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There are various private and public hospitals in Guatemala available for expats to use, with international hospitals being the most recommended choice for foreigners. These hospitals can vary in quality and services offered depending on where they are located.
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Are you planning on visiting Guatemala soon? Do you want to learn more about the hospitals in your destination? This guide from Pacific Prime will help you understand what you can expect from Guatemala hospitals.
We will explain the quality of care in Guatemala hospitals, the difference between public and private hospitals, and share a list of the most recommended hospitals for expats. Keep reading to learn more!
Hospitals Available for Expats and Visitors in Guatemala
The hospitals available for expats, visitors, and locals in Guatemala are split into three separate divisions: public, private nonprofit, and private-for-profit. The public healthcare division is overseen by Guatemala’s Ministry of Health.
The public healthcare system covers most of the country’s population, and most citizens use public healthcare facilities. Private healthcare is an option for those who can afford the cost and may desire the attractive benefits that come with choosing private healthcare.
What is the Quality of Care in Guatemala Hospitals?
The quality of care in Guatemala Hospitals varies depending on location and if the hospital is private or public. Public hospitals tend to be overcrowded and understaffed, especially in rural areas. Private hospitals can have more resources and multilingual doctors.
There is not a very high focus on primary care in the public sector of healthcare in Guatemala, with most doctors focusing on treatments instead of preventative care. As a result, expats may have a harder time finding quality primary care in the country.
List of Guatemalan Hospitals for Expats and Foreigners
The list of various public and private hospitals available for expats are
Hospital Esperanza
- Hours: Open 24/7
- Website: https://hospitalesperanza.com/
- Phone: +502 2415 9000
- Address: : 6 Avenida 7-49, Cdad. de Guatemala 01010, Guatemala
Hospital Herrera Llerandi
- Hours: Open 24/7
- Website: https://www.herrerallerandi.com/
- Phone: +502 2384 5959
- Address: 6A Avenida 8-71, Cdad. de Guatemala 01010, Guatemala
Hospital Ángeles
- Hours: Open 24/7
- Website: https://hospitalangeles.com.gt/
- Phone: +502 2505 8100
- Address: 2A Av. 14-74, Cdad. de Guatemala, Guatemala
Hospital Santa Margarita
- Hours: Open 24/7
- Website: https://santamargaritahospital.com/
- Phone: +502 2224 1500
- Address: JFQM+975, 11 Calle 3-52, Cdad. de Guatemala 10001, Guatemala
Nuestra Señora Del Pilar Hospital
- Hours: Open 24/7
- Website: https://elpilar.gt/
- Phone: +502 2279 5000
- Address: 3A Calle 10-17, Cdad. de Guatemala, Guatemala
La Paz Hospital Center
- Hours: Open 24/7
- Website: https://www.hospitaleslapaz.com/
- Phone: +502 2217 0300
- Address: 17 Avenida 28-01, Cdad. de Guatemala, Guatemala
If you are looking for dental services in Guatemala, you can find them here:
Dental Design
- Hours: 8 to 5 PM Monday through Friday and 8 to 12 PM on Saturday
- Website: https://dentaldesign.com.gt/
- Phone: +502 2215 2300
- Address: Diagonal 6 12-42 Zona 10, Edificio Design Center, Torre II Oficina 1004, Guatemala City, Guatemala
Private and Public Healthcare Differences in Guatemala
The main difference between the public healthcare and private healthcare sectors is the available equipment, facilities, staff, and wait times. Guatemala is a poorer country in Central America, and the government doesn’t allocate much spending to their healthcare.
This means that public healthcare facilities can suffer from outdated equipment, longer wait times, and short-staffing issues. The private healthcare sector offers more options for locals and expats alike in Guatemala, but at a higher cost.
If you’re going to be living in Guatemala, having a private health insurance plan with international coverage can give you the benefit of accessing higher-quality private healthcare services
Can Expats Get Free Healthcare in Guatemala?
Only citizens of Guatemala can access the free public healthcare insurance, but visitors may be able to receive free healthcare services if their medical issue is deemed severe enough. In most circumstances, expats will be expected to pay for their medical care.
Because the public healthcare sector is so underfunded, many healthcare services are outsourced to private healthcare facilities. If you’d like to have coverage for your private medical care, purchasing a private international health insurance policy is the right choice for you.
Top Health Insurance Plans for Expats in Guatemala
The top health insurance plans for expats in Guatemala are provided by leading international health insurance providers Cigna, AXA, Bupa Global and Allianz Care. Each of these providers offer comprehensive and unique health insurance policies to fit every budget and lifestyle.
We will share brief overviews of these insurers and their plans below.
1. Cigna Global
Cigna offers expats in Guatemala their Close Care, Silver, Gold, and Platinum plans. Cigna is one of the largest international health insurance providers, with a broad global network of 1.65 million hospitals, doctors, and clinics.
Cigna’s health insurance plans offer comprehensive coverage for inpatient and outpatient services and more. The core benefits shared by these plans are:
- Inpatient and day patient coverage
- Full cancer care
- Newborn care coverage
- Private hospital rooms
- Hospital stays and treatments
2. AXA
AXA provides expats in Guatemala its health insurance plans in five coverage tiers: Foundation, Standard, Comprehensive, Prestige, and Prestige Plus. Each of these plans includes comprehensive inpatient coverage.
