Health insurance

07/19/26 I am 72 bought a home in Casimiro de Abreu and in order to get my retirement visa I need Brazilian health insurance anyone have any thoughts or advice?Much appreciated, Joe aka;Boondog - @Boondog

Hi, Joe.  People who have arrived on the current Retirement Visa can answer better than I can about specifics, but whatever insurance you get to meet the visa requirement, make sure that it's cancelable without penalties once you're here.  You'll probably want to get a local health plan as soon as you're settled in, which will be cheaper and better than an indemnity plan for expats.

Although there are national networks, their performance is highly variable from region to region, so you'll want to ask around to find out which plans have good reputations in the State of Rio de Janeiro. 

I'm not here on a retirement visa, so FWIW, the rules as I read them are as such....if you are applying from OUTSIDE THE COUNTRY AT A BRASILIAN CONSULATE you must provide proof of insurance as a documentary part of the application..........IF YOU ARE APPLYING FROM WITHIN COUNTRY it is not required.

So, how does that translate to your situation ? You must have some kind of CRNM already, no ?

When is your next trip here, and can you apply at that time in country for example, while living by the rights of your current CRNM privileges ? Having said that, it's also easier and faster with less hassle to get visa's at consulates in the US for example (and correct mistakes with documents) from there, than it is to do the process from here, so, trade offs occur. That is your call alone.

Abthree makes a great point about costs and cancellation provisions. I have 2 friends over 60 years old paying $1,000 USD a month for coverage here, with exclusions, and a 2 year waiting period before claims can be processed. It's not cheap as you age, and the plans are often compared to ponzi schemes.

Having said that, the programs down here are not that great if you are over 65 (I am not) and many are just not doable at age 72 for a multitude of reasons. I do not pay into private insurance here, as I prefer to use SUS and pay out of pocket for private care as required. YMMV........hope this info helps.

@Boondog

Hi-

I have heard both good and bad about Amil, one of the largest.

I am in Rio and we picked a top hospital plan directly. The only issue there is that you can only use providers in their network. In our case the network is large so not an issue.. If you have an emergency I go straight to the hospital emergency room- no charge.

Good luck

PS: to clarify- going to the emergency room by car is what i meant- no charge at the hospital. No idea if there’s a charge an ambulance