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Guatemala Expat Health Insurance

Guatemala, officially called the Republic of Guatemala, is located in Central America, with Belize to the northeast, Mexico to the northwest, and Honduras and El Salvador to the southeast. It has coastline facing both the Caribbean (Atlantic Ocean) and Pacific Ocean. A former Spanish colony, Guatemala is now made up primarily of mestizos, a mix of indigenous Amerindian and European settler, a smaller portion are native Amerindian descent and some are African and mulatto with Caucasians accounting for less than two percent of the population. Despite the demographics, Spain's influence is still very apparent in some cities with colonial era buildings and churches sometimes immaculately preserved.

Being located in the tropics, the weather averages are a comfortable range of about 11°C for the low to about 30°C for the high. Because Guatemala is surrounded by water on both sides, it enjoys constant breezes and while it can be quite humid at times, Guatemala's consistently temperate climate has earned it the nickname “The Land of Eternal Springtime”.

Economically, Guatemala is ranked quite low. The average GDP is around US$3,700.00, with the richest 10 percent controlling nearly half of the nation’s wealth. Most people earn their living in agriculture, manufacturing or the service industries, and about 60 percent of Guatemalans live below the international poverty line. Education for the first six years of basic schooling is mandatory, however enforcement is lax and attendance, especially in rural areas, is low. Secondary education is not required and only about 20 percent of youths attend. There are six universities in Guatemala, but few students can afford to go.

Guatemala, originally called “land of the trees” in Mayan, is famous for its hills, mountains and river gorges, which are covered in thick green lush rain forest vegetation. This forest is home to some very rare animals including the unusual tapir, as well as the jungle puma and the jaguar. Also found there are armadillos, foxes, coyotes, manatees and even bears along with numerous types of monkeys, and new species of birds, snakes and insects are still being discovered by scientists to this day. In fact, many of Guatemala's plant and animal life exists nowhere else on Earth. Off Guatemala's shores there is an abundance of life as well. The seas are teaming with fish and the warm clear water is excellent for diving and snorkeling to explore and experience the sea life. Commercial fishing is a thriving industry, providing food and employment for many of its residents, however as more international tourists arrive every year, sport fishing for marlin and tuna as well as fly-fishing charter companies are becoming quite popular.

Guatemala's landmass is considered small at only about 109,000 square kilometers; however its population is large, with 13.8 million people as of 2011 estimates, resulting in a very high population density in urban areas such as the capitol city of Guatemala de la Asunción (more frequently know as Guatemala City). Approximately half of Guatemalans live in cities while the other half resides in rural areas. While most Guatemalans have access to clean drinking water, especially in the cities, sanitary sewage disposal is another matter. Recent reports show that only about 1 percent of waste water in rural areas receives treatment and adequate disposal. This, coupled with gross overuse of pesticides and fertilizers, has had a very negative impact on the ground water supply.

Sadly, government interest is lacking on the subject of water and sanitation provision for Guatemala's residents. As a result of this, it was found that in 2005 only US$ 14 million was spent in infrastructure improvements, service provision and management of this precious resource for the entire country. That is an average of about US$ 1 per person per year. Resultantly, the majority of funding comes in the way of foreign aid both privately and publicly. Because so many Guatemalans are exposed to fecal material on a daily basis, disease tends to spreads quickly when outbreaks do occur. Open sewer systems give the bacteria a ripe breeding ground in which to grow. Diarrhea is quite common and cholera and typhoid occasionally flare up as well.

Travelers to Guatemala, according to the US Center for Disease Control and Prevention, are strongly advised to receive vaccinations for all common communicable childhood diseases. While most individuals will have received these at a young age, it is also advisable for adults to accept booster shots to ensure that no immunities to these common diseases have gone out of your system. Recommended vaccinations include, but are not limited to, measles mumps and Rubella (MMR), chicken pox, polio, diphtheria, pertussis and tetanus. Additionally, it is strongly advised that you consider immunization for malaria, yellow fever, dengue fever, hepatitis, typhoid and rabies. These immunizations are usually available to travelers in their home country and should be considered six to eight weeks before you plan to travel to Guatemala. Always discuss with your doctor the type of area you plan to visit on your stay, as they may have additional suggestions for your health safety.

Guatemala Healthcare System

Guatemala's health care system is considered to be poor, primarily due to the lack of availability. The hospital bed to resident ration is about one per 1,000 people, and the ratio of doctors to patients is about the same. Heath care provision is broken down into three parts, public (government funded), private not for profit and private for profit. Of course, with such a large population of poor, the public hospitals are under a constant strain to provide treatment to an overwhelming load of persons in need of care, thus causing a frequent shortage of basic medicines and equipment. Most travelers will find that private hospitals can provide the needed care that they seek, especially in Guatemala City, where Medical Tourism is becoming more popular as a way for foreigners to take advantage of the comparatively low cost of treatment in developing countries as compared to their homelands. Many of these private hospitals offer very modern techniques and treatments to all of their patients, and often their medical professionals are trained in the United States or Canada.

A word of caution is advised for all who need to receive medical attention in Guatemala. Payment is typically required up-front, prior to the patient receiving any treatment. This means that you will not see a doctor for care until you have made payment first, or have supplied proof of financial ability. Payment plans are not usually available. This can be a shock and very unnerving in the event of a severe emergency, as most international travelers are not aware that they can be denied treatment. Many country's travel bureaus advise that travelers or expatriates acquire some form of insurance prior to visiting or relocating to Guatemala, expat health insurance may be the most comprehensive option, especially for long term stays. This coverage can protect you, your family, or your group in the event of an accident or illness, and provides financial leverage to ensure access to medical treatment while in the country. The security of pre-purchased medical and emergency health coverage cannot be understated. The financial cost for emergency treatment, if paid out of pocket, can be devastating. As such, it is recommended that all expatriates in Guatemala purchase a comprehensive international health insurance plan prior to departing on their trip.

Guatemala Expat Health Insurance

Global Health Insurance is able to help you select the right expatriate medical insurance coverage; whether traveling on holiday or taking up permanent residence in Guatemala. Expat health insurance packages that we offer are tailored to your specific needs, regardless of budget. Contact one of our International Medical Insurance Experts to discuss our wide range of coverage options including emergency medical, personal health, family health, medical specialist consultation, hospitalization, emergency ambulance service, air evacuation and more for Guatemala and locations around the globe.