Guatemala Health Insurance for Expats

International Health Insurance for Expats in Guatemala

Expats are encouraged to purchase private international health insurance for their time in Guatemala to offer valuable medical evacuation coverage and other healthcare benefits. Private health insurance is also recommended because expats do not qualify for Guatemala’s public health insurance.

Are you an expat moving to or visiting Guatemala? Are you looking for the best health insurance plan for your stay? This guide from Pacific Prime will offer advice on the top international health insurance plans for Guatemala.

We will also share more important information and resources for expats in Guatemala, such as lists of hospitals, an overview of the healthcare system, and health and safety tips. Keep reading to learn more about Guatemala, or click the link here to begin comparing quotes now!

Recommended International Health Insurance Plans for Expatriates Living in Guatemala

The Healthcare System in Guatemala

The healthcare system in Guatemala is comprised of three divisions; the public sector, the private for-profit sector, and the private non-profit sector. Health services in the public sector are free for all Guatemalan citizens.

The Ministry of Public Health and Social Welfare (MSPAS) oversees the public sector alongside the Guatemalan Social Security Institute (IGSS), and the health services section of the Ministries of Defense and Government.

Guatemala’s Public Hospitals

Hospitals in the public sector are often underfunded and experience frequent shortages of basic medicines and equipment. There is a full range of doctors and medical services in the capital, Guatemala City, however, you will find healthcare in rural areas limited.

Some villages have no doctor or nurse, but an NGO course-trained community health worker who provides whatever medical care they can. We have listed some public hospitals below:

• General San Juan de Dios Hospital in Guatemala City
• Roosevelt Hospital in Guatemala City
• Hospital Nacional Pedro de Bethancourt in Antigua

Guatemala’s Private Hospitals

Private hospitals in Guatemala are more reliable, and many expatriates opt to receive care in the for-profit sector for this reason. Many medical staff will speak English or Spanish in these hospitals.

Payment in private hospitals is often required upfront before treatment. For this reason, Pacific Prime would recommend securing private health insurance.

Here is a list of private hospitals recommended for expats in Guatemala:

• Hospital Esperanza in Guatemala City
• Hospital Herrera Llerandi in Guatemala City
• Hospital Ángeles in Guatemala City

You can read more about hospitals for expats in Guatemala in Pacific Prime’s article below:

• Hospitals in Guatemala – Expats and Visitors Guide

Health Insurance Options in Guatemala

Public health insurance is not available for expats in Guatemala, so the best option for those looking to save on medical bills is a private health insurance plan. Expats can choose to purchase international health insurance, travel insurance, or short-term health insurance plans.

Public Insurance in Guatemala

Public health insurance in Guatemala is only available for Guatemalan citizens. While the country aims to provide universal healthcare access for its citizens, many Guatemalan people go without access to adequate healthcare services.

Due to a shortage of healthcare workers and facilities, many secondary healthcare services in Guatemala are outsourced to private healthcare centers and companies. This fact makes private health insurance plans an even smarter choice for those visiting the country.

Private Insurance in Guatemala

Private health insurance in Guatemala offers expats financial protection against unexpected illness and injury and grants them access to private healthcare facilities. Private healthcare facilities are more outfitted to help international patients, as many have multilingual providers.

Private health insurance can be purchased from local providers or international health insurance providers. A major benefit of purchasing from an international health insurance provider is the global portability of the plans and worldwide provider network.

Best Private Insurance Providers for Expats in Guatemala

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

Cigna Global Insurance in Guatemala

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

Allianz Insurance in Guatemala

Allianz offers comprehensive insurance plans in Guatemala to fit a variety of expats’ and their family’s 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.

Some of the basic coverage for their plans includes:

AXA Insurance in Guatemala

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

Facts to Consider when Picking Insurance in Guatemala

Some of the most important factors to consider for your insurance policy in Guatemala are your budget, how long your trip is, and what your coverage needs are. Considering these factors is an important step to finding the right insurance plan for you.

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. Your Coverage Needs: Do you plan on needing outpatient care for your time in Guatemala? Or preventative care? Take the time to determine where you may need additional medical support to ensure that you have the right coverage for your health needs.

Health and Safety Tips for Travelers in Guatemala

Crime is high in certain parts of Guatemala, and expats in Guatemala should follow important safety tips like never using public ATMs and avoiding walking at night. Additionally, there are other important safety tips to follow which we will discuss below:

• Never Use Public ATMs: Scams involving public ATMs often target tourists, so expats are encouraged to use only ATMs in secure banks and hotels.
• Be Aware of Your Surroundings: Expats should avoid walking alone or late at night and should avoid certain areas of the country such as the Mexico-Guatemalan border due to higher levels of crime.
• Do Not Hike Without a Travel Guide: Robberies on hikes are common, so tourists are strongly recommended to only hike when accompanied by a qualified local travel guide.
• Practice Water Safety: Undertows and currents can be incredibly strong in the Pacific Ocean and even some lakes. Emergency responses may be lacking in the case of water safety, so expats should practice caution.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Is health insurance necessary for Guatemala for expats?

Health insurance is necessary in Guatemala for expats looking to protect themselves against unexpected illness or accident. Private health insurance is also necessary to help lower the financial burden of using private healthcare facilities in Guatemala.

Can Expats Use Medicare in Guatemala?

U.S. Medicare will not cover expats while they are in Guatemala. Medicare only covers those in the U.S. and in U.S. territories.

Will public health insurance be available in Guatemala for expats?

Public health insurance is only available to Guatemalan citizens. Expats will be expected to purchase their own health insurance policy for their time in the country or pay for their medical services all out-of-pocket.

Compare Plans and Quotes Now

To find out how much a medical insurance policy in Guatemala could cost, click the button below to use our online comparison tool. This will allow you to tailor quotes to suit your situation and draws on the plans available through our many internationally renowned insurance partners.

The advantage of using Pacific Prime is that you not only have someone working for you to find you the best possible coverage deal, but you’ll also have a partner in your corner should you need to make a claim. Contact Pacific Prime today!