Mauritania Health Insurance for Expats

Mauritania International Health Insurance for Expats

Expats in Mauritania will need to get international health insurance with global coverage because there is no local public insurance. It is very likely expats will need to travel to Senegal or Europe to receive the care they need since Mauritania’s healthcare system is far below Western standards.

International health insurance packages are designed specifically for the unique circumstances of living and traveling abroad. Global health plans can cover you in every country, offer services in most languages, and be customized.

International health insurance plans can include coverage for:

• Inpatient
• Outpatient
• Vision
• Dental
• Maternity
• Preventative care

You get to choose your insurance provider, level of coverage, and add-on benefits. Unlike a public insurance plan that is handed to you, with a private international plan, you get to customize it to your needs and budget.

Recommended International Health Insurance Plans for Expatriates Living in Mauritania

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

Plan Details Get a Quote

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 $5,000,000

Plan Details Get a Quote

The Healthcare System in Mauritania

Mauritania’s healthcare system is underdeveloped, underserved, and undersupplied. Expats living in Mauritania will likely find the local quality of care to be substantially lower than Western Standards, and this will be even more obvious in rural areas away from Nouakchott and Nouadhibou.

HHealth posts, centers, and dispensaries across Mauritania offer the first level of local care for residents. Regional hospitals then serve patients needing more advanced care. National reference institutions, regional health schools, and specialized centers cover the most complex cases.

In general, the healthcare system in Mauritania has the following struggles:

• Medical equipment/supply shortages
• Inefficient and lengthy emergency care
• Low stock of medications
• Lack of trained medical staff
• Outdated equipment where it is available
• Few hospitals and facilities

General Practitioners

In Mauritania, it isn’t common to have a primary care provider like expats tend to be familiar with. Instead, patients simply show up at a private clinic or a hospital when they need care. 

Expats who want to visit a general practitioner will likely need to do so in Senegal or when they travel abroad. For that reason, it is highly recommended that expatriates get an international health insurance plan that will provide coverage for them when visiting other countries.

Dentists

Expats who want to visit a dentist can get routine dental check-ups done in Nouakchott, but extensive treatments are typically done out of the country.

Maternity Care

Prenatal care is highly lacking in Mauritania, and infant and maternal mortality is among the highest in Mauritania. While it is rather inexpensive to have regular check ups in a private clinic, some of the hygienic conditions and medical equipment is subpar compared to Western medicine.

It is common for women to travel to Senegal or Europe to deliver their babies. It is important to review what conditions and benefits your maternity coverage comes with, if your health plan comes with any at all.

We highly recommend looking into maternity insurance early on since the average waiting period before coverage kicks in is 10–12 months or higher.

Mauritania Public Sector and Hospitals

Getting treatment in the public healthcare sector of Mauritania can be very limited, basic, and require long wait times. This improves some in the larger cities, but serious concerns likely cannot be addressed, and so emergency evacuation to another country may be necessary.

Some of the public hospitals include:

• Grand National Hospital of Mauritania
• Al-Saddaaqah Hospital
• Hospital Military Nouakchott
• Ophthalmological Hospital Nouakchott
• National Cardiology Center
• Nouadhibou Regional Hospital

Mauritania Private Sector and Hospitals

Private clinics in Mauritania can offer expats a slightly higher quality of care than public institutions with more supplies, newer facilities, and medical professionals who are fluent in English and/or French. Complex medical treatments, though, still need to be transferred out of the country.

For this reason, it is essential that expats have private insurance that covers emergency evacuation. A single medical transport to another country can cost upwards of USD $300,000 or more, and expats who don’t have health coverage will have to pay these fees out of pocket.

Some of the private clinics and hospitals include:

• Hamad bin Khalifa Hospital in Boutilimit
• Clinique Chiva
• Clinique Elihsane
• International SOS Shared Medical Facility

Health Insurance Options in Mauritania for Expats

Expats and foreign nationals living in Mauritania will need to secure a private health insurance plan if they want to have financial coverage to receive higher quality medical care outside of Mauritania, both for routine check-ups and specialized treatments. There are no public insurance options.

Public Insurance in Mauritania

There is no public health insurance scheme for residents in Mauritania. The Mauritanian government is the primary source of funding for their public healthcare system, and their primary target for care are Mauritanian citizens. Expats will need to purchase a private health insurance policy.

Private Insurance in Mauritania

Expatriates living in Mauritania need to purchase a private health insurance plan either from a local provider or from an international provider. Getting a plan with global coverage is preferred so your plan will include benefits for emergency evacuation and healthcare services in other countries.

