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Expat Healthcare & Health Insurance in Cuenca, Ecuador

Expat Exchange member, MindStorm, who lives in Ecuador shares his experiences with expat health insurance and medical services in Cuenca.

Yes, every expat is required by law to have insurance. The federal system is available, and costs $68/mo for a couple. However, health care is so cheap that I skip the (underfunded and long lines) IESS (federal system) and pay out of pocket for private health care anyway.

Expat Healthcare Advice for Cuenca

IESS (federal system) is cheapest insurance here UNLESS you came on "retirement income" visa, where it can be quite expensive (they they charge 17% of your income for the insurance). Almost all non-opioid prescription meds in the US are available here OTC.

Emergency Medical Care in Cuenca

Hospitals are everywhere. I have three hospitals within 1 mile of my home in Cuenca. The public hospital is OK if you have lots of time and very little money and the issue is not life threatening. The private hospitals are every bit as good as in the US. I was in one just a week ago in fact (pneumonia).

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GeoBlue is a trusted leader in international health insurance. Wherever your destination, GeoBlue can keep you and your family covered with the right health insurance. Get a GeoBlue Quote Today!

Quality of Healthcare in Surrounding Area

Pretty much every specialty can be covered right here in town (Cuenca), We even have a cancer center hospital specifically for that (which is free if you paid for IESS) that has gotten rave reviews from two friends who recently went through cancer treatments. I have two heart specialists myself (stents in 2005 in the US). They seem very competent, though I have had no heart issue since coming to Ecuador.

Prescription Medicines

Almost all non-opioid prescription meds from the US are available OTC here. No prescription needed -- though of course it is recommended to see a doctor to verify you need the same drugs here. We are at 8500' altitude, so some meds might be adjusted due to elevation.

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GeoBlue is a trusted leader in international health insurance. Wherever your destination, GeoBlue can keep you and your family covered with the right health insurance. Get a GeoBlue Quote Today!

GeoBlueGeoBlue

GeoBlue is a trusted leader in international health insurance. Wherever your destination, GeoBlue can keep you and your family covered with the right health insurance. Get a GeoBlue Quote Today!
Get Quote

Expat Health Insurance in Ecuador

Private health insurance here is a fraud. The only people buying it are US expats who were trained that you need it in the States. Here, health care is so cheap that you will NEVER recover your premiums. Example - insurance quoted me $400/mo insurance. I just spent 2 weeks in the hospital in a private room with excellent care, and the total cost (no insurance used) was just over $5,000. IOW, one year of premium to pay for 2 weeks hospital, Unless you are in the hospital a LOT, you are better off self-insuring (as we do).

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Top-quality coverage for people who live, work, study and travel internationally.
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Healthcare in EcuadorHealthcare in Ecuador

Expats in Ecuador share their experiences with healthcare and overseas medical insurance in Ecuador.

Expats Talk Healthcare in Ecuador360 Expats Talk about Healthcare & Health Insurance in Ecuador

Expats living in Ecuador talk about their own experiences with healthcare, hospital visits, emergencies, finding a doctor, buying health insurance in Ecuador and more.

Healthcare-in-EcuadorTop Hospitals in Ecuador by Specialty

If you're moving to Ecuador or recently arrived, it's important to know about the country's top hospitals for specific medical conditions. Here's a primer.

If you're moving to Ecuador or recently arrived, it's important to know about the country's top hospitals for specific medical conditions. Here's a primer. ...

Healthcare-in-EcuadorMental Health Care in Ecuador

The expatriate lifestyle can be stressful when living away from home. It's vital to have knowledge of the mental healthcare system in Ecuador, should the need arise for such services.

The expatriate lifestyle can be stressful when living away from home. It's vital to have knowledge of the mental healthcare system in Ecuador, should the need arise for such services....

expat healthcare reportsExpats Report about Healthcare & Health Insurance in Ecuador

Read recent healthcare reports submitted for: , Loja and Cuenca.

expat healthcare surveyAnswer Questions about Healthcare in Ecuador

Help others moving to Ecuador by answering a set of questions about health insurance, public healthcare in Ecuador, prescription medicine, quality of medical care and emergency services.

Having-a-Baby-In-EcuadorExpats Talk about What it's Like Having a Baby in Ecuador

Read recent baby reports submitted for Bahia de Caraquez, Ecuador and Cuenca, Ecuador.

If you're an expat parent who had a baby abroad, write a report about your childbirth experiences to help other expecting expat parents.

Additional Information:

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Help others in Ecuador by answering questions about the challenges and adventures of living in Ecuador.

William Russell
William Russell

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