a student in any public institution of upper secondary, higher or postgraduate levels, face-to-face or online. Likewise, there is no age limit or on the services that may be required.

For those who do not yet have this benefit and are looking to purchase it for free, they just need to follow the following steps to register:

1. Locate the Social Security Number (NSS). If you do not have one, the student must obtain it through this link. The documents requested are CURP, email and address.

- You can also access the NSS from the app. Just select the Procedures and Services section and again provide CURP and email.

- Although it is preferred to do the procedure in person, it is necessary to go to the subdelegation that corresponds to the student with the following documents: CURP, proof of address, official identification, birth certificate and email.

2. With the NSS in hand, the student will have to consult their Validity of Rights report on the Internet on the Secure Microsite for Students.

- Only CURP, NSS and personal email are needed, where they will receive the PDF documents generated in this step.

3. For those who do not yet have any records, you only have to provide the social security number to the facilitator of the educational institution to register with the IMSS and thus obtain health care services during the time they study.

The IMSS noted that if the message “The NSS is already registered in a clinic” appears when registering, it is because it was identified that the CURP had some previous record. It will be necessary to verify if the registered clinic is the correct one in the Certificate of Validity of Rights, and if it is not the correct one, carry out the Change of Clinic procedure.

This procedure can be carried out on the Secure for Students microsite www.gob.mx/afiliatealimss, only CURP, Postal Code and personal email are needed.

In addition, they emphasized that this insurance is valid as long as the student continues to be registered in any public educational institution of upper secondary, higher or graduate level. Upon graduation you will only keep your NSS, and you will return to IMSS when you enter a formal job.

If pregnant, the pregnant woman shall have the right to medical, pharmaceutical and hospital care until she and the baby are discharged after childbirth. Afterwards, you will need to take out Family Health Insurance to protect the child.

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