An international health insurance for Argentina is often a better option for expats than a local health plan. It allows you to be treated in the hospital of your choice or with the doctors of your choice, in Argentina or abroad. This is often the best option for people preferring to seek treatment in the private sector, whether in Argentina, their country of origin or another country.

The best health insurance in Argentina for one expat might not be the best for you as everyone has different needs and expectations.

In order to find which one is the best health insurance in Argentina for you, it is important to consider several aspects such as your medical history, your age, your specific needs in terms of medical cover, your situation in Argentina, alongside other parameters.

Private medical rates vary by region, and are generally more expensive in urban areas than in rural areas. Many doctors are regularly increasing their fees due to the current high levels of inflation in Argentina. Here is an overview of private medical tariffs for the Buenos Aires region (some doctors adapt or decrease their tariffs depending on a patient’s income):

Appointment with a general practitioner: Around 500 Argentine pesos (£10 /$13)

Appointment with a specialist: Around 500 – 600 pesos (£10 – £12.6 /$13 – $16)

Appointment with a dentist: Around 500 pesos for a consultation (£10 GBP/$13), and the cost of a pivot and crown may fall between 6500 and 9000 pesos (£136 – £190 GBP/€170 to €240)

Vaccinations
No specific vaccinations are required to enter Argentina, but it is recommended to be up to date with your vaccinations against diphtheria, tetanus and polio. A vaccination against yellow fever is recommended in some areas and vaccinations against rabies and typhoid may be advised depending on the nature of your stay.

Emergency numbers
Ambulance: 107
Police: 101
Fire: 100
Police in Buenos Aires: 911
Emergency number for tourists: 0800 999 5000

Useful links
Argentina Ministry of Health 
National Social Security Administration 

Your right to access the Mexican health care system will depend on your residency status.

Non Resident: If you are visiting Mexico for a short period, you will not have access to the Mexican health care system and will have to subscribe to travel insurance issued in your country of residence.

Resident: As a resident in Mexico (temporary or permanent), you apply to the IMSS either on a voluntary or compulsory basis, depending on your employment status:

IMSS compulsory enrolment: 

If you are an employee in the private sector, you will be enrolled in the IMSS on a compulsory basis. Employers must enrol their full time employees in the IMSS by law, be they Mexican nationals or foreign residents. The IMSS is financed by contributions made by employers and employees, as well as a contribution from the State.

IMSS voluntary enrolment:

You can enrol in the IMSS on a voluntary basis if you are self-employed, retired or if you don’t work but not if you are a full-time employee.

It’s important to note that the IMSS applies waiting periods or excludes some pre-existing medical conditions to people applying on a voluntary basis. The IMSS can even decline your application.

If you have a pre-existing medical condition, you may want to opt for the Seguro Popular (providing you are eligible) or look for a private insurance that will accept your application (although they might exclude your pre-existing medical conditions).

How to subscribe to the IMSS?

You can begin the application on the IMSS website or at your local IMSS office. All the application process is in Spanish. You can find the list of documents you will have to provide here. The list is in Spanish so here is the translation:

• Your marriage certificate, if applicable
• Your passport
• Your CURP (Clave Única de Registro de Población), which is a personal ID code number allocated to both citizens or residents of Mexico.
• Proof of payment of the first premium
• Birth certificate
• Proof of address
• Completed medical questionnaire provided by the IMSS

You must provide the original and a copy of the different documents.

Cost of the IMSS

The price for annual enrolment depends on your age. The annual fee is approximately 7000 pesos (280 pounds or 370 dollars) per person and renewed annually. You can get the current rates from the table on this page.

Whether you are covered with the IMSS or the Seguro Popular, healthcare in Mexico is free and there is no co-payment.

The main downside is that you are not free to choose your own doctor (except in specific cases). You are not covered abroad, in the private sector or in your home country.  If you want to be able to see the doctor of your choice, and in order to be reimbursed, an international private health insurance in Mexico is the best option.

Most foreign residents who can afford to do so will take a private medical insurance plan in Mexico that gives them access to private doctors, clinics and hospitals. An international health insurance for Mexico is often a better option for expats than a local health plan. It allows you to be treated in the hospital and with the doctor of your choice, not only in Mexico but also abroad (within the zone of cover of your insurance policy).

Moreover, if you leave Mexico and move elsewhere, your international health insurance may be able to follow you, unlike a Mexican health insurance which is only valid locally.

It is important to note that an expat insurance in Mexico will not exempt you from subscribing to the IMSS if it is obligatory for you. The private insurance policy will simply cover you on top of the IMSS.

The best health insurance in Mexico for one expat might not be the best for you as everyone has different needs and criteria.

In order to find which one is the best health insurance in Mexico for you, it is important to consider several aspects such as your medical history, your age, your specific needs in terms of medical cover, your situation in Mexico, alongside other parameters.

The cost of private healthcare in Mexico is generally cheaper than in the United States or in Western Europe, however some highly specialised doctors may charge higher tariffs.