International insurance providers have extensive experience and familiarity with the global insurance industry, so many expats prefer to partner with them. An international insurance plan can come with the following benefits:

• Inpatient and day-patient care
• Outpatient and specialist visits
• Emergency medical care and transportation
• Vision care
• Dental care
• Maternity and infertility treatments
• Preventative care
• Emergency medical evacuation and repatriation
• A wider range of prescriptive medications
• Mental health care and various therapy modalities
• 24/7 virtual doctor appointments
• 24/7 support from insurance experts
• Some travel insurance benefits

With a private international insurance plan, expats can build their own insurance plan by selecting their tier of coverage, deductible/copay contributions, add-on packages, and more. This freedom of choice enables expats to get coverage for what they need to protect their health and wellbeing.

Learn how a broker can help expats pick the right insurance plan for their time in Mauritania. The benefits are incredible!

Best Private Insurance for Expats in Mauritania

NOW Health International, Allianz Care, Morgan Price, Cigna Global, and William Russell are the best private international health insurance providers for expatriates living and/or working in Mauritania.

Let’s learn a little more about each provider below. Feel free to read our article detailing the Top 10 International Health Insurance Providers for more suggestions.

NOW Health International

NOW Health International offers coverage in over 200 territories, and expats choose NOW Health because of their customer-focused services and extensive worldwide provider network. SimpleCare plans are designed to be cost-effective for expats, and Worldcare plans offer more comprehensive coverage.

Here are some NOW Health International highlights:

• In-patient and day-patient care
• Organ transplant
• Evacuation and repatriation
• Cancer treatment
• Rehabilitation

Plan Details Get a Quote

Allianz Care

Allianz Care is a world-leading health insurance provider for expats living globally. As the international health brand of the larger Allianz Partners, Allianz Care offers health, life, critical illness, and disability insurance around the globe in 75 countries and over 58 languages.

Here are some more Allianz highlights:

• Inpatient costs
• Diagnostics and laboratory tests
• Surgeries
• Ambulances transport
• Cancer treatment

Plan Details Get a Quote

Morgan Price

Morgan Price has been an international insurance provider for over 25 years, and they sell expats health, dental, vision, inpatient, and outpatient insurance. Morgan Price can insure individuals, families, groups, and corporations, and they cover newly diagnosed medical conditions.

Here are some Morgan Price highlights:

• 24-hour helpline
• Flexible deductibles and premiums
• Cutting-edge claims processes
• Five private insurance plans for expats

Plan Details Get a Quote

Cigna Global

Cigna Global offers international health insurance to expats living in more than 200 markets and territories around the world. Cigna has 1.5 million health professionals and 24/7 customer support workers who speak more than 50 languages. Individuals, families, and businesses can get Cigna coverage.

Here are some more Cigna highlights:

• Hospitalization
• Inpatient and outpatient services
• Cancer treatment
• Physiotherapy
• Accidental death or total permanent disability compensation

Plan Details Get a Quote

William Russell

William Russell is a top provider of global health packages catering to expat individuals, digital nomads, families, and students. Those living in Mauritania will appreciate William Russell’s six zones of coverage that grant you the control to customize your premiums and where you get coverage.

Here are some Morgan Price highlights:

• Hospitalization treatment
• Cancer treatment and care
• Emergency evacuations
• Diagnostics
• Post-hospital physiotherapy

Plan Details Get a Quote

Consider This When Picking Health Insurance in Mauritania

Expats in Mauritania should consider the limited quality of local healthcare, the common tropical diseases, emergency evacuation coverage, and more when deciding which health insurance plan they need. Review more concepts to consider below.

1. Limited Local Healthcare Quality: Public healthcare in Mauritania is basic with limited equipment, staff, and medicine—especially outside Nouakchott. Private clinics offer slightly better care, but still fall short of international standards. Insurance should include access to private care and cover treatment abroad.
2. Emergency Evacuation is Essential: Mauritania lacks advanced medical facilities for serious conditions. Choose a plan that includes emergency medical evacuation to a nearby country with higher-quality care, like Senegal, Morocco, or Europe.
3. International Insurance Preferred: Local insurance options are minimal and often not suitable for expats. An international health insurance plan ensures coverage in Mauritania and nearby regions, especially for specialists and hospital care.
4. Coverage for Tropical Diseases: Common health risks include malaria, typhoid fever, and hepatitis A. Make sure your plan covers treatment for these conditions, plus vaccinations, preventive care, and routine screenings.
5. Language and Claim Support: Most healthcare services operate in French or Arabic. Opt for an insurer that offers multilingual support and an easy, online claims process to avoid communication and administrative issues.
6. Pre-existing Condition Rules: Many international policies limit or exclude coverage for pre-existing conditions. Disclose your medical history honestly and confirm whether extended coverage is possible.
7. Check Provider Network and Access: Look for insurers that partner with clinics in Nouakchott or who offer 24/7 medical assistance to help you locate nearby care quickly in an emergency.
8. Flexibility for Regional Travel: If you plan to travel around West Africa or between continents, choose a policy that includes regional or global coverage, not just Mauritania.
9. Coverage for Routine and Preventive Care: Routine medical services may be basic or inconsistently available. Choose a plan that covers vaccinations, checkups, and preventive care, preferably with options to use facilities abroad.

