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Macau Expat Health Insurance

The Special Administrative Region (SAR) of Macau, also known as Macao, was returned to the People’s Republic of China in 1999, following centuries of Portuguese administration. Portuguese remains an official language within the city along with Cantonese Chinese, although Mandarin and English are also fairly widely spoken. The tiny island off the coast of Guangdong is also a short boat ride from Hong Kong. Macau is perhaps best known for its casinos, as it is the only part of China which allows gambling; overseen by the efforts of Stanley Ho’s gambling empire for decades. However its cuisine and mixed culture have much to offer the tourist or expatriate. Its climate is mild subtropical, and although there are occasional typhoons, the weather is mostly quite pleasant, if humid in the summer months.

Macau Healthcare System

With its population of about half a million, there are only three hospitals in Macau – two private, Kiang Wu and M.U.S.T., and one public, the Conde Sao Januario General Hospital. Despite Macau’s recent economic growth, the public health care system has struggled due to funding problems. Given Macau’s small size and unique administrative situation, there is little oversight of the public medical profession in the country. Although expatriates are also permitted to receive health care at any public facility, an international health insurance plan is strongly recommended to cover costs and care which may exceed the capabilities of the local public health care system. Bed shortages are common at the Conde Sao Januario, where hospital admissions have seen double-digit percentage point annual gains since 2003; the government is looking into the feasibility of building a second public hospital on Taipa island. Staff shortages are not unusual, and patient turnover can be very quick compared to the private hospitals, prompting calls for hiring more foreign doctors. It should be noted that care in private facilities tends to be quite expensive and comparable with that in developed western countries.

It is not uncommon for residents in Macau to travel to Hong Kong in order to receive medical care. This is primarily due to Hong Kong’s numerous hospitals offering a wider range of treatment options than the healthcare facilities in Macau. Residents of Macau are not guaranteed low-cost access to Hong Kong’s public medical facilities, and will have to pay for the cost of their treatment out-of-pocket. Many Macau health insurance plans will not cover the cost of medical treatment outside of Macau SAR, and as such, all expatriates who foresee the usage of medical facilities in Hong Kong are advised to obtain an international medical insurance policy. Follow the link to learn more about Hong Kong health insurance and healthcare

The WHO, in cooperation with Macau’s health ministry, has created a global “Health for All” mandate. A series of neighbourhood health care clinics provide convenient access to primary health care all over Macau. Two such clinics, the Fai Chi Kei Health Centre and Areia Preta Health Centre offer tuina, or Traditional Chinese Medicine, also known as TCM. Kiang Wu Hospital also offers fairly comprehensive service and was the first hospital in Macau to offer both Western and Traditional Chinese Medicine. Permanent residents of Macau are entitled to free basic health care at any of the public health care centres; non-residents’ care is subject to standard fees set by the local health authorities in Macau. The government of Macau has a stated goal of enhancing its quality of medical care and improving public health, via disease prevention and health promotion. In addition to cooperation with multilateral health organisations, like the WHO, Macau also has close ties with neighbouring government entities in Hong Kong, Guangdong Province and the central government in Beijing, as well as a Memorandum of Understanding with the government of Singapore, signed in 2005.

Supplementing the three hospitals are a raft of smaller clinics and public health centres numbering nearly 500, making basic medical care accessible nearly anywhere on the islands, however none of these has received International Healthcare Accreditation.

With life expectancy of nearly 85 years, Macanese may have the longest average lifespans in the world. Mortality mainly comes from non-communicable diseases of affluence, such as cancer and heart disease, associated with populations in most wealthy developed countries. Insect-borne communicable diseases such as dengue and malaria are still present, but strong government public health measures have limited these. HIV / AIDS rates in Macau are among the lowest in Asia, but these figures are increasing. Macau is also prone to natural disasters, mostly issues stemming from typhoons such as flooding, water borne disease, landslides, etc. The typhoon season runs from April to October.

To prepare for a visit or relocation to Macau, several vaccinations may be advised, although none are officially required by the local authorities. Jabs against malaria, typhoid, tetanus, hepatitis A and B are most commonly prescribed. Although most prescription and over the counter medications are available in Macau, it may be worthwhile to bring pharmaceuticals from your home country to ensure quality and reliability of supply. Counterfeit pharmaceuticals have been a problem in the region.

In an emergency, dial 999 to connect with ambulance, police, or fire services; for weather information and typhoon warnings, dial 1311. However, beyond initial stabilisation of emergency room patients, local Macanese health care may not be equipped to treat serious medical issues. Medical air evacuation to Hong Kong is often advised in such cases, which can cost thousands of US dollars, as can repatriation to the patient’s home country. Even in non-emergency cases, medical flights, transportation, surgeries, hospital stays and prescription costs can run to tens of thousands of US dollars.

Macau Expat Health Insurance

Global Health Insurance is available to ensure that you and your family have access to quality international health insurance coverage across the world and not just in Macau. Expat health insurance policies in the range of products we work with include optional coverage for things such as maternity, dental, alternative care, specialists and emergency evacuation. Global health insurance plans can be customised to the specific needs of you, your family or your firm in Macau. Expat health insurance plans are globally portable and will follow you around the world – for life. Please contact one of our Global Health Insurance advisors today for further details. We’re available 24 hours per day.

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