Health care is one of the most important factors to consider if you move abroad. This is a hot topic right now, especially for the 40 million Americans who can't afford health insurance in the U.S.
We've got you covered: Learn where to find the best-quality, most affordable health care in the world from our expert expats, who share their overseas health care experiences.
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If you fall in love with Uruguay, as I did, one thing you’ll appreciate is the high-quality, affordable health care. In Uruguay, medical equipment is modern and doctors highly trained. There are two medical schools in Montevideo, but many senior doctors in Uruguay were trained in the United States, Germany, and Brazil.
- Health Care in Ecuador: A Top Haven for Quality Care Overseas
Posted on May 29, 2013 by Edd Staton
Patty and Mike Grimm have been in Ecuador for nearly three years. During that time, “we have pretty much covered the gamut of medical care, including dentistry, eye exams and glasses, emergency rooms, colonoscopy, mammogram, gallbladder removal, treatment for ulcers (endoscopes), and serious back treatments,” says Mike.
- “The Care is Really Top-Notch…Better than the U.S.”
Posted on May 28, 2013 by Terry Coles
Even before heading into the doctor’s office, I had come to a decision. If surgery was an option to prevent pre-cancer from turning into cancer. . . I was ready. My story is no different from that of thousands of other women going for a Pap test. Except that the hospital I stepped into was in Panama City.
- In Pictures: Great Health Care in Seven Top Retirement Destinations
Posted on April 25, 2013 by Jo Gibney
There are any number of reasons people choose to pack up and move overseas—great weather, culture, low-cost-living and improved quality of life. But an increasingly important consideration is affordable, quality health care
- Health Care Survey: The Best Havens for Quality Care Overseas
Posted on April 22, 2013 by International Living
You’ll find excellent, affordable care in many locations overseas. But where? For our 2013 Health Care Survey, we asked our experts to reveal what’s on offer in seven of the world’s best havens today. These are the most popular countries with expats: places that score high on quality of life in general.
- “The Lower Cost of a Retirement in Panama Drew Us Here”
Posted on April 16, 2013 by Terri Marshall
When John and Robyn Cole married in 1990 their 12-year age difference wasn’t a big deal. But as they started to age together, the difference became more apparent… and they started to think about the future. “I began to see what life would look like if I worked until age 65,” says Robyn. “John would be 77.”
If you’re ever in the Arenal region of Costa Rica there is one activity you have to make time for: a dip in one of the natural hot springs. Known locally as “aguas termales,” the 90 to 110 degree Fahrenheit waters are naturally heated by volcanic activity. In fact, most of the hot springs have a great view of the Arenal volcano from the pools.
- Health: The 7 Best Havens for Quality Care Overseas
Posted on March 25, 2013 by Eoin Bassett
“There is something amazing about the medical system here, and something not quite right with ours,” says Shane Simons, who moved to the tropical island of Penang, Malaysia, eight months ago from Los Angeles. “My doctor in L.A. told me I needed a mole removed from my neck. I was in his waiting room for 45 minutes and his consulting room for 45 seconds.
There is something amazing about the medical system here, and something not quite right with ours,” says Shane Simons, who moved to the tropical island of Penang, Malaysia, eight months ago from Los Angeles. “My doctor in L.A. told me I needed a mole removed from my neck.
When my wife, Suzan, and I heard that we could get what is commonly called an “executive health assessment” in Quito, Ecuador, we decided to give it a try. Our primary care physician, Dr. Davalos, works with Hospital Metropolitano in Quito to put together a comprehensive package of tests that cover all the health bases over a two-day period.
- How Expats in Costa Rica Access Low-Cost, Top-Quality Care
Posted on November 26, 2012 by Jason Holland
When expat Gloria Yeatman needed surgery in May 2010, money was not a worry. This U.S. expat, who lives just outside the Central Valley town of San Ramón, did have to chip in $55 for an ultrasound, $40 for a visit to the doctor…and then there’s that $42-a-month fee she and her husband Paul pay for medical care in Costa Rica. But that was it. And that’s from the initial doctor visit to the eventual surgery and recuperation.
