International Health Insurance for Expats in Venezuela
Expat should be covered by an international health insurance plan for their time in Venezuela due to the country’s public healthcare crisis. With global health insurance coverage, expats can visit private healthcare facilities or visit a neighboring country for better-quality medical care.
Are you an expat moving to or visiting Venezuela? You’ll want to know how Venezuela’s healthcare system operates and the health insurance options for the country. The insurance experts at Pacific Prime have created this guide to answer all your questions.
We will discuss Venezuela’s healthcare system, international health insurance providers, and more. Read to learn more, or click here for a free health insurance quote!
Recommended International Health Insurance Plans for Expatriates Living in Venezuela
Cigna Global Insurance Plan
- Worldwide Coverage (excluding the US)
- Access to Cigna's trusted network of hospitals and doctors
- Numerous Deductible Options
- 24/7 Customer Support
- 4 Core Insurance Plans
Allianz Care Health Insurance
- World-leading Health Insurance Provider for Expats
- Extensive Network With Over 1.9 Million Medical Providers
- Quick and Efficient Claims Process
- Maximum Plan benefit up to USD $4,000,000
- Flexible deductibles for inpatient and outpatient plans
The Healthcare System in Venezuela
The healthcare system in Venezuela is comprised of a public and private sector, with the public sector being overseen by the Ministry of Popular Power for Health. Over the last decade, the public healthcare system has been in a crisis, with extreme shortages of medicine, staff, and equipment.
Many Venezuelan citizens have been left with little access to quality medical care, and many public hospitals do not offer enough hospital beds for their needs. Doctors in public healthcare are paid little, which has led many doctors to leave Venezuela for better work elsewhere.
Infectious diseases have been on the rise in Venezuela due to the public healthcare crisis, and many patients have had to emigrate to find care.
Expats in Venezuela are strongly advised to have their own private health insurance so they can visit private medical facilities or visit neighboring countries for care.
Venezuela Private Hospitals and Clinics
For better care, expats are encouraged to seek medical services in Venezuela’s private hospitals and clinics. These facilities will generally have more supplies, staff, and equipment. We have compiled a list of these facilities below with their contact information.
Address: Calle A-1, Edif. Policlinica Metropolitana, Urb. Caurimare, Caracas 1061, Miranda, Venezuela
Phone: +58 212-9080100
Located in the Venezuelan capital, Policlínica Metropolitana offers locals and expats a variety of medical services and facilities. Some specialties and centers offered in the hospital include:
- Cardiology
- Imaging unit
- Nutrition
- Clinical laboratory
- Bariatric surgery
- Obstetrics
- And more
Address: Avenida Panteón con Avenida Alameda, Urb. San Bernandino Av. Panteón, Caracas 1011, Districto Federal, Venezuela
Phone: +58 212-5086111
Located in the Venezuelan capital, Hospital de Clínicas Caracas provides comprehensive care to expats and locals alike. They offer a strong focus on cancer care, with a variety of treatments for cancer patients. They also have an intensive care unit and offer robotic surgery options.
A list of specialties available at this hospital includes:
- Cardiology
- General and specialized surgery
- Gynecology and obstetrics (including reproductive medicine and fertility treatments)
- Neurology and neurosurgery
- Pediatrics
- Psychiatry and clinical psychology
- Urology
- Dermatology
- Gastroenterology and hepatology
- Orthopedics
- And more
Address: Av. 4ta., Cruce, Edif. Clínica Sanatrix, con Calle 2, Caracas 1060, Miranda, Venezuela
Phone: +58 212-2016255
Another hospital located in the capital, Clínica Sanatrix provides emergency services for the surrounding area. They also house an intensive care unit and provide a variety of specialties, like:
- Internal medicine
- Cardiology
- Gastroenterology
- Endocrinology
- Pediatrics
- General surgery
- Oncologic surgery
- Plastic and reconstructive surgery
- Obstetrics and gynecology
- Neonatology
- Ophthalmology
- Sports medicine
- And more
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Health Insurance Options in Venezuela for Expats
The best health insurance option for expats in Venezuela is international health insurance due to its comprehensive coverage and global portability. Private health insurance can provide access to better-quality facilities and can provide important benefits like medical evacuation coverage.
