What are medical services in Chile like?
When we asked expats and global nomads about the quality of medical care in Chile, they replied...
"The main problem with Chile, is that it has followed the USA example, as a neo-liberal policy brought in by Pinochet/Friedman of "privatising" most State activities, including Health Care, Social Services, Pensions, Water management, Education, etc, etc. SO.........the owners of these businesses are more interested in making profits, at the "poor man's" expense, and the State does little to stop this. So there is great social inequality in Chile, with the "ruling elite" naturally wanting to maintain their advantage. As in UK, with national schooling, NHS, State Social support, etc, the State provides good standards as "safety nets" for the mass population. The Skandinavian countries offer even better examples of State social responsibility, but of course their tax regimes to support this are even higher than in the UK. In Chile, whilst the economy could afford higher taxing (private and corporate taxes) to support widespread social improvements, there is not the WILL by the "Old Guard", who wish to retain their exclusivity," remarked another expat in Santiago, Chile.
"Chile has a well-developed healthcare system that provides a wide range of medical services. The public health system is free for all citizens and permanent residents, while private health insurance is available for those who wish to access more specialized care. The country has a network of public hospitals and clinics, as well as a number of private medical centers. Chile also has a number of specialized medical centers, such as those for cancer treatment, mental health, and geriatrics. In addition, there are a number of medical research centers and universities that offer medical degrees and training," said a member in Chile.

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With Cigna Global Health Options, you can create an international health insurance plan that's perfectly tailored for the needs of you and your family. We provide the reassurance of comprehensive core cover, and the flexibility of adding as many extra benefits as you want to ensure you have a plan perfectly suited to your needs.
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Other Questions:
- What do I need to know before moving to Chile?
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- What is the average cost of housing in Chile?
- Should I buy or rent a home in Chile?
- What should I pack when moving to Chile?
- What cultural faux pas should I try to avoid making in Chile?
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- What are healthcare services like in Chile?
- What are medical services in Chile like?
- What are typical rents in Chile?
- What appliances are typically included in a rental?
What are medical services in Chile like?
If you live in Chile, newcomers to Chile would love to hear your answer to this question:
About the Author
Betsy Burlingame is the Founder and President of Expat Exchange and is one of the Founders of Digital Nomad Exchange. She launched Expat Exchange in 1997 as her Master's thesis project at NYU. Prior to Expat Exchange, Betsy worked at AT&T in International
and Mass Market Marketing. She graduated from Ohio Wesleyan University
with a BA in International Business and German.
Some of Betsy's articles include 12 Best Places to Live in Portugal, 7 Best Places to Live in Panama and 12 Things to Know Before Moving to the Dominican Republic. Betsy loves to travel and spend time with her family. Connect with Betsy on LinkedIn.