HealthcareUpdated 2025-01
Is healthcare good in Paraguay?
Private healthcare in Paraguay is good quality and very affordable. Public healthcare is basic. Most expats use private hospitals.
Key Takeaways
- Private healthcare is good quality and affordable
- Public healthcare is basic - avoid if possible
- Costs 60-80% less than USA
- Local insurance ~$100-200/month
- Most expats pay out-of-pocket or use local insurance
Healthcare in Paraguay has a clear two-tier system: excellent private care that's affordable by US standards, and basic public facilities. Here's what expats need to know.
Private Healthcare: Good Quality
Private hospitals in Asunción offer:
- Modern facilities and equipment
- Many US/European-trained doctors
- Good specialist availability
- Reasonable wait times
- Some English-speaking staff
- 60-80% cheaper than US prices
Top Private Hospitals
- **Sanatorio Migone** - Best overall reputation
- **Hospital Italiano** - Good specialists
- **Sanatorio San Roque** - Modern facilities
- **Centro Médico La Costa** - Premium option
- **Hospital Bautista** - International standards
Public Healthcare: Basic
Public hospitals (IPS system):
- Free for contributors
- Often overcrowded
- Longer wait times
- Less modern equipment
- Language barriers more common
- Fine for emergencies, not ideal for planned care
Cost Comparisons
| Procedure | USA | Paraguay Private |
|---|---|---|
| Doctor Visit | $150-300 | $30-60 |
| Specialist | $300-500 | $50-100 |
| MRI | $1,000-3,000 | $150-300 |
| Blood Work | $200-500 | $30-80 |
| Dental Cleaning | $150-300 | $30-50 |
| Root Canal | $1,000+ | $100-200 |
Health Insurance Options
**Local Insurance**
- **Asismed**: Popular with expats, ~$100-200/month
- **OSDE**: Argentine company, good coverage
- **Local Plans**: ~$50-150/month
**International Insurance**
- **Cigna Global**: Comprehensive, ~$200-400/month
- **IMG**: Mid-range option
- **GeoBlue**: Good for US citizens
**Many Expats**
- Use local insurance for routine care
- Keep international for emergencies/evacuation
- Pay out-of-pocket (affordable)
Medical Tourism Potential
Paraguay is NOT a medical tourism destination like Thailand, but:
- Dental work is excellent value
- LASIK and eye surgery good
- Cosmetic procedures available
- Some come from Argentina/Brazil for savings
What to Know
**Strengths**
- Affordability
- Good private options
- Easy access to doctors
- No long wait times
- Specialist availability
**Weaknesses**
- Public system underfunded
- Rural areas limited
- Complex cases may need evacuation
- Less cutting-edge procedures
- Not all staff speak English
Pharmacy Access
- Medications much cheaper
- Many available without prescription
- Farmacia Catedral, Farmacenter well-stocked
- Some US medications have different names
Medical Records
- Bring copies of your medical history
- Get prescriptions with generic names
- Bring supply of essential medications initially
- Establish care with local doctor early
Emergency Preparedness
- Know nearest private hospital
- Have insurance card accessible
- 911 works for emergencies
- Consider evacuation insurance for remote areas
- Private ambulance services available
Sources
Have More Questions?
Explore our comprehensive guides to Paraguay