Since the establishment of the IMSS Welfare during the administration of Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, there has been some confusion regarding its distinction from the IMSS. Here, we clarify its function and highlight the differences between the two.
What is IMSS-Bienestar?
The Mexican Institute of Social Security for Welfare (IMSS-Bienestar) aims to provide health services for the population without social security, offering first and second level medical services under the Health Care Model for Well-being (More-Well-being). This ensures that individuals, regardless of age, gender, religion, or economic status, receive medical care in public health institutions.
IMSS-Bienestar is a public institution that offers free, universal health care with a solid legal framework, operating across 23 entities.According to the information on the IMSS website
It’s important to note that first-class services include general outpatient consultations, such as dental care, basic clinical laboratory tests, and simple x-rays. Care is provided through health centers, medical offices, dispensaries, and family medicine units. This level of care is the most basic and typically involves “general practitioners.”
The second level of care includes consultation services in basic specialties, general hospitalization such as pediatrics, gynecology-obstetrics, internal medicine, and surgery, as well as diagnostic support services like specialized clinical laboratory tests, radiology with contrast media, and ultrasound. This care is delivered in general hospitals.
Zoe Robledo, General Director of the Mexican Social Security Institute, reported during an April 7 morning conference that IMSS-Bienestar operates in 23 states in the Republic, with a total of:
A network that provides medical services to 53.2 million Mexicans, indicating that 84.8 percent of citizens lack social security. Its aim is to deliver universal health services to the most vulnerable states in the Republic.
The Mexican government also signed the National Agreement for the Federalization of the Health System for Well-being with 23 states, aiming to establish a unified, universal, public, free, and preventive health care system.
The entities that signed the agreement include: Baja California, Baja California Sur, Campeche, Chiapas, Colima, Mexico City, Hidalgo, State of Mexico, Michoacan, Nayarit, Oaxaca, Puebla, Quintana Roo, San Luis Potosi, Sinaloa, Sonora, Tabasco, Tamaulipas, Tlaxcala, Veracruz, and Zacatecas.
What is IMSS?
The Mexican Social Security Institute (IMSS) was established on January 19, 1943 during the presidency of Manuel Avila Camacho and commenced operations on January 1, 1944.
The IMSS has historical roots in the social security system established in Bismarck’s Germany, with a primary goal of providing social security. It serves as a national public service for all workers and their families.
According to the IMSS website, social security aims to guarantee:
- The right to health
- Medical assistance
- Protection of livelihoods
- Social services essential for individual and collective well-being
- Provision of pensions which, when applicable and subject to legal requirements, will be assured by the State
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If you wish to schedule an appointment, we provide information on how to do so. Additionally, if you are a business owner or interested in joining, we outline how you can become part of the IMSS.
Who have been directors of the IMSS?
- Vicente Santos Guajardo 1943-1944
- Ignacio Garcia Tellez 1944-1946
- Antonio Diaz Lombardo 1946-1952
- Antonio Ortiz Mena 1952-1958
- Benito Coquet Lagunes 1958-1964
- Sealtiel Alatriste Abrego 1964-1966
- Ignacio Morones Prieto 1966-1970
- Carlos Galvez Betancourt 1970-1975
- Jesus Reyes Heroles 1975-1976
- Arsenio Farell Cubillas 1976-1982
- Ricardo Garcia Sainz 1982-1991
- Emilio Gamboa Patron 1991-1993
- Genaro Borrego Estrada 1993-2000
- Mario Luis Fuentes Alcala 2000
- Santiago Levy Algazi 2000-2005
- Fernando Flores and Perez 2005-2006
- Juan Francisco Molinar Horcasitas 2006-2009
- Daniel Karam Toumeh 2009-2012
- Jose Antonio Gonzalez Anaya 2012-2016
- Mikel Andoni Arriola Peñalosa 2016-2017
- Tuffic Miguel Ortega 2017-2018
- German Martinez Cazares 2018-2019
- Zoe Alejandro Robledo Aburto 2019-present
Understanding IMSS Welfare and IMSS: Key Differences Explained
After the establishment of the IMSS Welfare during the government of Andrés Manuel López Obrador, many are confused about its distinction from the IMSS (Mexican Social Security Institute). This article aims to clarify their functions and highlight their differences.
