Expat Healthcare & Health Insurance in Bucaramanga, Colombia

I am basing this assessment off of my personal first and only time for care at the dentist for a broken tooth. So my experience is limited. I have consulted with private doctors in both Bogota and Bucaramanga in regards to ACL surgery, which I ended up getting done in the US. . Not because I thought the doctors in the US were better, but because after my $80,000 USD surgery in the US ( which did not include Physical Therapy), my out of pocket with my BCBS was very close to what the total cost of the surgery in Colombia, including physical therapy, would have been. AT this time I was not living in Colombia and the two months on crutchs would have been difficult here in Colombia with not having a home. Interestingly, before my surgery I spoke with BCBS and offered to save them around $70,000 if they paid for my surgery in Colombia, $6,000, paid for a first class round trip, and a apartment for 2 months. They declined. Ok, back to my broken crown. I have had dental work done in South Korea and it is incredibly high tech and efficient compared to my dental care in the US. Here in Bucaramanga, it is the Medical University city of Colombia and a reputation of excellent health care. There is also a brand new International Hospital. The dentist clinic I went to scared me, it was unpainted, it looked dirty. The crown I received was made from whatever dental putty by the Dentist or Dental Assistant. Not really sure. The person formed the crown with the putty in my mouth. A new experience for me. Was supposed to go back for other dental work. Cancelled the appointments and will try and find another dentist in our insurance system.

The above clinic was through our privately purchased insurance.

My wife is Colombian and she has said that it doesn"t much matter how much you pay for the private insurance. We pay $90,000 COP per month. We have friends who pay $2,000,000 COP. When using insurance, we all end up with the same doctors. I have friends who are insured through EcoPetrol, and they say there insurance allows access to the best doctors and health care, above our doctors and other health care. This is only word of mouth and I do not know for sure. What I have seen is that the private doctors that I consulted with in Bucaramanga and Bogota and would pay out of pocket for, Seemed to be at a higher level of health care. They were interested in developing a relationship with me. My wife is dealing with cancer and we are seeing a Oncologist who is not part of our insurance. He is apparently the only Oncologist in Bucaramanga. Can't verify that. But he is busy and we have seen him late at night (10pm) on saturdays and sundays. My wife had cervical surgery and used a private hospital, out of pocket was $1,000,000COP. I feel that I am rambling on, but I always appreciate when a person shares their experiences with doctors with enough detail that would help me make informed decisions.