Expats Talk about Health Insurance and Healthcare in Cascais, Portugal

"Connect with other expats to obtain physician references and sources of private insurance so you can benefit from their research and experience. Bring copies of your medical records with you. Quality of care can be very high in Portugal's major communities. Costs are much lower, by about half, and prescriptions range from a tenth to a half of the costs in the US," commented one expat living in Cascais, Portugal.

"Cascais offers a wide range of healthcare services to its citizens. The public healthcare system is provided by the National Health Service (Serviço Nacional de Saúde) and is free of charge for all citizens. The public healthcare system includes primary care, specialist care, hospital care, and emergency services. Additionally, there are several private healthcare providers in the area that offer a variety of services, including general practice, specialist care, and hospital care. These private providers often offer more personalized care and shorter wait times than the public system. Cascais also has a number of pharmacies that provide prescription medications and over-the-counter drugs," wrote one expat.

"Cascais offers a wide range of medical services for its residents and visitors. The city has several public and private hospitals, as well as a number of specialized clinics and medical centers. The public hospitals provide general medical care, while the private hospitals offer more specialized services. Additionally, there are a variety of pharmacies and medical supply stores in the city. Cascais also has a number of medical professionals, such as doctors, nurses, and dentists, who are available to provide medical care," commented one expat living in Cascais, Portugal.

"Public care is available to all...it's just slower and more crowded. Easily affordable private care is like 5 star service," wrote one expat.

"Healthcare and health insurance in Cascais can be expensive, depending on the type of coverage and services needed. Private health insurance is available, but it can be costly and may not cover all medical expenses. Public healthcare is also available, but it may not cover all medical expenses either. In general, healthcare and health insurance in Cascais can be expensive, but there are options available to help make it more affordable," said one expat living in Cascais.

"Expensive- relative to what? Compared to our former California prices, not at all. Cost in Cascais is no more expensive than comparable care in the rest of Portugal. Top-of-the-line insurance just got more expensive for elders, but it covers much more than comparable US plans like Medicare + supplement + out-of-pocket. The quality of CUF care, for example, is excellent. Prescription drug prices are way below the US (although non-prescription supplements are much higher). For example, my heart/cholesterol drugs are about 12 euros a month (and totally reimbursed by our top-of-line health insurance.) "List prices" of hospital care and surgery are much lower than in the US with comparable medical expertise and treatment. We, and our friends have had some serious medical events and we are very satisfied with the level of care," mentioned one expat in Cascais.

"ClinicaCUF is a company of health care providers, with clinics in each major town between Lisbon and Cascais, and beyond....one is never more than a couple of kilometers from a clinic if living in a major city. Hospital care at the Cascais Hospital is world-class. Both ClinicaCUF and Cascais Hospital accept private and state-insured patients. ," commented one expat who moved to Cascais.

"Emergency services in Cascais are provided by the National Health Service (Serviço Nacional de Saúde). In the event of an emergency, the best way to call for an ambulance is to dial 112, which is the national emergency number. This number is free of charge and is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The operator will then direct the call to the appropriate emergency service," said one expat.

"Yes, there are a good number of medical specialists in Cascais. People in Cascais can access a wide range of medical specialists, including general practitioners, specialists in internal medicine, cardiology, neurology, orthopedics, and more. For highly specialized medical care, people in Cascais typically go to larger cities such as Lisbon or Porto, where they can access a wider range of specialists and more advanced medical technology," said an expat in Cascais.

"Pharmacies are numerous in each major city and at least one exists in the smaller towns. Using a list from our US physicians of regularly taken medications, the pharmacies here continue to dispense this medication. Costs are at least one half less than in the US, and with some scrips can be about a tenth of the cost in the US. Pharmacists will also listen to customer health complaints and offer medication that would have required a doctor visit in the US, such as some allergy medications, cold, muscle pain, stomach ailments, headaches," wrote one expat.

"Yes, common prescription medications are available in Cascais. Pharmacies in the area carry a wide variety of medications, including those for common ailments such as colds, allergies, and pain relief. Many pharmacies also offer specialized medications for more serious conditions, such as cancer, diabetes, and heart disease. In addition, some pharmacies offer home delivery services for those who are unable to visit the store in person," commented one expat who moved to Cascais.

"Cascais has a wide range of medical facilities and medical care available. The local health authority, Centro de Saúde de Cascais, provides primary care services, including general practice, paediatrics, and mental health services. There are also several private hospitals and clinics in the area, offering a range of specialist services. The quality of medical care in Cascais is generally good, with experienced and qualified medical staff. The Portuguese healthcare system is also well-regarded, with a range of public and private options available," remarked one expat in Cascais.

"Yes, as a foreigner living in Cascais, you will have access to public healthcare. The public healthcare system in Portugal is generally considered to be of a high quality, with a wide range of services available. The Portuguese government provides free healthcare to all citizens and legal residents, and there are a number of public hospitals and clinics located throughout the country. In Cascais, there are several public hospitals and clinics, as well as a number of private healthcare providers. The public healthcare system in Portugal is generally well-regarded, and many people find that the quality of care they receive is excellent," said one expat living in Cascais.

"I have no Covid so I didn't use the NHS, but my husband had it and he was extremely well taken care of even when he came home for quaranteen. His Dr. would call him regularly, and appointments for tests always made as scheduled. Portugal has a great socialist Health Care," wrote one expat.

"The healthcare system in Cascais has been very responsive to the pandemic. The local government has implemented a number of measures to ensure the safety of the population, including the introduction of a contact tracing system, the implementation of social distancing measures, and the provision of free testing for those who need it. The local healthcare system has also been providing free telemedicine services to those who need it, and has been providing support to those who are struggling financially due to the pandemic. Overall, the healthcare system in Cascais has been doing a great job of responding to the pandemic and providing the necessary support to the local population," commented one expat who moved to Cascais.