Ecuador Health Insurance for Expats

International Health Insurance for Expats in Ecuador

Ecuador has a robust public and private health insurance system that ensures all residents have access to healthcare. As an expat, your options will likely include the public Social Security System (IESS) which will grant you free access to public healthcare and a private health insurance plan.

We will provide a detailed comparison of public and private health insurance in Ecuador, your guide to Ecuador’s healthcare system, and some recommended health insurance plans for you.

Recommended International Health Insurance Plans for Expatriates Living in Ecuador

Ecuador's Healthcare System

Ecuadorian healthcare is divided into public and private sectors. Public healthcare is available for free to all residents through the universal healthcare system, while private healthcare can offer state-of-the-art facilities, prompt services, and exceptional care though with its own price tag.

Each system will have its own upside, such as free service and accessibility vs comfort and short waiting time. The following sections feature a more detailed comparison for your reference:

Public Healthcare in Ecuador

Public healthcare in Ecuador is affordable and accessible to all residents, including expats, through the national healthcare system or IESS for workers and their families. Public clinics and health centers are widely available, even in remote areas. However, major hospitals in cities like Quito and Guayaquil are better equipped for complex cases.

The system’s affordability can lead to long wait times, and public hospitals may face staff and resource shortages, with strict admission policies prioritizing critical cases. English-speaking staff are limited, so basic Spanish or a translator is helpful.

Recommended Public Hospitals in Ecuador:

• Hospital Baca Ortiz
• Hospital del Sur Enrique Garces
• Hospital Especializado Julio Endara Psiquiátrico
• Hospital Pablo Arturo Suárez

Private Healthcare in Ecuador

Private healthcare in Ecuador can provide exceptional services with standards comparable to those in developed countries. Many private hospitals will be equipped with state-of-the-art technology and have a team of English-speaking staff to facilitate smooth and speedy service for you.

What to note about private hospitals in Ecuador is that they will likely be limited to and around major cities such as Quito and Guayaquil. Private healthcare facilities are usually very rare in the rural regions.

The cost of private healthcare, though generally very affordable compared to those in the U.S., will vary depending on the level of care and service you need.

Private hospitals in Ecuador usually require an admission guarantee fee (signed credit card voucher) before your admission. If you arrive unaccompanied and/or without a credit card, you might be denied admission unless you are in a critical condition.

If your private health insurance plan has a set agreement with the local private hospitals, your medical expenses could be covered or coordinated directly through your insurance company. If not, you might have to cover all the medical costs and reimburse your bills with your insurance company later.

Your care at private hospitals may not be covered by public health insurance, but you can rest assured that you can provide timely service with ample medication and treatment options for your condition.

Recommended Private Hospitals in Ecuador:

• Hospital de Los Valles
• Hospital Metropolitano
• Novaclínica Santa Cecilia
• Clínica Kennedy “Samborondón”

Medical Insurance Options in Ecuador

Generally, your insurance options include IESS, public health insurance to access free public healthcare, and a private health insurance plan. Expats visiting Ecuador for over 90 days are now required to have health insurance that covers them for the entire duration of their stay in the country

Though the IESS can provide you ample coverage for all kinds of care in public hospitals, many expats still opt to have private health insurance plans to supplement their IESS. We will expand on these two options below.

IESS

IESS or the Social Security System is likely to be the expat’s only option to access free public medical care in Ecuador. It will be paid through contributions either by yourself or by your employer. The cost of enrollment is 17.6% of your income, which can be a considerable amount for many expats.

The upside of the IESS is that public medical care will be 100% free when you are enrolled.

Some IESS pharmacies may lack the medications you need, and you might encounter long waiting times due to the number of patients in the system.

The quality of medical care provided by IESS facilities can vary significantly. Public hospitals in major cities will be better equipped for complex health conditions, while clinics and health centers in rural regions might be able to provide only basic care.

Private Health Insurance

Both local and international private medical insurance are available for medical coverage in Ecuador. The costs will depend on the type you purchase, as well as your own circumstances. A local plan is more suitable for those with lower budgets, yet it covers much less geographically.

Many expats opt to have private health insurance to supplement their IESS as private health insurance plans can provide coverage when you receive care at private hospitals.

Though generally limited to major city areas, private hospitals in Ecuador can deliver exceptional care with shorter waiting times and have medical staff that are ready to assist expats who do not speak Spanish.

Private health insurance plans could also provide coverage for medical evacuation and repatriation, which could be helpful should you require further care in more equipped hospitals in other locations.

International health insurance plans can range from as little as USD $500 a month for a basic plan, to more than USD $10,000 for a fully comprehensive plan that includes dental, maternity, and a whole host of other benefits.

The Cost of Medical Treatment in Ecuador

The cost of healthcare in Ecuador can be relatively cheap compared to Western countries. Many expats are often surprised at how much less they pay for services like X-rays, tests, and medicine. Still, treatments for critical illness can be costly, and resource constraint means wait time can be long.

Although the public healthcare system is adequate for healthy individuals, those with higher medical needs usually opt for private health insurance to offset the potential exorbitant medical costs. Below is an example of services and costs in an Ecuador hospital.

Service	Cost (USD $)
Knee replacement	$10,000-15,000
Hip replacement	$5,500
LASIK surgery	$1,400
Hospital accommodation	$225/day
Dentures	$900
Root canals	$240-350
Colonoscopy	$305

Recommended International Health Insurance Plans for Expatriates Living in Ecuador

Cigna International Health Insurance Plans for Expats in Ecuador

Cigna offers several insurance plans that give access to healthcare to expats and non-residents in Ecuador. With 24/7 access to a customer care team and reliable service and access to Ecuador's private hospital, Cigna offers expats peace of mind and care while they travel and live abroad.

Cigna has a silver, gold, and platinum plan with various levels of coverage. All three of these plans share several common key coverage benefits:

Bupa Global International Health Insurance Plans for Expats in Ecuador

Bupa Global is one of the largest medical networks in Hong Kong, as well as the rest of the world. They offer their members tailor-made plans and guaranteed lifetime renewal. They provide high-quality service with a personal relationship manager available for their members.

Some of the features Bupa’s plans offer include:

Allianz International Health Insurance Plans for Expats in Ecuador

Allianz is a world-leading health insurance provider with a network of over 1.9 million medical providers. Expats in Ecuador can choose from three tiers of coverage for their international health insurance plans: Care, Care Plus, and Care Pro.

Common Health Concerns in Ecuador

A host of local health issues in Ecuador are related to its tropical climate, which you should take caution of if you are traveling there. These include:

• Dengue fever is a problem, as it is in all tropical climates. However, there is a belief that the higher altitudes of Ecuador pose less of a risk since mosquitos are not able to thrive in such environments.
• Malaria is also a risk and one that can be serious. People spending a lot of time outdoors should take the necessary precautions (repellant, appropriate clothing etc).
• Zika virus is also a risk in Ecuador and pregnant women should avoid travel to Ecuador if possible.
• Typhoid fever is prevalent in Ecuador.
• Yellow fever is a risk in certain parts of Ecuador.

Vaccinations for tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis, hepatitis A and B, typhus, rabies, and yellow fever are all recommended before traveling to Ecuador. Parts of the country, such as Quito, are very high altitude, so some people may suffer from altitude sickness.

Get a Quote for Expats in Ecuador

Pacific Prime offers a variety of health and travel insurance policies with possible benefit packages including dental, maternity, specialist consultations, and more. Contact today to receive a plan comparison and no-obligation free health insurance quote.