Public & Private Medical Insurance Options for Expats in Brazil
Brazil is popular with expats for its warm weather, welcoming culture, and job opportunities. The famous feijoada stew, soothing Bossa Nova melodies, and lively festivals make it even more appealing. While researching all the exciting things the country has to offer, don’t overlook how you plan to deal with healthcare. If you’re moving to Brazil, it’s essential to have the right medical insurance tailored to your specific needs.
Brazil has a two-tiered healthcare system that offers both public and private options. The public service is provided by the Sistema Único de Saúde (SUS) and is funded through taxes. Anyone with a legal residency status can apply for SUS insurance. This means international citizens with visas to live, work, or study in Brazil are all eligible to use the public system.
The SUS offers high-quality care in clinics and hospitals nationwide, but is not without problems. Public facilities can be crowded with long wait times, especially in rural areas. To access more modern facilities, shorter wait times, and support for language barriers, we recommend private health insurance for foreigners in Brazil.
Find the Best International Medical Insurance
- Compare multiple quotes from top insurers
- Get expert advice at no additional cost
- Find the right plan for your needs and budget
Global Health Insurance for Expats in Brazil
Healthcare in Brazil has been a constitutional right since 1988. The public system, Sistema Único de Saúde (SUS), offers universal healthcare to all citizens and legal residents of the country.
In the event of an emergency, even short-term tourists or undocumented individuals are covered for any necessary treatment.
The system is decentralized, with states and municipalities responsible for delivering care. Approximately 72% of Brazilians rely solely on the SUS for their healthcare needs.
The SUS is the most extensive government-run healthcare system in the world. Due to the size of its operations, the public system faces many challenges.
While the SUS offers high-quality care, long wait times and capacity are constant problems. Funding and staffing issues exacerbate these problems. Due to these issues, most foreigners rely on the private system.
Local private Brazilian health insurance plans are available. However, they’re more expensive than you might think, up to 30% more expensive than what’s sold in other Latin American countries.
There is also no guarantee that the private facilities provided will meet the standards that expats expect. For example, privacy and language services may be limited.
If you want to be seen quickly or need support navigating language barriers, an international health insurance plan is the ideal solution. Many of these plans provide English-speaking support and offer coverage worldwide.
The Cost of Healthcare in Brazil for Foreigners
The most significant advantage of using the SUS healthcare system is that it’s free. There are no premiums, patient surcharges, or additional fees. You’re completely covered.
Anyone with a valid legal residency status can apply for their National Health Identification number, which grants them access to the public healthcare system.
Go to your local health center with your passport, residency papers, and all supporting documentation to apply.
Fees in the private healthcare system have increased in line with demand, as the public system faces its own challenges. Doctors and specialists who work in the private system set their own prices.
Fees can vary widely even within a single city. A visit to a general practitioner in a large city can cost anywhere between $23 and $97 USD (BRL 120-500).
To ensure they are fully covered and avoid unexpected bills, most expats opt to purchase international insurance in Brazil.
The cost of these plans ranges from $500 USD annually for basic coverage to $8,000 USD for comprehensive coverage. Each plan can be customized to meet your specific needs.
Recommended Health Plans for Expats in Brazil
Can an American Get Health Insurance in Brazil?
Americans or any foreigners with residency status in Brazil are eligible to use the public system. There is no waiting period to join. You need to register at your local health center.
However, long wait times, overcrowding, and language barriers cause most Americans and international citizens to rely on the private system.
If you’re an American living in Brazil, we recommend the BCBS Global Solutions Worldwide Premier plan.
BCBS Global Solutions Worldwide Premier
- Unlimited annual and lifetime coverage
- Pre-existing conditions covered with prior insurance
- For U.S. citizens abroad or foreign nationals in the U.S.
Best Health Insurance in Brazil for Non-Residents
For comfort and convenience, most foreigners in Brazil use the private healthcare system. There are many great options for expat health insurance.
