Emergency Numbers
Public vs. Private Healthcare
Public (IPS System)
Private Healthcare
Most expats use private healthcare exclusively. English-speaking doctors common in private hospitals, especially those trained abroad.
Top Private Hospitals
Hospital La Costa
- • Cardiology
- • Neurosurgery
- • Orthopedic Surgery
- • Gastroenterology
- • Modern facilities
- • Advanced technology
- • 100+ beds
- • Comprehensive services
Sanatorio San Roque
- • General Surgery
- • Traumatology
- • Obstetrics & Gynecology
- • Urology
- • Well-established reputation
- • Experienced medical team
- • 150+ beds
- • Strong patient care focus
Hospital Bautista (Centro Médico Bautista)
- • Family Medicine
- • Pediatrics
- • Maternal Care
- • 50+ specialties total
- • Open 24/7
- • 300+ professionals
- • Own prepaid plan
- • Comprehensive care
Sanatorio Migone Battilana
Healthcare Costs
Example: Appendectomy ~$1,340 USD total. Emergency room visits, prescriptions, and routine procedures all significantly cheaper than US/Europe while maintaining international quality standards.
Health Insurance for Expats
Do Expats Need Insurance?
Yes, strongly recommended. While private healthcare is affordable, insurance provides access to the best facilities, covers major procedures, and gives peace of mind. Costs are $50-150/mo for comprehensive coverage.
Local Providers
International Providers
What's Covered
- • Doctor consultations (GP & specialist)
- • Emergency care & hospitalization
- • Surgery & intensive treatment (100%)
- • Diagnostic procedures & testing
- • Prescriptions during hospitalization
- • Pre-existing conditions (2-3 year wait)
- • Preventive care (varies by plan)
- • Cosmetic procedures
- • Dental/vision (usually separate)
- • Outpatient prescriptions (some plans)
Pre-existing conditions: Must be declared. False declarations void policy. Waiting periods of 2-3 years common, though some insurers offer reduced waits for higher premiums.
How to Purchase
Pharmacies
Farmacia Catedral
Farmacenter
FarmaOliva
Prescriptions: Valid Paraguayan prescriptions required for controlled medications. Many common drugs available over-the-counter that require prescriptions in US/Europe. Generics widely available at 50-70% lower costs.
Vaccinations & Disease Prevention
Required/Recommended Vaccines
Disease Risks in Asunción
Preventive care: Private physicians often spend 1+ hours per visit providing thorough preventive care. Annual checkups becoming more common in private healthcare settings.
Dental & Vision Care
Dental Care Costs
Vision Care
Limited optometry services: Paraguay has few licensed optometrists. Most vision services handled by opticians (who fit glasses but cannot diagnose).
Ophthalmologists: Concentrated in major cities like Asunción. Available for medical eye care and prescriptions.
Eye exams: Affordable compared to US/European standards, though specific pricing varies by provider.
Glasses/Contacts: Available at local opticians with costs significantly lower than developed countries.
Mental Health Services
English-Speaking Therapists
Online Therapy Options
Stigma & Access
Improving recognition: Paraguay implementing new mental health policies (2024-2030) to integrate treatment in hospital networks.
Reduced stigma: Growing awareness and acceptance of mental health care, especially in urban areas like Asunción.
Costs: Local therapy typically more affordable than US/Europe. Online international platforms $50-100+ per session.
Key Takeaways
Private healthcare is both affordable and high-quality. Monthly insurance costs of $50-150 provide access to excellent private facilities with internationally-trained doctors. Paraguay handles most medical needs at a fraction of Western costs.
Emergency preparedness is crucial. Memorize key numbers (911, 141) and consider learning basic Spanish medical terms. Private ambulances ($200-500) offer faster response than public SEME service.
Most expats use private healthcare exclusively. Better quality, shorter wait times, and English-speaking doctors available at top hospitals like La Costa, San Roque, and Bautista.
For complex procedures, some expats travel to neighboring countries, but Paraguay offers excellent care for routine and most specialized needs at 50-70% savings compared to US/Europe.