Most of us wouldn't know this. We take so many things for granted. Read and weep joyfully. This also bodes well for Thailand and Malaysia to continue to prosper as "tourism healthcare hubs". We are very close with Thailand on a competitive scale with cost being a strong factor for both countries. We win on language skills for sure. Need to see more capital being deployed in this growth sector.
BEST PLACES By International Living January 22, 2019
6 Countries with the Best Healthcare in the World
Healthcare is one of the most important factors potential expats consider before moving abroad and in the right places overseas it’s possible to access world-class care for a fraction of the cost back home.
The six countries that take top places in our Global Retirement Index offer retirees first-rate care, the service is top-class–and its affordable.
Measuring the quality of healthcare is difficult, and it’s hard to put a number on it. We can, however, put a number on the price of medical procedures. And these costs (as well as quality) helped us score each of the 25 countries in the healthcare category of our 2019 Global Retirement Index.
Read on to learn more about the top countries in the world for healthcare. In each of these countries you’ll find clean, excellent hospitals, highly trained doctors, and affordable care.
Costa Rica and Mexico are tied for fifth place.
#5 Costa Rica (tie)
Healthcare in Costa Rica
As well as having a great climate year-round, neighborly atmosphere, and a no-hassle residence programs, Costa Rica also offers excellent healthcare.
There are two systems, both of which expats can access: the government-run universal healthcare system, Caja Costarricense de Seguro Social, known as Caja, and the private system. Both health systems are constantly being upgraded—new hospitals, new equipment, and improvements in staff training.
Many doctors, especially in private practice, speak English and have received training in Europe, Canada, or the U.S. But despite the advancements, costs are low in comparison to those back home.
IL Central Valley Correspondent, John Michael Arthur, a medical doctor from Texas, has a lot of praise for the Costa Rican healthcare system.
“Having both the public healthcare system and the private healthcare system available to residents gives great options as you “shop” for care,” he says. “High quality healthcare—medical, surgical, and dental—is easily found and at about one third the cost of U.S. prices in the private system.
“For example, I recently had a new state of the art zirconium crown placed for about $275. And I had an echocardiogram for only $145 and I left with the complete analysis and report in my hands.”
For a more detailed look at the Healthcare in Costa Rica, check out: Healthcare in Costa Rica
#5 Mexico (tie)
Healthcare in Mexico
Mexico has a lot to recommend it, not least of which is its great healthcare. In general, healthcare in Mexico is very good—and in many places it is excellent. Many doctors and dentists in Mexico, particularly in the private system, receive at least part of their training in the U.S. (And many U.S. doctors have trained in Mexico, notably in Guadalajara.) Many of them continue to go to the U.S. or Europe for on-going training. Every medium to large city in Mexico has at least one first-rate hospital with the cost of healthcare generally half or less what you might expect to pay in the U.S. The same goes for prescription drugs.
Of course, the costs of medical care will vary by physician, hospital, and the gravity of your condition. On average, a visit to a private doctor—specialists included—will cost about $21 to $32.
In the major cities of Mexico, you can get good-quality medical care for serious medical conditions…including dialysis, major surgery…even live-in, 24-hour care…for a fraction of what you might pay in the U.S.
Plus, health insurance in Mexico costs much less than it does in the U.S.
Mexico has two national healthcare systems that expats on a valid residence visa can apply to join: IMSS (Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social, or Mexican Social Security Institute) and Seguro Popular.
Expats on valid residence visas for Mexico can join either IMSS or Seguro Popular if they wish, but they can’t belong to both. You must apply in the Mexican state that you live in.
Don Murray, IL Rivera Maya Correspondent says “Most doctors speak at least some English, with many quite fluent. Costs are significantly lower in all specialty areas and are often one-half to one-third the cost of similar services north of the border.”
For a more detailed look at the Healthcare in Mexico, check out: Healthcare in Mexico
#4 Ecuador
Healthcare in Ecuador
One of the great perks for foreign residents living in Ecuador is high-quality, low-cost healthcare. Healthcare in metropolitan areas is top-notch with costs a fraction of what you would pay in North America.
