Numerous academic studies and policy reports indicate that Mexican return migrants are
underinsured relative to their non-migrant counterparts. However, insufficient consideration has
been given to Mexican return migrants’ access to healthcare since the creation of Seguro
Popular, a universal insurance program implemented in 2003. This study analyzes data from the
2010 Mexican Census, to assess the association between a recent migration experience and the
odds of having health insurance coverage. Subsequently, longitudinal data from the Mexican
Family Life Survey (MxFLS) is used to test whether migrant selection on uninsurance accounts
for observed disparities in coverage among men following return. Results reveal that workingage
returnees are 23% and 16% less likely to be insured (for women and men respectively). This
study highlights a need for greater attention to factors that affect the reintegration and access to
key resources, such as healthcare, among Mexican return migrants.