Expat Health Insurance & Healthcare Guide to Guatemala

Expats in Guatemala have a variety of healthcare options available to them. Understanding what is available is a critical part of preparing to move there. Advice about proximity of care and prescription medications in Guatemala is also provided by expats living there.

Here's a very brief report about the health care system in Antigua, Guatemala. Information about proximity to services and information about prescriptions is offered.

An expat who lives several hours from Guatemala City explains that he would only use the local hospital in an emergency to be stabilized before going a hospital in Guatemala city. He explains most prescription medicines are available in Guatemala, but expensive.

I had an appendicitis last year and was referred to MultiMedica off Vista Hermosa 1 in zone 15 in Guatemala City. It was wonderful!!!! I was referred to an internal specialist who then took me to the small emergency room in the same building (I didn't even know they had one there!). They did a laproscopic surgery within 4 hours of me arriving. I recovered perfectly, had great English-speaking doctors, and best yet, my two scars are the size of hair follicles!! My surgeon (whose office is in the same building) later told me that he is responsible for training many Latin American doctors on laproscopic surgeries. My family and I were shocked that I was able to receive such great care here. I do have international insurance (RPN) so my copay was 20%. I only paid $450 for the surgery and two nights in the hospital AND my prescriptions. I was very impressed!

An expat in Lake Atitlan talks about the proximity to hospitals in Guatemala City and Quetzaltenango, availability of prescription medicines, private health insurance and more.

We have two babies.. one in a birthing home in Antigua run by Americans mid wife, and one in Guatemala city Esperanza hospital.. Both were born in water.. Did stay more than a night in either place.Great positive experience.. Well attended highly professionals.

I went to the Centro De Parto Natural for the natural birth I always wanted. I had no pain management even though the labor was long. (31 Hours) My midwife was AMAZING. I highly recommend her. She monitored the baby and me regularly and knew just what to do when things slowed down. If it weren't for her, I most likely would have had to have a C-section. You can read my birth experience at http://www.drypixel.com/1110/natural-birth-in-guatemala/

I have to say that my experience was amazing. I gave birth in a Private Hospital called Sanatorio de Nuestra Senora del Pilar. I have a great team of doctors. It was a C-Section, so it was scheduled for the 11th of June. The anistiologist was amazing. I didn't feel a thing. The pediatrist was there to take the baby. He checked him out and everyone did exactly what they were suppoed to do. My husband and I stayed in the hospital for 4 nights together in a suite. It was nice. Nothing special. The nurses were great. The care was really good for both me and my son. If we stay long enough in Guate, I will give birth there again. Total cost $5,000 US.