The Best Hospitals in Colombia for Expats
If you are living in Colombia from abroad, a major concern is likely to be accessing quality healthcare, which means being familiar with the country’s hospital system. Below is a listing of the top hospitals in Colombia for expats and foreigners.
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How Many Hospitals Are In Colombia?
As of 2016, Colombia had 1,124 hospitals and clinics. These provide 53,153 hospital beds and perform 772,320 surgical procedures. In a country of 49.65 million, there are 102,309 doctors and 44,518 dentists. The country’s hospitals can be categorized into public and private, with 68% being public and 32% private.
List of Recommended Hospitals in Colombia for Expats
Hospitals in Bogota
The country’s capital offers a range of hospitals that are highly recommended for visitors to the country. Many healthcare providers are bilingual.
Clínica Administradora Country
Carrera 16 N. 82-57
Santa fe de Bogota
Tel: + 57 1 530 0470/1270
Clìnica de Marly
Calle 50 N. 9-67
Santa fe de Bogota
Tel: + 57 1 343 6600
Clínica Fundación Santa Fe de Bogotá
Calle 116 N. 9-02
Santa fe de Bogota
Tel: + 57 1 6 030303
Instituto de Inmunología del Hospital San
Cra. 10 Calle 1a
Santa fe de Bogota
Tel: + 57 1 233 9006/233 4255
Fax: + 57 1 289 3999
Hospitals in Medellín
Previously a destination for plastic surgery, Medellín has transformed what was once a thriving medical tourism industry into one that is renowned for offering some of the world’s most high-tech procedures.
Clinica Las Americas Diagonal
75 B-2 A-80
Medellin Colombia
Tel: + 57 4 342 1010
Fax: + 57 4 341 2946
Clínica Medellín Sede El Poblado
Carrera 7 N. 39-290
Medellin Colombia
Tel: + 57 4 311 2800
Fax: + 57 4 312 4930
Clìnica Soma
Calle 51 Nr 45-93
Medellin Colombia
Tel: + 57 4 251 0555
Hospitals in Cali
Clìnica Centri Imbanco
Carrera 38 N. 5A-100
Cali Colombia
Tel: + 57 2 558 8355
Fax: + 57 2 558 5783
Clìnica De Occidente
Calle 18 nro 534
Cali Colombia
Tel: + 57 2 660 3000
Clínica Fundación
Valle de Lili Carrera 98 N. 18-49
Cali Colombia
Tel: + 57 2 331 7474
Fax: + 57 1 331 7499
Hospitals in Cartagena, Bucaramanga, and Santa Cruz de Tenerife
Hospitals in Colombia are not just limited to the major cities.
Hospital Bocagrande
Calle 5ta C/Carrera 6ta Barrio Castillogrande
Cartagena Colombia
Tel: + 57 5 665 4380
Clinica La Carolina
Transversal 14 Nr 126-11
Santa Cruz de Tenerife 38006
Colombia
Tel: + 57 1 614 6995
Fax: + 57 1 614 6913
Overview of Healthcare in Colombia
Colombia is well-known in Latin America for providing some of the best healthcare at a relatively affordable price. Some of the best clinics and hospitals in all of Latin America are located in Colombia.
In fact, Colombia’s healthcare system isn’t only good when ranked against Latin America. When ranked against all countries in the world for quality healthcare, Colombia comes in at an impressive 22nd in a ranking by the World Health Organization (WHO).
Since the 1980s, the country has overseen a vast improvement in its healthcare system. Additionally, there had been a broadening of the health and social security system. While as of the early nineties only 21% of people were covered by this system, as of 2012, 96% of the population is covered.
Is Healthcare in Colombia Free?
In 1993, Colombia ratified a new constitution, which made healthcare a basic human right for Colombians and foreigners alike. This provides three kinds of medical coverage:
So, healthcare in Colombia is only free to residents who are most in need; everyone else is required to pay into the national system, as well as decide if they want private insurance.
How Much Does Healthcare Cost in Colombia?
For those coming from the United States, the out-of-pocket healthcare costs in Colombia will seem extremely reasonable. Procedures are priced at just 50-90% of the cost of the same procedures in the US.
It is worth remembering that the WHO ranking places Colombia ahead of the United States, which ranks 38th, as well as ahead of other countries well-known for their quality healthcare, including Germany (25th) and Australia (32nd).
The EPS, which both Colombians and residents are required to pay into, has a monthly premium of 12.5% of a person’s monthly gross income. If you don’t have any Colombian income, the cost to use the EPS is that percentage of the minimum wage, which works out to about $36/month.
For those employed by a Colombian company, the company is required to pay 2/3 of the premium, while employees are responsible for 1/3.
EPS only provides people with the most basic healthcare services, and it is highly recommended that supplemental private insurance be purchased. However, many private plans require you to have EPS to purchase the private plan.
Private plans range from approximately $180 to $350, and the cost is dependent on several factors, including age and health.
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International Citizens Insurance has an experienced team of authors, including expatriates and world travelers, providing curated guidance for our clients.
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