During our first full week in Rio, we’ve been mostly dealing with bureaucratic junk like setting up bank accounts, filing residency requirements, finding a cell provider, and getting healthcare. So it’s been a week of standing in lines, filling out paperwork, showing documentation, and learning the ropes of Brasilian bureaucracy. Jealous?
There is a national healthcare plan in Brasil, but if people can afford it, they opt to buy a private provider. So yesterday we paid a visit to UniMedi, which is considered to be one of the better healthcare providers.
One major difference between Brasilian and American healthcare is the way a plan is selected. You’re given about 5 different payment options and levels of care, and the price goes up depending solely on which hospital you want to go to when you’re sick. Seriously! So we went to UniMedi knowing that we should go to Isabella-something hospital in the town of Barra because it was known for having the best quality of care, and based on that decision, our monthly price went up about $50 US. When I asked which medical services would be covered under this plan, I was informed that ALL medical services are covered 100%, with no co-pays or deductibles. Brilliant!
At this point Helena told the UniMedi employee, a man in his late 50′s, that because we were legally married in the US, my former employers had always covered Helena under my healthcare plan. Helena asked him in Portuguese, “Would including the two of us in a family plan be possible with UniMedi?” God Bless him, the man barely blinked and said “Claro” (of course), and began filling out our paperwork.
This morning the UniMedi employee called excitedly to ask us to fax him a copy of our marriage certificate, telling Helena, “It’s about time for people in this country to open their minds.”
So for about $425 US a month, we’re both covered!
Good Morning Pooks! This health care plan sounds amazing! In Brazil, do you have to have a separate plan for dental and vision, or is EVERYTHING covered?
xoxox – J-Baby Snooks
Good question! Need to ask H to read the contract and will let you know.