Introduction to IMSS Financial Report and Key Diseases
In its report to the Federal Executive and Congress of the Union on its financial situation and risks for 2024-2025, the Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social (IMSS) has identified six chronic non-communicable diseases that pose the greatest financial impact on the institute.
Diabetes: The Most Costly Disease
Among these diseases, diabetes stands out as the most costly for IMSS. The medical care for 3.7 million beneficiaries under the Seguro Social amounted to an estimated cost of 38,802 million pesos for IMSS in 2024. This translates to a daily expense of 106 million pesos.
- Daily Cost of Diabetes Care: 106 million pesos
- Number of Diabetes Patients: 3.7 million beneficiaries
- Total Estimated Cost for 2024: 38,802 million pesos
The IMSS emphasized that improper management of diabetes and hypertension can lead to inadequate metabolic control, increasing the risk of severe complications such as cardiovascular diseases, stroke, and chronic kidney disease.
Other Costly Diseases
Following diabetes, renal insufficiency is the second most costly disease for IMSS, with an estimated cost of 33,475 million pesos for treating 83,643 patients in 2024.
- Renal Insufficiency Cost: 33,475 million pesos
- Number of Renal Insufficiency Patients: 83,643
Hypertensive arterial systemic disease ranks third, with a cost of 22,940 million pesos for treating 5.5 million patients.
- Hypertensive Arterial Systemic Disease Cost: 22,940 million pesos
- Number of Hypertensive Arterial Systemic Disease Patients: 5.5 million
Cancer: The Fourth Most Costly Disease
Among the top six costliest diseases, cancer is the fourth most expensive for the Seguro Social. Breast cancer treatment cost an estimated 3,284 million pesos for 56,808 patients in 2024. It is also the most expensive cancer type for IMSS.
- Breast Cancer Treatment Cost: 3,284 million pesos
- Number of Breast Cancer Patients: 56,808
Prostate cancer follows with an estimated cost of 1,607 million pesos for treating 32,978 patients. Cervicouterine cancer comes in last with an estimated cost of 894 million pesos for treating 14,679 patients.
- Prostate Cancer Treatment Cost: 1,607 million pesos
- Number of Prostate Cancer Patients: 32,978
- Cervicouterine Cancer Treatment Cost: 894 million pesos
- Number of Cervicouterine Cancer Patients: 14,679
The IMSS highlighted that cancer is one of the main causes of disease burden within the institute, not only due to its prevalence among beneficiaries but also because of the high costs associated with its medical care.
Seguro de Enfermedades: A Deficit Situation
Given the deficit situation of the Seguro de Enfermedades y Maternidad (SEM), IMSS stressed the need to analyze expenditures on these diseases to optimize resources and improve patients’ quality of life.
- SEM Significance: The most relevant insurance managed by IMSS, based on the number of beneficiaries and the impact of in-kind and cash benefits.
- SEM Coverage in 2024: 30.4 million beneficiaries
- SEM Income in 2024: 504,101 million pesos
- SEM Expenses in 2024: 614,480 million pesos
- SEM Deficit in 2024: 110,379 million pesos
Historically, the SEM has been deficit-ridden. However, this deficit has grown over time and is projected to continue increasing, with an estimated deficit of 351,813 million pesos in 2054 under a base scenario.
Key Questions and Answers
- Q: What are the most costly diseases for IMSS? A: Diabetes, renal insufficiency, hypertensive arterial systemic disease, breast cancer, prostate cancer, and cervicouterine cancer.
- Q: How much does it cost daily to treat diabetes under IMSS? A: 106 million pesos.
- Q: What is the estimated cost for treating breast cancer patients in 2024? A: 3,284 million pesos.
- Q: Why is the SEM deficit a concern for IMSS? A: The SEM deficit impacts resource optimization and patients’ quality of life.
- Q: What is the projected SEM deficit in 2054? A: 351,813 million pesos (under a base scenario).
