Jeffrey Wade
Chile has a mixed public and private healthcare system. The public system, known as Fondo Nacional de Salud (FONASA), is funded through taxes and provides free or subsidised care to those who cannot afford private health insurance. FONASA beneficiaries can access both public and private healthcare facilities, provided the private facility is affiliated with FONASA. The private system consists of various insurance providers, called Instituciones de Salud Previsional (ISAPREs), and private healthcare facilities, which offer more extensive services to those who can afford to pay. Private healthcare often includes multilingual staff, shorter wait times, and more comfortable rooms. Expats in Chile can choose between public and private insurance, with many opting for international health insurance plans that provide additional flexibility and coverage for medical needs outside of Chile.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Public healthcare system | Fondo Nacional de Salud (FONASA) |
| Private healthcare system | Instituciones de Salud Previsional (ISAPRE) |
| Public healthcare ranking | 33rd in the world |
| Private healthcare coverage in 2015 | 19% of the population |
| Public healthcare coverage in 2015 | 81% of the population |
| Public healthcare focus | Primary healthcare, health promotion, preventative care, and medical treatment |
| Private healthcare focus | Specialized secondary services, including cardiac clinics and dermatological care |
| Public healthcare cost | 7% of taxable income |
| Private healthcare cost | Varies based on income and medical risk |
| International health insurance coverage | 20% of the population |
| Top health insurers for expats | Cigna, Bupa Global, VUMI, AXA, and Allianz Care |
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What You'll Learn
Public healthcare: FONASA
Chile has a mixed public and private healthcare system. The public system is known as Fondo Nacional de Salud (FONASA), and the private system consists of various insurance providers, called Instituciones de Salud Previsional (ISAPREs).
FONASA is the financial entity entrusted to collect, manage and distribute state funds for health in Chile. It was created in 1979 by Decree Law No. 2763 and is funded by the public, with 7% of employees' monthly income going towards it. FONASA beneficiaries can access both public and private healthcare facilities, provided the private facility or professional is affiliated with FONASA at one of three pricing levels. Public healthcare services have been free for all FONASA beneficiaries since 1 September 2022.
FONASA covers health insurance for those receiving unemployment benefits, uninsured pregnant women, dependents of insured workers, people with disabilities, and those classified as poor or indigent. Members of this system have access to a network of hospitals, as well as some clinics and medical centres. Only people who are registered in the system can be beneficiaries, and their legal dependents must be listed on their profile. Chilean nationals and residents have access to this government-run scheme. Expats who do not have residency or are not paying taxes do not have access to FONASA.
Public healthcare in Chile is mostly focused on primary healthcare, including health promotion, preventative care, and medical treatment. The public system also provides for public health initiatives, such as immunisations and nutritional programs. However, state hospitals can be crowded with long waiting times, so many residents opt for private cover.
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Private healthcare: ISAPRE
Chile has a mixed public and private healthcare system. The private system is composed of health insurance companies, known as Instituciones de Salud Previsional (ISAPREs). There are 13 ISAPREs on the market, and they rely solely on member contributions to cover expenses.
ISAPREs give you access to private health institutions in Chile ("Clinicas"), which often provide better quality services than public hospitals. Each ISAPRE offers various plans, with higher-quality plans costing more. These plans offer different levels of coverage based on income and medical risk, which is assessed using factors such as age, family medical history, and sex. The CAEC is an optional extra insurance that provides additional cover in the case of a high-cost operation or disease.
Private healthcare facilities tend to focus on specialised secondary services, such as cardiac clinics and dermatological care. They also offer more extensive services, including multilingual staff, shorter wait times, and more comfortable and private rooms.
Expats who have residency and are paying taxes can access the public healthcare system, but many choose to purchase private International Health Insurance before they move to avoid problems with local paperwork and bureaucracy. If you have recently arrived in Chile and do not yet have a Chilean ID number (RUT), you can still register with an ISAPRE, as they will issue a temporary number.
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International health insurance
Chile has a mixed public and private healthcare system. The public system, known as FONASA, covers about 80% of the Chilean population. Contributions to FONASA are mandatory for all employees, amounting to 7% of their monthly salary. Expats who do not have residency or are not paying taxes do not have access to FONASA.
