How To Get International Health Insurance In Brazil

Taking out international health insurance in Brazil can be a sensible decision if you’re an expat. While Brazil provides universal healthcare to all residents, there’s a marked contrast between the public and private systems.

Brazil’s public health sector often grapples with long wait times and limited resources. Private hospitals in cities like São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro are of an excellent standard, but treatment comes at a high cost if you don’t have insurance. And in Brazil’s more rural areas, quality of care drops significantly.

As a specialist health insurance provider, William Russell can give you the private coverage you need as an expat in Brazil. Whether you want routine medical check-ups in Porto Alegre or need an emergency medical evacuation from the Amazon forest, William Russell can safeguard your health no matter where you live in Brazil. 

Read on to find out how to get health insurance in Brazil. 

How to get health insurance in Brazil

You can find a private insurance policy in Brazil with these two ways:

1. Talk to a broker – Brokers can do much of the hard work for you. They’ll take your details and find the best insurance policy for you and your family. The main reason to use a broker is to save time: you won’t have to contact multiple insurers to get quotes.
2. Do it yourself – You can also contact an insurance company directly to get a quote. Depending on the provider, you might need to email or call them. Some insurers will allow you to check prices quickly using an online quote finder. This way you can see prices for their different plans in minutes. By reaching out directly, it’s easier to follow up on your online quote (or get started right away if you contact them by phone).

Of course, you can also do a mix of both: contact a broker and get direct quotes online from insurance providers at the same time. This combination can help you save time in narrowing down your choices while getting a feel for the proposed insurance providers up front.

How to get started with William Russell

At William Russell, we know your time is valuable. That’s why our online tool helps you find a price fast. You can see a rough cost for your family’s medical insurance in just a minute or two.

Just tell us a few details about you and your family and then follow these three steps:

1/ Choose your plan level

Visit our online quote finder and decide on your policy. Select from Bronze, SilverLite, Silver, or Gold. Gold is our most comprehensive plan and may be the right choice if you’re taking care of a family. For a year overseas as a single expat, Bronze might be a good fit if you want to prioritise affordability. Here’s what each plan offers:

• Hospital treatment
• Local ambulances (including air ambulance)
• Advanced diagnostic tests
• Cancer treatment (including genome testing of cancerous cells)
• Transplants
• Emergency medical evacuation
• Access to a 24hr emergency helpline

*Bronze, SilverLite and Silver plans cover complications of pregnancy
**All plans cover emergency restorative dental treatment
Subject to waiting periods

2/ Choose your coverage zone

After deciding on your plan level, you can choose your coverage zone. In Brazil, there are 2 zones to pick from:

3/ See prices

If you’re happy with your price, a team member will reach out to assist you in completing your policy. They’ll address any concerns and make sure you fully understand our coverage. Most policies can be ready in 2-3 days.

How to make a claim with William Russell 

When you spend your hard-earned money on insurance, you should feel confident that making a claim won’t be a stressful experience.

So you know what to expect, here are the three types of health claims and how we handle them at William Russell:

Out-patient – If you need medical care but don’t need admission to a hospital, you’ll pay for your treatment first. Then we’ll reimburse you. For medical costs above US$500, a doctor’s note is necessary.

In-patient – Sometimes, medical treatments, whether planned or happening unexpectedly, will require a hospital stay. We’ll handle the hospital’s bill directly, but you’ll have to pay your excess to the hospital.

Medical evacuation – If you face a severe medical emergency (life or limb-threatening) with no nearby facility equipped to help, we cover the expenses to evacuate you to the closest and most suitable medical centre where you can get the care you need.

How our medical evacuation works

Depending on where you are in Brazil, high-standard medical facilities may not be within reach. This is quite common in Brazil’s more rural states, like Bahia, Piauí, and especially in the Amazon forest. It’s why our international health plans come with medical evacuation as a default feature, ensuring you have support in critical situations.

If you find yourself in a life or limb-threatening situation, simply:

• Reach out to our 24/7 helpline
• Our team will evaluate the situation. If suitable medical assistance isn’t available nearby, we’ll initiate an evacuation
• We’ll coordinate the necessary transport, including an air ambulance if required, to take you to the nearest medical centre that can treat you

Why choose William Russell?

Many insurers could cover you and your family in Brazil. So what makes us stand out? Here are a few reasons to trust William Russell with your health insurance: 

1/ The expertise of a specialised expat insurance provider 

As an expat in Brazil, you deserve an insurance provider that understands your needs and lifestyle. Unlike larger insurers who focus on domestic cover, we only offer international health insurance – so expats are our priority.

For even more confidence, our policies are insured by an insurer in the Allianz group. This means you benefit from the security of a large brand while enjoying the tailored attention of a specialist boutique-style provider.

2/ Individualised customer service you can trust

Many larger insurance providers rely on call centres to manage their large customer base. This leads to impersonal interactions and the hassle of repeating details.

In contrast, William Russell opts for a personalised approach. All calls are routed directly to our UK office, ensuring you’re always conversing with English speakers. Plus, a dedicated claims manager reviews every claim you submit. This means you get consistent communication and transparency every step of the way.

3/ Easy-to-understand plans and claims processes

Insurance plans can be confusing. Complex terms and insurance jargon can leave you worried about denied claims and unexpected out-of-pocket expenses. 

William Russell drafts policies in clear, jargon-free English. And to ensure we’re on the same page, a dedicated team member will review the coverage with you before finalising your insurance plan.

