Colombia Health Insurance

The fourth largest country in South America, the Republic of Colombia, is the only South American country to have coastline on both the Pacific Ocean and Atlantic Ocean (Caribbean Sea). With rugged mountains, active volcanoes, lush jungles and a rich Latin culture, the country is a popular attraction to nature tourists. The country is also home to large deposits of petroleum, verdant hills and valleys dedicated to agriculture, untold amounts of gold and precious gems underground and frequent export of fish and livestock which lead to a high potential for huge economic strides for the fast developing nation. Sadly, there is one crop that has made Colombia famous above all else, while also wreaking havoc on the population: cocaine. The drug has immense profit potential through growing it domestically and exporting it worldwide, particularly to the United States. As a result, the fight for power between drug cartels and the government has brought a violent backdrop to the country over the last three decades. Massive governmental and multi-national initiatives to curb the export of drugs has seen some success in the recent years, but more ground still needs to be covered before total success can be declared and normal life restored to the population of over 46 million.

Colombia Health System

Access to quality healthcare was a major concern for many years in Colombia, however today due to a compulsory health care system subsidized by the government and funded by taxpayers, good quality health care is widely available, especially in cities. The World Health Organization's (WHO) World Health Report 2000 ranked Colombia's health system 22nd out of 160 nations polled, well ahead of some more developed countries. For perspective, the United States of America ranked 37th in the same report.

Doctors are generally well educated and experienced, and the Ministry of Health practices diligent regulation to ensure that standards remain high for treatments. As of 2007, the WHO reported that there are approximately 63,000 physicians (around 43,000 general practitioners and 20,000 specialists), 24,000 nurses and 34,000 dentists to care for the health of Colombians. The combined total number of hospitals, public and private, is 899. A further 4,450 clinics treat non-critical conditions and there are 53 medical universities.

The best care is available in the cities where 75 per cent of the population dwells. The three largest cities, Bogotá (the capitol), Medellín and Cali are home to the best medical care in the country. In general, private hospitals and clinics will have the most modern facilities and best care as they are better funded, but public health care outlets are often adequate though not as comfortable since they are primarily subsidized by the government to provide care to the lower-income sectors of society. Medellín Fundación Hospitalaria San Vicente de Paúl, Bogotá Hospital Universitario San Ignasio, and Bogotá Fundación Santafe are considered three of the best hospitals in Colombia, but most all hospitals are able to make diagnosis and basic treatment of common ailments and refer patients to more qualified facilities when necessary. Due to the violence that has marked Colombia's history, it is regarded as one of the world's foremost leaders in treatment of trauma including gunshots, blunt trauma, stabbings and automobile accidents.

The country has seen a sharp rise in visitors in recent years, which has been partly credited to the burgeoning medical tourism industry. The quality of medical care available for both necessary and elective treatments has attracted people from around the globe. The comparatively low cost of treatment in Colombia versus many other countries makes Colombia an excellent place for medical tourists.

The rural areas of the country however are where it becomes evident that inequalities still exist in healthcare coverage. Many coffee growing regions in the Andes Mountains are highly profitable despite their remote location, which means that they are often assisted by international corporations and enjoy decent access to private medical care. The disparity exists in rural areas that do not generate significant revenue from legal means and thus have no way of affording care from private providers and must rely on the limited public coverage nearby.

Primary risk factors to health for foreigners are malaria, dengue fever, yellow fever and hepatitis. Malaria is mostly focused in the warm northern and coastal regions. The leading causes of death for Colombians are murder, traffic accidents and cancer. The overall general health for the developing nation is considered high, this allows for a high literacy rate, routine child vaccination programs and preventative treatment screenings, which all add up to an average life expectancy over 70 years.

Colombia Medical Insurance

Health insurance in Colombia is compulsory. It is provided in three distinct ways. The two main methods of coverage, sponsored by the state government, are the contributivo scheme and subsidiado scheme. Contributivo is paid for through taxation of employers and employees and covers about 17.1 million Colombians, while subsidiado is free for the poor and covers about 24.3 million. Private coverage is frequently chosen by the wealthier citizens who pay for their own coverage either from domestic or international carriers. About 10% of the population still has no medical coverage, though laws are being put in place to extend coverage for all.

Government insurance grants access to the public healthcare system while private third-party insurance provides access to public and private facilities. Medical treatment in private facilities may be less costly than some developed countries, but it still should not be assumed that all treatments will be cheap. Some are in fact quite expensive, as skill and experience always demand a premium. It is advised that all foreigners traveling or relocating to Colombia take out comprehensive Colombia medical insurance for them and their family for the entire duration of their stay.

Traveler's Information

Colombia has been wrought with violence, terrorism and corruption as a result of the drug trade for many years, and while the condition has improved slightly, the risk to foreigners' health and safety cannot be underestimated. Colombia has one of the highest murder rates in the world, with an average of 0.06% of the population killed annually.

In August 2010, a car bomb killed seven people in Bogotá; a plan for a similar attack in October 2010 was stopped by the police. In July 2008, a total of 15 hostages, including some foreign citizens, were rescued from captivity after being held for over five years by rebel militant forces. Frequently expats and foreigners are targets by rebel forces or narco-terrorists for kidnapping in the hopes of ransom money from wealthy families or governmental agencies or as bargaining chips. It is not the policy for most countries' governments to pay ransom demands, as they fear is it will promote the practice. As a result, some who have been kidnapped have been killed or otherwise never recovered.

Travel between cities in Colombia is not considered safe by road, as car-jacking and highway robberies are common. It is recommended that foreigners use reputable airlines for inter-city travel because, while more expensive, it is far less dangerous. Travel to remote towns or areas known for rebel or narcotics related activities should be avoided.

Credit and ATM card fraud is becoming more common, and passports are commonly stolen and then ransomed back to their owners or sold to be counterfeited. Always be careful with personal belongings and keep all valuables in a locked safe.

Weather is varied due to elevation, with coastal and low lying areas being perennially warm, and mountainous areas usually much cooler. Rainfall is most common in the two wet seasons from March to May and September to November, though downpours can occur at other times as well.

Expat Medical Insurance

Colombia is a country of opposites; violence and crime abound, yet people tend to love life. It is the hope of the world that these problems can be overcome, but until that time, all visitors to Colombia must understand its current realities. One way to achieve greater peace of mind is by ensuring that you and your family or travel group have adequate medical coverage whenever traveling abroad. Expat Medical Insurance has consultants who are dedicated to helping you find the right Colombia Health Insurance or International Medical Insurance Plan to fit your needs. Contact us today to receive free help in making the selection that best fits you.