- “Doctors in Cuenca, Ecuador Even Answer Their Own Phones…”
Posted on October 30, 2012 by Edd Staton
I moved to Cuenca, Ecuador. I did it for all the right reasons—and discovered an exciting new life beyond the curtain of fear that keeps most people stuck at home. I’ve been living here for two years now, and my expat experience thus far has vastly exceeded expectations that were pretty high to begin with. One of the most impressive aspects of life in Ecuador is the quality and affordability of health care.
- Affordable, High-Quality Dental Care in Costa Rica
Posted on October 24, 2012 by Starr Daubenmire
My recent trip to Costa Rica was an amazing experience. And to think it only happened because I needed expensive dental work, and that traveling to Costa Rica for it actually paid for most of my vacation. In recent years, dental costs have risen faster than inflation. And since only 55% of U.S. residents have dental insurance, that means half of us are paying cash out-of-pocket for dental work.
We dropped our insurance a long time ago when we sailed around the world, finding health care costs to be minimal in most foreign countries. Some even had better medical technologies than the U.S. In French Polynesia, my breast mammogram was free. The dentist in Malaysia used impressive new medical devices and innovative procedures.
Health insurance—qualifying for it, paying for it, and keeping it—is one of the biggest worries we hear about from folks in the U.S. But since I moved abroad it hasn’t been a problem for me. And if you’re thinking of moving abroad, it likely doesn’t have to be a problem for you, either. As an expat, you’ll have a range of health care solutions available to you. Your choice is deciding which options makes the most sense for your situation.
Every expat who moves from the United States to Costa Rica has to make some adjustments. Things are slower, more relaxed. The lifestyle is about time with family and friends, not work and material possessions. You won’t find big box stores on every corner…
Peter’s hip first started bothering him when he fell hard during a basketball game. He ignored the slight injury and continued to jog on the beach and spike volleyballs with our grown sons (I’m their avid cheerleader). Left unattended, advanced arthritis eventually set in to create agonizing pain. Since we run adventure charters aboard our catamaran Freebird, this was a big problem. Our safety depends on Peter’s good health.
My recent trip to Costa Rica was an amazing experience. And to think it only happened because I needed expensive dental work, and that traveling to Costa Rica for it actually paid for most of my vacation. Let me explain… In recent years, dental costs have risen faster than inﬂation. And since only 55% of U.S. residents have dental insurance, that means half of us are paying cash out-of-pocket…
Roger Hughes and his wife Candace moved part-time to Uruguay four years ago. A big reason was access to affordable health care. “We didn’t fancy curtailing our lifestyle to preserve a great portion of our assets for health care costs,” says Roger. A few countries in the world stand out as places where foreign residents can easily qualify for, and affordably buy, a private health care plan.
- Volcanoes, Tropical Beaches… and a Trip to the Dentist?
Posted on July 26, 2012 by Starr Daubenmire
It was the most spectacular view I have ever seen. One entire wall of the room opened onto a direct view of the Arenal volcano, framed by the lushest vegetation imaginable. I gasped in delight when I saw the hot tub on the terrace, and I’d never seen anything like my shower: a rock wall with plants in the crevices and water pouring out from a basin at the top. And this was just my hotel room!
Roger Hughes and his wife Candace moved part-time to Uruguay four years ago. A big reason was access to affordable health care. “We didn’t fancy curtailing our lifestyle to preserve a great portion of our assets for health-care costs,” says Roger.
As Roger and Candace had learned, a few countries in the world stand out as places where foreign residents can easily qualify for, and affordably buy, a private health-care plan. Uruguay is one of the best.
Imagine a country where a doctor personally greets you and takes you into his small ofﬁce for a consultation. Where you have his personal cell number and most “appointments” are drop-by visits with no waiting around. A place where that doctor makes house calls and you won’t be charged for any follow-up visits to the ofﬁce…
One of the things we are most grateful for living in Malaysia is the health care, which is among the world’s best—and cheapest. It’s rare we need to use it, but when we do, it’s good to know we’re dealing with the very best doctors and at very low prices. There’s a reason four plane-loads of medical tourists land in Penang every day.
