15 Expats Talk about Health Insurance and Healthcare in Colombia

"Colombia has a public healthcare system that provides basic healthcare services to its citizens. The quality of public healthcare in Colombia is generally considered to be good, with a wide range of services available. Foreign residents in Colombia are able to access the public healthcare system, although they may need to pay for some services. Expats in Colombia typically use the public healthcare system, although they may also opt to use private healthcare services. Private healthcare services are generally more expensive than public healthcare, but they may offer more comprehensive services," said an expat in Colombia.

" Minor problems can be taken care of here, but really serious problems require a trip to a bigger City like Bogota which is 11 hours away by car.," commented one expat living in Florencia, Colombia.

"Pay the higher insurance premium to insure quicker access to specialists. Have at least a working knowledge of the language as most doctors speak no English. ," wrote one expat.

"Colombia has a well-developed healthcare system, with both public and private hospitals and clinics providing a wide range of medical services. The country has a high number of qualified medical professionals, including doctors, nurses, and specialists, who are able to provide quality care. Colombia also has a number of specialized medical centers, such as cancer treatment centers, that offer advanced treatments and technologies. Additionally, the country has a number of health insurance plans available to citizens, which can help cover the cost of medical services," wrote one expat.

"I had a sinus infection and rather than go through the insurance plan, I just went to a private physician and paid cash. The doctor visit (including a basic physical exam) plus an antibiotic and an anti-inflammatory injection was less than 20 US dollars," commented one expat who moved to Ibague.

"Healthcare and health insurance in Colombia can be expensive, depending on the type of coverage and services needed. Generally, public healthcare is available at a lower cost than private healthcare, but the quality of care may not be as high. Private health insurance plans are available, but they can be costly and may not cover all medical expenses. Additionally, many Colombians opt to pay out-of-pocket for medical services, as this can be more affordable than purchasing health insurance," commented one expat living in Colombia.

"Colombia is known for its high quality of private medical care and medical universities. Bucaramanga is well known for medical education and we have a plethora of hospitals and doctors. In my experience, prices are much cheaper here than the USA. eg. ACL surgery in the USA can run $60K to $80k, not including physical therapy. ACL surgery here is $5k including physical therapy," wrote one expat.

"You can choose any health Ins company you want here, at a very reasonable price. Sanitas was recommended to me many years ago and I love it. My ambulance ride last year (5 hours) Hospital stay, and open Heart Surgery cost me $1 USD for the co-pay and never a deductable here," commented one expat who moved to Florencia.

"FOS-UNAB will be open soon and will be state of the art for Colombia. Will cater to foreign nationals who want good quality medical care at roughly half the price charged in the US. Other hospitals or clinics are run by the EPS'S or insurance entities while one or maybe two are "public" and who serve all comers. My EPS is SaludCoop, one of the country's largest but as with most, is having financial concerns, paying providers, causing a terrible cash flow problem with the hospitals. Politicians vow they will change the whole system putting it totally under government control Sound familiar?," remarked one expat living in Colombia.

"Emergency services in Colombia are generally reliable and efficient. In the event of an emergency, the best way to call for an ambulance is to dial 123, the national emergency number. This number is free and available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Ambulances are typically staffed with trained medical personnel and equipped with the necessary medical supplies to provide basic medical care. In addition, the ambulance service is often accompanied by a police escort to ensure the safety of the patient and medical personnel," said one expat living in Colombia.

"There are three hospitals, approximately 10 -20 minutes away. All private hospitals," mentioned one expat in Medellin.

"I live within 10 minutes to 30 minutes depending on the hospital. The hospital connected to SaludTotal is Clinica de Bucaramanga/ Private. It is old, 2 people to a room, typically no soap in the public bathrooms and I have caught them using water to clean my arm for needle insertion. With AXAColpatria, International Hospital Colombia. New hospital equipped with the latest technology and loaded with specialists doctors. Private large rooms. Very nice, Fast attention with my insurance. I am treated as a VIP. ," commented one expat who moved to Bucaramanga, Colombia.

"Bogotá is widely considered to be the city with the best selection of medical specialists in Colombia, with many leading hospitals and medical centers. Other cities that boast a strong selection of medical professionals include Medellin, Cali, and Barranquilla. Southwestern Colombia, in particular, is home to some of the country's leading specialists in cardiovascular medicine, with numerous hospitals and medical centers offering superior medical care. Additionally, Bucaramanga and Monteria, both located in the Norte de Santander department, are well known for their selection of excellent medical specialists," remarked one expat living in Colombia.

"yes and no...I took Nexium in the US for many years. Here, I can only get the generic . but, it seems to work just as well. prescriptions or "formulas" as they are known here, are a joke, any pharmacy will sell you whatever you need as long as you have the money. Lots of the popular brand meds are not available here, such as Tums, Tylenol, but the local replacements once again, work well. meds are definitely not expensive.. My generic Nexium costs me 9.100 Colombian pesos a month...about $4.50 US," said one expat living in Colombia.

"Many USA prescriptions are over the counter in a multitude of pharmacies throughout the country. This is changing and medicines are coming under more control by the government. I pay $1/copay for my prescriptions. Most medicines I have needed are available here, either by prescription or over the counter. Prices for over the counter medicines are compared 2 to 10 times cheaper than the USA," mentioned one expat in Bucaramanga.

"As one of the major cities in Colombia, Medellin has 7 or 8 major hospitals, with more than one being recognized for providing world class care in several specialties. Medical care should not be a major worry," wrote an expat living in Medellin.

"Colombia has a range of medical facilities and medical care options available. Healthcare services in Colombia generally provide a high level of care and are said to be some of the best that Latin America has to offer. The country has invested heavily in modernizing its healthcare infrastructure, with advanced medical and technological equipment in many of the major hospitals. Colombia has world-renowned doctors and specialists in a variety of medical fields and is dedicated to continually improving their healthcare services," said an expat in Colombia.

"I am enrolled with EPS Sanitas,I am the only expat in the whole State of Caqueta. If I am working at a school, the school pays for my health Ins. If I am taking time off from teaching, I pay in the area of $30. USD per month plus a 1 dollar co-pay. My health Ins covers EVERYTHING.. Ambulance, Doctor visits, Hospital stays, Open heart surgery, Medications, Specialist, and any kind of testing necessary. etc... Pre existing = no problem. We have 2 public and 1 private Hospital in Florencia.. The quality of care lately has been lacking a little sicnce Covid hit. The really good Doctors seem to be leaving the area for the bigger cities," said an expat in Florencia.

"Yes, foreigners living in Colombia have access to public healthcare. The public healthcare system in Colombia is known as the Sistema General de Seguridad Social en Salud (SGSSS). It is a comprehensive system that provides access to medical services, including preventive care, diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation. The quality of care varies depending on the region, but overall, the public healthcare system in Colombia is considered to be of good quality," commented one expat living in Colombia.

"The pandemic has had a significant impact on the healthcare system in Colombia. Many hospitals have been overwhelmed with the influx of patients, leading to long wait times and limited access to medical care. Additionally, the government has implemented strict measures to limit the spread of the virus, such as closing borders and restricting movement. This has made it difficult for people to access medical care, especially in rural areas. Despite these challenges, the healthcare system in Colombia has been able to provide adequate care to those in need. Doctors and nurses have worked tirelessly to provide the best care possible, and the government has provided financial support to help cover the costs of medical care," commented one expat who moved to Colombia.

"My girlfriend required some minor surgery. There was absolutely no problem and no cost. Everybody wears masks, but without them you would never know things were not normal," said one expat.