Medical Expenses

[Alby]

In other words, you buy a separate policy with Assist Card, or similar. I think they cover you for trips of up to 60 days. A one-year policy (multiple trips) costs only slightly more than a one-off sixty day policy.

 

[Caribbean Cool]

If you are over 65, your only option may be Hospital Italiano Magna Plan. If you check with other providers one of your first questions should be what is the maximum age that they accept. For traveling to other countries you can contact Assist Card or PAX.

I used pax for a travel emergency....here in B.A. for a friend traveling here....it was 1st class.

 

[steveinbsas]

If you are over 65, your only option may be Hospital Italiano Magna Plan. If you check with other providers one of your first questions should be what is the maximum age that they accept. For traveling to other countries you can contact Assist Card or PAX.

If "you" are over 70, have had Argentine residency for ten years, and have no Argentine pension income, you should be able to enroll in PAMI.

I asked Google AI and got this reply:

"Enrolling in ⁠PAMI provides a foreign resident over 70 with 10 years of residency access to comprehensive healthcare coverage, medication discounts, and social-preventive programs without requiring a traditional pension.

Medical and Health BenefitsComprehensive Healthcare: Full medical, clinical, and specialist coverage through an assigned network and family doctor.

Medication Discounts: Subsidies and discounts ranging from 40% to 100% on prescription drugs, depending on the medical treatment and social evaluation.

Free Medical Supplies: Access to essential items at no cost, such as prescription eyeglasses, anti-bedsore mattresses, and mobility supports.

Social and Community Programs

Recreational Activities: Entry to active aging programs, social workshops, and community centers.

Educational Access: Enrollment in UPAMI free university courses designed specifically for older adults."

Note: I am not sure if the ten years of residency can be a combination of temporary and permanent residency or ten full years of permanent residency is required.

I have been eligible for six years, but I haven't felt the need to enroll as my out of pocket "medical expenses" are less than two dollars a month for "prescribed" medications and I have easy access to the nearby CAPS clinic from Monday through Thursday and am also in WhatsApp contact with the doctor who, in one word, is wonderful.

 

[Johnny]

If "you" are over 70, have had Argentine residency for ten years, and have no Argentine pension income, you should be able to enroll in PAMI.

I asked Google AI and got this reply:

"Enrolling in ⁠PAMI provides a foreign resident over 70 with 10 years of residency access to comprehensive healthcare coverage, medication discounts, and social-preventive programs without requiring a traditional pension.

Medical and Health BenefitsComprehensive Healthcare: Full medical, clinical, and specialist coverage through an assigned network and family doctor.

Medication Discounts: Subsidies and discounts ranging from 40% to 100% on prescription drugs, depending on the medical treatment and social evaluation.

Free Medical Supplies: Access to essential items at no cost, such as prescription eyeglasses, anti-bedsore mattresses, and mobility supports.

Social and Community Programs

Recreational Activities: Entry to active aging programs, social workshops, and community centers.

Educational Access: Enrollment in UPAMI free university courses designed specifically for older adults."

Note: I am not sure if the ten years of residency can be a combination of temporary and permanent residency or ten full years of permanent residency is required.

I have been eligible for six years, but I haven't felt the need to enroll as my out of pocket "medical expenses" are less than two dollars a month for "prescribed" medications and I have easy access to the nearby CAPS clinic from Monday through Thursday and am also in WhatsApp contact with the doctor who, in one word, is wonderful.

This is news to me. I'd like to see more about this, if an expat with 10 years of residency under their belt could be eligible for PAMI.

 

[steveinbsas]

This is news to me. I'd like to see more about this, if an expat with 10 years of residency under their belt could be eligible for PAMI.

According to Google AI...

"To enroll in PAMI as a person over 70 without a pension, you need your DNI, a CUIL/CUIT proof, and ANSES non-benefit certification.

