Morocco Health Insurance for Expats

International Health Insurance for Expats in Morocco

Expats living in Morocco who are working will enroll in the mandatory health insurance scheme AMO. For some, this government-funded scheme will be insufficient for their financial needs, so supplementing with an international health insurance plan is advisable.

Expats also may prefer the quality of care present in the private sector of the healthcare system, and having private health insurance can help cover those increased expenses.

Whether you’re planning on traveling to or are already living in Morocco, having the right health insurance plan can help cover any medical costs while you’re there. Pacific Prime can assist you in finding the best plan for your needs and budget.

Recommended International Health Insurance Plans for Expatriates Living in Morocco

Global Medical Coverage in Morocco for Expats

Expats living in Morocco can get international health insurance from global providers like Cigna, Allianz Care, AXA and VUMI. The plans offered by these providers not only include comprehensive health insurance, but this coverage travels with you virtually all around the globe.

Because international insurance plans are designed for the unique needs of global expats, foreigners living in Morocco tend to appreciate how versatile and customizable they are. They also include benefits such as emergency evacuation and repatriation, which may come in handy specifically in Morocco.

Here are some of the common benefits included in an international health insurance plan:

• Worldwide coverage
• Inpatient and day patient care
• Cancer care
• Mental health care
• Emergency ambulatory services and ER care
• Palliative care
• Home Nursing
• Lap work and testing
• Prescription medications
• Emergency dental care
• Rehabilitation
• Much more!

Many plans also include or can be customized to cover outpatient and preventive care, maternity care, dental and vision, and pre-existing conditions.

Pacific Prime partners with dozens of the best international insurance providers around the globe. Meet each one to pick who best fulfills your needs!

The Healthcare System in Morocco: Explained for Expats

Morocco has a two-tiered healthcare system: universal public healthcare and private healthcare. Since public healthcare does not meet Western quality of care standards, most expats are more comfortable with the private alternative. We’ll introduce both below.

Public Hospitals and Facilities in Morocco

The public hospitals and clinics in Morocco provide healthcare services for about 85% of the local population. As of 2024, the public sector has 159 hospitals, 6 university hospitals, 2,689 primary healthcare centers, and over 14,300 physicians.

The public hospitals and clinics have a shortage of doctors, nurses, and equipment. This means you may have to wait a long time to be seen and you may have to be transferred if your healthcare center doesn’t have the proper supplies to perform the services you need.

Routine Checkups

If you’re due for a checkup or have any concerns, public General Practitioners (GPs) and specialists are available throughout Morocco. Some doctors take walk-ins while others require appointments. Instead of specific times, patients are usually asked if they want a morning or afternoon appointment.

Patients are then seen on a first-come-first-served basis. The office hours of GPs in Morocco are usually between 9 am to 1 pm, and 4 pm to 7 pm from Monday to Friday, as well as 9 am to 1 pm on Saturday.

If you require any blood work or an x-ray, your doctor will tell you where to go since they are usually not done at the office.

Pharmacies

If you need any prescription medication, your doctor will give you a note that you can bring to any pharmacy to collect. Pharmacies in Morocco are easy to spot since they typically have either a green plus or a crescent sign.

Medicine that you might be used to buying over the counter back home, such as ibuprofen, has to be requested from the pharmacist.

Hospitals

The level of care and services available vary between public hospitals. Generally speaking, doctors and medical equipment are lacking in Morocco, which can severely impair certain emergency services.

Additionally, the differences between healthcare in major towns and rural areas can be significant. It’s always advisable to get a second opinion before agreeing to any important surgery.

Doctor and hospital service fees are charged in cash. Since you’ll rarely be able to pay with a credit card, it’s best to have cash ready. Ambulance services require advance payment as well.

Private Hospitals and Facilities in Morocco

The private hospitals and facilities in Morocco provide services for about 15% of Morocco’s residents. Expats tend to prefer this sector because it offers care from more physicians for fewer patients, greater access to healthcare equipment, and quality of care more akin to Western medicine.

