International Health Insurance for Expatriates in Argentina

Discover our health insurance policies specifically designed for expats in Argentina

Foyer Global Health covers expats’ health in Argentina who are seeking for a private health insurance solution tailored to their needs.

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Argentina is a must-visit country: from the sparkling lakes of Patagonia to the desert regions of the north, this South American country is filled with natural wonders and cultural treasures attracting expatriates from the Old Continent and beyond… And when it comes to healthcare, Latin America’s second largest country after Brazil has a high-performance system accessible to expats. Foyer Global Health offers you a brief overview to know how it works.

Argentina’s healthcare system

Argentina has one of the best healthcare systems in Latin America. Decentralised, accessible to all, including expatriates, it offers high-quality medical care. Just like in Brazil, it is universal and mixed (public/private).

1. The public sector

The public health system, managed by ANSES (Administracion nacional de la seguridad social) offers universal medical cover (Cobertura Universal de Salud – CUS) and free health services (outpatient medicine, hospitalisation, palliative care, etc.) to everyone, including foreigners, in the public healthcare establishments.

2. Las obras sociales (social insurance funds for employees)

Reserved for employees and managed by the trade unions, las obras sociales provide compulsory minimum health cover for primary care to about half of the Argentinean population in a network of contracted health establishments. They are financed by contributions from both employees and employers. Provided you have resident status, as an expatriate employee, it is possible to subscribe to this insurance scheme, via your employer.

3. Prepagas (supplementary local health insurance)

Some residents (particularly employees) take out supplementary health insurance policies for a monthly fee to be covered in a network of affiliated partner health establishments without having to pay upfront for medical services. The list of participating centres is limited, and some healthcare services are only reimbursed over a certain amount.

NB: In Argentina, doctors working in the public sector practice in public hospitals. Only private doctors have their own medical practices.

What is the quality of healthcare in Argentina?

Generally, in both the public and private sectors, health practitioners are highly competent and well-trained, and patients receive good medical care equivalent to that of most states in the USA.

Overall, in the public sector, health services are of good quality, and emergency services are provided and accessible to everyone. However, there are major regional disparities between the south (Buenos Aires, Mendoza, etc.), where there is excellent health infrastructure, and the north (Formosa, Chaco, etc.), where health facilities are more outdated.

In the private sector, the quality of healthcare is generally higher than in the public sector, and health establishments are better equipped. Major cities such as Buenos Aires and Mendoza, attract international patients, as they are home to renowned national and foreign hospitals and clinics including specialised healthcare centres.

What are the pros and cons of Argentina’s healthcare system?

Pros:

• Universal public healthcare system accessible to all (including expatriates) regardless of the patient’s resident status;
• Affordable medical costs’
• Quality medical services (equipment, staff, health infrastructure);
• Access to reputable, specialised healthcare services and cutting-edge medical treatments.
• A wide range of public and private health services as all medical specialities are represented.

Cons:

• Important disparities re. the quality of healthcare and the efficiency of medical facilities, between public and private on the one hand, and between urban and rural areas on the other
• Long waiting times in the public health system: health services are generally overcrowded and treatment can be ineffective;
• The gap in services and accessibility between the private and public healthcare systems;
• High medical fees in private healthcare clinics and hospitals

What much does healthcare cost in Argentina?

Healthcare service costs depend on the type of establishment (public/private), the type of treatment, the region and the level of coverage of your insurance policy. They may also vary from one hospital/clinic to another.

Argentina’s public health insurance and obras sociales allow you access to healthcare almost free of charge in public health establishments and contracted centres. Medicines are not free but are reimbursed at around 40%.

Private healthcare is more expensive, and the amount you will have to pay for depends on your insurance policy. International health insurance companies cover you for tailor-made access to healthcare, no matter which practitioner you choose and wherever you are. Without private health coverage, private medical services are likely to be very expensive.

Why choose Foyer Global Health for your relocation to Argentina?

• Our specialty is to cover expats’ health throughout the world
• You can benefit from our comprehensive, tailor-made and effective international health coverage at a competitive price, even in the event of an emergency
• You are free to choose your healthcare provider, public or private, in Argentina and anywhere else in the world
• You benefit from effective health cover from the very first euro spent
• You get fast access to the best medical establishments in Argentina and worldwide
• In the event of a life-threatening emergency, we’re there to help you (evacuation insurance)
• In the event of hospitalization, we will pay upfront for you
• We offer you a 100% digital health experience (multilingual medical services available 24/7)