Healthcare in Argentina: Complete Guide for Expats
Navigate Argentina's healthcare system: public vs private, insurance options, finding English-speaking doctors, and what to do in emergencies.
Healthcare in Argentina: Complete Guide for Expats
Argentina's healthcare system is a mix of public, private, and social security options. Understanding your choices is crucial for peace of mind during your stay.
Healthcare System Overview
Public Healthcare (Sistema Público)
- Free for everyone including tourists and expats
- Available at public hospitals (hospitales públicos)
- Variable quality depending on location
- Can have long wait times
- Good for emergencies and basic care
Private Healthcare (Medicina Prepaga)
- Monthly insurance plans
- Higher quality facilities
- English-speaking doctors more common
- Faster access to specialists
- Required for most visa applications
Obras Sociales (Union Healthcare)
- Through Argentine employers
- Similar to private but cheaper
- Not available to most expats
- Best coverage if you can get it
Public Healthcare: What to Expect
Pros
- Completely free
- Available everywhere
- Qualified doctors
- Good for emergencies
Cons
- Long wait times (hours to weeks)
- Overcrowded facilities
- Variable cleanliness
- Limited English
- Equipment shortages
When to Use Public
- Emergency situations
- Routine check-ups with patience
- When between insurance plans
- Prescription refills
Private Healthcare: The Best Option for Expats
Top Insurance Providers
OSDE
- Premium provider
- Extensive network
- English-speaking doctors available
- Best hospitals
- $200-500/month
Swiss Medical
- Excellent reputation
- Modern facilities
- Good for families
- $150-400/month
Galeno
- Mid-range option
- Good value
- Wide network
- $100-250/month
Medicus
- Budget-friendly
- Decent coverage
- $50-150/month
Coverage Levels
What's Usually Covered
- Doctor visits
- Hospitalization
- Emergency care
- Surgery
- Prescription drugs (partial)
- Dental (basic)
- Vision (basic)
What's Usually NOT Covered
- Cosmetic procedures
- Pre-existing conditions (initially)
- Alternative medicine
- Experimental treatments
- International travel
Finding English-Speaking Doctors
Hospitals with English Support
Buenos Aires
- Hospital Alemán: German hospital, many English speakers
- Hospital Italiano: Italian hospital, international patients
- Sanatorio Güemes: Private, expat-friendly
- Hospital Británico: British hospital, English common
Córdoba
- Sanatorio Allende: Best private hospital
- Clínica Universitaria: University hospital
Mendoza
- Hospital Español: Good private option
- Central Hospital: Public, but has English speakers
Resources
- Expat Facebook groups: Recommendations from other expats
- Embassy lists: Many embassies maintain doctor lists
- International clinics: In major cities
- Telemedicine: English-speaking doctors online
Common Medical Procedures & Costs
Without Insurance (Out of Pocket)
With Insurance
Usually 10-20% copay or fully covered depending on plan.
Prescription Medications
Availability
- Most medications available without prescription at pharmacies
- Some controlled substances require prescription
- Generics widely available and affordable
Costs
- Generic drugs: Very affordable ($5-30)
- Brand name: 3-5x more expensive
- With insurance: Often 50-100% covered
Pharmacies
- Farmacity: Chain, good availability
- Local pharmacies: Often cheaper
- 24-hour pharmacies: Available in major cities
- Delivery: Many deliver to your home
Emergency Services
Emergency Numbers
- 107: Medical emergencies (SAME ambulance)
- 911: General emergency
- 101: Fire department
Ambulance Services
- SAME: Public, free but slower
- Private: Faster, requires insurance or payment
- Hospital ambulances: Through your insurance provider
Emergency Rooms (Guardias)
Every hospital has a 24-hour emergency room. Public hospitals accept everyone. Private hospitals require insurance or payment.
Mental Health
Finding Therapists
- Psicólogos: Psychologists (most common)
- Psiquiatras: Psychiatrists (can prescribe)
- English-speaking: Available in major cities
- Cost: $30-100/session
Online Options
- BetterHelp, Talkspace work in Argentina
- Local platforms: Psicólogos Online, Terappeuto
- Often cheaper than in-person
Dental Care
Quality
Generally excellent, especially in Buenos Aires. Many dentists trained internationally.
Costs (Much Lower Than US/Europe)
- Cleaning: $40-80
- Filling: $50-100
- Crown: $300-600
- Root canal: $200-400
- Implant: $800-1,500
Dental Tourism
Argentina is popular for dental tourism due to quality and cost.
Women's Health
Gynecological Care
- Widely available
- Birth control accessible (many over-the-counter)
- Prenatal care excellent in private system
- Abortions legal since 2021
Pregnancy & Birth
- Private hospitals offer modern maternity wards
- Midwives (parteras) available
- Water births available in some facilities
- Cost: $1,500-5,000 total with private care
Vaccinations & Preventive Care
Recommended Vaccinations
- Hepatitis A & B
- Typhoid (if traveling to rural areas)
- Yellow Fever (if visiting jungle regions)
- COVID-19
- Flu (annual)
Where to Get Vaccinated
- Public health centers (free)
- Private clinics
- Travel medicine clinics
Health Insurance for Visas
Most visas require proof of health insurance:
- Must cover Argentina
- Minimum coverage amounts vary by visa type
- Usually $50,000-100,000 minimum
- Travel insurance often acceptable for initial entry
Recommended Visa Insurance
- SafetyWing: Popular with nomads
- World Nomads: Good coverage
- IMG: Comprehensive plans
- Local prepaga: Eventually necessary anyway
Tips for Staying Healthy
1. Water: Tap water is generally safe in major cities, but many expats prefer filtered
2. Food: Street food is generally safe, use common sense
3. Altitude: Take it slow in high-altitude areas (northwest)
4. Sun: Strong UV—use sunscreen year-round
5. Vaccines: Keep routine vaccines current
6. Mosquitoes: Dengue present in some regions—use repellent
Medical Spanish Phrases
Essential phrases for doctor visits:
- "Me duele..." (It hurts...)
- "Tengo fiebre" (I have a fever)
- "Soy alérgico/a a..." (I'm allergic to...)
- "Necesito un médico que hable inglés" (I need a doctor who speaks English)
- "Tengo seguro médico" (I have health insurance)
Conclusion
Argentina offers quality healthcare at a fraction of North American or European costs. While the public system works in emergencies, private insurance is affordable and provides peace of mind. With the right coverage, you'll have access to excellent doctors and modern facilities.
Get insurance before you arrive, know your emergency numbers, and don't hesitate to seek care when needed. Argentina's medical professionals are well-trained and generally very helpful to expats.
Stay healthy!