US Health insurance & the Brazilian system

noelstr8 Active member

42POSTS

8 years ago

Good morning😊

I have really basic American health insurance that I pay for out of pocket. I have it, primarily to avoid being taxed at the end of the year for not being insured & for any possible medical emergency. I do not really understand how the health system works in brazil, what services I have access to or the cost.

Here are my questions:

1. At what point am I not legally obligated to have America health insurance as a person living/studying abroad?

2. What health insurances have you used that you have found the most cost effective and helpful?

3. What experience do you have receiving care from the Brazilian health system? How did you pay? Was it costly?

See also

GuestPoster136 Guest

0POSTS

8 years ago

Hi,

1. I don't have to worry about this because my retirement benefits cover me in America.

2. UniMed tô absolutely amazing here. The cost are based off age and I bet you will get a resonable rate.

3. We have had great experience here and I would say it comparable to American healthcare and possibly better. I have never sat in a waiting room and the care has been excellent for all family members.

1 member reacted to this post

jland912 Serial expat

884POSTS

8 years ago

To answer your first question, under the rules of ACA if you are out of the USA for more than 330 days you are exempt from the requirement. I have medical coverage under my wife's work. There is SUS available in Brazil. It is universal healthcare and it is free. It is good in some places and bad in others.

Jim

1 member reacted to this post

GuestPoster136 Guest

0POSTS

8 years ago

I have UNIMED. I´ve never been sick of all the years I´ve been in Brazil so I can´t tell you
how good and efficient their system is. But my friends tell me it´s the best private insurance. If you´re in your 20s I´d say you´re still invincible so SUS, their public free
health care should suit you unless you suffer a severe trauma where you need extensive
ICU management...

robal

noelstr8 Active member

42POSTS

8 years ago

Thank you for your advice.

sprealestatebroker ViP

1288POSTS

8 years ago

Just run the name of the insurer through reclameaqui dot com dot br to check on the insurer's reputation

Take with a grain of sal that Brazilians complain on just everything.

Look for repeated type of offenses.

NewBrazil Serial expat

330POSTS

7 years ago

First President Trump just stopped the mandatory payment for health insurance in the US. So you can save some money. I also want to know what I have to do to get free health care here in Brazil. I just became a permanent resident

abthree Brazil Expert

6439POSTS

7 years ago

To get a SUS (national health service) card, go to any hospital, clinic, or office of your State's Health Department with your CRNM and sign up. They'll issue it on the spot.