Required DocumentsDNI (National Identity Document) with your current address. If you are over 75, older booklet-style IDs (Libreta Cívica or Libreta de Enrolamiento) are also accepted.

Foreign Residency Proof: Official proof showing at least 10 years of residency in Argentina if you are a foreign citizen.

CUIL or CUIT certificate.

ANSES Proof (Constancia): Certification from ANSES showing you do not receive or process a retirement pension.

No-Social-Insurance Proof: Documentation from provincial or municipal cajas confirming you are not affiliated with another state-level medical social program (obra social).

How to Apply Online: Go to the PAMI Official Website and look for the specific category for people over 70 without pension benefits under the enrollment section.

In Person: Visit your nearest local PAMI office if you use an older style identity document or need direct help from an agent.

Also:

INSSJP - Instituto Nacional de Servicios Sociales para Jubilados y Pensionados https://www.pami.org.ar/tramite/mayores

 

[steveinbsas]

This is news to me. I'd like to see more about this, if an expat with 10 years of residency under their belt could be eligible for PAMI.

PAMI has been discussed here in at least two threads since 2017.

Here are the two threads with "PAMI" in the titles:

Thread 'PAMI for permanant resident?' https://baexpats.org/threads/pami-for-permanant-resident.41228/

Thread 'Does Anybody Have / Use This Pami Thing?' https://baexpats.org/threads/does-anybody-have-use-this-pami-thing.37672/

 

[LongtimeExpat]

I asked the same Google AI for this information, but then looked at the links for the sources it provided for its information.

The first time around, it gave me links to Facebook, the second time, to the Defensoría del Pueblo, but from a 56 year old document, predating the dictatorship, that it hadn't even read. After continuing to push it, it finally gave me the following, just below, which may or not be correct, but it looks a lot closer to the truth. Always double or triple check any important information that comes from AI.

Note to Steve: Google AI Overview is wrong about things related to Argentina more often than it is right. It frequently uses unreliable or outdated sources, or just makes things up. At a minimum, you should sign up for a free Gemini account and use that directly. It's the same AI - sort of - but will usually be at least a bit more careful in its answers. Publishing wrong answers from AI doesn't help anyone. At least put the same disclaimer that they do, that the answers may be wrong.

This is what I got the AI to tell me. There's no guarantee if the information is correct or up-to-date:

You are absolutely right. When it comes to healthcare access, guessing, using bugged databases, or citing outdated blogs is dangerous.
To provide absolute certainty, the following sources are the official, primary legal texts of the Argentine Republic. They do not contain date glitches, automatic snippets, or third-party interpretations. They are the live law of the land.

1. Access Through PUAM (The Primary Path for Foreigners)

The vast majority of foreign residents who do not have 30 years of registered work contributions access PAMI by applying for the Universal Pension for Older Adults (PUAM).

The Strict Residency Rule: Foreigners must have a minimum of 20 years of legal residency in Argentina, with at least 10 of those years immediately preceding the application.

The Medical Coverage Benefit: Under this law, PUAM beneficiaries are explicitly given immediate, automatic access to PAMI health services.

The Legal Blueprint (Infoleg): You can read the text directly in the National Law Database run by the Ministry of Justice and Human Rights on Infoleg - Ley Nacional N° 27.260 (Artículo 13). Under Title II, Article 13, Clause 1, it states verbatim:

"Ser ciudadanos extranjeros, con residencia legal mínima acreditada en el país de veinte (20) años, de los cuales diez (10) deben ser inmediatamente anteriores a la fecha de solicitud del beneficio."

The Active Agency Portal (ANSES): You can verify how this law is executed today on the Official ANSES PUAM Application Guide. Under the clear, bulleted requirements section, it states:

"Ser argentino o naturalizado con 10 años de residencia en el país, o extranjero con una residencia mínima de 20 años"

2. Access via Standard Retirement (Jubilación Ordinaria)If a foreign resident has legally worked and paid taxes in Argentina, they do not face the 20-year penalty.

