When it comes to health care, Brazil is a country of contradictions. In theory, any person in need of medical treatment has access to a broad range of government funded services. In practice, public health care is in such a desolate state that everyone who can afford it opts for private health care.
Besides the free public health care scheme, Brazil has developed a growing private health care sector which again consists of supplementary health programmes and health insurance. Despite government efforts to improve public health care, public hospitals in Brazil are often short of medical equipment and staff, and long waiting lists for surgery and other services are common. In addition, most doctors in public hospitals do not speak English – which is definitely a problem if you're ill and try to explain what's happening!
Those who can afford it therefore opt for private healthcare. Nearly ¾ of Brazilian hospitals are private. In contrast to public hospitals, equipment, staff and accommodation in private clinics are excellent, especially in big cities like São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro.
As a foreigner, you should definitely opt for private health insurance, if you can afford it. In addition, you should make sure that your insurance plan allows you to choose English-speaking doctors or hospitals with English-speaking staff.