Healthcare and Health Insurance in Uruguay

Summary: The quality of medical care in Uruguay is generally considered to be good, with many doctors and medical professionals having received training in the United States or Europe. Emergency services are generally reliable and efficient, with ambulances responding quickly to calls. To call for an ambulance in Uruguay, you can dial 911 or 112.

How are healthcare services Uruguay?

When we asked expats and global nomads about the quality of medical care in Uruguay, they replied:

"I suggest to newcomers that they sign up with the private healthcare offered by the state at a discounted rate. Under this care you are offered all the conveniences of regular doctors and hospitals. This includes diabetes care, high-blood pressure care, cancer care and treatment etc," remarked one expat in Paysandu.

"If living here try to join a local insurance plan through one of the hospitals. There are many but if you have existing conditions or a checkered medical history or are overweight they likely will not cover you. In that case join one of the ambulance programs such as Cardio Movil. You pay a monthly fee for ambulance and doctor services and they come to your home. They also have a clinic with most specialists covered. You pay about $25US a month and then to see a doctor costs about $5. You pay more for minor procedures that that do but equal to what my co-pay was in the states mostly and of course you save on the annual insurance and deductibles. Get a good expat Major Medical policy that will cover you for serious issues but if you don't use doctors a lot this works out to be a huge savings. Note that most international Hospitalization plans will cover you anywhere in the world but in the USA. They will of course if you are willing to pay for it but you could go to Argentina or France or England instead if you don't want to be hospitalized in Uruguay," remarked one expat living in Punta del Este.

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What are medical services in Uruguay like?

When we asked expats and global nomads about the quality of medical care in Uruguay, they replied:

"Uruguay has a comprehensive public health system that provides free medical services to all citizens. The country also has a number of private health care providers that offer a range of medical services. The quality of medical care in Uruguay is generally good, with a wide range of specialists and modern medical facilities. The country also has a number of specialized medical centers that provide specialized care for specific conditions. In addition, Uruguay has a number of medical research centers that are dedicated to researching and developing new treatments and technologies," said one expat living in Uruguay.

"Uruguay has mandatory participation in socialized medical care. I dont participate, I dont have to, i am still here on a tourist visa. The one time i had an emergency with my eye, i went to the urgent care, and they gave me an appt. with the opthamologist and he charged me the equiv. of 45. u.s., since i did not have a membership with that program. I spend my health care money on herbs, acupuncture, health food, etc. But most expats that i know who live here are able to get the prescript meds that they need, and many meds that are prescription in the U.S. are over the counter here. I have heard that the hospitals do not really serve much food, that people have their family members take care of that. I just work really hard to stay OUT of the hospital and OFF meds," mentioned one expat in Minas.

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Are healthcare and health insurance expensive in Uruguay?

"Healthcare in Uruguay is generally considered to be of good quality and is relatively affordable. The government provides universal health coverage for all citizens, and private health insurance is also available. Private health insurance is more expensive than public health insurance, but it does provide more comprehensive coverage. In general, healthcare and health insurance in Uruguay are considered to be reasonably priced and accessible," remarked one expat in Uruguay.

"We have private healthcare insurance; however we have not used it yet. Our experience has been with alternative (naturopathic) doctors. These types of doctor have been paid out of pocket as the average healthcare insurance does not cover alternative healthcare. The healthcare insurance that we have is accepted by the private hospitals near us. We chose our healthcare provider due to the nature of our living situation; we live on a large farm and part of the farm insurance includes healthcare for our family and any hired help," remarked one expat living in Paysandu.

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What are emergency services like in Uruguay?

When we asked about emergency services, members in Uruguay wrote:

"The emergency services seem to be reliable, although we never have had to use them. There are fire trucks and ambulances seen all throughout Uruguay. Our local private hospital COMEPA is about 10-15 minutes away from our farm. The method of calling an ambulance is like the states 9-1-1," said one expat.

"We are unsure about the emergency services first hand as we have not needed them. However; according to friends and locals the best hospital in Paysandu is COMEPA as the quality of care is great often with English speaking nurses and doctors. Also, the facilities are clean and modern. Fortunately, this hospital is less than 15 minutes away from our farm, if, God-forbid we'd ever need their services. COMEPA is a private hospital, although the public are available. Simply 911 will get you an ambulance. According to some acquaintances, the British Hospital in Montevideo is a great hospital for expats," remarked one expat in Paysandu.