While the public healthcare system in Venezuela was designed to provide care for both locals and expats in theory, the severe lack of funding has made accessing quality care more difficult. Expats are encouraged to secure their own health insurance plans and not to rely on public healthcare.
Private Insurance in Venezuela for Expats
Private health insurance can help cover the cost of healthcare services in Venezuela and grant expats access to private hospitals and clinics. Private health insurance can cover a variety of healthcare services, such as:
- Inpatient and day patient treatment
- Surgical costs
- Physician visits
- Mental health treatment
- Vaccinations
- Prescription drugs
- Medical evacuation and repatriation
- Repatriation of remains
- Dental and vision coverage
- Maternity coverage
Medical evacuation coverage is important for expats in Venezuela, as complex medical cases may be sent to larger medical facilities in neighboring countries. Medical evacuation covers the cost of transporting you to a different medical facility for treatment, whether by air ambulance or seacraft.
Expats in Venezuela can secure a private health insurance policy through an international or local insurance provider. International insurance providers offer the benefit of globally portable coverage, so you can visit various nearby South American countries and stay protected.
Best International Health Insurance Providers in Venezuela
The best private insurance providers for expats in Venezuela are offered by international health insurance providers Allianz, April International, AXA, Cigna Global, and Bupa. We will share a brief overview and highlight these providers’ plans in the following sections.
If you’d like to learn even more about the top international health insurance providers, check out our article guide here!
Allianz Health Insurance in Venezuela
Allianz offers comprehensive insurance plans in Venezuela to fit a variety of expats’ needs. Riders are available to be purchased and attached to basic policies that Allianz provides. These riders can offer coverage for accidents and other risks that expats may face abroad.
The plans offered by Allianz include the Care, Care Plus, and Care Pro plans. While each of these plans may differ in coverage limits and benefits, they share similar benefits as listed below:
- Inpatient costs
- Diagnostics and laboratory tests
- Surgeries
- Ambulances transport
- Cancer treatment
April International Health Insurance in Venezuela
April International is a leading international insurance provider that offers affordable, comprehensive coverage to expats in Venezuela.
They offer their health benefits to expats in different tiers of coverage through their Emergency Plan, Formule Basic, Essential Plan, Comfort, and Premium Plan.
April International offers a variety of benefits in its plans, including:
- Inpatient treatment
- Outpatient treatment
- Emergency repatriation
- Emergency evacuation
- Maternity coverage
- Vision and dental coverage
AXA Health Insurance in Venezuela
AXA is a leading international health insurance provider that insures expat individuals and families in Venezuela. Its health insurance plans are offered in five coverage tiers: Foundation, Standard, Comprehensive, Prestige, and Prestige Plus.
Each of these plans includes comprehensive inpatient coverage, with annual limits ranging from USD $160,000 to $8,000,000. Exact coverage benefits will vary from plan to plan.
The core benefits included in all five plans are:
- Hospitalization and surgery
- Emergency medical coverage
- Medical evacuation and repatriation
- Cancer treatment
- Diagnostic scans
Cigna Global Health Insurance in Venezuela
Cigna provides flexible insurance plans to expats in Venezuela and across the world. They offer their members 24/7 access to a customer care team and access to any of Venezuela’s private healthcare facilities. Their plans are customizable and comprehensive.
Cigna has a Silver, Gold, and Platinum plan with different levels of coverage. All three of these plans share several common key coverage benefits:
- Hospitalization
- Inpatient and outpatient services
- Cancer treatment
- Physiotherapy
- Accidental death or total permanent disability compensation
Bupa Global Health Insurance in Venezuela
Bupa Global is a top international insurance provider for expats in Venezuela looking for comprehensive and customizable coverage. Bupa Global allows its members to seek second medical opinions if needed and requires no referrals for specialist visits.