Health & Safety Tips for Travelers in Mauritania

Travelers heading to Mauritania should be up to date on their vaccinations before travel, protect themselves against mosquito-borne illnesses, and avoid street food and raw produce. Learn other health and safety tips travelers and expats should follow below.

1. Stay Up to Date on Vaccinations: Before traveling, ensure you’re vaccinated for hepatitis A and B, typhoid, tetanus, and yellow fever. Some vaccinations are required for entry, especially if you're arriving from a country with yellow fever risk.
2. Protect Against Mosquito-Borne Illnesses: Malaria is common in Mauritania. Use insect repellent, wear long sleeves at dusk and dawn, and sleep under mosquito nets. Consider taking antimalarial medication if staying long-term or traveling inland.
3. Drink Only Bottled or Treated Water: Tap water may be unsafe to drink, especially in rural areas. Stick to bottled or purified water for drinking and brushing teeth to avoid waterborne illnesses like diarrhea or cholera.
4. Avoid Street Food and Raw Produce: Hygiene standards vary. Eat freshly cooked food and peel fruits and vegetables yourself. This helps prevent food poisoning and gastrointestinal issues common among travelers.
5. Prepare for Limited Medical Facilities: Healthcare infrastructure is basic, even in the capital, Nouakchott. Carry a basic first aid kit and medications, and have international health insurance that includes emergency evacuation.
6. Be Cautious in Remote Areas: Travel in the desert or rural regions requires planning. Roads can be poor, fuel stations are rare, and help may be far away. Travel with a guide, bring supplies, and let someone know your plans.
7. Respect Local Customs and Dress Modestly: Mauritania is a conservative, Islamic country. Dress modestly (especially women), avoid public alcohol consumption, and be respectful of religious and cultural practices to avoid unwanted attention or issues.
8. Check Security Conditions Regularly: Some areas, especially near borders and in the north, may be unsafe due to terrorism or banditry. Check your country’s travel advisories and avoid high-risk zones without proper guidance and protection.
9. Register with Your Embassy: Let your embassy know you're in the country, especially for long stays or rural travel. This helps them assist you in emergencies or during political unrest.
10. Carry Cash and Backup Supplies: ATMs are scarce outside major cities and often unreliable. Carry enough cash in local currency, and bring essential supplies like sunscreen, medications, and toiletries that may be hard to find locally.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Is healthcare free for expats in Mauritania?

Healthcare is not free for expats in Mauritania. Public healthcare is limited and mainly serves citizens. Expats must pay out of pocket or rely on international health insurance to access private clinics or arrange treatment and evacuation if needed.

Does my U.S. health insurance work in Mauritania?

Most U.S. health insurance plans do not provide coverage in Mauritania. Expats will likely need international health insurance for medical care, emergencies, or evacuation. Check with your provider, but travelers are strongly advised to purchase separate coverage for their stay.

What should expats do if I have a medical emergency in Mauritania?

In a medical emergency in Mauritania, call 101 for an ambulance, though response may be unreliable. Proceed to a private clinic in Nouakchott, such as Clinique Ibn Sina or Clinique Chiva. Contact your insurer promptly and embassy if desired. If evacuation is needed, air can arrange transport abroad.

Conclusion: Compare Plans and Quotes Now

On this page, we’ve reviewed the many ways Mauritania’s healthcare system is struggling and undersupplied. It is essential for expats who want to have the option to leave the country to receive the care they need without having to pay the full cost on their own to secure private health insurance.

Since it can feel overwhelming to know which provider and plan to go with, consulting with a professional who knows the market and the options can simplify and speed up the process. There are many benefits for using a broker when getting insurance, including saving money and time!

As a broker with over 20 years of experience in the industry, Pacific Prime offers a wide spectrum of health insurance policies. From family insurance and maternity coverage to travel insurance, we are more than capable of finding the perfect plan that balances your budget with your needs.

Get a free quote now with our online comparison tool that features over 50,000 insurance plans. For tailored, impartial advice, contact our team of expert insurance advisors today!