What is IMSS-Bienestar?
The Mexican Institute of Social Security for Welfare (IMSS-Bienestar) is designed to operate health services specifically for the population without social security. Its mission is to provide essential first and second level medical services under the Health Care Model for Well-being (More-Well-being). This ensures that, regardless of age, gender, religion, or economic status, all individuals receive medical care in public health institutions.
IMSS-Bienestar is a public institution that provides free, universal health care with a solid legal foundation that operates in 23 entities.
IMSS-Bienestar offers first-class services, which include:
- General outpatient consultations
- Dental care
- Basic clinical laboratory tests
- Simple X-rays
This primary care is made available through health centres, medical offices, dispensaries, and family medicine units, all staffed by general practitioners.
Second Level of Care
The second level of care includes:
- Consultation services in basic specialties
- General hospitalization (pediatrics, gynecology-obstetrics, internal medicine, and surgery)
- Diagnostic support services (e.g., special clinical laboratory tests, radiology with contrast media, and ultrasound)
Zoe Robledo, General Director of the Mexican Social Security Institute, reported during a morning conference on April 7 that IMSS Welfare operates in 23 states, with a total network providing medical services to 53.2 million Mexicans. This means that 84.8% of citizens do not have social security, and the aim is to provide universal health services to the most disadvantaged states.
National Agreement for the Federalization of the Health System for Well-being
The Mexican government has signed the National Agreement for the Federalization of the Health System for Well-being with 23 states, targeting the consolidation of a single, universal, public, and free health care system.
Entities in the Agreement
The states that have signed this agreement include:
- Baja California
- Baja California Sur
- Campeche
- Chiapas
- Colima
- Mexico City
- Hidalgo
- State of Mexico
- Michoacán
- Nayarit
- Oaxaca
- Puebla
- Quintana Roo
- San Luis Potosí
- Sinaloa
- Sonora
- Tabasco
- Tamaulipas
- Tlaxcala
- Veracruz
- Zacatecas
What is IMSS?
The Mexican Social Security Institute (IMSS) was established on January 19, 1943, during the presidency of Manuel Ávila Camacho, and began operations on January 1, 1944.
The IMSS is historically based on the social security system initiated in Bismarck’s Germany, focusing on providing social security as a national public service for all workers and their families.
IMSS Objectives
According to the IMSS website, the objectives of social security include:
- The right to health
- Medical assistance
- Protection of livelihoods
- Social services necessary for individual and collective well-being
- Pension granting, subject to legal requirements, and guaranteed by the State
Directors of the IMSS
| Year | Director |
|---|---|
| 1943-1944 | Vicente Santos Guajardo |
| 1944-1946 | Ignacio García Téllez |
| 1946-1952 | Antonio Díaz Lombardo |
| 1952-1958 | Antonio Ortiz Mena |
| 1958-1964 | Benito Coquet Lagunes |
| 1964-1966 | Sealtiel Alatriste Abrego |
| 1966-1970 | Ignacio Morones Prieto |
| 1970-1975 | Carlos Gálvez Betancourt |
| 1975-1976 | Jesús Reyes Heroles |
| 1976-1982 | Arsenio Farell Cubillas |
| 1982-1991 | Ricardo García Sainz |
| 1991-1993 | Emilio Gamboa Patrón |
| 1993-2000 | Genaro Borrego Estrada |
| 2000 | Mario Luis Fuentes Alcalá |
| 2000-2005 | Santiago Levy Algazi |
| 2005-2006 | Fernando Flores Pérez |
| 2006-2009 | Juan Francisco Molinar Horcasitas |
| 2009-2012 | Daniel Karam Toumeh |
| 2012-2016 | José Antonio González Anaya |
| 2016-2017 | Mikel Andoni Arriola Peñalosa |
| 2017-2018 | Tuffic Miguel Ortega |
| 2018-2019 | Germán Martínez Cázares |
| 2019-present | Zoe Alejandro Robledo Aburto |