Expats Talk about Health Insurance and Healthcare in Bucaramanga, Colombia

"There is a vast difference between the lowest level of health insurance and the highest level. The difference is night and day. I have both a low level and high level. I pay $30/mth, SaludTotal low level, $250/mth AXAColpatria, high level. The lower level insurance is required by my high level insurance. With my AXAColpatria, the doctor will come to my house as a non-emergency first response," commented one expat who moved to Bucaramanga.

"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," said one expat living in Bucaramanga.

"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.

"My insurance is only good for Colombia. There are a multitude of available clinics/hospitals from the small towns to the big cities. My wife received decent care in a small town with SaludTotal for a ear infection.," wrote an expat living in Bucaramanga.

"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.

"Yes, as a foreigner living in Bucaramanga, you will have access to public healthcare. However, you will need to have a visa that allows you to stay in the country for more than three months and you will also need to contribute to the social security system. The public healthcare system in Colombia is known as EPS (Entidad Promotora de Salud). It is a universal system that covers a wide range of medical services, including general consultations, specialist appointments, surgeries, and medications. The quality of public healthcare in Bucaramanga, like the rest of Colombia, is generally good. The city has several public hospitals and clinics that are well-equipped and staffed by trained medical professionals. However, it's worth noting that public healthcare facilities can sometimes be crowded and waiting times can be long, especially for non-emergency services. In addition to the public healthcare system, there is also a private healthcare sector in Bucaramanga. Many foreigners and wealthier Colombians choose to use private healthcare services, which are known for their high quality and shorter waiting times. However, private healthcare can be expensive, especially if you don't have private health insurance. Overall, while the public healthcare system in Bucaramanga has its challenges, it is generally accessible and provides a decent level of care. As a foreigner, it's important to ensure that you are eligible for public healthcare and that you understand how the system works," said an expat in Bucaramanga.