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Brazil Expat Health Insurance / Healthcare System News |
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Brazil provides a two-tier healthcare system. In 1988, the Brazilian constitution established a single public unified healthcare system, Sistema Único de Saúde (SUS). SUS is Brazil’s publicly funded healthcare system, financed by both federal and local taxes. The system was created to assure the “right of all and an obligation of the State”. It is based on 3 basic principles; namely, universality, comprehensiveness, and equity. Meaning that all citizens should have access to healthcare, are entitled to full and complete healthcare, and that all healthcare policies should aim toward the reduction of inequality between individuals.
The definition of universality refers to all citizens having access to healthcare services, without any form of discrimination in terms of skin color, income, social status, gender or any other variables. However, there are some grey areas in the healthcare system in Brazil.
About 80% of Brazilians receive heathcare from the public Government managed system (SUS). Government-funded hospitals and clinics offer good medical services. However, Government hospitals are often crowded because they are free. Waiting times can be long and the facilities may not be as good as in private hospitals.
The second system in Brazil is the private sector, managed by health insurance funds and private entrepreneurs. Only about 18.5% of the population can afford private insurance. Most of the private hospitals in Brazil have excellent medical facilities and the country is one of the leading medical tourism destinations in South America.
Abortion is one of the societal ills in Brazil. The major religion in Brazil is Roman Catholic. The Church’s influence can be seen not only within the people, but also within the healthcare system. Abortion is governed by the Brazilian Penal Code. Under this code, abortion is only legal when it is the only means to save the life of the pregnant woman or when the pregnancy is the result of rape. The punishment for the person who performed the abortion is one to four years of imprisonment. The penalty is higher if the pregnant woman’s consent is not obtained. If the abortion causes any harm to the woman, the punishment will increase by one-third. If the abortion causes the death of the woman, the punishment is doubled.
Even though the abortion law in Brazil is very stringent, abortions are still widely performed, mostly underground. As you would appreciate, collecting data on illegal abortions in Brazil would be difficult. However, recent media reported that over 1 million women in Brazil illegally terminate their pregnancies every year. There is also a high record of hospitalisations for medical complications of abortions annually. The majority of women seeking abortions are normally married.
In reality, prosecution for unlawful abortions is rare in Brazil. This is mainly because there is a requirement to provide a legal proof of pregnancy before being classified as illegal. Moreover, although abortion is illegal by law in Brazil, in recent years the nation’s courts have allowed abortions to be performed especially in relation to cases of severe fetus defects.
There are ongoing debates as to whether or not abortion should be legalised in Brazil. The chaos in the public health system reduces the distribution of contraceptives that could reduce the incidence of illegal abortions.
For those women who can afford to pay for a safe abortion often choose to terminate an affected pregnancy without health or legal implications. However, for those who are poor and discovered that their fetus is underdeveloped, have no choice other than continuing the affected pregnancy or an illegal, probably unsafe, abortion. Both options are associated with social, legal and physical risks.
The Brazilian Government recognized that illegal abortion, and the rising number of deaths caused by them, are serious issues. They have therefore reduced the price of contraceptives by 90 percent to stop illegal abortions. The discounted birth control pills can be purchased from a large number of pharmacies where the Government offers subsidised medicines.
In Brazil, the healthcare service infrastructure consists of three sectors namely Government health services, non-profit health organisations (NGOs), and the private medical sector. The publicly funded Sistema Único de Saúde (SUS) healthcare system is basically free in Brazil, by law, everyone has a right for treatment, let it be organ transplants or sex-change operations. Beyond the public healthcare, for those who can afford private insurance, it is also an option in Brazil.
For non-Brazilians there are no charges at public hospitals either. However, foreigners are only entitled to unforeseen emergency medical treatment in Brazilian public hospitals. Brazilian public hospitals are not obligated to offer treatment for existing illnesses or care after you have been stabilised. Public hospitals in Brazil tend to be crowded, especially in major cities. Foreigners must pay for the services provided by private hospitals. It is not uncommon for private hospitals to demand for evidence of sufficient funds or Brazil insurance before admitting to the hospital.
English-speaking general practitioners, dentists and opticians are not always readily available. If, in an emergency situation an English-speaker is not available, it is suggested you call an international hospital.
The healthcare system in Brazil may present itself as providing services to all citizens. However, the range of services they provide are not clearly defined. Moreover, foreigners are only entitled to medical treatment for unforeseen emergencies in Brazilian public hospitals. Expatriates in Brazil are not covered by any state medical plans. Without comprehensive understanding of the medical system in Brazil, expatriates or foreigners could be breaking the law unintentionally. In order to truly protect yourself and your loved ones, it is very important to put in place a quality health insurance plan.
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Brazil Expat Health Insurance |
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International health insurance policies offered by Globalsurance can assist you to customize the policy coverage to suit your individual needs. This will provide you full protection for yourself and your family while you discover the cultural and historical beauty of Brazil.
For more information about Brazil international health insurance, global medical insurance that we can provide, or to receive a free quote, please contact one of our expert advisers today. |
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