The private healthcare sector in Morocco has over 400 private clinics and over 14,500 physicians, and it is rapidly growing. 35% of the country’s hospital beds are in the private sector.

Part of the Moroccan government’s initiatives to improve the healthcare system of the country is to decentralize healthcare, increase the numbers of doctors and nurses, and encourage private investments and organizational growth in the private sector.

Expats planning to live in Morocco for an extended period would largely benefit from seeking medical treatment in this expanding network.

Benefits of private hospitals and clinics in Morocco include:

• Shorter wait times
• Access to more medical equipment and modern technology
• More doctors and nurses, more of whom are bilingual
• Private clinics located in the Casablanca-Settat and Rabat-Sale-Kenitra regions
• Clinics owned and run by foreign individuals

Health Insurance Options in Morocco for Expats

Expats living and/or working in Morocco can get public health insurance coverage through the government-funded Mandatory Health Insurance Scheme (AMO) or by purchasing a private health insurance plan.

Many expats prefer to seek treatment in the private sector, which means making sure they have sufficient coverage for the higher costs of private care. This can look like doubling up on coverage with both a public and a private plan or selecting the most lucrative of the two for your needs.

Public Health Insurance in Morocco

Morocco’s public health insurance program is the Mandatory Health Insurance (AMO). AMO covers salaried employees and their dependents in both the public and private sectors. This is organized into two categories: La CNSS for employees who work in the private sector and La CNOPS for public employees.

Employees pay a single payment to AMO that covers their tax, social security, and healthcare requirements. Each contribution is determined according to an employee’s income. The rate at which AMO covers your medical bills depends on whether you seek care in the public or private sector.

Patients are expected to pay out-of-pocket a percentage of their medical bills for every visit and treatment under the public plan.

AMO stands for Assurance Maladie Obligatoire.

RAMED is another health insurance program for low-income individuals in Morocco.

CNOPS: For Public Sector Care

The CNOPS medical coverage plan covers 80% of medical expenses incurred from healthcare received in Morocco’s public sector for general medical procedures. 90% of bills for hospitalization and surgical procedures are covered, and 70% of medication fees are covered.

CNSS: For Private Sector Care

The CNSS medical coverage plan covers 70% of medical expenses incurred from healthcare received in Morocco’s private sector. If a serious or disabling illness requires long-term care, 90% of fees are covered.

Private Health Insurance in Morocco

Expats who don’t qualify for public health insurance in Morocco or who want additional coverage to insure their uncovered medical expenses can get private health insurance. This is coverage offered by a private insurance company in Morocco or an international health insurance company.

International health insurance is medical coverage designed specifically with expats in mind. These plans are customizable for the unique needs of foreigners living outside their country of citizenship for extended periods and who are likely to travel the globe with some regularity.

International health insurance plans can include these benefits:

• Worldwide coverage so you can go anywhere and still be insured
• 24/7 medical support and advice anywhere in the world
• Medical coverage for both your country of residence and country of citizenship
• Emergency evacuation and repatriation coverage so you can be transferred to the nearest hospital or country that can provide your necessary care
• Comprehensive inpatient and outpatient medical coverage
• Optional add-ons so you can customize your plan and benefits
• Coverage for pre-existing medical conditions
• Much more!

Expats who don’t want to pay the out-of-pocket fees expected with Morocco’s public insurance AMO program will want to supplement their coverage with international insurance.

Best Private Insurance Providers for Expats in Morocco

Among the very best private health insurance providers for expats in Morocco are the international plans offered by Cigna, AXA, Allianz Care, and VUMI. We will introduce you to each insurer below.

To read the full list of top providers, read our blog post The Top 10 International Health Insurance Providers.

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:

AXA

AXA Global, also known as AXA Group or simply AXA, has more than 55 years of experience. They serve more than 95 million expats, digital nomads, businesses, and others in over 50 countries. Standard in AXA plans are their second medical opinion service and evacuation and repatriation coverage.

