What is the cost for health insurance in Nicaragua and how does it work?
Mike Cobb - ECI Development
There are two ways to address the question of health insurance in Nicaragua. There is health insurance in Nicaragua and there is also health insurance for expats. Most of the hospitals in Nicaragua have a health insurance plan. Vivian Pellas Hospital has a program where people pay US $50 or $100 per month for various levels of discounts and free services when needed. My family has BUPA insurance, which provides expat insurance all over the world. Our plan gives us...
There are two ways to address the question of health insurance in Nicaragua. There is health insurance in Nicaragua and there is also health insurance for expats. Most of the hospitals in Nicaragua have a health insurance plan. Vivian Pellas Hospital has a program where people pay US $50 or $100 per month for various levels of discounts and free services when needed. My family has BUPA insurance, which provides expat insurance all over the world. Our plan gives us coverage everywhere including the US and air evacuation services if needed.
Posted January 19, 2014
Alonso Cornejo - ASA, Inc.
There are three different ways to approach health insurance in Nicaragua; local policies, international policies and self-insure.
Local policies are available for those who retire in Nicaragua and are relatively inexpensive ($50-$100 per month). However, they do not provide coverage outside Nicaragua, limit choice of doctors/hospitals and usually do not cover all medical expenses.
There are a number of international policies available. There are...
There are three different ways to approach health insurance in Nicaragua; local policies, international policies and self-insure.
Local policies are available for those who retire in Nicaragua and are relatively inexpensive ($50-$100 per month). However, they do not provide coverage outside Nicaragua, limit choice of doctors/hospitals and usually do not cover all medical expenses.
There are a number of international policies available. There are catastrophic/high deductible policies which start as low as $50 per month, and can increase in cost for lower deductibles and/or more comprehensive coverage. International policies will provide coverage worldwide and allow for free choice of doctors/hospitals. Usually eligible medical expenses are covered in full once the deductible has been met.
Self-insuring is usually not recommended, however there are some individuals that choose this route. Self insurers will normally receive a discount on medical services for paying cash, and they can also choose which provider they want to see.
Posted March 3, 2014
Maria Acosta
If you are a Nicaraguan who works here and you are associated with something that is our own version of social security, that social security system provides a certain level of health care for you. If you want to have an exam or laboratory test, they’ going to give you an appointment for 3 weeks later, but you don’t have to pay for it. Usually, you don’t get to choose your doctor.
If you are an expat, US Medicare doesn’t cover your...
If you are a Nicaraguan who works here and you are associated with something that is our own version of social security, that social security system provides a certain level of health care for you. If you want to have an exam or laboratory test, they’ going to give you an appointment for 3 weeks later, but you don’t have to pay for it. Usually, you don’t get to choose your doctor.
If you are an expat, US Medicare doesn’t cover your medical expenses here in Nicaragua. We do, however, have many very good health insurance options. One of the most popular is through the Vivian Pellas Hospital (a world class hospital with international standards of excellence), which has a plan you can join. The monthly cost to you will depend on how old you are, your gender and whether or not you have pre-existing health conditions. In general, I don’t think the monthly fee is more than US $60. This will get you 30% - 70% discounts on the total cost of the hospital services (which, by US standards are already extremely low), including the doctor’s fee. Of course, in order to use this plan, you have to use the Vivian Pellas Hospital. If you need hip replacement surgery, for example, you can have it done there.
If you want an annual physical check-up, Vivian Pellas Hospital also has a package for that. It costs about $450, which includes all doctor-ordered tests.
Posted September 11, 2014
Carolyn Membreño - León Travel Bureau
Public healthcare in Nicaragua is free. If you are a foreigner and you need emergency care, public healthcare is still absolutely free. You may go to a public hospital and receive medical services. You will not pay anything except if you need medication and even some of the medications are available at no cost as well. The standards in the public hospitals are very poor. You can expect to have about three to four people in the same room being examined at...
Public healthcare in Nicaragua is free. If you are a foreigner and you need emergency care, public healthcare is still absolutely free. You may go to a public hospital and receive medical services. You will not pay anything except if you need medication and even some of the medications are available at no cost as well. The standards in the public hospitals are very poor. You can expect to have about three to four people in the same room being examined at the same time. There is very little privacy so it is nothing like an American emergency room at all. It is very disorganized but you will receive care if you need it and you are low on resources.
The next level of health care in Nicaragua are the private clinics. There are many good private clinics here in Nicaragua and you will just pay depending on what kind of checkup you have but generally, doctor’s visits cost around $20.
I’m not exactly sure how much health insurance costs but I do know that it depends on your age. There is a national health insurance for which you have to be a permanent resident in order to be eligible. If you have health insurance then you don’t have to go to the public hospitals because you are already covered in the private hospitals or in the clinics. There are lots of small clinics that you can go to that are set up with emergency rooms and whatever you need.
Personally, I do not have insurance. I am pretty healthy so I do not need to see a doctor quite often except for the ophthalmologist that I see on a regular basis. I can get all the vitamins or other prescriptions that I need over the counter. I really do not feel a need to invest on a monthly health insurance plan at this time. It is also inexpensive when you pay as you go. I only pay around $15 every time I visit my ophthalmologist or I can go to a clinic for around $10.
(Pharmacy in Nicaragua, pictured.)
Posted January 17, 2016