Healthcare in Chile
Expats moving to Chile will find private and public healthcare available. Expats can expect good quality and easily accessible medical treatment from both sectors. In fact, in a study conducted by the World Health Organisation (WHO), Chile’s health system placed four places ahead of the healthcare system in the United States.Public health insurance is administered by the Chilean government and is available through the Fondo Nacional de Salud (FONASA), which covers most of the population and allows free access to public healthcare facilities and subsidized access to private medical care facilities. FONASA is publicly funded through a deduction of 7% of employees’ monthly income. FONASA membership is limited to Chilean citizens and foreigners paying local taxes in Chile. There are also a number of other government offices providing niche services to the healthcare market, such as Primary Health Organisations (PMOs). Government hospitals are required to provide free healthcare to members of the population who do not have healthcare coverage; however, the facilities available are not as sophisticated as those found in private healthcare facilities.
Private health insurance companies in Chile, or Instituciones de Salud Previsional (ISAPRE) allow members access to private healthcare in Chile. The quality of private healthcare facilities in Chile is of the high standard that most expats from Europe and North America are familiar; however, it is costly.
Prescription medication is generally available over the counter and both dentist and doctor consultations are reasonable priced at around 30 USD. Expats moving to Chile should note that the quality of healthcare varies regionally, with modern equipment and facilities available in Santiago and other major cities, but access is significantly reduced in smaller towns and rural areas.
