There is often a degree of concern among expatriates about the quality of healthcare in their region of choice. Many expatriate destinations are in what is called the developing world, and people are understandably curious about what the standard of care will be where they are living.
In this regard, Nicaragua is one of the shining examples of the resources available to expatriates living in Central America. Healthcare in Nicaragua is affordable, high quality and adaptable.
Affordable Options For Travelers and Residents
One of the unfortunate defining features of the developed world is the high cost of healthcare. Surgeries cost thousands of dollars, tests or even routine checkups can run into the hundreds. You can defray the costs with medical insurance, but that merely involves paying extensively for coverage you might not use for years instead of as you need it. In contrast, Nicaraguan healthcare is extremely affordable. In addition, the IRS has issued a waiver for expats who do not purchase insurance under the affordable care act.
A full evaluation for a typical 40-year-old male is shown to cost approximately $500. This includes blood tests, consults and even colonoscopy and endoscopy examinations. In the U.S., the colonoscopy alone would cost a good deal more than that.
Capable, High-Quality Work
Most of the modern services that people expect from medical treatment in the developed world are available in Nicaragua. The center of healthcare you will find in Nicaragua is at the two hospitals in the capital city, the Metropolitano and Hospital Bautista. These facilities are recognized as some of the best in the Central American region and offer most of the services people in the developed world would expect including: imaging services, pathology and diagnostic, imaging, opthamology and surgical procedures.
Secondary cities have alternatives in the form of smaller hospitals and clinics, such as Asistencia Médica de Occidente S.A. (AMOCSA). AMOCSA clinics offer general medicine, gynecology and obstetrics, cardiology, urology and other services. While the best care is to be found in the capital, there are options in many cities such as Leon and Corinto.
Flexible, Adaptable Care
Another benefit expats can enjoy is the adaptability of the healthcare system.
Are you generally healthy and only want to pay cash for the procedures you feel you need? The system can handle that. If you prefer to have an insurance plan, there is a very affordable array of health insurance options. A common plan will only cost about $20 per month. These plans discount features like ER access, routine tests, hospitalization and other needs.
There are certain matters that the healthcare system in Nicaragua cannot accommodate, of course. Some illnesses or conditions require specialized treatment that simply cannot be had in the developing world. Thankfully, there are also options to account for this. Medical evacuation insurance is available and allows for patients to be flown to medical facilities in Florida if the treatment needed isn't available in Nicaragua.
