Introduction to the Universal Health Service Credential
The Mexican government announced on Tuesday the start of a new phase for the credentialization of the Universal Health Service (USM), a mechanism designed to ensure free and universal access to medical care. The registration process will take place from March 1st to December 2026, according to federal authorities.
Details of the New Credential
During the presentation, Eduardo Clark, Undersecretary of Sectoral Integration and Development at the Ministry of Health, explained that the credential will identify individuals using the public health system across the country. It will integrate federal institutions such as IMSS, ISSSTE, IMSS-Bienestar, and National Health Institutes.
Credential Features
- The credential will have both a physical and a digital version, with the digital version available through a mobile app starting April.
- It will include personal data such as full name, CURP (Unique Registry of Population), sex, birthplace, date, and nationality. It will also have QR codes for validating the right to care and locating the nearest medical facility.
- The credential will also contain information on organ donation and blood type, ensuring access to effective health services and allowing individuals to know their rights’ validity, affiliated institution, and primary care clinic.
- It will link each person to an electronic medical record, regardless of institutional changes due to work or residence.
Sheinbaum’s Role and Vision
Claudia Sheinbaum, the head of government, emphasized that credentialization is crucial for consolidating the constitutional right to health and is part of a gradual process to strengthen and digitalize the system from 2026 to 2028.
- A unified medical record will allow healthcare professionals to have complete information on a patient’s background, diseases, allergies, and treatments, regardless of the institution providing care.
- For now, healthcare will continue to follow the right-to-care principle of each individual, although medical emergencies will still be addressed in any public institution.
- Credentialization is essential for advancing towards a universal system with automatic financial compensation mechanisms between institutions, ensuring equitable resource distribution when patients are treated outside their originating institution.
Registration Process and Costs
Ariadna Montiel, Secretary of Welfare, announced that 13,407,358 people in 2,478 municipios will be registered. The process will start in federalized states (98,582,570 inhabitants) from March 2nd and then proceed to non-federalized states (35,824,688 inhabitants) from March 23rd.
- Registration will require official identification, CURP, and proof of residence for adults; or birth certificate, CURP, and guardianship documents for minors.
- The printed credential will be delivered approximately six weeks after registration, following SMS or phone call notification.
Key Questions and Answers
- What is the Universal Health Service Credential? It’s a digital and physical identification tool ensuring free and universal access to medical care in Mexico.
- Who needs to register? Around 13.4 million people across Mexico’s 2,478 municipios.
- When and where can I register? Registration begins in federalized states on March 2nd and non-federalized states on March 23rd.
- What documents are needed for registration? Adults need official identification, CURP, and proof of residence; minors require birth certificate, CURP, and guardianship documents.
- What will the credential include? Personal data, QR codes for care validation and facility location, organ donation and blood type information, and links to electronic medical records.
- What is the cost of this strategy? Approximately 3.5 billion pesos.
