Health Insurance

travelr64 Active member

55POSTS

10 years ago

I know that with a retirement visa in Brazil I will be covered by the national health plan.聽 I also understand that under this plan, at least in the region where I'll be living, the care isn't so great.聽 Long waits, and not the best physicians.聽 I also understand that I can purchase different levels of health聽 insurance to complement the free health care offered by the state.聽

Has anyone on the forum had any experience with this, and can you give me any idea of the costs for different levels of insurance.聽 This would be a great help for me to plan my budget.

Thanks in advance
C.A. Cooper

See also

The healthcare system in Brazil - Guide
Health Insurance - 10 Replies
Health Insurance - 4 Replies
health insurance nomad visa - 5 Replies
Private Health Insurance - 4 Replies
Private Health Insurance - 4 Replies
Expat Health insurance - Brazil - 7 Replies

James ViP

11272POSTS

10 years ago

Private healthcare plans are becoming increasingly rare. Traditionally the companies that offer them do not cover many of the things that they should. They take too long to attend the needs of their clients, and in many cases the clients have found it necessary to take legal action in order to force the companies to provide covered services. The government is constantly imposing heavy fines and suspending many of them from operating. For this reason most companies are getting out of private plans and selling only group plans which are subject to much less government regulation. From what I see all the time it is probably much more cost efficient for you to use the public plan SUS as much as possible and then pay to see doctors when you need to.

Cheers,
James
expat.com Experts Team

GringogGene Active member

31POSTS

10 years ago

Unimed.聽 Cost R$ 1,200 per month for my wife and I via an extended family plan, but as James mentioned insurers can be problematic.聽 SUS is hit and miss depending on your city and your medical needs.聽聽In the end, it is good to have a big bag of money just in case.聽 No politicians use SUS. :-)

Macae Contributor

110POSTS

10 years ago

For the sake of clarity, what is the public plan SUS?

Thank you in advance!!!

John

James ViP

11272POSTS

10 years ago

SUS - Sistema 脷nica da Sa煤de. That is the government funded health system. There are various units for medical care in Brazil.

1. Posto de Sa煤de or UBS - Unidade B谩sico de Sa煤de which is the neighborhood health clinic.

2.聽 UPA - Unidade de Pronto Atendimento the local Emergency Clinic

3.聽 Hospital de Pronto Atendimento -聽 Hospital Emergency Ward

All of the above are free. While not absolutely necessary since they all will attend anyone, you should apply to your local prefeitura for a SUS card.

If you are hospitalized in a public hospital as the result of an emergency there is no charge. If you need to see a doctor you go to the UBS and see their staff doctor or the UPA in emergencies. If you require a referral to a specialist then they will give you that.

Cheers,
James
expat.com Experts Team

1 member reacted to this post

Macae Contributor

110POSTS

10 years ago

NOTED:聽聽should apply to your local prefeitura for a SUS card.

Where do I go to apply in Macae?

As always, thanks,
John

James ViP

11272POSTS

10 years ago

The Prefeitura de Maca茅 offices are located on the corner of Rua Presidente Soudr茅 and Rua Euz茅bio Queiroz. It's just before you get to the bridge over Maca茅 River. Parking in the area is limited, so you may want to go by bus. Check it out on Google maps before heading out. Also you need to take proof of residence and ID.

Cheers,
James
expat.com Experts Team