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Will I need to travel to see a specialist?

"There are specialists about 1/2 hour away but for anything major you go to MVD which is an hour or more from me," mentioned one expat in Atlantida.

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Are common prescription medications available in Uruguay?

"I was a medical transcriptionist in my former life, so I pretty well know what I need to doctor myself. Here, you can get whatever you need if you know the generic drug name and can write it down. No prescription needed. Ex: I have fibromyalgia and occasionally use a muscle relaxer. I go ask for Flogene or Diclofenac, and done. Cost is about $10 for 30 tabs," remarked one expat living in Punta del Diablo.

"Yes they are available. It is cheaper to get a prescription and pick them up at the pharmacy of the mutualista you belong to. You can also get them at a local pharmacy. if you have the container you often do not need a prescription for common items They are probably similar in price to what I would have paid in Canada," said one expat living in Atlantida.

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Do you have anything more to add about local medical facilities in Uruguay?

"Uruguay has a high quality of medical care and facilities. The country has a well-developed public health system, with a network of hospitals and clinics providing comprehensive medical services. The country also has a number of private medical facilities, which offer a range of services, including specialized care. The quality of medical care in Uruguay is generally considered to be good, with a high level of expertise and access to modern medical technology," remarked one expat living in Uruguay.

"Our local hospital is about 15 minutes away from us here, living in the country. Fortunately, we have not had to use any hospital or emergency services, but have heard that the private hospitals' standards of service are high and response rate is good. Public hospitals are typical and crowded and less attentive compared to private," said one expat living in Paysandu.

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As a foreigner living in Uruguay, will I have access to public healthcare? What is it like?

"Like us, all expats are eligible to enroll in Uruguay's healthcare system and expats typically do enroll. It is as simple as enrolling and paying quarterly for your healthcare insurance. The costs range depending on if you are a landowner or city-dweller. We are land owners with a large family and we pay $600 a year. Your existing health conditions are not questioned prior to enrolling. There are many public hospitals. The quality of care from the public hospitals, suggested from close friends, was that it is a bit poor compared to private hospitals," wrote one expat.

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What have your experiences during the pandemic with the local healthcare system been like?

We asked expats in Uruguay if they have access to public healthcare in Uruguay. And, if they do have access, what is it like. They wrote...

"I've received two free vaccinations with SinoVac and we also may receive a 3rd vaccination with the Pfizer vaccine, or so we believe. The vaccinations have been administered very professionally and efficiently, without having lines or other safety concerns," wrote one expat.

"They dont test syntomatic people only people who were in contact with sick people," commented one expat who moved to Montevideo.

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What advice do you have for expats having a baby in Uruguay?

We asked expat moms who gave birth in Uruguay about their experiences and advice they have for other moms to be. They said:

"It is important to research the healthcare system in Uruguay before having a baby. Make sure to find a doctor or midwife that you trust and feel comfortable with. It is also important to familiarize yourself with the local laws and regulations regarding childbirth and parenting. Additionally, it is a good idea to connect with other expat parents in Uruguay to get advice and support. Finally, make sure to take time to relax and enjoy the experience of having a baby in Uruguay," remarked one in Uruguay.

Are healthcare services good in Uruguay?

We asked people if they have access to good medical care in Uruguay. They wrote:

"Uruguay has a comprehensive public healthcare system that provides free or low-cost healthcare services to all citizens. The public healthcare system is funded by the government and managed by the Ministry of Public Health. Primary care services are provided by public health centers, while specialized care is provided by public hospitals. Private healthcare services are also available, but they are more expensive than public services. The quality of healthcare services in Uruguay is generally good, with a focus on preventive care and health promotion," explained one expat.

15 Expats Talk about Health Insurance and Healthcare in Uruguay

How are healthcare services Uruguay?

What are medical services in Uruguay like?

Are healthcare and health insurance expensive in Uruguay?

What are emergency services like in Uruguay?

Will I need to travel to see a specialist?

Are common prescription medications available in Uruguay?

Do you have anything more to add about local medical facilities in Uruguay?

As a foreigner living in Uruguay, will I have access to public healthcare? What is it like?

What have your experiences during the pandemic with the local healthcare system been like?

What advice do you have for expats having a baby in Uruguay?

Are healthcare services good in Uruguay?

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