Health Insurance in Colombia for Expats and Foreigners
Colombia is fast emerging as one of the most popular expat destinations in the world. Once considered the domain of only the most adventurous backpackers, Colombia has undergone significant changes in the past 30 years.
Crime has plummeted, healthcare standards have shot up, and the economy is growing. Now, you’re just as likely to find international consultants as you are digital nomads, and foreign retirees are joining the expat community in large numbers as well.
If you’re one of the many considering a move abroad, this overview of health insurance in Colombia will help you get started.
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Overview of Colombia’s National Health Insurance System
Colombia’s health insurance system is improving significantly every year. Approximately 97% of Colombians have some form of medical coverage. Colombia is currently ranked 22nd in the world on the World Health Organization’s list of the most efficient medical systems.
Bogotá, Medellín, and Cali, in particular, are known for their excellent hospitals and clinics, among the best in South America. Many physicians are multilingual, and it’s common for health clinics to specialize in serving the foreign market.
As such, Colombia is rapidly climbing the ranks in medical tourism, transplant surgeries, and cosmetic procedures.
Pros and Cons of Using the Local Health Insurance System
The country’s medical system operates a public health insurance plan called EPS (Entidades Promotoras de Salud).
All employees contribute a percentage of their wages to the Sistema General de Seguridad Social en Salud (SGSSS). They then select the private or public insurance provider of their choice that’s registered with the system. (The private providers cost an additional fee).
Overall, the system is comprehensive, affordable, and relatively user-friendly, though complaints about corruption are commonplace.
This affordability is one of the main “pros” of using Colombia’s local system. The EPS is available to all residents at a low cost. For instance, the premium for retirees is 12% of declared pension income.
Additionally, there is no maximum age limit for applying for EPS coverage, which is another benefit for retirees. For expats living in major cities and popular tourist towns, the standards of care are generally high.
Alas, care in rural areas is more basic and limited. Wait times are significant, and serious care requires trips to urban centers. Additionally, there are fewer multilingual doctors, and many small clinics are staffed only by nurses.
Having private health insurance means being treated in more comfortable facilities, with attentive care and private rooms.
Private insurance coverage also minimizes wait times and provides additional support should you need a translator.
How Expats Can Qualify For Health Insurance in Colombia
All legal residents of Colombia, regardless of citizenship status, are required to enroll with EPS. There is an option for foreigners to opt out.
However, to do so, they must provide proof of coverage from another insurance plan, such as a private or company plan.
The cost of opting into EPS is about 12.5% of wages. However, in real terms, employees only pay about 4%, while employers cover the rest.
Benefits of a Global Health Insurance Plan
While Colombia’s healthcare system has expanded significantly over the past few decades, the quality of care in smaller, more remote clinics may fall short of the standards to which expats are accustomed.
Carrying a global medical insurance plan means being treated in private facilities that are more comfortable, personable, and with a greater emphasis on discretion and confidentiality.
Patients in the public medical system are often required to provide their own meals, toiletries, and sometimes bed linens.
This is not the case in private facilities. They also have shorter wait times than public facilities and greater access to diagnostic equipment.
Private insurance plans also give you direct access to specialists. There’s no need to see your primary physician for a referral first, as you would in the public sector.
Best Medical Insurance for Expatriates Living in Colombia
Cigna Global Insurance Plan
- Flexible plans tailored to your needs and budget
- 1.5M+ providers in 200+ countries
- 24/7 multilingual customer support
IMG Global Medical Plan
- Affordable global coverage with flexible options
- Coverage area options based on where you live or work
- Visit any doctor or hospital worldwide
Best Health Insurance in Colombia for US Citizens
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.
What You Need To Know About Processes
To be a part of the EPS health insurance program, you must be a legal resident of Colombia. As such, you must enter Colombia with a visa that allows you to work (or, as the case may be, reside as a retired individual).
Successfully applying for the appropriate visa in your home country is just the first step. Once you enter Colombia with your visa affixed to your passport, you must visit a Migración (immigration) office to register your visa.
You can apply for your identification card, known as a cédula, at the same time. The process is relatively straightforward: you can expect to fill out a form, have your fingerprints and photo taken, and pay a fee.
That said, many new expats who don’t speak Spanish opt to bring a local friend or a translator to ensure everything goes smoothly.
You can expect a minimum of two weeks for your application to be processed. However, many expats report being recalled to the Migración office for additional paperwork, further delaying the process.
Successfully applying for the cédula is the biggest hurdle. Once you have obtained it, you can sign up for EPS. You must choose an insurance administrator and give your application to them.
Once you are approved, your coverage starts immediately. Unlike a lot of other countries, no medical card is issued, as your cédula is all that’s needed.
How Routine Doctor Visits Work
Expats are likely to notice some key differences when visiting a doctor in Colombia compared to their home country. In Colombia, most of the time, it’s up to you to maintain your own medical file.
That’s not to say that your primary physician won’t keep their own notes, but when it comes to copies of tests and diagnostic imaging, you’re the party responsible.
Results are rarely shared electronically between testing centers and physician offices. As such, people often walk their results from the laboratory to the doctor themselves.
This extra legwork goes both ways because many physicians in Colombia still make house calls. And in nearly all cases, there is no special surcharge. House calls are done for the same co-pay fee as a regular physician’s visit!
How To Find A Family Physician
Many expats initially connect with a local physician through their IPS, the health center assigned by their EPS. Seeing a doctor at an IPS center is popular because it’s affordable, reasonably easy to schedule an appointment, and emphasizes local care.
For expats who opt to see a family physician through their private health insurance provider, asking friends and colleagues for recommendations is a good place to start.
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
Joe Cronin, President of ICI, is a leading expert in international health, life, and travel insurance. An MBA and founder of multiple global businesses, he helps expatriates and travelers access trusted, comprehensive insurance solutions worldwide.
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