Expat Community > Ecuador

livinginthezeropoint
Joined 2016
Posts: 37

Health Insurance

8 years ago

I thought we could use the medical system here free. I have been here 5 years and have not used the system because I am not on medication or have any illnesses. Why are they encouraging us to get medical insurance. Would we not qualify if we did not have this insurance.
Here is what was stated:
They told me I wasn't a good customer for the IESS." My friend said referring to what the doctors told him after his emergency heart surgery in Ecuador. My friend is an expat from the USA who after living in Ecuador about a year, and affiliating himself to the public healthcare system in Ecuador called the IESS had a heart attack and needed emergency surgery. He was told that the procedure would have cost him $60,000 USD. He paid, ZERO, nothing. The IESS covered it. And now he's fine. So, how much does the program cost? About $79 a month, doesn't matter your age. And you need to pay in at least for 3 months before receiving medical care free. No deductibles for service but medications sometimes are not covered. Be sure you sign up as a minimum wage earner in Ecuador ($360/month), if you state your income as higher you will pay a higher monthly premium. The medical benefits are the same if you pay more or not so it is not suggested.
How do i qualify??If you are a resident of Ecuador with a cedula (the local ID card) you qualify! Any age, plus pre-existing conditions usually are not inquired so usually not a problem. How to sign up? So, once you are a resident in Ecuador with a vaild cedula, to sign up the easiest way is to find a local accountant (contador), they are everywhere in the big cities in Ecuador, and have them do it for you. They will usually charge around $30-50 for the service if not less. Here is a good one in Quito that could help you out, ask for Cristina.

Or you can sign up on your own once you are a resident in Ecuador going to this website (in Spanish), then going to your local IESS office to get your password (clave). You will then need to log in and print out your payment info each month and go to the bank and pay it. You can also set it up with a local Ecuador bank account to have the payments automatically withdrawn each month.
DOES ANYONE KNOW ABOUT THE MEDICAL SYSTEM HERE???
Have you used it???
Thanks for your comments.

William Russell

Get a quote for international health insurance from our partner, William Russell.
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William Russell

Get a quote for international health insurance from our partner, William Russell.
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William Russell

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