15 Expats Talk about Health Insurance and Healthcare in Brazil

"Brazil does have a National Health Care program and my wife and I have taken advantage of this service for relatively minor health issues. But it is a national health care program that must be funded by the government with many cities such as Rio de Janerio unable to fund many of these clinics and public hospitals to the degree that they should be. We are retired and our health issues are relatively minor but we feel strongly about having a paid for medical insurance plan. This plan pays for annual physicals that include treadmill stress test, visit with cardiologist, Urologist, blood tests and a personal consultation with your doctor about the results. Mine lasted nearly a full hour. We looked for a doctor who spoke English and was very good in his/her field. We chose a private practice doctor in Natal, Brazil who performed his studies under the direction of Dr. Christian Bernard in South Africa. So my advice.......live in or near a big city such as Natal, Brazil, spend some time talking with insurance agents about doctors and qualifications in your area and do not depend only on the national social medicine programs. Purchase private medical insurance. Mine is from AMIL who's parent company is United Health Care," mentioned one expat in Natal.

"Healthcare services in Brazil are provided by both public and private institutions. The public healthcare system is known as the Unified Health System (SUS) and is funded by the government. It provides free healthcare to all citizens and permanent residents, including foreign residents. The quality of public healthcare varies from region to region, with some areas having better access to resources and better quality care than others. Expats in Brazil can use the public healthcare system, but they may need to pay for some services. Private healthcare is also available and is often preferred by expats due to its higher quality of care. Private healthcare is usually more expensive than public healthcare, but it can provide more comprehensive coverage and access to better facilities," commented one expat who moved to Brazil.

"Compared to the US, is cheap and for "normal" health problems as good as if not better than the US, however, I have been away from the US for such a long time, my opinion may be very relevant," wrote one expat.

"Brazil has a comprehensive public health system, providing free medical care to all citizens. Private health care is also available, and is often of a higher quality than public health care. Brazil has a large number of hospitals, clinics, and medical centers, and many of them are well-equipped and staffed with experienced professionals. Brazil also has a number of specialized medical centers, such as cancer treatment centers, and centers for the treatment of infectious diseases. In addition, Brazil has a number of medical research centers, which are dedicated to researching and developing new treatments and technologies," commented one expat who moved to Brazil.

"Healthcare and health insurance in Brazil can be expensive, depending on the type of coverage and services needed. Private health insurance plans are available, but they can be costly and may not cover all medical expenses. Public health insurance is available to those who qualify, but it may not cover all medical expenses either. Additionally, many medical services and treatments are not covered by either public or private health insurance plans, and these can be expensive," said one expat.

"For us, medical insurance in Brazil is cheaper than medical insurance in the USA. I have no deductibles and my insurance cost is about 1/2 of what it would cost me for insurance in the USA. We are in our early 60's and pay about $1,400 per month (for both of us) compared to a similar plan (higher end plan) in the USA at $2,400 per month for both of us. This Brazilian plan has paid in full our complete annual physicals and lab tests and we have had several other visits where the insurance paid 100% with no problems with the insurance company," remarked one expat in Natal.

"I live in Praia de Pipa, Brazil and small fishing/tourist village on the Coast of NE Brazil. Pipa is located in the State of Rio Grande do Norte and is about 64 km from Natal by car (hour drive). Tabau do Sol is the city with Pipa listed as a suburb and is located about 5 km away. Tabau has an emergency room and doctors 24/7 and the city operates 2 or 3 ambulances from the clinic. This is a public clinic and no charges are made for treatment of patients. My wife, myself and some other foreigners living in the area use this facility and they are very professional and the doctors appear competent. This facility does have the staff and equipment to accept critical care patients but they do ship them off to a hospital in Natal once the patient is stable. The nearest hospital is in Natal. There are a number of public and private hospitals in Natal but we have not had to use either of these in the 2 years since we moved to Brazil," said one expat living in Natal.

"Emergency services in Brazil are generally reliable and efficient. In the event of an emergency, the best way to call for an ambulance is to dial 192, which is the national emergency number. This number is free of charge and is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Ambulances are typically staffed with trained medical personnel and are equipped with the necessary medical supplies and equipment," mentioned one expat in Brazil.

"Brazil offers an array of highly qualified medical specialists in a variety of cities and areas throughout the country. Sao Paulo, the largest city in Brazil, is home to one of the best selections of specialized medical professionals. Rio de Janeiro is also home to a number of excellent hospitals and clinics, many of which are staffed with highly skilled medical personnel. The capital city of Brasilia is also home to many medical specialists, as well as a variety of specialists who focus on providing personalized care. Other cities and areas of Brazil with a reputation for great medical care include Belo Horizonte, Florianopolis, and Porto Alegre," remarked one expat living in Brazil.

"Natal, Bazil has a number of specialists for a range of health issues that you would normally find in a large city. My doctor is a Cardiologist who is well trained and enjoys a very good professional reputation. But doctors here take on patients regardless of their specialty. My wife has had some skin issues requiring specialist in dermatology and some out-patient surgeries. Excellent care and facilities with many of these doctors do speak English. All covered by our paid for insurance," said one expat living in Natal.

"Yes, common prescription medications are available in Brazil. Most medications are available in pharmacies, and some are available over the counter. In addition, many medications are available through online pharmacies. Brazil also has a national health system, which provides access to medications for those who cannot afford them," mentioned one expat in Brazil.

"There is a pharmacy on every street corner of almost every city in Brazil so finding a pharmacy is no problem. I do take prescription medications and on my first visit with my new doctor he made it clear that the meds I was taking from the USA were out-dated and better meds were available. He switched my prescription and these meds are readily available at all the pharmacies that I have been to. It is hard to beat the USA $4.00 prescription program for a long list of certain meds. But buying the medications here have shown to be readily available and cheaper (not considering the USA $4.00 meds) than my home country," commented one expat who moved to Natal, Brazil.

"The quality of medical facilities and medical care in Brazil vary greatly, depending on the location and type of service. Overall, Brazilian health services are often considered to be accessible and of satisfactory standards. Many of the major public and private hospitals in Brazil provide reliable and comprehensive medical care, including diagnostic, specialist and therapeutic services. In Brazil, preventive health care, such as immunizations, is given priority, and many medical centers and health posts are available for individuals and families to access basic health care services. Furthermore, professional medical associations often provide information about accredited medical practitioners in Brazil," said one expat living in Brazil.

"Yes, foreigners living in Brazil have access to public healthcare. The public healthcare system in Brazil is known as the Unified Health System (SUS) and is funded by the government. It provides free healthcare services to all citizens and legal residents, including foreigners. The quality of care provided by SUS varies from region to region, but overall it is considered to be of good quality. SUS also provides access to specialized care, such as cancer treatment, and has a network of hospitals and clinics throughout the country," wrote one expat.

"The pandemic has had a significant impact on the healthcare system in Brazil. Many hospitals have been overwhelmed with the influx of patients, leading to long wait times and limited access to medical care. Additionally, the lack of resources has caused a shortage of medical supplies, such as masks and gloves, which has further hindered the ability of healthcare workers to provide adequate care. Furthermore, the government has been slow to respond to the crisis, leaving many people without access to the necessary treatments and medications. Despite these challenges, the healthcare system in Brazil has been resilient and has managed to provide care to those in need," commented one expat living in Brazil.

"I got a test that took a week to render the result. There are too many people believing in rumors and not science," wrote one expat.