Colombia Healthcare Guide
Everything you need to know about healthcare as an expat in Colombia.
Healthcare System Overview
Colombia operates the EPS (Entidades Promotoras de Salud) universal healthcare system established under Law 100 (1993). The system ranks #22 globally by WHO—above Canada (#30), USA (#37), and Australia (#32). 41% of Latin America's top 58 hospitals are Colombian, with 5 holding JCI international accreditation. Medical procedures cost 50–90% less than US equivalents.
Public Healthcare
EPS (public healthcare) is mandatory for legal residents with M or R visas. Functions like US PPO—insurers contract with specific hospitals/physicians. Monthly cost: 12.5% of declared income (~$50-100 typical). Coverage includes medical, dental, vision, hospitalization, and medications. Wait times: GP 2-4 weeks, Specialists 1-3 months. Copays: $1-12. CRITICAL: Retirement visa holders are EXCLUDED from EPS since October 2022. Major EPS providers: SURA (most popular with expats), Sanitas, Nueva EPS, Coomeva, Salud Total. Limitations: long wait times, bureaucracy in Spanish, in-network only, limited English-speaking staff.
Private Healthcare
Medicina Prepagada (private insurance) is optional supplemental coverage layered on EPS. Benefits: faster access, better facilities, direct specialist access, private rooms. Major providers: Colsanitas (market leader, 535,000+ affiliates), SURA Prepagada (highly rated), Coomeva (accepts up to age 79). Monthly costs: Adults 30-40: $50-85, Adults 60+: $145-270, Comprehensive under 60: $85-135. Age limits: SURA has refused applicants over 60; Coomeva accepts up to 79. Pre-existing conditions may result in exclusions or higher premiums for 60+.
Healthcare for Expats
Access & Eligibility
Expat access depends on visa type: V Visas (Digital Nomad, Tourist): NO EPS access, must use private/international insurance. M Visas (except Retirement): EPS eligible after obtaining cédula. M-11 Retirement Visa: EXCLUDED from EPS since October 2022—must maintain private or international insurance. R Visa (Resident): Full EPS access. Emergency care is available to everyone regardless of visa status.
Recommended Approach
For digital nomads and short-term stays: International travel insurance (Cigna Global, GeoBlue, IMG). For M visa holders (non-retirement): Enroll in EPS + consider Medicina Prepagada supplement. For retirees: International insurance required (Cigna Global ~$150/month basic) or Medicina Prepagada if under age limits. Medical evacuation coverage critical for rural living—can cost $50,000-100,000+ without coverage.
Typical Costs
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Health Insurance
Requirements
Health insurance is now REQUIRED for most visa types. Digital Nomad Visa requires: accidents, illness, maternity, hospitalization, death/repatriation coverage. Retirement Visa requires private or international insurance (no EPS access). Investment visas: private insurance recommended.
Recommended Insurance Providers
- Cigna Global (~$150/month basic)
- GeoBlue Xplorer (uses BCBS network in US)
- IMG Global Medical
- Colsanitas Medicina Prepagada
- SURA Prepagada
- Coomeva (accepts up to age 79)
Medical Tourism
Colombia is one of the fastest-growing medical tourism destinations. Government forecasts 2.8 million health tourists and $6.3 billion revenue by 2032. Top hospitals: Bogotá - Fundación Santa Fe (JCI, #1 Colombia), Fundación Cardioinfantil (JCI, Latin America #3). MedellÃn - Hospital Pablo Tobón Uribe (JCI, Latin America #9), ClÃnica Las Américas (Latin America #26). Cali - Fundación Valle del Lili (JCI).
Popular Procedures
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Compare Healthcare Systems
See how Colombia's healthcare compares to other countries.