Annual limits range across the five plans, from USD $160,000 to $8,000,000. Exact coverage benefits will vary from plan to plan. The core benefits included in all five plans are:
- Inpatient Hospital Charges and Surgeries
- Emergency Care
- Medical Evacuation and Repatriation
- Wide Range of Cancer Treatments
- Ambulance Transport
- CT, PET, and MRI Scans
3. Bupa Global
Bupa Global offers international health insurance coverage for expats in Guatemala with their four plans: Major Medical, Select, Premier, and Elite. Their most affordable plan provides an annual benefit limit of USD $1,260,000.
Their plans and coverage details may vary by region, so ask your insurance broker for more information. Below, we have compiled a short list of the coverage benefits offered by Bupa Global:
- Inpatient & Outpatient Coverage
- Emergency Evacuation and Repatriation
- Dental Coverage
- Maternity Coverage
- Coverage for Annual Health Checks
- Vaccination Coverage
4. Allianz Care
Allianz Care offers three plans for individuals and families in Guatemala: Allianz Care, Allianz Care Plus, and Allianz Care Pro. These plans offer varying annual limits and coverage details, but all share comprehensive inpatient service coverage, cancer coverage, and medical evacuation.
In addition to their core Care plans, they also offer additional add-on plans to further your coverage. These plans include their Out-Patient Plan, Dental Plan, Repatriation Plan, and
Maternity Plan. These plans offer important additional treatment coverage for expats in Guatemala.
Top Health Insurance Plans for US Expats Living in Guatemala
The top health insurance plans for US Citizens living in Guatemala are offered by GeoBlue, a leading international insurance provider. GeoBlue offers many attractive benefits for expats across the world, but especially for US Citizens.
GeoBlue
GeoBlue offers expats health insurance coverage through their plans Xplorer Premier and Xplorer Essential. The Xplorer Premier plan comes with United States coverage, while Xplorer Essential can have US coverage added at a fee.
GeoBlue plans are especially popular with US citizens due to the Xplorer Premier’s built-in US coverage, which can protect them when they visit back home.
These plans come with benefits like:
- Inpatient and Outpatient Coverage
- Emergency Evacuation and Repatriation
- Dental Coverage (With a 3-month Waiting Period)
- Maternity Coverage (With a 12-month Waiting Period)
- Coverage for Annual Health Checks
- Vaccination Coverage
Healthcare Costs in Guatemala
Guatemala’s public healthcare costs are generally low, but private healthcare costs can add up quickly. The cost for certain procedures can be higher than others, especially if they require specialized staff. Still, most costs are going to be significantly lower than in countries like the US.
Guatemala’s Healthcare System
Guatemala’s healthcare system has both private and public sectors and is overseen by various parts of the government like the Ministry of Health. The healthcare system’s quality of care can vary, with the quality of care that can be unreliable in the public sector.
Even though healthcare is free and accessible for the nation’s citizens, those who can afford private healthcare usually choose that option.
Differences in Hospitals in Rural and Urban Areas of Guatemala
There is a vast difference in hospitals in rural Guatemala versus the urban areas. Rural hospitals are generally understaffed, with lower-quality and possibly outdated equipment. If you’re looking for the best care for your medical needs, you should go to urban hospitals.
This is especially true for hospitals in Guatemala City. As the capital of the country, it offers the most current and up-to-date healthcare facilities for expats and locals alike.
Diseases Expats Should be Aware of in Guatemala
There are a number of diseases that can affect expats in Guatemala, such as Typhoid Fever, the Zika Virus, and Leptospirosis. These illnesses can be avoided by taking precautions like getting the Typhoid vaccine, avoiding mosquitos through proper clothing and sprays, and avoiding dirty water.
Frequently Asked Questions:
How can expats find reputable hospitals in Guatemala?
Expats can find reputable hospitals in Guatemala by asking for recommendations from other expats, their country’s embassy, or even contacting their international insurance provider if they have a policy. Searching online and reading reviews is another good way to find reputable hospitals.
Do expats need health insurance to receive treatment at hospitals in Guatemala?
Expats aren’t required to have health insurance to receive treatment at Guatemala hospitals, but having insurance can help cover their treatments and lower their medical costs. This can be especially helpful in private international hospitals which can be more expensive.
Conclusion
Both public and private hospitals in Guatemala are available for expats to use, with international hospitals offering the best chance at multilingual staff. International health insurance can help you gain access to the best international hospitals in Guatemala and Central America.
Pacific Prime can help you find the best international health insurance for your time abroad. As an insurance broker, we are not tied to one specific insurer like an agent. This means we can offer you free and unbiased advice as we help you compare insurance plans.
You can contact us online, or call us toll-free at 1-800-868-1451. If you’d like to compare quotes from multiple insurance providers, use our free quote tool!
Serena earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from the University of British Columbia, Canada. As such, she is an avid advocate of mental health and is fascinated by all things psychology (especially if it’s cognitive psychology!).
Her previous work experience includes teaching toddlers to read, writing for a travel/wellness online magazine, and then a business news blog. These combined experiences give her the skills and insights she needs to explain complex ideas in a succinct way. Being the daughter of an immigrant and a traveler herself, she is passionate about educating expats and digital nomads on travel and international health insurance.
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