Guatemala Health Insurance

Feeling comfortable in the knowledge that if something was to happen to a family member their medical costs will be taken care of, is important to us all. Our expert consultants can advise on the most suitable level of coverage for families, individuals, groups, travelers, and teachers expatriate health insurance.

Expatriate Health Insurance Guatemala

Pacific Prime is an expatriate insurance broker specialising in providing overseas medical insurance for Guatemala nationals living, working or holidaying abroad. If you are a non Guatemala national and moving to Guatemala we can also provide plans that meet your specific requirements.

Professional Service you can trust

Pacific Prime Insurance will be with you for the duration of your policy. We offer additional customer services that include claims advice, emergency contact numbers and medical advice lines. We also maintain a comprehensive list of Guatemala hospitals/doctors. Most of our clients are expatriates so we maintain a list of Embassies in Guatemala.

As a leading broker of medical insurance in Guatemala we keep up on the latest insurance trends and Guatemala Insurance News.

We can offer expatriates in Guatemala dedicated international health insurance plans that will provide comprehensive coverage in the East and around the world. Plans that we can offer will usually have a number of benefits that a policyholder is able to tailor to suit their specific requirements. With coverage options including out-patient, dental, maternity, and emergency evacuation, you will be assured of receiving the highest levels of quality treatment anywhere in the world.

Guatemala Medical Insurance

The Republic of Guatemala is a medium-sized country in Central America, at the Southern tip of Mexico between the Caribbean Sea and the Pacific Ocean. The country is bordered by Mexico, Belize, Honduras, and El Salvador. Guatemala has a total land area of 108,890 square kilometers. The national language of Guatemala is Spanish. The capital of Guatemala is Guatemala City, which is located in South-central Guatemala. The climate in the country is generally pleasant all year round and it makes travel possible at almost any time, although the rainy season, which is commonly from May to November, can cause make unpaved roads problematic. Climate variations are due to altitude, but it is generally hot throughout the country. Guatemala is a magical place, with tourist attractions in the country ranging from picturesque Mayan ruins and steaming volcanoes, to lush jungles and under crowded beaches.

The healthcare system in Guatemala is comprised of three sectors namely public, private (non-profit) and private (for profit). Healthcare in the public sector is under the responsibility of a network of services from the Ministry of Public Health and Social Welfare (MSPAS), the Guatemalan Social Security Institute (IGSS), the health services of the Ministries of Defense and Government, and the San Carlos University.

The MSPAS has the largest number of permanent healthcare facilities in the country, with a total of 1,304, followed by the IGSS, which maintains 139 establishments. The private (for-profit) sector includes hospitals, nursing homes, clinics, pharmacies, and laboratories authorised by the MSPAS. The private (non-profit) sector consists of non-governmental organisations (NGOs) as well as traditional medicine clinics. Currently, there are over 1,000 NGOs in total in Guatemala. Education and training of health professionals takes place in a number of universities in Guatemala.

The MSPAS sets the direction in healthcare for Guatemala and it takes leadership in all the processes defined in the Government’s policies on healthcare. The MSPAS is exclusively responsible for the regulation and management of healthcare; and along with other governmental and nongovernmental institutions, it shares responsibilities regarding assurance, delivery of services, financing, and essential public health functions.

Health financing comes from a number of sources, including out-of-pocket household payments, financing from the central Government, companies and international cooperation. Guatemala spends around 5.2% of GDP on healthcare.

Public healthcare in Guatemala is not “free” for all members of the population. Large companies in the country contribute into a healthcare insurance pool, where employees from those companies make a small contribution, and are then entitled to use the public hospitals. For those who are not employed by these large companies (in effect, the majority of the population in Guatemala), there is an option to pay about 4% of their income to be covered by a plan that allows access the public hospitals. However, very few people choose this option, as it generally only provides cover for care of catastrophic injuries. 

In general, healthcare coverage in Guatemala is low, it is estimated that more than 40% of the population has no access to healthcare services. The quality and effectiveness of public services are limited. The ratio of physicians to total population is 9 per 10,000. A full range of medical care is available in Guatemala City, but medical care outside of the city, in the rural areas are limited. Guatemala's public hospitals frequently experience serious shortages of basic medicines and equipment. They tend to be under-funded and can be unhygienic. State-run hospitals normally have very strict rules in place, e.g. family members or friends can only visit patients during hospital visiting hours. Moreover, there is always a long waiting queue in public hospitals.

Healthcare in private hospitals is generally adequate for most common illnesses and injuries, and many of the medical specialists working in private hospitals normally studied and received their training in the US or Europe. As such, most of the medical staff in private hospitals can speak English. The major hospitals, clinics, and diagnostic laboratories used by foreigners are adequately equipped. In private hospitals, patients are required to make payment for all services rendered. It is common that many hospitals in Guatemala require payment prior to treating patients. If you are planning to travel to or stay in Guatemala for a longer period, it is strongly recommended that travellers/expats to purchase comprehensive travel or/and a Guatemala expat medical insurance plan. It is advised that travellers/expats carry evidence of their insurance at all times, or else, doctors may be reluctant to provide treatment to them.

Pacific Prime is a one-stop insurance brokerage service provider for you when travelling to Guatemala. We offer a wide range of policies to meet your individual needs, including benefits such as dental, maternity, inpatient, outpatient, specialist consultations, and many others. We offer a large variety of health care plans as well as travellers insurance plans. Contact our professional advisers today to enjoy full insurance protection such as an Expat Health Insurance Plan for yourself and your family.