Buying health insurance in BsAs

[EDavis325]

I was wondering if anyone who knows about the health care system there could tell me if there is a way to purchase a private insurance plan without having a visa ? I'll be entering on the 3 month tourist visa and and hope to land a job with a company that will sponsor me for a work visa. I'm unsure how long this might take or even if I'll be able to get sponsored...but I want a private plan and prefer not to depend on the free public system. Thanks!

 

[soulskier]

OSDE is awesome, http://www.osde.com.ar/osde_binario/.

 

[DaveC]

Hi, I provide International Financial Solutions (investments, savings, health insurance etc) for expats/foreigners. If you think at some point you'll leave BA and work in another country it may be better to get an international solution you can take with you rather than a short term local one. let me know if you want more information.

I was wondering if anyone who knows about the health care system there could tell me if there is a way to purchase a private insurance plan without having a visa ? I'll be entering on the 3 month tourist visa and and hope to land a job with a company that will sponsor me for a work visa. I'm unsure how long this might take or even if I'll be able to get sponsored...but I want a private plan and prefer not to depend on the free public system. Thanks!

 

[nikad]

Any of the private health insurance companies will cover you and you do not need a DNI or residency, as long as your tourist visa is valid: Medicus, Osde, Swiss Medical, Omint, Hospital Aleman

 

[suejud]

We have medicus and I've found it to be a great service. For a family we pay about 160.USD/month - and this includes everything - I do not need to see a primary care dr. first - I choose who to go to and call for an appt. There are no co-pays also.
Before we came in the summer I had to have a biopsy and it wound up costing us 1000.00 over our insurance premium. Had I waited and had it done here it would have been free. I am constantly amazed at how good and how easy the healthcare is here. This has been another big plus in living here. We've had various tests (cardiologist, endocrinologist, podiatrist) done while here, which all would have not only cost a lot back home, but would have also been very complicated in having done due to all the regulations by the insurance companies. Lab work is also included. My daughter has flat feet and needed plantillas - in the states for 35.00 they gave me these standard styrofoam insoles - here for less than that (90 pesos) they measured her feet and made full size, leather plantillas for her! In the states a pediatric foot specialist said they don't even recommend starting specific care in preschoolers due to the cost of the plantillas - 500. plus! Her Dr. here said if she wears them now her problem could be corrected within 3-4 years! And the insurance continues if you need to leave the country (I believe up to 3 months). Where most insurances from the states do not cover you once you leave the country. Medicus also has cheaper plans that only require a referral from a primary care physician - for a family plan I think it is about 150 pesos less/month.

 

[Pingu]

Why not ask one of the big expat insurance brokers- that way you can get a comparison of local insurance prices and the prices of policies from international companies with global cover/ medical evacuation/repatriation and so on. A lot of big insurers will have a local insurance partner, and a relationship with local hospitals, and be able to help you with any communications issues. Also you can get a plan that is not dependent on your location or tied to an employer. Have a look at http://www.pacificprime.com - they seem to be one of the main expat medical insurance brokers.