In the bigger cities, you’ll find hospitals with state-of-the-art equipment, as well as specialists in all fields and physicians with private clinics. But expats don’t need to live in a metropolis to take advantage of good quality healthcare. Smaller cities also have private clinics and modern hospitals. And in small towns you’ll often find private doctors who go that extra mile with some even making house calls if you’re too ill to go out.
“In February of 2016, Ecuador passed a law that all new residents must have some form of healthcare,” says Jim Santos, IL Salinas Correspondent. “However, the same law prevents all private insurers from denying coverage because of age or pre-existing conditions. This opened up the private market, although expats may still also choose to sign up for the state-run health plan, which covers all medical, dental, and eye care expenses (including prescriptions, testing, rehab, etc.) at IESS hospitals and clinics with no deductible and no co-pay.
“Expats are eligible to use the system after paying into it for the first three months.”
International Living Correspondent Donna Stiteler lives in Ecuador’s third-largest city and the economic center of the Southern Sierra, Cuenca.
“My husband, Rowland, who is a writer and not a carpenter recently “sawed” his index finger,” she says.
“The trip to the emergency room on a Sunday required a five-minute wait in the emergency room, where a surgeon stitched his finger for a mere $60. This was walk-up pricing without using any insurance.
“However, we do have the government’s IESS plan which covers both of us for under $100, but we do most of our medical treatments out of pocket because healthcare runs about 80% cheaper than in the U.S., and you can just walk in and see specialists for $40 a pop.”
#3 Thailand
Healthcare in Thailand
There’s lots to love about Thailand— its beauty and budget friendliness, with welcoming locals and expats at every turn. Thailand is also renowned for its excellent healthcare throughout the country, taking third position on our index for healthcare.
“Thailand leads the way in medical tourism for Southeast Asia,” says Michael Cullen, IL Thailand Correspondent. “That means quality, international standard hospitals with well trained, English-speaking medics in all the major cities and regional towns right across Thailand.
“Dental and other health services are also well covered–and all to that same high international standard.
“For expats living in Thailand it is sensible to have health insurance as there is no national system within the country they can tap into.
“But with healthcare costs averaging from a quarter to less than a half of what they would cost in the U.S. the insurance costs will not break the bank.”
Although there is no public health insurance available to expats, there are several options to obtain private insurance from a variety of excellent companies, both domestic and international.
Thailand’s private healthcare system consists of a large number of well-equipped, state-of-the-art hospitals. A real plus is you’re often able to visit a specialist within a short time of walking through the front door—without booking an appointment beforehand.
#2 France
Healthcare in France
France has all the ingredients that we look for in a retirement destination: a good climate, unspoiled countryside, top-notch culture, colorful traditions and history, and, of course, the glitter and sophistication of Paris. So, it’s not surprising that France is the world’s favorite tourist destination, receiving approximately 80 million foreign visitors each year.
The low cost of health insurance and the superb quality of care means that France consistently receives high scores in the healthcare category of our Retirement Index. It’s also highly rated by the World Health Organization. This year France scores 93 points, placing it second in our index.
Life expectancy now averages 85.7 years for women and 80.1 for men according to the latest WHO data published in 2018, giving France a World Life Expectancy ranking of 5—the United States ranks at 34.
“There is a reason France is consistently named by the World Health Organization as having the best healthcare in the world,” says Stewart Richmond, IL South of France Correspondent. “It is accessible to all and affordable. Prescription medicine is heavily subsidized and is among the cheapest in the world. For those developing long-term illnesses such as cancer or MS, all healthcare and medicine is provided free of charge.”
#1 Malaysia
Healthcare in Malaysia
Scoring 95 points out of a possible 100, Malaysia takes the top spot in the Healthcare category of our Annual Global Retirement Index.
The healthcare in the Southeast Asian gem is simply world class with up-to-date and sophisticated infrastructure.
With 13 JCI accredited hospitals in the country and almost every doctor fluent in English. In fact, most doctors were trained in the UK, U.S., or Australia so communicating is flawless. It’s not surprising it’s a top medical tourist destination.
The Joint Commission International is considered the gold standard in healthcare assessment around the globe, and it certifies four hospitals in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia’s bustling capital, and two in Penang.
