Expert: Edison - 8/28/2009

Question
Oi, tudo bem?  I was an exchange student in the interior of SP (Birigui) for a year 40 years ago and I'm thinking about moving back there for a few years now that my job might be going away.  Friends tell me I would have to get health insurance just like here in the USA and it would cost me the same, around $300- $400 a month (I am 57 and healthy), but would be easier to get than it is in the USA.  What information do you have about this?  Also, is there anything Medicare-like that happens at a certain age, and if so what age and what is the system?

Muito obrigada!

MaryLee

Answer
Hello MaryLee,

I don't know how much cost an private insurance in Brazil. However, if you are an self-employee or a regular employee you can pay a government managed health insurance in Brazil. There is not an aged dependent medicare system in Brazil.

So, my recommendation is to get an "emergency" health insurance in USA (which is cheaper than the regular insurance) and also pay for Brazilian government health insurance (around US$ 50 per month). This way you could have the Brazilian one for basic needs and fly and be treated in US for more complicated condition (such as cancer, stroke, etc), since the American health care is much better.

For more insurance information in Brazil, check these links:
http://www.internationalliving.com/Countries/Brazil/Health
http://www.pacificprime.com/countries/brazil/
http://www.destination360.com/south-america/brazil/brazil-travel-insurance
http://www.expat-blog.com/en/insurance/south-america/brazil/

Also, visit these sites to contact expatriated in Brazil:
http://www.transitionsabroad.com/listings/living/living_abroad/living_in_brazil
http://www.expat-blog.com/en/directory/south-america/brazil/
http://www.expatriates.com/classifieds/brazil/

Good luck!

Edison