Cost of a GP consultation: typically, a visit to a GP or a specialist costs between 350 and 500 pesos (£14 – £20 / $18 – $25). A home visit is usually around the same price.

A consultation with a dentist: 400 – 1,000 pesos (£16 – £40 / $20 – $50). Having a crown fitted: 5,000 to 10,000 pesos (£200 – £397 / $252 – $504), teeth cleaning is about USD 28.00 (£22).

One night in hospital in an individual room is around 3,000 to 5,300 pesos (£119 – £210/ $151 – $267).

The deposit requested in private hospitals when entering as an emergency patient is around 14,000 to 25,000 pesos (£555- £992 / $705 – $1,260), depending on the type of treatment/surgery that you need.

Prescription medicines made in Mexico are usually half the price than in the United States or in Europe.

*Exchange rate December 2018  

Vaccinations
Be sure to have your immunisation schedule up-to-date (diphtheria/tetanus/polio). However it is also recommended to be vaccinated for hepatitis A and B, typhoid and rabies by the NHS Fit-for-Travel website.

Yellow fever vaccination certificate is required for travellers over 1 year of age arriving from countries with risk of yellow fever transmission and for travellers having transited more than 12 hours through the airport of a country with risk of yellow fever transmission.

Emergency numbers
All emergencies: 066
Fire brigade: 068
Ambulance: 065

Medicine
The price of common medicines, like aspirin, is much lower than in the UK and it is possible to buy them individually which can work out to be much cheaper if you only need a few instead of a whole box.

Theoretically, many medicines are available only through prescription. In reality, these regulations are not always adhered to for certain medicines like antibiotics or strong pain killers which can be easy to get hold of without first having to see a doctor.

If a person buys medication without a prescription, but would usually have required one, it is their responsibility if there are any problems. Insurance companies will only reimburse medication if they have been prescribed by a doctor.

Useful links
British Embassy – Mexico City

IMSS – Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social

www.mexperience.com/

www.expatsinmexico.com

www.soniadiaz.mx

 

An international health insurance for Brazil is often a better option for expats than a local health plan. It offers you the freedom of your choice of doctors or medical centre, and the possibility of being covered internationally. If you prefer to be treated in your home country or in another country within your zone of cover your medical costs will be reimbursed by your insurance company (within the limits of your policy). Moreover, if you leave Brazil and move elsewhere your international insurance may be able to follow you.

It is always important that your medical insurance complies with local legislation.

The best health insurance in Brazil for one expat might not be the best for you as everyone has different needs and expectations.

In order to find which one is the best health insurance in Brazil for you, it is important to consider several aspects such as your medical history, your age, your specific needs in terms of medical cover, your situation in Brazil, alongside other parameters.

As the public healthcare system is free the costs below are representative of the costs within the private sector.

As a general rule, private medical costs are quite high in Brazil. They have also greatly increased over the past several years; from 2009, private hospitals operating with standards similar to those found in the States and in Europe increased their costs between 20% and 30%. This means that today Brazil is the country with the most expensive private healthcare system in Latin America.

In regards to a consultation with a GP or a specialist, the fees are set individually and they can vary depending on a number of factors: the urgency and time of the consultation, the qualifications of the doctor, their reputation, and also the area or the place where the surgery is located.

Average costs in 3 large cities:

Brasilia : The cost of a consultation with a GP can vary between 120 R$ and 500 R$ (£25 – £100/ $31 – $130). A consultation alone costs around 150 R$ (£30/ $40). In a private clinic, a routine surgical procedure with no complications can cost between 7,600 R$ and 18000 R$ (£1,500 – £3,700 / $2,000 – $4,700). The cost of a day in hospital is generally around 9,000 R$ (£1,800 /$2,300). (This does not include treatment or tests. Therefore for a cancer, for example, the cost will be much higher).

Rio de Janeiro : A consultation with a GP is often around 200 R$ to 250 R$ (£40– £50 / $50 – $65), with a specialist it would be around 350 R$ – 400 R$ (£70– £80 / $90 – $100).

Sao Paulo : A consultation in a surgery is usually around 210 R$ (£43 / $55) for and GP and 280 R$ (£58/ $72) for a specialist. A consultation with a dentist tends to cost around 150 R$ (£30/ $40). A simple surgical procedure can cost between £2,200 and £4,370 ($2,780 – $5,530) and the cost of a day in hospital can be between £365 and £730 ($460 – $925), not including any treatment or tests.

*Exchange rate December 2018

 

Vaccinations

Be sure to have your immunization schedule up-to-date (diphtheria/tetanus/polio). Other vaccinations also recommended by the NHS Fit-For-Travel website as well as the Pasteur Institute are cholera, hepatitis A and B, rabies, tetanus, typhoid, and yellow fever. Please see the NHS Fit-for-Travel website for more information.

Emergencies:

Ambulance: 192
Fire brigade: 193
Please note: Many private hospitals have their own ambulance service. Contact them directly if you require their services.

Useful links

Gov.uk Travel Advice
British Embassy – Brasilia
British Consulate General – Sao Paulo