Expats Talk about Health Insurance and Healthcare in Cuenca, Ecuador

"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," mentioned one expat in Cuenca.

"Cuenca offers a wide range of healthcare services, including both public and private hospitals and clinics. The public hospitals are generally well-equipped and offer a variety of services, including general medicine, emergency care, and specialized care. Private hospitals and clinics offer more specialized services, such as cosmetic surgery, orthopedic surgery, and fertility treatments. In addition, there are a number of pharmacies and medical supply stores in the city, as well as a number of home health care providers. Cuenca also has a number of medical tourism companies that offer packages for medical treatments and procedures," commented one expat who moved to Cuenca, Ecuador.

"If you need medical care and have good knowledge of Spanish, the state system IESS may be your choice, however if you are retired they raised the rates to about 17.5% of retirement income. I have cheap (low quality) insurance which reportedly doesn't pay, which is fine for me because I would rather pay 45 per month for insurance that I can't use than 75/mo for insurance I won't use," remarked one expat living in Cuenca.

"This is the best medical care in terms of caring for you and really identifying the best way to correct the medical issues of people. Doctors really care for their patients, and spend time talking and testing for the real problem and thus coming up with a real solution to your specific issue. And all done at a bargain price," commented one person.

"Choose carefully where you plan to live. In many Ecuador cities emergency care is often very limited or even non-existent. As we age good quality emergency care can mean to live or die. The same goes with good quality health care in general. Many small cities lack more than one doctor and medicines and supplies can be difficult to obtain in an emergency. This also happens with dentists as well. I suffered an injury to a tooth and had to travel for over an hour to find a dentist that could provide the needed treatment. And as we age we may find that the uneven pavement (or lack of pavement) in most Ecuadorian cities and towns will become a hazard to getting around. Again, choose carefully where you live," said one expat living in Cuenca.

"Cuenca offers a wide range of medical services, including both public and private hospitals and clinics. The public hospitals are generally well-equipped and offer a variety of services, including emergency care, general medical care, and specialized care. Private hospitals and clinics offer a more personalized approach to medical care, with a focus on preventive care and specialized treatments. Cuenca also has a number of pharmacies, which provide a wide range of medications and other health-related products. Additionally, there are a number of medical professionals in the city, including doctors, nurses, and other healthcare professionals, who are available to provide medical care," said one expat.

"Don't come down here looking for a miracle cure for your ails. You would find the experience frustrating and assistance costs would wipe out the advantage I think. I do know from some other gringos, and gringo sites, that some medications are not available here, I don't have that experience," remarked one expat in Cuenca.

"We tried private insurance here. Even though we got to the two years when prior conditions must be accepted by Ecuadorian law, we cancelled it. We come from a country where medical coverage is universal. We found the private insurance process deeply humiliating and we are not trained to tolerate it. The Cuenca medical services are great, superior to most in the world. It is a world medical/dental tourism destination. It is cheap.. though no serious illness is costless. We have the resources to pay as we go and like most developed world expats, at the very worst, we can return from where we came and get our coverage back in 3-4 months. If Ecuador decides to stopping letting expats in who cannot prove they have insurance, we pay 90$ a month in IESS premiums That is not to say that hospitals are not without payment annoyances in Ecuador. If you do not pay before leaving, they will not unhook you from their stuff. And it is hard to go downstairs and pay at Accounting when you are in bed undressed with tubes still running into you. Ecuadorian credit cards will not cover (without tedious special arrangements) amounts over $1000 and even then, the hospital won't believe it. Happily, Ecuador may not be a credit/debit card place but it is a cash one. Unlike the developed countries, banks here have gobs of the stuff on hand. My wife and I get an estimate and the non-hospitalized one has the cash on hand. (shrug)," mentioned one expat in Cuenca.

" I am closest to a hospital that is a private hospital, and is less than a mile away. Another hospital about 2 miles away is also a private hospital. A public hospital is about 5 miles away. The quality of care at most hospitals is excellent, yet the public hospitals have a lower grade of care, a higher population waiting for service and because of the high volume of patiensts, a lower class service to the patient and a longer waiting period for service. The level of caring for the patient varies, with the highest level of caring at the private hospitals. The most expensive private hospitals charge a fraction of the price that you would pay in the United States. The level of care and the success of recovery is so much higher than in the United States in my opinion and in the opinion of both the local people and the expat population. In addition, there is a freedom of choice of medical care. So Cancer patients are not only offered Chemo, Radiation and Surgery. There are Natural Health healers, Homeopathy and many other practitioners with successful records of reversing serious life-threatening disease conditions. ," mentioned one expat in Cuenca.

"We live within 3 blocks of a major hospital with 24 hour Emergency care and within 5 blocks of a similar major hospital also with 24 hour emergency care. Both hospitals are excellent and offer quality care.," commented one expat who moved to Cuenca, Ecuador.

"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," commented one expat who moved to Cuenca.

"Many common meds are available without prescription for a fraction of the price. New meds may not be available and can be expensive if they have to be imported. Names of meds are different than in the U.S., and you may have to go to a doctor initially to get them translated. Bringing your prescription forms from home will help," remarked one expat in Cuenca.

"As for prescription medicines we have have trouble with only one item we needed which we could not get here in Cuenca which was a type of estrogen medication my wife needed. Everything else we have needed in the past 3 years we have lived here we have been able to find locally without problem and most items (though prescribed by the Doctor) did not require a prescription for any needed renewal. Cost for most items were less than in the US," remarked one expat living in Cuenca.

"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," said one expat living in Cuenca.

"Medical care in Cuenca is generally of a high quality. The city has a number of well-equipped hospitals and clinics, staffed by experienced and qualified medical professionals. Cuenca also has a number of specialized medical centers, offering a range of services from general practice to specialized care. The city also has a number of pharmacies, providing access to a wide range of medications. In addition, there are a number of private medical practices, offering a range of services from general practice to specialized care. Overall, medical care in Cuenca is of a high standard and is easily accessible to residents and visitors alike," commented one expat living in Cuenca, Ecuador.

"Yes, as a foreigner living in Cuenca, you will have access to public healthcare. The public healthcare system in Cuenca is generally considered to be of good quality, with many hospitals and clinics offering a wide range of services. The cost of healthcare is also relatively low compared to other countries, making it an attractive option for those looking for affordable medical care," wrote an expat living 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," said an expat in Cuenca.

"My experiences with the local healthcare system in Cuenca during the pandemic have been generally positive. The healthcare system has been very responsive to the needs of the community, providing free testing and treatment for those affected by the virus. The hospitals and clinics have been well-equipped and staffed with knowledgeable and caring professionals. The government has also provided financial assistance to those in need, helping to cover the costs of medical care. Overall, the healthcare system in Cuenca has been able to provide quality care to those affected by the pandemic," mentioned one expat in Cuenca.

"Regular Dr visits, no issues regarding Covid One DR visit with my 27 year old son, no issues regarding Covid," commented one expat who moved to Cuenca, Ecuador.