Big on service and small on cost, the private healthcare system in Ecuador suits the needs of most expats who prefer not to rely on the decent, yet at times slow and frustrating public health service. Here the options for health insurance are explained.
On average, treatment for non-serious ailments is cheap enough to not to worry about being insured. However if major health problems arise, treatment will naturally be much more expensive and a comprehensive insurance plan will save you a lot of money. The main providers to look at are BMI , Salud SA and Generali .
The good news is that Ecuadorian health insurance can be cheap while also providing comprehensive cover. The bad news is that if you’re over 60, you may find it difficult to get covered. If you’re in this category, don’t worry. There are still a range of options open to you.
Firstly, you could consider looking at international health insurance from companies like Bupa , Integra or Cigna . The downside to this option is that it will be significantly more expensive - a sample quote from Bupa for a 60 year old American living in Ecuador is $563 per month - far higher than premiums offered by Ecuadorian insurance providers.
A better option may be Cruz Blanca , an Ecuadorian company which has no age limits. If you’re over 65, you will need to go for a medical exam before they give you a policy.
The third option is either to pay for treatment as needed, or make use of the public health service - though neither of these is ideal. If you sign up to Ecuador’s social security system (IESS), monthly fees are just over $50 a month. After six months all doctor’s visits, tests, procedures, medication, dental treatment and even glasses are 100% covered.