Healthcare & Health Insurance in Colombia

"There is a vast difference between the lowest level of health insurance and the highest level. The difference is night and day. I have both a low level and high level. I pay $30/mth, SaludTotal low level, $250/mth AXAColpatria, high level. The lower level insurance is required by my high level insurance. With my AXAColpatria, the doctor will come to my house as a non-emergency first response," said one foreigner in Bucaramanga.

"I had a sinus infection and rather than go through the insurance plan, I just went to a private physician and paid cash. The doctor visit (including a basic physical exam) plus an antibiotic and an anti-inflammatory injection was less than 20 US dollars," said one foreigner in Ibague.

"Colombia has a well-developed healthcare system, with both public and private hospitals and clinics providing a wide range of medical services. The country has a high number of qualified medical professionals, including doctors, nurses, and specialists, who are able to provide quality care. Colombia also has a number of specialized medical centers, such as cancer treatment centers, that offer advanced treatments and technologies. Additionally, the country has a number of health insurance plans available to citizens, which can help cover the cost of medical services," remarked one member in Colombia.

"Healthcare and health insurance in Colombia can be expensive, depending on the type of coverage and services needed. Generally, public healthcare is available at a lower cost than private healthcare, but the quality of care may not be as high. Private health insurance plans are available, but they can be costly and may not cover all medical expenses. Additionally, many Colombians opt to pay out-of-pocket for medical services, as this can be more affordable than purchasing health insurance," said one member in Colombia.

"Emergency services are pretty good. Better before COVID, of course. Before COVID the only Hospital that I would go to was private, MEDILASER is the nicest and is about 5 minutes from my house.All 3 Hospitals are within 12 minutes from any part of town. We call an ambulance the old fashioned way, with a telephone," explained one digital nomad living in Florencia, Colombia.

"I live within 10 minutes to 30 minutes depending on the hospital. The hospital connected to SaludTotal is Clinica de Bucaramanga/ Private. It is old, 2 people to a room, typically no soap in the public bathrooms and I have caught them using water to clean my arm for needle insertion. With AXAColpatria, International Hospital Colombia. New hospital equipped with the latest technology and loaded with specialists doctors. Private large rooms. Very nice, Fast attention with my insurance. I am treated as a VIP. ," said one member in Bucaramanga.

"Emergency services in Colombia are generally reliable and efficient. In the event of an emergency, the best way to call for an ambulance is to dial 123, the national emergency number. This number is free and available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Ambulances are typically staffed with trained medical personnel and equipped with the necessary medical supplies to provide basic medical care. In addition, the ambulance service is often accompanied by a police escort to ensure the safety of the patient and medical personnel," explained one expat in Colombia.

"As a member of SaludCoop, get same benefits wherever I go-in country. Most major cities have this EPS represented," commented a person living in Colombia.

"Don't always need a prescription and medicine comparted to the US is really cheap," said one member in Medellin.

"Yes, common prescription medications are available in Colombia. Most medications can be purchased at pharmacies without a prescription, although some require a prescription from a doctor. Prices for medications in Colombia are generally lower than in other countries, making them more accessible to the general public. Additionally, the Colombian government provides subsidies for certain medications, making them even more affordable," explained one expat in Colombia.

"yes and no...I took Nexium in the US for many years. Here, I can only get the generic . but, it seems to work just as well. prescriptions or "formulas" as they are known here, are a joke, any pharmacy will sell you whatever you need as long as you have the money. Lots of the popular brand meds are not available here, such as Tums, Tylenol, but the local replacements once again, work well. meds are definitely not expensive.. My generic Nexium costs me 9.100 Colombian pesos a month...about $4.50 US," remarked one global nomad in Colombia.

"As one of the major cities in Colombia, Medellin has 7 or 8 major hospitals, with more than one being recognized for providing world class care in several specialties. Medical care should not be a major worry," remarked one member in Medellin.

"Colombia has a range of medical facilities and medical care options available. Healthcare services in Colombia generally provide a high level of care and are said to be some of the best that Latin America has to offer. The country has invested heavily in modernizing its healthcare infrastructure, with advanced medical and technological equipment in many of the major hospitals. Colombia has world-renowned doctors and specialists in a variety of medical fields and is dedicated to continually improving their healthcare services," explained one expat living in Colombia.

"Yes, foreigners living in Colombia have access to public healthcare. The public healthcare system in Colombia is known as the Sistema General de Seguridad Social en Salud (SGSSS). It is a comprehensive system that provides access to medical services, including preventive care, diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation. The quality of care varies depending on the region, but overall, the public healthcare system in Colombia is considered to be of good quality," said one foreigner in Colombia.

"I am enrolled with EPS Sanitas,I am the only expat in the whole State of Caqueta. If I am working at a school, the school pays for my health Ins. If I am taking time off from teaching, I pay in the area of $30. USD per month plus a 1 dollar co-pay. My health Ins covers EVERYTHING.. Ambulance, Doctor visits, Hospital stays, Open heart surgery, Medications, Specialist, and any kind of testing necessary. etc... Pre existing = no problem. We have 2 public and 1 private Hospital in Florencia.. The quality of care lately has been lacking a little sicnce Covid hit. The really good Doctors seem to be leaving the area for the bigger cities," remarked one member in Florencia.

"My girlfriend required some minor surgery. There was absolutely no problem and no cost. Everybody wears masks, but without them you would never know things were not normal," said one member in Ibague.

"The pandemic has had a significant impact on the healthcare system in Colombia. Many hospitals have been overwhelmed with the influx of patients, leading to long wait times and limited access to medical care. Additionally, the government has implemented strict measures to limit the spread of the virus, such as closing borders and restricting movement. This has made it difficult for people to access medical care, especially in rural areas. Despite these challenges, the healthcare system in Colombia has been able to provide adequate care to those in need. Doctors and nurses have worked tirelessly to provide the best care possible, and the government has provided financial support to help cover the costs of medical care," explained one expat in Colombia.