Expat Exchange
Free MembershipSign In
Playa de San Lorenzo in Salinas

15 Expats Talk about Health Insurance and Healthcare in Ecuador

By Joshua Wood, LPC

Last updated on Feb 03, 2024

Summary: The quality of medical care in Ecuador is generally considered to be good, although it is not as advanced as the medical care available in the United States. Emergency services are available in Ecuador, and ambulances can be called by dialing 911. In some areas, private ambulance services may also be available.

Universal Tax Professionals
Universal Tax Professionals
Universal Tax Professionals
Universal Tax Professionals

How are healthcare services Ecuador?

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

"I let them know about public and private insurance options. This with chronic conditions should enroll in Ecuadorian IESS public system. But even without insurance the medical care in Ecuador is much more affordable than in the US," said one expat.

"IESS (federal system) is cheapest insurance here UNLESS you came on "retirement income" visa, where it can be quite expensive (they they charge 17% of your income for the insurance). Almost all non-opioid prescription meds in the US are available here OTC," remarked one expat in Cuenca.

"If you need medical care and have good knowledge of Spanish, the state system IESS may be your choice, however if you are retired they raised the rates to about 17.5% of retirement income. I have cheap (low quality) insurance which reportedly doesn't pay, which is fine for me because I would rather pay 45 per month for insurance that I can't use than 75/mo for insurance I won't use," remarked one expat living in Cuenca.

"Go to the best hospital instead of the government hospital. Use the private clinics for basic healthcare and pay out of pocket," said one expat living in Quito.

"Do sign up for IESS national healthcare. Note that as of July 2017 the rate will be based on Verified Income. The rate will be 17.6% and an additional 2.4% per dependent. An expat on $1200 Social Security with one dependent would therefore pay $240 a month for Health coverage," mentioned one expat in Montanita.

Answer Question & View More Answers

What are medical services in Ecuador like?

Please login to continue reading this article.

Not a member? Join Today (it's free).

Answer Question & View More Answers

Ecuador Visas - Law office of Attorney Sara Chaca

With Offices in BOTH Ecuador and the US, Ecuador Visas with Attorney Sara Chaca is the No. 1 Visa Law Firm for Your Move! Specializing in Ecuador Residency Visas plus converting from Temporary to Permanent Residency, Containers, Real Estate Closings, Wills and Estate Planning, Driver Licenses, Opening Businesses & Citizenship!

Learn MoreConnect

Click connect to have our partner contact you via e-mail and/or phone.

Ecuador Visas - Law office of Attorney Sara Chaca

With Offices in BOTH Ecuador and the US, Ecuador Visas with Attorney Sara Chaca is the No. 1 Visa Law Firm for Your Move! Specializing in Ecuador Residency Visas plus converting from Temporary to Permanent Residency, Containers, Real Estate Closings, Wills and Estate Planning, Driver Licenses, Opening Businesses & Citizenship!

Learn MoreConnect

Click connect to have our partner contact you via e-mail and/or phone.

Answer Question & View More Answers

Ecuador Visas - Law office of Attorney Sara ChacaEcuador Visas - Law office of Attorney Sara Chaca
Connect

With Offices in BOTH Ecuador and the US, Ecuador Visas with Attorney Sara Chaca is the No. 1 Visa Law Firm for Your Move! Specializing in Ecuador Residency Visas plus converting from Temporary to Permanent Residency, Containers, Real Estate Closings, Wills and Estate Planning, Driver Licenses, Opening Businesses & Citizenship!

Click connect to have our partner contact you via e-mail and/or phone.

Ecuador Visas - Law office of Attorney Sara ChacaEcuador Visas - Law office of Attorney Sara Chaca

With Offices in BOTH Ecuador and the US, Ecuador Visas with Attorney Sara Chaca is the No. 1 Visa Law Firm for Your Move! Specializing in Ecuador Residency Visas plus converting from Temporary to Permanent Residency, Containers, Real Estate Closings, Wills and Estate Planning, Driver Licenses, Opening Businesses & Citizenship!
Connect

Click connect to have our partner contact you via e-mail and/or phone.

Answer Question & View More Answers

Ecuador Visas - Law office of Attorney Sara Chaca

With Offices in BOTH Ecuador and the US, Ecuador Visas with Attorney Sara Chaca is the No. 1 Visa Law Firm for Your Move! Specializing in Ecuador Residency Visas plus converting from Temporary to Permanent Residency, Containers, Real Estate Closings, Wills and Estate Planning, Driver Licenses, Opening Businesses & Citizenship!

Learn MoreConnect

Click connect to have our partner contact you via e-mail and/or phone.

Ecuador Visas - Law office of Attorney Sara Chaca

With Offices in BOTH Ecuador and the US, Ecuador Visas with Attorney Sara Chaca is the No. 1 Visa Law Firm for Your Move! Specializing in Ecuador Residency Visas plus converting from Temporary to Permanent Residency, Containers, Real Estate Closings, Wills and Estate Planning, Driver Licenses, Opening Businesses & Citizenship!

Learn MoreConnect

Click connect to have our partner contact you via e-mail and/or phone.

Answer Question & View More Answers

Answer Question & View More Answers

Answer Question & View More Answers

Answer Question & View More Answers

Answer Question & View More Answers

About the Author

Joshua Wood Joshua Wood, LPC joined Expat Exchange in 2000 and serves as one of its Co-Presidents. He is also one of the Founders of Digital Nomad Exchange. Prior to Expat Exchange, Joshua worked for NBC Cable (MSNBC and CNBC Primetime). Joshua has a BA from Syracuse and a Master's in Clinical and Counseling Psychology from Fairleigh Dickinson University. Mr. Wood is also a licensed counselor and psychotherapist.

Some of Joshua's articles include Pros and Cons of Living in Portugal, 10 Best Places to Live in Ireland and Pros and Cons of Living in Uruguay. Connect with Joshua on LinkedIn.

Playa de San Lorenzo in Salinas

Ecuador Visas - Law office of Attorney Sara Chaca
Ecuador Visas - Law office of Attorney Sara Chaca

Ecuador Visas with Attorney Sara Chaca is the No. 1 Visa Law Firm for Your Move!
Learn More

Ecuador Visas - Law office of Attorney Sara ChacaEcuador Visas - Law office of Attorney Sara Chaca

Ecuador Visas with Attorney Sara Chaca is the No. 1 Visa Law Firm for Your Move!
Learn More

Contribute to Ecuador Network Contribute
Help others in Ecuador by answering questions about the challenges and adventures of living in Ecuador.

Universal Tax Professionals
Universal Tax Professionals

Copyright 1997-2024 Burlingame Interactive, Inc.

Privacy Policy Legal