Here are some more AXA highlights:

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:

VUMI

VIP Universal Medical Insurance Group (VUMI) sells international health, life, and travel insurance policies for individuals and corporations. VUMI is well-known for its high-quality expat maternity insurance, which is included in three of its Global Flex plans. VUMI has 35 years in the industry.

Here are some more VUMI highlights:

Facts to Consider When Picking Insurance in Morocco

When deciding which health insurance plan to get as an expat in Morocco, you’ll want to consider possible language barriers, how much it’ll cost to get a second medical opinion if you’ll need emergency evacuation coverage, and how much healthcare costs in Morocco.

• Language Barriers: Do you speak Arabic or French? These are the predominant languages spoken in Morocco. If you do not speak one of these, you’ll want to specifically seek a doctor who speaks your language, such as English. These may be more common in the private sector.
• Getting a Second Opinion: We recommend that expats in Morocco get a second medical opinion if they require serious surgery or procedure. You’ll want to make sure you have an insurance plan that covers this second medical opinion, such as Allianz Care and AXA.
• Emergency Evacuation Coverage: We recommend expats secure emergency evacuation coverage in Morocco. Because of the medical equipment and doctor shortage, if you encounter a serious medical condition, it can cost over $250,000 to be transferred to the nearest country equipped to perform your care.
• Healthcare Costs in Morocco: You’ll have to consider how much you’ll be expected to pay for each visit. Surgeries, procedures, childbirth, and cancer treatments will cost more.

Average Healthcare Costs in Morocco
Type of Care	Average Cost in MAD	Average Cost in USD
General Practitioner Consultation	100 - 200	$10 - $20
General Practitioner Home Visit	200	$20
Specialist Consultation	150 - 200	$15 - $20
Specialist Home Visit	300	$30
Hospitalization in a Private Room (per night)	800	$80
Intensive Care (per night)	3,000	$300
Natural Birth	4,000	$400
C-Section in the Private Sector	12,000 - 20,000	$1,200 - $2,000

Health and Safety Tips for Travelers in Morocco

It’s recommended to be up to date with your immunization schedule before visiting Morocco, including polio, tetanus, and diphtheria. It’s also advisable to be vaccinated for typhoid, rabies, and hepatitis A and B.

Dengue Fever is prevalent in the area, so it’s best to avoid mosquito bites and carry mosquito repellent on you.

While common in Morocco, henna tattoos contain a chemical called para-phenylenediamine (PPD), which can result in a painful allergic reaction for some people.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does health insurance cost in Morocco?

International health insurance in Morocco on average costs an individual USD $4,192 annually. A family plan on average costs USD $11,556 annually. This data is based on the 2023 Annual Global Cost of International Health Insurance Report by Pacific Prime.

Is Morocco’s healthcare system considered okay?

The Moroccan healthcare system struggles with inadequate medical supplies, a doctor and nurse shortage, and slow progress in change. The private sector has a higher quality of care and greater resources than the public sector, so expats tend to prefer care from private centers.

Can expats use public health insurance in Morocco?

Expats working in Morocco are required to enroll in the AMO public Mandatory Health Insurance scheme. You will be enrolled through your employer, or if you’re employed, you will need to enroll yourself. Expats can choose to supplement this coverage with an international health insurance plan.

Conclusion: Compare Plans and Quotes Now

It’s imperative to have sufficient international health insurance and comprehensive travel insurance when traveling to Morocco to cover any medical costs that may occur abroad, including emergency evacuation.

Pacific Prime offers a wide range of insurance plans along with benefit package options. These include inpatient, outpatient, maternity, dental, and more. Contact our expert advisors to receive a free quote and enjoy the peace of mind that our health insurance plans can offer.

Use our obligation-free insurance quote generator that has over 50,000 insurance plans! With this invaluable resource, you can find and compare insurance policies today from home.