Senegal Health Insurance for Expats

International Health Insurance for Expats in Senegal

Expats in Senegal should secure private international health insurance to safeguard them from medical expenses and enable access to private healthcare facilities. Public health insurance may be available for working expats in Senegal, but the coverage is limited and basic.

In this article, we’ll take you through the key points you’ll need to know about Senegal’s healthcare system, the health risks while visiting the country, and how you can find the best health insurance before traveling there.

Keep reading to learn more about health insurance in Senegal for expats, or click the link below to begin comparing plans on your own!

Recommended International Health Insurance Plans for Expatriates Living in Senegal

The Healthcare System in Senegal

Overseen by the Ministry of Health, Senegal’s healthcare system is divided into public and private sectors. Most healthcare facilities are localized in the country’s capital, Dakar.

The nation’s healthcare system operates on three levels: health posts, district health centers, and regional hospitals. In addition to these services, the country has two university hospitals and a small number of private health clinics.

The healthcare services in Senegal are of low quality, primarily due to the substandard infrastructure of health facilities. Medical facilities in the country are unable to cover the entire population and frequently suffer from severe overcrowding.

Access to rural health services is further hampered by poor road infrastructure, extreme distances, and environmental conditions. Many of the country’s roads are sand or mud tracks that are difficult to navigate in normal weather conditions.

Poor conditions are exacerbated during the rainy season. As a result, only a small percentage of rural Senegalese households have access to rural medical services.

Public Hospitals in Senegal

Public hospitals in Senegal are likely much lower quality than most expats are used to, and offer limited technology and space. Most public hospitals in Senegal can be found in Dakar.

Here are a few public hospitals in Senegal:

Hospital General De Grand Yoff

• Address: 134 Rue GY 530, Dakar, Senegal
• Phone: +221 33 869 40 50

Hospital Center University De Fann

• Address: Av. Cheikh Anta Diop, Dakar, Senegal
• Phone: +221 33 869 18 18

Private Hospitals in Senegal

Private hospitals in Senegal are more likely to have adequate levels of staff and medical resources than their public counterparts. They are also more likely to offer specialized treatments and shorter wait times. They are found mostly in Dakar as well.

Here are some private healthcare facilities in Senegal:

Madeleine Clinic

• Address: Av. des Diambars, Dakar 99000, Senegal
• Phone: +221 33 889 94 70

Cap Clinic

• Address: Av. Pasteur, Dakar 18522, Senegal
• Phone: +221 33 889 02 02

Casahous Clinic

• Address: 5 Rue de Thiong, Dakar, Senegal
• Phone: +221 33 889 72 00

Health Insurance Options in Senegal for Expats

Expats in Senegal have the option of purchasing their own private health insurance or enrolling in the public health insurance system if they work for a Senegalese employer. While public health insurance can offer much cheaper medical care access, it is also lacking in coverage.

Public Insurance in Senegal

Public health insurance in Senegal is available for expats through their employers. Senegalese employers with companies of at least 300 employees are obliged to sign up their employees for the government’s public health insurance scheme.

Civil servants and other certain categories of the population benefit from public health insurance to cover their medical care. These other categories of the population include citizens over 60 and children under 5 years old.

Private Insurance in Senegal

Expats can purchase private insurance for Senegal through international health insurance providers. The benefit of choosing an international health insurance plan is the global portability of the plan, which is especially of value to expats who may need to visit other countries for medical care.

International health insurance in Senegal provides expats financial protection against medical bills and easier access to the private healthcare system. Private health insurance also offers enhanced benefits that can include medical evacuation coverage and dental and vision benefits.

Best Private Insurance Providers for Expats in Senegal

The best private insurance providers for expats in Senegal are offered by international health insurance providers like Cigna, AXA, Bupa Global, and Allianz. We will share a brief overview and highlight these provider’s plans in the following sections.