- Panama: Great Health Care at a Fraction of The Cost
Posted on March 7, 2012 by Terry Coles
As a Texan firefighter my husband, Clyde, had premium health insurance—which the city helped pay for. But once he retired we would have had to pay the full amount, about $1,000 a month. Since we were both too young for Medicaid, we wanted to live somewhere with good health care that cost less than the U.S. Panama topped all the lists.
There’s so much to love about island life in Penang, Malaysia, that it’s hard to know where to start. My wife Lisa and I spend just $1,719 a month to live here, and that’s renting with an ocean view and eating out regularly in the island’s amazing restaurants.
“Costa Rica offers true freedom,” Todd says. “They say that about the U.S., but Costa Rica really does offer true freedom.” No one bothers you here, the government is non-invasive and stable, there aren’t people protesting in the streets…people are happy. Sociologists have actually proven that Costa Ricans are the happiest people on the planet.
- Costa Rica’s Top Towns: Friendliest, Best, Cheapest
Posted on September 14, 2011 by Suzan Haskins
We just learned about the top places in Costa Rica that make the most sense for expats to live, to rent, buy real estate, become part of a community and have access to all the amenities that make life comfortable and enjoyable.
- Easy, Affordable, Convenient: Retiring in Costa Rica
Posted on September 12, 2011 by Eoin Bassett
Although the country is known for its beaches, the majority of foreigners who move to Costa Rica tend to settle in the Central Valley…near, but definitely not in…the chaotic capital city of San Jose.
- Video: Need-to-Know Health Insurance Tips in Panama
Posted on August 10, 2011 by Jessica Ramesch
International Living Panama editor, Jessica Ramesch, talks to Kevin Bradley of Ducruet, who has been an insurance professional in Panama for decades. In this video, he and his business partner Gonzalo discuss health insurance tips that could save you valuable time and money.
- A Trip to Costa Rica and $8,600—Thank You Dr Cordero!
Posted on July 20, 2011 by Nancy French
Visiting a U.S. dentist, Alan got a quote of $22,500. As longtime IL subscribers, we knew there were places where we could not only save a lot of money, but have a great vacation, too.
- Save a Lot of Money on Health Care in Costa Rica…and Have a Great Vacation, Too
Posted on July 18, 2011 by Nancy French
We had traveled extensively in Mexico and Central America, but had missed out on Costa Rica. We decided this would be our opportunity to explore the country as well as take care of my husband Alan’s dental needs.
- How to Avoid Paying $500 a Month for Health Insurance
Posted on June 27, 2011 by Suzan Haskins
Health insurance costs are far more affordable in many countries outside the U.S. Find out how from IL’s Suzan Haskins.
- Head to the Baja: Save Thousands on Dental Care in Mexico
Posted on June 20, 2011 by Gary Pierce
Every year, thousands of U.S. and Canadian residents visit the small town of Algodones, Mexico, for one simple reason: It saves them thousands of dollars.
- Excellent Health Care in Panama City: Half the Cost of the U.S.
Posted on May 12, 2011 by Jessica Ramesch
It’s a flashy bustling city, filled with high-rises that rim the deep blue Panama Bay. This modern capital has so much going for it…but perhaps more important than the culture and the nightlife is the health care in Panama City.
The methods used by the shamans and curanderos of Iluman are particular to the ancient highland tribes of the area. Lots of smoke, liquor, herbs, eggs, and candles are involved, and the process can get a little messy.
- Move to Panama For The Excellent (And Low Cost) Health Care
Posted on March 24, 2011 by Jessica Ramesch
If health care is at the top of your priority list, a visit to Panama may well ease your mind. Just ask the many expats who are moving here. The personalized attention… inexpensive procedures…and quality care in Panama presents a winning package.
In the States I would have paid anywhere from $600 to $1,500 for the same work, depending on the type, location and material of the cap or crown. Dr Jesús charged me less than $300. The price came as a nice surprise. After the last appointment he gave me the bill, and I didn’t have that much cash with me. “That’s fine,” he said, “bring it in when you get it.”
- IL’s Weekly Wrap-Up Video: Fun in Panama City…The Best Place in Belize…Bargains in Brazil…and The World’s Healthiest Place to Live
Posted on February 24, 2011 by Dan Prescher
See the video, where Dan Prescher reports from Ecuador with your weekly wrap-up of International Living postcards for the week ending February 19.
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