These plans provide coverage for hospitalization, inpatient and outpatient care, prescription medication, mental health services, pre-existing condition coverage, evacuation benefits, and more.
Cigna Global Insurance Plan
- Flexible plans tailored to your needs and budget
- 1.5M+ providers in 200+ countries
- 24/7 multilingual customer support
William Russell Health Insurance
- Worldwide coverage with access to private hospitals and trusted medical networks.
- Comprehensive benefits, covering inpatient care, outpatient treatment, mental health, and emergency evacuation.
- Flexible plan levels that let expats choose the coverage and budget that fit their lifestyle.
Plans for Students at Brazilian Colleges and Universities
If you are intending to study in Brazil, you can purchase plans specifically designed for international students.
Student Health Advantage
- Standard and Platinum level benefits available.
- Coverage for individuals and groups and their dependents.
- Freedom to seek treatment with hospital or doctor of your choice.
StudentSecure Insurance
- Provides Medical, Dental, and Evacuation Benefits
- Keep your coverage when your studies last multiple years
- Medical providers are available in over 130 countries worldwide
Travel Insurance for Short-Term Visitors to Brazil
If you’ll only be in Brazil for a short time, you may find that travel insurance is better for you. Travel insurance provides coverage for individuals who are outside their country for a period as short as five days.
There are various types of travel insurance plans, each offering its own unique benefits. Most plans cover medical care, as well as evacuation or repatriation.
Group Medical Insurance in Brazil for International Employees
Group insurance is also available. If you have employees living in Brazil or frequently traveling there, you’ll want to ensure they have adequate medical coverage in Brazil.
These plans are comprehensive and can be customized to meet your organization’s and employees’ specific needs.
Global Benefits for International Organizations
- Tailored group insurance for international teams
- Compare top-rated global provider options
- Partner with a licensed expert to design your plan
Accessing Global Medical Care in Brazil
Dealing with bureaucracy in Brazil can be tough for foreigners. Unlike many countries, where English is the second language of both the healthcare system and everyday life, it’s Spanish in Brazil.
Only about 5% of Brazilians speak English fluently. Hospitals that claim to offer English services may only have one or two staff members who speak English.
Just because there are some multilingual staff members, it doesn’t mean that they’ll be taking care of your case.
Private global health insurance providers offer language support that local companies do not. Unless you are fluent in Portuguese, you’ll want to purchase a private international insurance plan over a local one.
It’s a big help to have a local friend or interpreter with you for visa renewals, health insurance, and hospital forms.
An international health insurance provider can help with translations, but having a local person by your side may also be a good idea.
How to Find a Family Physician or GP in Brazil
There aren’t many general practitioners in Brazil, as most physicians tend to specialize in specific areas. Patients can book their appointments directly with a specialist without a referral from a family doctor.
Most people in Brazil typically consult a general practitioner only when they need advice on which specialist to see. If you speak Portuguese, you can use SUS’s online database to find a doctor.
If not, word-of-mouth referrals are a big part of Brazilian culture. Ask your colleagues, local friends, or other immigrants for a recommendation.
How to Get Hospital Care in Brazil
In case of an emergency, dial 190 or 192 for ambulance services. Both public and private hospitals have emergency departments available 24 hours a day.
These are referred to as Accident and Emergency Units (A&E). In the event of an actual emergency, both tourists and residents will receive free treatment.
Public emergency rooms can be chaotic. Physicians are often undertrained and overstressed. As such, most foreigners opt for private healthcare.
You can discuss with your insurance provider which hospitals are included in their network. Depending on your plan, hospital fees may be fully covered.
Find the Best International Medical Insurance
- Compare multiple quotes from top insurers
- Get expert advice at no additional cost
- Find the right plan for your needs and budget
Elizabeth Baugh is a versatile freelance writer specializing in education, travel, health, and wellness. She has international experience living in multiple countries, is fluent in Spanish, and holds a license as a TEFL teacher, sharing insights on travel and relocation.
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