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Argentina Expat Health Insurance

Argentina is the largest Spanish-speaking nation in the world (by land area) with a population of over 40,000,000, and is bordered by the Andes mountain range, the Atlantic Ocean, Paraguay, Brazil, Bolivia, Uruguay, and Chile. Argentina is very diverse geographically, as it is composed of the fertile plains of the Pampas, the oil-rich plateaus of Patagonia, the subtropic Gran Chao, and the Andes mountain range. Argentina generally has hot summers and long winters, with Western Argentina responsible for producing some of the world's largest hail. The country also has Sudestadas, comparable to Nor'easters, which bring heavy rains, rough waters, and flooding along the coast. Argentina is comprised of twenty-three provinces and one autonomous city; Buenos Aires, which is also the capital. Each of these provinces has its own constitution but still operates under the Argentinian government, which is a federal representative democratic republic.

With the third-largest economy in Latin America, Argentina also has the highest GDP per capita and a high rating on the Human Development Index. The Argentinian market economy is export based, with 54% of revenue in 2010 from agricultural products, due to the country's wealth of natural resources. Unfortunately, Argentina has also seen its fair share of government related and privatized corruption; there have been reports of money laundering, drug trafficking, and tax evasion. Due to the large numbers of immigrants, Argentina's official language is Spanish, but many people also speak Italian, Arabic, and German, with English taught as a second language in schools.

Expatriates traveling to Argentina should be aware of the underlying risk of anti-globalization terrorism. These attacks are usually aimed at places frequented by tourists; there are have been small explosions in banks as well as an embassy and an airline branch. Tourists should be more worried about crime, as pickpockets in Argentina are confident and will go to extensive lengths to steal. Many passports get stolen by criminals waiting in bus stations, while others have had their purses slit or had one pickpocket distract them (usually by spilling some type of food on them and then offering to clean it up) while another steals their possessions. Criminals will also sometimes lure visitors into a bar with a flyer, and then trap them there until they pay an enormous price for a drink. “Express kidnappings” also occur frequently; people are forced to withdraw money from their bank accounts and call family and friends to withdraw as much money as they can before the victim can be released. At airports, checked baggage is sometimes robbed, and thus travelers should pack few (if any) valuables in their luggage. If using a reserved car service, visitors should first confirm the identity of their greeter when they arrive at the airport before leaving with them; those taking a taxi should only get in vehicles with the company logo clearly displayed on the passenger doors.

Argentina Healthcare System

Before traveling to Argentina, expatriates should make sure their routine vaccinations are up to date (MMR, Diphtheria, DPT, Polio, etc) as well as Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, Typhoid, and Yellow fever vaccinations. The Typhoid and Yellow fever vaccines are especially important, as there have been outbreaks of yellow fever in the neighboring countries of Brazil and Paraguay, and typhoid can be transmitted through food and/or water in rural areas. Dengue fever poses a serious threat; it has also been reported in Paraguay and has resulted in death. It is extremely important to wear insect repellent and protective clothing to protect against mosquitoes carrying Dengue fever as well as Malaria. Other vector-borne diseases occurring in this region are American Trypanosomiasis, Leishmaniasis, Histoplasmosis, and Coccidiodomycosis. Those staying in Argentina for a prolonged time or those who may come into contact with animals should also receive the Rabies vaccination. As Argentina is highly urbanized, visitors with asthma or other respiratory problems should also bring more than enough of their medication to last the length of their stay.

The life expectancy at birth in Argentina is 75, and although a good number in comparison to the global average, it is low compared to other developing nations. The maternal mortality ratio is 70 women per 100,000 live births, while the infant mortality rate is 13 babies per 1,000 live births and the adult mortality rate for males is 163.3 per 1,000 adults and 77.9 per 1,000 adults for females. 5 out of 1,000 adults have HIV while 40 out of 100,000 people have tuberculosis.

Argentina has a good history of improving healthcare. Medical schools were established at University of Buenos Aires and the National University of Cordoba in 1822 and 1877, respectively. Due to training at these institutions, Argentina's current doctors and nurses are well-trained enough to offer adequate care and some have even traveled overseas to complete their studies. Currently, almost 10% of the nation's GDP is expended on healthcare, encouraging the growth and improvement of the system in the future.

Argentina's healthcare system is divided into three different sectors; a public system, a public system funded by worker's unions, and a private system. It is important to note that the two public systems do not operate separate and different hospitals like private facilities do, the different public systems just determine the way in which the patient's treatment is paid for. The first type of public healthcare is funded through taxes, and supplies free care to hospital patients, although outpatients are charged for medicines. The second type of public healthcare is run by about 300 umbrella organizations called Obras Sociales. Within the unions, employers pay a fixed fee for healthcare, and patients pay the difference between the fixed fee and the actual cost of treatment. Although these plans previously covered over 45% of the population, that number has decreased as unemployment rates have continuously risen due to the Argentinian economic crisis in 2001. Lastly, patients can participate in the private healthcare system, in which they pay the full cost of their treatment.

There are more than 1,700 hospitals in Argentina, with over 153,000 hospital beds, 121,000 physicians, and 37,000 dentists. The smaller the city or the more remote or rural the area is, the more difficult it will become to find adequate healthcare, or hospitals at all. Some of the hospitals in Argentina include the Hospital de Clinicas “Jose de San Martin” (Buenos Aires), the Municipal Hospital of Jose Tiburcio Borda (Buenos Aires), and the Hospital de Arias (Cordoba). As previously mentioned, medical staff in Argentina are well-trained, however, the equipment at public hospitals is very basic and often broken. Simple procedures such as an X-Ray can become complicated and take more time than usually necessary. There is also a shortage of staff in public hospitals, leading to long waiting times for the ill. Private hospitals are much better equipped, however, they are more expensive and without insurance, payment is expected upon leaving the hospital or within the month. For those who are staying in Argentina long term, the private hospitals are able to offer healthcare plans that are more flexible with payments and some even offer discounts. Because public hospitals are sub-standard, expatriates are advised to use the private hospitals. It is also advisable for those visiting Argentina to obtain expat health insurance so as to be ensured treatment in these private hospitals in an efficient and timely manner and with adequate equipment. Furthermore, in the event that an expatriate requires serious medical treatment, medical insurance would cover the cost of medical evacuation to a more well-equipped facility.

Argentina Expat Health Insurance

Tourists are highly recommended to have protective medical insurance in the event of anything unexpected and unfortunate happening. While you may be covered by an insurance policy in your home country, it typically will cover bills from hospital visits or medical evacuations in a foreign country such as Argentina. Expat Health Insurance plans can offer you extensive coverage in such regions. No matter your age or country of residency, Global Health Insurance can offer professional insurance advice and free quotes for expatriates working or living in Argentina. Expat Health Insurance policies we work with can offer you high levels of benefits with options to cover things such as maternity, medical evacuation, dental, and outpatient services. Please contact us today for a free consultation on international health insurance.

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