Healthcare in Argentina
The healthcare in Argentina is generally considered to be of the highest standard of all the countries in Latin America, and expats will find its reputation is warranted up to a point. In Buenos Aires and other sizeable towns and cities, such as Cordoba or Mendoza, the clinics are excellent and the medical staff well trained. However, elsewhere in the country, healthcare standards vary greatly.
There are very good private clinics in Buenos Aires and many of the doctors have trained abroad so expats living in Argentina will find a good proportion of them speak English. For foreign nationals there are German and British hospitals (the British Hospital offers various healthcare plans) in the city as well, but don't expect to find an English speaking doctor in the rural or outlying areas of the country.
Furthermore, Argentina’s capital is an increasingly popular destination for cosmetic surgery where the procedures are professional and the costs a fraction of what they would be in the USA or most of Europe.
It is possible to buy many drugs over the counter at a pharmacy without a prescription – such as broad spectrum antibiotics, blood pressure pills etc, and the pharmacist can also advise on medications for a number of standard conditions such as stomach bugs and flu. Female contraceptives (the pill) are also available without a prescription, but they are not free.
The ambulance service is fairly efficient in most places – some are publicly funded and others are run by the private clinics. The medical emergency number to dial from any phone is 107 although 911 is also applicable.
Expats moving to Argentina should be vaccinated against yellow fever, particularly if they plan on travelling within the region and to some of the more remote provinces. Argentina is considered a low-risk area for both cholera and malaria. Dengue fever is becoming more of a danger. The most effective way to guard against dengue is to avoid mosquito bites, particularly during the day. Hepatitis A and typhoid vaccinations are recommended before moving to Argentina. Tap water is drinkable in the major towns and cities but expats travelling or relocating beyond these areas should stick to bottled or treated water.
Most expats in Argentina opt to use private services because it is assumed private healthcare means an individual will be getting better attention and the waiting time for treatment is less. While the former may not necessarily be true, there's a fair argument for the latter.
Private healthcare in Argentina is generally financed by voluntary insurance schemes. As in other countries, costs vary from provider to provider. Expats can get cover through some of the larger international health insurers (ie. BUPA,
Swiss Medical), or many small, private clinics do also have their own schemes. Be warned though, that often the cost of monthly premiums merely gives you a discount off the price of care when you need it.
Private health insurance cover is also very localised, so if you go outside of the town, your policy will not be valid.
It is also possible to pay premiums directly to a private clinic and bypass health insurance. Expats that choose to do this then merely must present their passport when visiting the clinic, no residency visa needed. The obvious downside to this policy is that expat's are then limited as to where they can receive treatment.
In-patient care in the private clinics and hospitals is variable; in some facilities there is no overnight nursing care, unless it is paid for separately. There are situations where a family member or friend may need to stay overnight to make sure drips are changed at the right time or emergencies are quickly attended. In many places there are no laundry services at the weekend and patient’s families have to provide their own linen.
These are obligatory insurance schemes run by the trade unions and are only applicable to Argentinians and permanent residents who are legally employed. Both an employer and employee pay contributions towards in-patient and out-patient care. Medication is also covered, although; if contributions are not sufficient to cover the cost of treatment, the employer or employee will have to pay the difference.
Public healthcare is used by about half the population and provides free care for all in-patients and out-patients, although the latter group will have to pay for
medication. The medical staff are generally well trained but the nursing and after care service is severely lacking. Emergency attention is free for all (including tourists) as are doctor call-outs. In-patient care is variable and the public hospitals are seriously underfunded, the staff overworked.
There is no universal GP system (General Practitioner) and general doctors are usually to be found in the public hospitals. Otherwise patients have appointments with specialists in the private clinics. Charges vary from place to place but a doctor fee in a small town like San Rafael is around 40 pesos; the cost for stitching a cut 400 pesos; blood test around 200 pesos. Again, prices vary from place to place and charges in Buenos Aires would be at least a third more.
The standard of dental health, and there are many dentists in Argentina, is extremely high - even in the smaller towns. Again, expats are unlikely to find English speaking dentists outside the main cities. The cost of a filling is around 75 pesos; a teeth clean with a hygienist 120 pesos; root canal treatment 250 pesos.
