15 Expats Talk about Health Insurance and Healthcare in Chile

"Chile offers a wide range of healthcare services, including primary care, hospital care, and specialized care. The public healthcare system in Chile is known as FONASA, and it is funded by the government and administered by the Ministry of Health. The quality of public healthcare in Chile is generally good, with access to modern medical technology and a wide range of services. Foreign residents in Chile are eligible to use the public healthcare system, although they may need to pay a fee. Expats in Chile can use the public healthcare system by registering with FONASA and paying the required fees. They may also be able to access private healthcare services, depending on their insurance coverage," wrote an expat living in Chile.

"The main problem with Chile, is that it has followed the USA example, as a neo-liberal policy brought in by Pinochet/Friedman of "privatising" most State activities, including Health Care, Social Services, Pensions, Water management, Education, etc, etc. SO.........the owners of these businesses are more interested in making profits, at the "poor man's" expense, and the State does little to stop this. So there is great social inequality in Chile, with the "ruling elite" naturally wanting to maintain their advantage. As in UK, with national schooling, NHS, State Social support, etc, the State provides good standards as "safety nets" for the mass population. The Skandinavian countries offer even better examples of State social responsibility, but of course their tax regimes to support this are even higher than in the UK. In Chile, whilst the economy could afford higher taxing (private and corporate taxes) to support widespread social improvements, there is not the WILL by the "Old Guard", who wish to retain their exclusivity," commented one expat who moved to Santiago.

"Chile has a well-developed healthcare system that provides a wide range of medical services. The public health system is free for all citizens and permanent residents, while private health insurance is available for those who wish to access more specialized care. The country has a network of public hospitals and clinics, as well as a number of private medical centers. Chile also has a number of specialized medical centers, such as those for cancer treatment, mental health, and geriatrics. In addition, there are a number of medical research centers and universities that offer medical degrees and training," said one expat.

"Healthcare and health insurance in Chile can be expensive, depending on the type of coverage and services needed. Generally, public healthcare is free or low-cost for those who qualify, while private healthcare can be more expensive. Health insurance plans vary in cost, but can be expensive for those who do not qualify for public healthcare. Additionally, many health insurance plans require co-payments for services, which can add to the overall cost," said an expat in Chile.

"Emergency services in Chile are generally reliable and efficient. In the event of an emergency, the best way to call for an ambulance is to dial 131, which is the national emergency number. This number is free of charge and is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Ambulances are typically dispatched within minutes of the call being made. In addition to ambulances, the 131 number can also be used to call for police, fire, and other emergency services," said one expat living in Chile.

"Santiago is the largest city in Chile and is home to some of the best medical specialists in the country. The capital city is home to a wide range of medical specialists, from general practitioners to specialists in specific areas such as cardiology, neurology, and oncology. Other cities in Chile with a good selection of medical specialists include Concepción, Valparaíso, and Viña del Mar. Additionally, the coastal city of Viña del Mar is known for its excellent selection of medical specialists, particularly in the areas of dermatology and plastic surgery," said one expat.

"Yes, common prescription medications are available in Chile. Most medications are available over the counter at pharmacies, although some require a prescription from a doctor. The Chilean government regulates the sale of prescription medications, and all medications must be approved by the Chilean Ministry of Health before they can be sold. Additionally, the Chilean government has implemented a system of price controls to ensure that medications are affordable for all citizens," wrote one expat.

" There are two clinics in Pucon, One is municipal and is free or inexpensive. The Pucon Medical Center has emergency services with ambulances. Villarica is 20 Km away and also has a hospital and ambulance services. Temuco is about an hour away and has a large German Hospital with excelent services as well as other hospitals and clinics both public and private. The doctors in Chile get a free education but only the brightest graduate. Most public services are free and the same doctors have to work for the public hospitals for years to pay for their education. Even if you have to pay full price for medical services in the German Hospital, it will cost less than your copay would cost with insurance in the US. Waiting times are much shorter than what I experience with insurance in the US. ," mentioned one expat in Pucon.

"Medical facilities and medical care in Chile are generally of a high quality. The country has a well-developed healthcare system, with a wide range of public and private hospitals and clinics providing a range of services. The quality of care is generally good, with many doctors and nurses having received training abroad. The country also has a number of specialized medical centers, such as the National Cancer Institute, which provide advanced treatments and care. In addition, Chile has a number of medical research centers, which are dedicated to researching and developing new treatments and technologies," commented one expat who moved to Chile.

"Yes, as a foreigner living in Chile, you will have access to public healthcare. The public healthcare system in Chile is known as FONASA and is funded by the government. It provides basic medical services such as doctor visits, hospitalizations, and laboratory tests at a low cost. The quality of care is generally good, although there may be long wait times for certain services. Additionally, there are private healthcare providers in Chile that offer more comprehensive services at a higher cost," commented one expat who moved to Chile.

"The pandemic has had a significant impact on the healthcare system in Chile. The government has implemented a number of measures to ensure that the healthcare system is able to cope with the increased demand for services. These measures include increasing the number of hospital beds, expanding the number of medical personnel, and providing additional resources to the healthcare system. Despite these efforts, the healthcare system has been overwhelmed by the number of patients seeking care. Many hospitals have had to turn away patients due to lack of space and resources. Additionally, the government has implemented strict social distancing measures, which have made it difficult for people to access healthcare services. Despite these challenges, the healthcare system in Chile has been able to provide quality care to those in need," mentioned one expat in Chile.

"Public briefing of the problem by Government bodies very good, Press updates and guidance clear and consistent, social distancing, quarantine steps and masking guidance clear and effective, generally 90+% of the population following the guidelines (sometimes quite strict, even the President of Chile was FINED US$3,000 for failing to wear a mask in public), vaccination planning conducted with anticipation and now the best in South America and 2nd only to Israel for speed of vaccination conducted (Sinopharm, also believed to be better at combating all COVID variants including the Brazil/P1 variant). We (age 70 and 65) received our 1st COVID vaccinations 3 weeks ago and will get 2nd dose next week (conducted easily and swiftly/efficiently)," commented one expat who moved to Santiago, Chile.