Cigna Global Health Insurance for Senegal

Cigna provides flexible insurance plans to expats in Senegal and across the world. They offer their members 24/7 access to a customer care team and access to any of Senegal’s and neighboring country’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:

AXA Health Insurance for Senegal

AXA is a leading international health insurance provider that insures expat individuals and families in Senegal. 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:

Allianz Health Insurance for Senegal

One of the largest international health insurance providers on the market today, Allianz offers expats in Senegal comprehensive and customizable coverage. The main three plans they offer expat individuals and families are Allianz Care, Allianz Care Plus, and Allianz Care Pro plans.

In addition to their core Care plans, Allianz offers add-on plans to further your coverage. These plans include their Out-Patient Plan, Dental Plan, Repatriation Plan, and Maternity Plan. These plans offer important additional treatment coverage for expats in Senegal.

Some of the basic coverage for their plans includes:

Facts to Consider when Picking Insurance in Senegal

Expats in Senegal should consider key facts when choosing insurance such as their coverage needs, budget, length of their trip, and policy exclusions. We will discuss these points in further detail below.

• Assess Your Coverage Needs: Take the time to determine if you have any medical conditions that may need additional medical support while you’re in Senegal, and ensure you choose a plan with the right coverage for your health needs.
• Determine Your Budget: Your budget will ultimately decide how much you can afford in coverage, 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.
• Determine the Length of Your Trip: The length of your trip 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.
• Understand Plan Exclusions: Take the time to read the terms and conditions to understand what care or conditions could be excluded from your health insurance plan. You want to ensure that you are covered in all the areas you need, so you won’t be caught unprepared in the case you need coverage.

Health and Safety Tips for Travelers in Senegal

Expats and travelers can stay safe in Senegal by ensuring they are up to date on their polio vaccines, avoiding the Casamance region, and avoiding bug bites. We will share more tips on how to practice these safety habits below:

• Ensure You Are Vaccinated Against Polio: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued a health notice for Senegal due to the detection of poliovirus in sewage water in Dakar. Before you travel to Senegal, ensure you have all your polio vaccines.

  Most adults will have completed their primary series of polio vaccines in childhood and then receive a single lifetime booster dose later. Check with your doctor to make sure you are protected.

• Avoid the Casamance Region: The Casamance region has had issues with landmines from prior conflicts, and bandits are a risk to travelers in the area as well. Expats can stay safe by either avoiding the region entirely or staying only on main roads and well-traveled areas.
• Avoid Bug Bites: Travelers in Senegal risk getting several illnesses transmitted through bug bites, such as Zika, chikungunya, and dengue. These bites can be avoided by wearing the proper protection like mosquito spray and long-sleeved clothing, and sleeping under a mosquito net.

Frequently Asked Questions:

How will international health insurance protect me while I’m in Senegal?

International health insurance can protect foreigners in Senegal by providing valuable health benefits like hospitalization coverage, medical evacuation and repatriation coverage, and more. Without this coverage, you will be left to pay for any medical service you receive out of pocket.

Is healthcare free for foreigners in Senegal?

Healthcare is not free for foreigners in Senegal. Foreigners who work for Senegalese employers with at least 300 employers may qualify for public health insurance, but even that does not guarantee 100% free medical coverage.

Is medical evacuation coverage necessary for Senegal?

Medical evacuation coverage is necessary for expats in Senegal because of the country’s limited access to medical care outside of the capital. Medical evacuation coverage will cover the costs of transporting you from rural areas to the capital, or a neighboring country, for medical help.

Compare Plans and Quotes Now

Senegal offers rudimentary public healthcare to expats and with limited access to any medical facilities in rural areas. To best protect your health and finances while traveling, expats in Senegal are recommended to secure their own private health insurance.

Contact Pacific Prime to discuss, free of charge, a range of Senegal health insurance services available to you or your group.

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 no matter what stage of life you may be at.

To get a no-obligation, free price comparison quote, visit our website today!