Our in-patient and out-patient care process is just as straightforward: complete our online form, send it over, and we’ll review it within ten days.

4/ Coverage that comes with you 

We know your expat lifestyle – whether it’s for business or pleasure – can take you across borders often. To cater to your flexible lifestyle, we offer our Brazil members two coverage zones.

Zone 1 gives you full cover across Central and South America, Canada and the Caribbean countries and islands and most other countries, with options for temporary cover in the USA. 

Zone 2 gives you full cover across Central and South America and most other countries. In Canada and the Caribbean countries and islands, you have cover for accident and emergency treatment. 

To read more about your coverage options, check out coverage zones. 

5/ Evacuation on all plans 

It’s always reassuring to know you have medical backup. If local healthcare facilities fall short during limb- or life-threatening emergencies, our 24/7 support is there to assist. Just reach out to our helpline, and if needed, we’ll arrange an urgent medical evacuation.

We also take care of your travel costs back to your homeland if evacuated. When you opt in to our Medevac Plus plan, we’ll pay for a companion to travel home with you too.

6/ Specialist team for maternity, cancer, and emergency claims

When facing a significant medical challenge (whether it’s cancer, emergency related or needing maternity care) far from home, it’s paramount your insurance provider understands what you’re going through. Without it, the process can quickly feel overwhelming and isolating.

At William Russell, we pride ourselves on our tailored support for complex claims. We’ll assign a dedicated team member to your claim who is well-versed in the medical specifics of your condition. This ensures a smoother claims process, allowing you to concentrate on your overall well-being.

Also, we understand the comprehensive needs that come with these conditions. Unlike most insurers, we can cover the cost of wigs for hair loss caused by chemotherapy.  

7/ Coverage at top hospitals in Brazil

Our international health insurance plans will cover you in the best hospitals in Brazil, including: 

• Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein, São Paulo
• Hospital Sírio-Libanês, São Paulo
• Hospital Copa D’Or, Rio de Janeiro
• Hospital Moinhos de Vento, Porto Alegre
• Hospital do Coração (HCor), São Paulo

While you can choose one of our recommended facilities, you don’t have to. As long as it’s within your designated coverage area, you have the freedom to select your preferred medical centre.

8/ Travel assistance app 

Every member of William Russell can download and use Solace Secure, a travel-risk service, without any extra charges. 

Solace Secure ensures you’re informed about risky events in Brazil, such as civil disturbances or conflicts. As a William Russell member, you’ll get notifications delivered directly to your smartphone for round-the-clock security guidance and greater peace of mind.

9/ Designed for international citizens

We specialise in providing coverage for expats looking to spend at least 6 months in Brazil. Our members include:

• Expat professionals working in Brazil
• Employers
• Students
• Digital nomads
• Retirees
• Families
  

With over three decades of experience, we recognise that healthcare systems vary globally, and knowing what to expect as an expat in a new country can be confusing. Here are some pointers on staying safe in Brazil.

4 tips for staying safe in Brazil

Brazil is a beautiful country, but it’s not without risks. Here are 4 ways to stay safe:

1. Mind the neighbourhood – Crime rates in Brazil are high. It’s crucial to research or seek advice from locals about which zones to avoid, especially as night falls. Favelas, or informal urban settlements, can pose higher risks. Get notifications on the go about every major incident occurring in Brazil with the Solace Secure app. It’s available to all William Russell members.
2. Beware of petty theft – Crowded places, beaches, and events like the Carnival in Rio de Janeiro can be hotspots for pickpockets. It’s vital to remain vigilant and keep your belongings close. Also, avoid openly displaying expensive items so you don’t draw unwanted attention.
3. Stay away from tap water – The quality of tap water varies across the country. It’s safer to stick to bottled water while in Brazil. This decision can drastically reduce the risk of waterborne diseases and digestive problems.
4. Vaccinations and disease prevention – Make sure you’re up-to-date on your vaccinations. Both the CDC and NHS recommend shots against yellow fever (particularly if you’re heading to specific parts of Brazil), hepatitis A, typhoid, and tetanus. Dengue, Zika, and Chikungunya are also prevalent in Brazil, so take mosquito prevention measures.

How does the healthcare system work in Brazil?

If you’re a new expatriate in Brazil, here’s what you can expect from the country’s public and private healthcare.

Brazil’s Ministry of Health manages the public healthcare system, known as the Unified Health System (Sistema Único de Saúde or SUS), which provides free universal health coverage to all Brazilian citizens and foreign residents.

However, the SUS often struggles with issues like prolonged waiting times, overcrowding in public hospitals, and lack of general practitioners. The public sector also comes with health inequalities as Brazil’s rural areas can lack even the most basic healthcare facilities that the country’s more urban centres have.

In contrast, Brazil’s private sector, ranging from luxury hospitals to simple clinics, provides better quality and quicker health services, making it a popular choice for those who can afford it.

Currently, the Brazilian health system ranks 125th out of 190 countries in the World Health Organization’s 2021 healthcare systems report. Recent challenges, like the Zika and dengue outbreaks, have spurred Brazil to amplify public health campaigns and vaccination initiatives.

Trust William Russell with your healthcare in Brazil

If you or your family get sick or injured in Brazil, count on us to be by your side. With over three decades of experience, William Russell has supported the health of thousands of expat families living abroad, including Brazil, with international health insurance.