Orthodontic care is also of an extremely high standard and a fraction of the cost of similar treatment in the States or Europe. Braces for example, with all attendant care are between 5,000 and 7,500 pesos.
There are very good private clinics in Buenos Aires and many of the doctors have trained abroad so expats living in Argentina will find a good proportion of them speak English. For foreign nationals there are German and British hospitals (the British Hospital offers various healthcare plans) in the city as well, but don't expect to find an English speaking doctor in the rural or outlying areas of the country.Furthermore, Argentina’s capital is an increasingly popular destination for cosmetic surgery where the procedures are professional and the costs a fraction of what they would be in the USA or most of Europe.
It is possible to buy many drugs over the counter at a pharmacy without a prescription – such as broad spectrum antibiotics, blood pressure pills etc, and the pharmacist can also advise on medications for a number of standard conditions such as stomach bugs and flu. Female contraceptives (the pill) are also available without a prescription, but they are not free.
The ambulance service is fairly efficient in most places – some are publicly funded and others are run by the private clinics. The medical emergency number to dial from any phone is 107 although 911 is also applicable.
Expats moving to Argentina should be vaccinated against yellow fever, particularly if they plan on travelling within the region and to some of the more remote provinces. Argentina is considered a low-risk area for both cholera and malaria. Dengue fever is becoming more of a danger. The most effective way to guard against dengue is to avoid mosquito bites, particularly during the day. Hepatitis A and typhoid vaccinations are recommended before moving to Argentina. Tap water is drinkable in the major towns and cities but expats travelling or relocating beyond these areas should stick to bottled or treated water.
Private healthcare in Argentina
Most expats in Argentina opt to use private services because it is assumed private healthcare means an individual will be getting better attention and the waiting time for treatment is less. While the former may not necessarily be true, there's a fair argument for the latter.
Private healthcare in Argentina is generally financed by voluntary insurance schemes. As in other countries, costs vary from provider to provider. Expats can get cover through some of the larger international health insurers (ie. BUPA,
Swiss Medical), or many small, private clinics do also have their own schemes. Be warned though, that often the cost of monthly premiums merely gives you a discount off the price of care when you need it.Private health insurance cover is also very localised, so if you go outside of the town, your policy will not be valid.
It is also possible to pay premiums directly to a private clinic and bypass health insurance. Expats that choose to do this then merely must present their passport when visiting the clinic, no residency visa needed. The obvious downside to this policy is that expat's are then limited as to where they can receive treatment.
In-patient care in the private clinics and hospitals is variable; in some facilities there is no overnight nursing care, unless it is paid for separately. There are situations where a family member or friend may need to stay overnight to make sure drips are changed at the right time or emergencies are quickly attended. In many places there are no laundry services at the weekend and patient’s families have to provide their own linen.
Social Security or Obras Sociales
These are obligatory insurance schemes run by the trade unions and are only applicable to Argentinians and permanent residents who are legally employed. Both an employer and employee pay contributions towards in-patient and out-patient care. Medication is also covered, although; if contributions are not sufficient to cover the cost of treatment, the employer or employee will have to pay the difference.
Public healthcare in Argentina
Public healthcare is used by about half the population and provides free care for all in-patients and out-patients, although the latter group will have to pay for
medication. The medical staff are generally well trained but the nursing and after care service is severely lacking. Emergency attention is free for all (including tourists) as are doctor call-outs. In-patient care is variable and the public hospitals are seriously underfunded, the staff overworked.There is no universal GP system (General Practitioner) and general doctors are usually to be found in the public hospitals. Otherwise patients have appointments with specialists in the private clinics. Charges vary from place to place but a doctor fee in a small town like San Rafael is around 40 pesos; the cost for stitching a cut 400 pesos; blood test around 200 pesos. Again, prices vary from place to place and charges in Buenos Aires would be at least a third more.
Dental care in Argentina
The standard of dental health, and there are many dentists in Argentina, is extremely high - even in the smaller towns. Again, expats are unlikely to find English speaking dentists outside the main cities. The cost of a filling is around 75 pesos; a teeth clean with a hygienist 120 pesos; root canal treatment 250 pesos.
Orthodontic care is also of an extremely high standard and a fraction of the cost of similar treatment in the States or Europe. Braces for example, with all attendant care are between 5,000 and 7,500 pesos.