The Rule: If you meet the retirement age (60 for women, 65 for men) and have 30 years of registered work contributions (aportes), you qualify for a standard retirement pension. PAMI coverage is automatically granted as a legal right to all retirees, regardless of nationality.

The Legal Blueprint (Infoleg): This is governed by National Law 24.241 (the Integrated Social Security System). There is no "foreign residency timeline" constraint in this law because eligibility is bought via your 30 years of employment taxes.

 

[steveinbsas]

"Access Through PUAM (The Primary Path for Foreigners)

The vast majority of foreign residents who do not have 30 years of registered work contributions access PAMI by applying for the Universal Pension for Older Adults (PUAM).

The Strict Residency Rule: Foreigners must have a minimum of 20 years of legal residency in Argentina, with at least 10 of those years immediately preceding the application.

"Ser ciudadanos extranjeros, con residencia legal mínima acreditada en el país de veinte (20) años, de los cuales diez (10) deben ser inmediatamente anteriores a la fecha de solicitud del beneficio."

If this is accurate, and 20 years of "legal residency" includes both temporary and permanent residency, then I won't be eligible for PAMI until October 23rd, 2026.

If 20 years of permanent residency is required, then I would have to wait three more years before I would be able to apply, but I have no plan to do so...and no desire whatsoever to ask for pension benefits.

 

[steveinbsas]

So, I just asked Google AI again about the rules which apply to foreigners to be eligible for PAMI and recieved this reply:

"A foreigner in Argentina becomes eligible for PAMI coverage either automatically through a local contributory retirement, or by meeting specific age and non-contributory residency thresholds: 10 years for general enrollment of older adults without contributory pensions, or up to 20 years if applying via specific non-contributory welfare programs like PUAM.

General and Age-Based Direct Coverage:

10 years of residency: Required for foreign nationals over 75 years old seeking basic identity and domicile registration for direct ⁠PAMI Affiliation for Older Adults.

Contributory Retirement: If a foreigner qualifies for a standard ANSES retirement pension by completing 30 years of formal social security contributions in Argentina,

PAMI coverage begins immediately upon retirement approval regardless of total prior residency duration.

Non-Contributory Pensions (PUAM)20 years of residency:

Required for foreign citizens applying for the Universal Pension for the Elderly (⁠ANSES PUAM), of which 10 years must be immediately prior to the application.

Health Benefits: Successfully obtaining the PUAM grants automatic inclusion into PAMI healthcare services.

If you'd like, let me know:Your current age, whether you have years of contributions in Argentina or an official pension from another country, your type of residency (temporary or permanent). I can help clarify which specific pathway fits your situation.

Then I asked; :Are you absolutely certain of this data? Please do not answer or correct if you don't. Please correct it if you aren't absolutely sure.

8 sitesYes, the data is officially verified and fully accurate according to the statutory frameworks of both the National Social Security Administration (ANSES) and the Comprehensive Medical Care Program (PAMI).

The exact statutory legal criteria governing these numbers confirm these specific requirements:

1. The 10-Year Requirement: Direct PAMI Affiliation (No Pension). According to the official ⁠PAMI Over-70 Enrollment Protocol, a specific pathway allows older adults who do not receive any state pension or welfare benefits to get direct healthcare coverage.

The Legal Rule: Foreigners must prove a minimum of 10 years of legal residence in Argentina.

Age Threshold: Despite the historical name of the program, the current regulatory requirement applies to individuals who are 70 years of age or older.

Constraint: You must prove via ANSES records that you do not have any pending pension applications and do not hold alternative healthcare coverage through provincial or municipal funds.

2. The 20-Year Requirement: Universal Pension for the Elderly (PUAM)If you lack standard formal work contributions but are seeking the government’s non-contributory welfare pension (⁠ANSES PUAM), which explicitly includes automatic PAMI medical coverage, the criteria are higher.

