Morocco's Insurance: Who's Covered?

Morocco has a two-tier healthcare system, with public and private healthcare sectors. The country has a compulsory health insurance plan, the Assurance Maladie Obligatoire (AMO), which is split into two sections: La CNOPS, offered to state employers, and CNSS, offered to employees of private companies. The funding for this insurance is paid through contributions from both the employer and employee. While the AMO grants access to public healthcare, the quality of care is variable and may not meet Western medical standards. As such, many expatriates living in Morocco opt for private expat medical insurance, which allows them to access the private healthcare sector.

Do people in Morocco have public healthcare?

Morocco has both a public and a private healthcare system. The public healthcare system is funded and administered by the State, with the Ministry of Health running the National Institutes and Laboratories, Basic Care Health Network, and the Hospital Network. The Defence Department owns and runs its own hospitals, and local governments run city health services.

The public healthcare system in Morocco is made up of two parts:

• La CNOPS (Caisse nationale des organismes de prévoyance sociale): This is the public sector of the mandatory health insurance plan, Assurance Maladie Obligatoire (AMO), and is offered to state employers.
• CNSS (Caisse nationale de sécurité sociale): This is the private sector of the AMO and is offered to employees of private companies.

The funding for the AMO comes from contributions made by both the employer and the employee. If you work in Morocco, you will be covered by either La CNOPS or CNSS. While being enrolled in the AMO grants you access to public healthcare, the quality of care is not guaranteed and largely depends on the hospital or clinic you go to.

The Moroccan healthcare system is theoretically universal and comprehensive, but in reality, access to high-quality care is not guaranteed. The country lacks doctors, nurses, and medical equipment, especially in the public sector and in rural areas outside of the major cities. There are also significant inequalities between the health infrastructure in large towns and more remote areas. Due to these reasons, most expatriates living in Morocco opt for private expat medical insurance to access the private healthcare sector.

What private healthcare options are available?

Private Healthcare Options in Morocco

Morocco has a two-tiered healthcare system, with universal public healthcare coexisting with private healthcare. While the public system is free, the private system requires payment.

The private healthcare sector in Morocco is expanding the standard of medical infrastructure and the quality of trained staff. According to the US Department of Commerce, there are 360 private healthcare hospitals and clinics in Morocco, with over 14,500 physicians and a capacity of 14,500+ beds. The private sector is heavily concentrated in the Casablanca-Settat and Rabat-Salé-Kénitra regions.

Private healthcare is recommended for expatriates living in Morocco, as the public system does not meet Western medical standards. Private healthcare is also advised for more complex treatments, which may even be carried out abroad in Spain or France.

Private insurance is typically offered by larger corporations for those who can afford the coverage payments. It is also recommended for non-residents, as Morocco's public healthcare system can present language barriers for non-Arabic and non-French speakers.

International health insurance is a popular option for expatriates living in Morocco, as it offers access to a better quality of healthcare and suits the expat lifestyle and expectations. This type of insurance covers the cost of receiving care in private facilities, with the doctor of your choice, and also includes the option of receiving specialist care abroad.

Some of the best private international medical insurance plans for expats in Morocco include:

• Cigna Global Insurance Plan
• Xplorer Worldwide Medical Plan
• Bupa Global Health Insurance
• William Russell Insurance
• Atlas Travel Insurance
• StudentSecure Insurance

What is the quality of healthcare like?

The quality of healthcare in Morocco depends on the type of insurance a person has and where they live. The Moroccan healthcare system is theoretically universal and comprehensive, but in reality, access to high-quality care is not guaranteed. The system is made up of two tiers: public and private healthcare. Expats generally avoid public hospitals due to long wait times and poor quality of care. Private clinics offer better service but are less affordable.

The public healthcare system in Morocco is funded by the state and administered by the Ministry of Health. It covers salaried workers for illness, maternity, disability, pensions, and death, as well as offering family benefits. However, the quality of care in public hospitals is often subpar, with inadequate equipment and low standards of overall care. There are also significant disparities in health infrastructure between large towns and rural areas.

The private healthcare sector in Morocco is funded by private insurance and out-of-pocket payments. It offers faster access to better-quality care, especially in larger cities like Casablanca, Rabat, and Tangier, where most expatriates reside. English-speaking doctors are also more readily available in these areas.

Morocco's healthcare system has undergone positive changes since the country gained independence in 1956. By 1992, the government had significantly improved the quality of its healthcare services, making them available to over 70% of the population. The country has also made strides in reducing the prevalence of infectious diseases, eradicating polio, trachoma, and malaria. However, non-communicable diseases have become a greater priority, as they now account for 75% of deaths in the country.

