expat health coverage

Health Insurance in Ecuador works a little different. It will only work normal in the hospital of your policy, which in case of a big hospital like Metropolitano (Hospital Metropolitano) may cover you in a couple of big cities. In any other case - you pay cash and then they reimburse you about 75-80% in a couple of weeks. Keep in mind that it is a "normal" thing here in Ecuador for a hospital to deny assistance to anyone that they think would not be able to cover their expenses. Yes, it sucks, and there are cases here and there that people die while traveling from one hospital to another, like the case of a french woman who was shot in the chest during a robbery in Quito... I think she was brushed off in a couple of places and in the hospital where she finally got help, the help was neither quick nor good enough, and she died... (Please read my post about security in Ecuador, and please don't resist a robber if you don't know how, here they still don't hurt you if don't resist). About the cost: I'm 39, my insurance costs $45.00 a month, my wife is 28, hers costs $75/month. Considering your age, you probably will be at $70-80 a month each, I'm guessing. You can choose different hospitals and options, but like I said Metropolitano is considered the best. It covers pretty much everything, even dental in case of an accident. There is, I think, 3 months "blind" period for accidents, and some problems with pre-existing conditions (just like any other health insurance back home). All that I've said is about general health insurance. There are specific insurances for cancer, eyes, dental etc. I personally have never used the insurance, but other expats here say that the quality of the medical service is very good at the Metropolitano, and even if you have to pay cash is cheaper than in US.

Last edited by sh0man (2009-10-08 15:33:29)