The Legal Rule: Under current ⁠ANSES PUAM Regulations, a foreign national must prove a minimum of 20 years of residence in the country.

Temporal Constraint: At least 10 of those years must be immediately prior to the date of your formal pension application.

Age Threshold: This pathway is accessible from 65 years of age for both men and women.

3. The 0-Year Residency Exception: Contributory RetirementAs confirmed by Argentine social security processing guidelines, if a foreign national satisfies the core labor requirements for standard retirement—30 years of registered tax contributions into the Argentine system and the required legal age (60 for women, 65 for men)—there is no minimum prior residency threshold enforced to receive PAMI. The entry into PAMI is immediate upon the approval of the retirement asset (⁠Jubilación).

If you want to check if you qualify for these pathways right now, let me know your exact age and your total years of legal residence listed on your DNI. I can tell you precisely which protocol applies to you.

I am 76 years old. I have had permanent residency in Argentina for 16 years, and prior to that, temporary residency for 3 years, never interrupted. I did not make any contributions into the Argentine pension system through Anses or any other any other form. I do not have any pension benefits in Argentina whatsoever, only social security from the United States.

10 sitesBased on your specific personal data, you are fully eligible for direct PAMI healthcare coverage right now without needing to wait any longer.Your exact profile aligns perfectly with PAMI’s non-pension framework, meaning you can bypass the longer residency timelines required for other programs.

Why You Qualify ImmediatelyYour Age (76): You exceed the core requirement of being 70 years of age or older for the special non-pension eligibility category.

Your Residency (19 Years Total): Your 16 years of permanent residency combined with 3 years of continuous temporary residency gives you 19 years of legal, uninterrupted residency. This comfortably exceeds the 10-year legal residency minimum required for this direct route.

Your US Social Security: Because your pension is entirely foreign and you have zero domestic Argentine retirement assets, you officially lack a local Argentine previsional benefit (sin beneficio previsional).

PAMI explicitly allows registration for older adults in this exact situation to ensure they do not fall out of the healthcare network.

Pathways That Do Not Apply to YouStandard Retirement (Jubilación Ordinaria): This is closed to you because you have no formal contributions to ANSES.

The PUAM Pathway: The Universal Pension for the Elderly (⁠ANSES PUAM) requires 20 years of legal residency. You are short by exactly 1 year. Furthermore, the PUAM strictly prohibits holding any other type of pension. Your US Social Security would likely disqualify you from the cash pension, making the direct PAMI route your best option anyway.

What You Must Do to Enroll

To process your direct healthcare affiliation, you must visit your local ⁠PAMI Agency or complete the application online with the following documents:

Your Argentine DNI showing your 16 years of current permanent status and local address.

Residency Certification: If your first physical DNI card does not state your total 19-year history, request a quick Certificado de Radicación or migration movement history from the National Directorate of Migration (Migraciones).

ANSES Negative Certification (Certificación Negativa): A free online document from ANSES confirming you do not receive a pension or work income from the Argentine state.

No-Coverage Affidavits: Simple institutional receipts (Constancias) from provincial or municipal social security funds confirming you are not actively enrolled in local alternative healthcare plans."

Note to all: the answers to my questions were generated by Google AI and may not be 100% accurate.

PS: Fortunately, I have an Argentine friend in Punta Alta who has told me that she will help me if I need to go to ANSES in person, but even if all of the above information is correct, I have no desire to enroll in PAMI at this time.

PS2: I will have 20 years of residency on October 23rd of this year, but that doesn't matter as I will never try to enroll in PUAM.

 

[admin]

So, I just asked Google AI again about the rules which apply to foreigners to be eligible for PAMI and recieved this reply:

Please don't include detailed logs of your conversations with AI in your posts. It's OK to use AI as a research tool, but please write up your final findings instead. That makes posts much easier for everyone to read and discuss.

Thank you.