The private system is composed of health insurance companies, known as ISAPREs (Instituciones de Salud Previsional). There are 13 ISAPREs on the market, offering personalized health plans based on individual needs and budgets. Some ISAPREs are “closed”, meaning you cannot register with them because they only work with specific companies. Many expats opt for private International Health Insurance before moving to Chile, allowing them to bypass local bureaucracy and tailor a plan to their individual needs.
Around 20% of the population in Chile carries International Health Insurance. Some of the benefits of private care include having access to multilingual staff, convenient testing facilities, and much shorter wait times. Facilities tend to be newer, cleaner, more comfortable, and more private.
APRIL International is a recommended International Health Insurance provider, known for its multilingual customer service and excellent overall service. Other providers include Cigna Global Health, GeoBlue Xplorer Premier, and IMG Global Medical.
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Maternity and travel insurance
Chile has a mixed public and private healthcare system. The public system, FONASA, is funded by payroll taxes and government funding, with patients paying moderate out-of-pocket costs. FONASA covers pregnant women without insurance. Private insurance, ISAPRE, is more expensive and offers more comprehensive plans with shorter wait times and multilingual staff.
If you are pregnant and moving to Chile, it is important to get health insurance with maternity cover. You can purchase international health insurance with maternity cover before you move, which will allow you to tailor a plan to suit your individual needs. Some providers of international health insurance include:
- Cigna Global
- VIP Universal Medical Insurance Group (VUMI)
- Allianz
- IMG Global
These companies offer a range of plans with different coverage limits and benefits, including maternity care.
It is important to note that if you are moving abroad while pregnant, there may be restrictions and risks associated with air travel. Most commercial airlines will allow you to travel up to 36 weeks for single pregnancies or up to 32 weeks for multiple pregnancies. It is recommended that you consult your healthcare provider before deciding to travel when pregnant, especially if there are any risks involved.
If you are a tourist in Chile, you can still access emergency services and get reimbursed by your travel insurance provider.
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Healthcare standards and rankings
Chile has one of the highest standards of public healthcare in the world, ranking 33rd out of 190 countries according to the World Health Organization. This puts it just below countries like Finland and Canada and just above the United States and Denmark in terms of ranking and expenditure. Chile is considered a leader in Latin America, setting the standard for what other countries can achieve. The results of their exemplary care are evident in life expectancy rates. Chileans have one of the longest average lifespans in the world: 80 years for men and 85 years for women.
However, while standards in cities such as Santiago are especially high, many of Chile’s rural and remote regions struggle to get the same standard of care as the capital. This is due to Chile's topography and shape, which means that rural areas may be very isolated from larger urban centres. 87% of Chile’s population lives in urban areas, with 40% in Santiago alone. As such, medical help in rural areas can be slow to access and medical evacuations – if available – are extremely expensive without private health insurance.
Chile has a mixed public and private healthcare system. The public system is known as FONASA, which stands for Fondo Nacional de Salud (National Health Fund). FONASA is a governmentally-run scheme that covers 7% of the salary of those enrolled in the program. The FONASA program also covers health insurance for those receiving unemployment benefits, pregnant women without insurance, the families of insured workers, those with disabilities, and impoverished citizens.
The private system is composed of health insurance companies, which are referred to as ISAPREs, the acronym for "Instituciones de Salud Previsional". ISAPREs are constantly under supervision and regulated by a government agency called "SuperIntendencia de Salud". The better the plan, the more expensive it is. Many high-salary earners opt for ISAPRE or another private insurance option for the higher overall standard of care they receive. However, many expats choose to purchase private International Health Insurance before moving to Chile to avoid problems with local paperwork and bureaucracy. Approximately 20% of the population in Chile opt to carry International Health Insurance.
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Frequently asked questions
There are two types of health insurance systems available in Chile: public insurance and private insurance. The public system is known as Fondo Nacional de Salud (FONASA) and the private system is called Instituciones de Salud Previsional (ISAPRE).
Public healthcare in Chile is funded through taxes and provides free or subsidised care to those who cannot afford private health insurance. FONASA covers health insurance for those receiving unemployment benefits, uninsured pregnant women, dependents of insured workers, people with disabilities, and those classified as poor or indigent.
Private health insurance in Chile offers more extensive services to those who can afford to pay. ISAPREs offer varying levels of coverage based on income and medical risk. The better the plan, the more expensive it is. Private insurance often includes access to multilingual staff, shorter wait times, and more comfortable rooms.
