Health & Protection in Peru

Many expats choose to start a new life by moving in Peru because of its growing economy and diverse cultural influences. If you are among the thousands of foreigners who fell in love with this country, then its time for you to start preparing for your relocation. It takes a plenty of work to ensure a smooth transition abroad; you need to secure a house, familiarise yourself with the cities, find a school for your kids and take care of your necessities. But apart from these, you should also put health care on top of your list. Remember that no matter how beautiful a new place is, there are possible risks that entail being away from home. Insurance has always been misunderstood as something unimportant until an accident or emergency comes, which no ones to go through. So as you go to Peru, make sure that you are fully equipped and protected especially when it concerns your health.

"I’ve been very impressed with healthcare in Peru. I’ve found it lacks the sparkle and shine of the crisp clinics and chirpy nurses we’ve got in the States, but it’s perfect for basic needs. While I’d still probably go back to the United States if I needed some bizarre surgery, I feel very safe and well cared for in Peru. Of the range of basic maladies I’ve had, we’ve been able to quickly access medical care, and the service has been efficient."- Jessica Federle, Expat in Lima, Peru

Getting Insurance

The first place to enquire about your benefits package is the Human Resource department of your office. Most expats moving to Peru should have medical coverage as part of their relocation package which usually includes their family or dependents. And since you are on a foreign land, it is always best to be knowledgeable about how they supervise the operations of all insurance companies in the country. If you notice that your employer makes sudden changes in your contract or is not complying with the agreement on your policy, you can contact the Superintendencia de Banca y Seguros 

If you want to get a different insurance aside from the one provided by your employer, there are several international and local companies in Peru that you can call. Choosing the right one is the most critical part of securing that you have the best healthcare so it is best that you contact a couple of them and ask about their different policies. It’ll surely help you decide which one can provide your needs. One of the international brokers in Peru is Clements Worldwide, which offers almost any type of insurance. Another option for you is the Rimac Seguros , the county’s oldest provider of health and life insurance.

Importance of Insurance

Yellow fever is the leading cause of death in Peru so it is strongly advised that you get a vaccination against it before you relocate to lower your chances of being infected. Because of the country’s tropical climate, you should expect that there are a lot of mosquitoes which is the carrier of Malaria. Cholera is also common in Peru which is a type of sickness that can be acquired from contaminated food and water. As an expat, it is best that you always carry a mosquito repellent and refrain from drinking tap water or eating anything that looks unsanitary.

Most of these illnesses are not life-threatening unless you failed to get immediate medical treatment. Having health care in Peru proves to be extremely useful because it can cover your vaccinations, regular check-ups, physical exams and laboratory tests that’ll help prevent you from being sick, having allergies or a toothache.

Local Insurance

The healthcare system in Peru is distributed between the public and private sectors. There is the local Social Security System or EsSalud that provides medical assistance to all its contributors and the Ministry of Health who ensures that those who can not afford to pay contributions to EsSalud can still have health benefits. Despite Peru’s efforts to improve its healthcare system and facilities, the public sector is still considered to be inadequate and of poor state that’s why expats are advised to use private coverage and services. There are few private hospitals in Peru which are mostly found in Lima, where you will find better service and much skilled medical staff. If you need an emergency response, the number that you need to dial is 105 for an ambulance, fire and police stations.

As an expat in Peru, it is best that you get coverage from an international company. Most major hospitals have English speaking staff but in case you get admitted to a different or in a rural area, you might experience problems communicating with the doctors. IPMI companies offer you access to hand pick network of facilities. Having an international coverage means that you are backed up by professionals who have long years of experience in taking care of expats in different countries abroad, including Peru. They can also present you with policies that are more inclined to fit the lifestyle of any expat which are usually unavailable in a local provider.