Bupa Global offers three international health insurance plans in the islands: Bupa Select, Bupa Premier, and Bupa Elite. Bupa Select offers the most basic and affordable coverage, while Bupa Elite offers the most comprehensive coverage with an annual limit of around USD $4,761,300.
Bupa Global covers the following benefits in its plans:
- Inpatient treatment
- Cancer treatment
- Private hospital room coverage
- Medical evacuation coverage
- Health checks and screenings
Facts to Consider When Picking Insurance in Venezuela
You should consider your budget, how long your trip is, and what your coverage needs are when choosing a health insurance plan for Venezuela. Considering these factors is an important step to finding the right insurance plan for you.
- Your Budget: You should understand how much you can afford in monthly or yearly premiums, but this doesn’t mean you should try to find the cheapest coverage possible. You should ensure that your health and finances will be adequately protected through the coverage limit you purchase.
- The Length of Your Trip: How long your trip is will determine how long you will need to purchase coverage, and whether you will need a travel insurance plan that will last only a few months or something more comprehensive, like an international health insurance plan.
- Your Coverage Needs: Do you plan on needing outpatient care for your time in Venezuela? Or preventative care? Take the time to determine where you may need additional medical support to ensure you have the right coverage for your health needs.
Health and Safety Tips for Expats in Venezuela
Expats in Venezuela should practice extreme caution due to civil unrest and elevated levels of violent crime. Political rallies are common in the country, with violence often occurring during such demonstrations. Foreigners have faced carjackings, armed robbery, and kidnapping as well.
Some countries, like the United States, have withdrawn their embassies from the country and urge their citizens not to travel to Venezuela. Expats should check to see if their country has an embassy within the country, and if they’d have consular access while staying in the country.
Some steps that expats can follow to stay safe in Venezuela are:
- Create a communication plan with your family, employer, or host organization. Keep in contact with them while in the country to ensure you are safe.
- Be alert and aware of your surroundings at all times and take personal security precautions.
- Travel in groups of five or more whenever possible.
- Don’t travel at night in the city or between cities.
- Update your vaccinations to include all standard vaccinations, including Yellow Fever, Meningitis, Typhoid, Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, and a Polio booster. All visitors should take Malaria prophylaxis, as Venezuela is at high risk for Malaria.
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Conclusion: Compare Plans and Quotes Now
Private health insurance is recommended for expats in Venezuela due to the country’s poor public healthcare system. With private health insurance, expats can access better-quality private healthcare facilities, with more supplies, medicine, and staff.
Expats can find coverage for medical emergencies through international health insurance plans. Pacific Prime is partnered with a wide variety of international health insurance providers, and can help you find the best fit for your needs.
As a global health insurance broker who specializes in expat health insurance, Pacific Prime can offer a wealth of professional expertise and services. Our tailor-made policies suit every budget and health care need for expats and travellers across the world.
Contact Pacific Prime to discuss, free of charge, a range of Venezuela health insurance services available for you, your loved ones, or your group. To get a no-obligation, free price comparison quote, visit our website today!
If you enjoyed this article, check out our others on similar topics like health insurance in Ukraine and the Virgin Islands!
Frequently Asked Questions
Is healthcare in Venezuela expensive?
Healthcare in Venezuela is less expensive than in other countries like the United States or Canada. Public healthcare in the country is less expensive than private healthcare, but the quality is very poor.
Can you use international health insurance in Venezuelan hospitals?
You can use international health insurance in private Venezuelan hospitals to help cover the cost of your care. Most international health insurance providers should offer coverage for Venezuela and South America, but it will depend on your plan’s geographical coverage limits.
Do expat health insurance plans cover emergency medical evacuation in Venezuela?
Most expat health insurance plans cover emergency medical evacuation in Venezuela, but the details of your coverage and any applicable limits will depend on your specific plan and provider.
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