Overall, while Morocco's healthcare system has improved over the years, there are still disparities in access and quality between different socioeconomic groups and geographic areas. The public sector struggles with inadequate resources, staffing shortages, and uneven distribution of medical personnel, while the private sector remains out of reach for many due to high costs. As a result, many expatriates opt for international health insurance plans that allow them to seek treatment abroad if needed.

How much does healthcare cost?

The cost of healthcare in Morocco varies depending on the type of doctor, the location, and the sector (public or private).

The average cost of a consultation with a General Practitioner (GP) in their surgery is between 100 and 200 Moroccan dirhams (£7 – £14 / 9€ – 19€) and around 200 dirhams (£14 / 19€) for a home visit. The average cost of a consultation with a specialist in their surgery is between 150 and 200 dirhams (£10 – £14 / 14€ – 19€) and around 300 dirhams (£20 / 28€) for a home visit.

The cost of a hospital stay in an individual room is around 800 dirhams (£55 / 74€) per night, which includes nursing care, meals, and a TV. Intensive care costs around 3,000 dirhams (£205 / 278€) per night, while hospitalisation in a sterile treatment room is approximately 1,000 dirhams (£68 / 93€).

Dental consultations vary in price depending on the clinic, with some firms choosing to double or triple the national tariff. The national tariff for a dental consultation is 17.50 dirhams, while services such as tooth extraction or cavity treatment cost 400 dirhams and 600 dirhams respectively.

The Moroccan healthcare system is made up of two tiers: public and private healthcare. The public sector includes over 2,500 health centres and nearly 144 hospitals, while the private sector consists of approximately 7,000 private practices and 450 clinics. The public healthcare system does not meet Western standards, so most expatriates opt for private healthcare, which can be expensive.

The Moroccan government has recognised the need to improve its healthcare system and has implemented several reforms to increase access to quality healthcare for its citizens. The compulsory medical insurance in Morocco, known as Assurance Maladie Obligatoire (AMO), covers maternity, medical treatments for children under 12 years old, chronic conditions, diagnostic tests, x-rays, hospitalisation, outpatient surgery, dental, optical, and paramedical treatment. The AMO covers between 70% and 90% of costs, with the patient paying the remainder.

The Moroccan social security system covers salaried individuals for illness, maternity, disability, pensions, and death, as well as offering family benefits. Civil servants are covered by the Caisse nationale des organismes de prévoyance sociale (CNOPS), while those in the private sector are covered by the Caisse nationale de sécurité sociale (CNSS) and are required to enrol in the AMO.

For those with lower incomes, the Régime d’assistance médicale aux personnes économiquement démunies (RAMED) provides free health insurance to households with an income of less than 300 Moroccan dirhams (US$34) per capita per month. Households with a monthly per capita income between 300 and 600 dirhams (US$34-68) can purchase insurance on a sliding scale.

The Moroccan government is committed to improving its healthcare infrastructure and has allocated significant resources to this endeavour, including receiving over $4 billion in aid during the COVID-19 pandemic to upgrade hospitals and consultation centres.

What is the process for getting health insurance?

The process for getting health insurance in Morocco depends on your employment status and whether you are a Moroccan citizen or an expatriate. The Moroccan healthcare system is composed of two tiers: public and private healthcare sectors.

If you are a Moroccan citizen or an expatriate working in Morocco, you will be covered by either La CNOPS or CNSS. La CNOPS (Caisse Nationale des Organismes de Prévoyance Sociale) is offered to state employers, while CNSS (Caisse Nationale de Sécurité Sociale) is provided to employees of private companies. Both are mandatory insurance plans and are funded through contributions made by both the employer and the employee.

If you are an expatriate, you can easily access Moroccan health insurance, and there are many bilateral agreements with foreign countries. However, the public health system in Morocco has been criticised for a lack of staff and equipment, and noticeable inequalities in supply between cities and rural areas. For this reason, many expatriates opt for private expat medical insurance, which allows them to be treated in the private healthcare sector.

Taking out an international insurance policy for Morocco is another option, as this will cover you not only in Morocco but also worldwide. This type of insurance often includes repatriation assistance, which is not covered by La CNOPS or CNSS.

If you are an expatriate or traveller, you may also want to consider a "1st euro/dollar policy", which offers flexibility and value for money. This type of contract guarantees coverage of health expenses at the actual cost, from the first euro or dollar paid, and includes repatriation assistance.

It is important to note that even if you have international insurance in Morocco, you must still join La CNOPS or CNSS if you are a resident, as this is mandatory.

Frequently asked questions