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International Health Insurance for Expats in Puerto Rico
Health insurance in Puerto Rico for expats can be purchased through local or international insurance providers. International health insurance plans can protect expats from high medical bills during their time in Puerto Rico.
If you’re an expat moving to Puerto Rico, you’ll be interested in locally compliant international health insurance plans that can be customized and tailored to your needs. We’ll discuss these plans in this guide to health insurance in Puerto Rico.
We will also share information on Puerto Rico’s healthcare system and tips for foreigners navigating the medical system. If you’re interested in a free quote, click here to begin looking at health insurance plans.
Recommended International Health Insurance Plans for Expatriates Living in Puerto Rico
Healthcare in Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico is an unincorporated territory of the United States located in the northeast Caribbean Sea. The territory’s healthcare system is based on that of the U.S. and is characterized by a range of health insurance options. There are both public and private healthcare sectors available.
The majority of Puerto Ricans do not have access to a healthcare system that is on par with the rest of the U.S. In comparison with the different states in the U.S., Puerto Rico is poorer than the poorest U.S. state. Hospitals operating are largely overcrowded, with emergency department patients waiting nearly 13 hours from arrival to admission.
Hospitals in Puerto Rico
There are both public and private hospitals in Puerto Rico, with a vast quality difference between the two. Public hospitals are plagued with systemic issues, while private hospitals offer more convenience and better service to those who can afford it.
Expats and foreigners looking for shorter wait times and multilingual staff should visit private hospitals in Puerto Rico. To help offset the financial burden of private healthcare costs, expats can purchase private health insurance.
Public Health Insurance in Puerto Rico
For low-income Puerto Ricans, there are a couple of public health insurance options including Medicaid and CHIP (Children's Health Insurance Program). We will discuss them further below.
Medicaid for Puerto Ricans
The Puerto Rican Medicaid program is a unique healthcare program that provides free or low-cost services exclusively through public facilities. Approximately half of the territory’s population is eligible for the Medicaid program, with the eligibility criteria being income-based.
For those only eligible for Medicaid and not Medicare (explained below), they can enroll in the Mi Salud program. This includes inpatient and outpatient hospital care, primary care, prescriptions, dental work, as well as transportation.
Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) for Puerto Ricans
The CHIP insurance covers children in families with incomes too high to be eligible for Medicaid, but those who cannot afford to pay for a private health insurance plan. In Puerto Rico, this is done through a Medicaid Expansion program.
Children must meet all of the following requirements:
- Aged 19 or below
- Have a total household income of up to 266% of the local poverty levels
Medicare for Puerto Ricans
For those eligible for the Puerto Rican Medicaid program, they might also be eligible for Medicare. Eligibility for both gives access to the Medicare Platino program. This covers basic medical services plus inpatient and outpatient behavioral health services.
Users need to meet any of the following requirements:
- Aged 65 or older
- Receiving Social Security Disability Income (SSDI) for at least 25 months
- Diagnosed with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) or End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD)
Private Health Insurance in Puerto Rico
Private health insurance can be purchased through local health insurance providers in Puerto Rico or through international insurance providers. International health insurance plans offer the benefits of being globally portable, connecting you to a worldwide network of providers.
Some of the top international insurance providers for expats in Puerto Rico are:
Cigna International Health Insurance Plans for Expats in Puerto Rico
Cigna offers several insurance plans that give access to healthcare to expats and non-residents in Puerto Rico. With 24/7 access to a customer care team and reliable service and access to Puerto Rico'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:
AXA International Health Insurance Plans for Expats in Puerto Rico
AXA international health insurance is another excellent option for expats in Puerto Rico. Their plans have a range of coverage levels and different customization options. Most of their plans offer coverage yearly; however, there is also a short-term plan for 3–11 months.
Some examples of coverage under AXA insurance plans are:
Bupa Global International Health Insurance Plans for Expats in Puerto Rico
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 Puerto Rico
Allianz is a world-leading health insurance provider with a network of over 1.9 million medical providers. Expats in Puerto Rico can choose from three tiers of coverage for their international health insurance plans: Care, Care Plus, and Care Pro.
Emergency Services in Puerto Rico
In the case of an emergency in Puerto Rico, dial 911. Operators tend to speak Spanish when answering, but it is possible to transfer the call to an English speaker.
If you require an ambulance, these are run by private companies and require you to pay upfront. This may be covered by your health insurer, but it’s best to check this beforehand.
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Puerto Rico Travel Advice
Expats and visitors in Puerto Rico can stay safe by following safety measures like staying on main roads and watching out for natural disasters. For additional protection, consider purchasing travel insurance for your trip in case of any health emergencies.
- Personal Safety Tips: Public transport in Puerto Rico is not good, so taxis are highly recommended. If you have an international driver’s license, you will also be able to rent a car and drive.
Stay on the main roads and use well-lit car parks. Also avoid wearing expensive jewelry or carrying valuable items on you. - Hurricane Safety Tips: The hurricane season normally runs from June to November, so you should monitor the progress of any approaching storms on the US National Hurricane Center website and follow instructions issued by local authorities. Earthquake Safety Tips: Watch out for any earthquakes, as the region is prone to them. For more information about what to do before, during, and after an earthquake, check out the US Emergency Management website.
- Dengue Fever Safety Tips: A common tropical disease in Puerto Rico is dengue fever, a viral disease transmitted by mosquitoes. They breed primarily in artificial water containers such as discarded tires, cans, jars, barrels, plastic containers, cisterns, and metal drums.
You can avoid the disease by sleeping under a mosquito net, wearing appropriate clothing, and using mosquito spray. You may also want to consider getting a vaccine for the fever before your trip.
Please note that the information on this page is not fully comprehensive and is subject to change without prior warning. It is advisable to consult with a local Puerto Rican representative or U.S. embassy should you have any doubts before you depart on your journey.
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Private Health Insurance for Expats in Puerto Rico
Expats are strongly urged to secure a private health insurance plan in Puerto Rico, given the territory’s low standards of public healthcare and infrastructure volatility arising from natural disasters.
While a local health insurance plan is an option, an international plan gives you more flexibility to seek treatment overseas and provides medical evacuation should you need it.
Recommended International Health Insurance Plans for Expatriates Living in Puerto Rico
Looking for a health insurance plan? Pacific Prime provides expat health insurance plans to foreign nationals in Puerto Rico. We can help you secure plans with no deductibles or excesses, along with a range of benefits.
Whether it’s coverage for outpatient treatment, dental, vision, maternity, or beyond, browse our plan page to see what's on offer.
If you foresee moving away from Puerto Rico in the near future or worry about developing a pre-existing condition, we can also help you select plans that are globally portable and renewable for life.
No matter where you are or what happens, you’ll always have the coverage you need. Contact us today for a free quote and insurance consultation!
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