There are private and public hospitals and expats can choose whichever one suits their needs. The private hospitals tend to be a bit more expensive but are more up to Western standards than the public hospitals. Even at the private hospitals, the treatment is so affordable that for minor visits some people pay out of pocket.
Here, you don’t need an appointment to see a specialist, and you don’t need a referral from a GP. It’s as simple as registering at a hospital of your choice and waiting in line to see your specialist of choice.
Prescriptions in Malaysia cost a fraction of what you pay at home. But it’s not just the cost that’s attractive–it’s the service. The pharmacists, like the rest of Malaysia’s medical staff, are well trained and informed. Malaysians are friendly people, but it’s the genuine interest that they take which impresses.
IL Malaysia Correspondent Keith Hockton, who lives in Penang says, “Recently, I decided on a whim to have a medical. I’d never had one done before and as I had a free morning I decided just to pop in to the Lam Wah Eee Hospital. I was already registered and found myself sitting outside a GP’s office not five minutes after arriving. Within an hour, I had been examined by a doctor, had an ECG and blood and urine tests done…and I was on my way home.
“The total cost of the visit was just $44. The doctor who had examined me called me later that afternoon with the results. It’s this level of service that makes medical in Malaysia not only an attractive option but also a non-scary one. It’s all so easy."
Healthcare in Malaysia
For years, many people from surrounding countries, like Indonesia, Hong Kong, and Singapore, have come to Malaysia for affordable, high-quality healthcare. All the doctors speak English and most were trained in the UK, U.S., or Australia so they are familiar with Western standards of care. Also, many of the hospitals in Kuala Lumpur and Penang are JCI accredited, meaning that they are considered to meet the gold standard in healthcare throughout the globe.
More than 800,000 foreigners seek treatment in the hospitals in Penang and Kuala Lumpur every year. There are specialists in every hospital, but unlike in the U.S., you don’t have to wait for months to get an appointment. Just turn up to the hospital, register, then take a number and wait your turn. If you are then referred to another doctor or need to get an X-ray or scan, that will also happen on the same day in the same place.
Prescriptions in Malaysia cost a third of what you pay at home. But it’s not just the cost that’s attractive; it’s the service. The pharmacists, like the rest of Malaysia’s medical staff, are well trained and informed. Malaysians are friendly people, but it’s the genuine interest that they take in you, no matter how small or large the issue, which impresses. It takes you back to a time when personal service meant something. That same service is alive and well here.
There are doctor’s clinics throughout the country, which are perfect places to get treatment for something minor like a cold, flu, or sinus infection. They usually charge $10 and because these are small clinics you won’t have to wait as long as you would in a busy hospital. But for anything more serious, it’s best to go to a specialist or general practitioner in one of the many top-notch hospitals in the country. A first-time doctor or specialist visit is usually between $15 to $65 with follow-up visits around $11 to $28. If you are admitted, the overnight stay will cost roughly $55 to $200 for a private room per night.
Many of the hospitals offer health screening packages which include a physical, chest X-ray, ECG, blood work (43 different tests), abdomen ultrasound, and a vision test. More specific tests can be added on but the basic package starts at less than $120.
Dentistry in Penang is just as high quality. Just like the doctors, most are schooled in the West and speak English. The technology is the same, and in some cases more advanced than at home, depending on the office you go to. Cleanings start at $22 at a modern office with state of the art equipment, and it’s only $29 for a filling. Porcelain crowns start at $400, all just a fraction of the cost in the U.S.
There is a two-tier healthcare system in Malaysia; government-run universal healthcare and a co-existing private healthcare system. Expats can choose whatever hospital they want and pay out of pocket if they don’t have insurance. Most expats choose to go to the private hospitals (which tend to be more expensive) instead of the public ones and will still save money when they pay out of pocket for most minor visits. Private health insurance is available, and many expats take out policies for any major health issues. International insurance companies like AIG, BUPA, and Cigna offer various plans for expats—some include medical coverage while you travel as well.
Great Health Care at a Low Cost in Malaysia
Penang-healthcare
There’s so much to love about island life in Penang, Malaysia, that it’s hard to know where to start. My wife Lisa and I spend just $1,719 a month to live here, and that’s renting with an ocean view and eating out regularly in the island’s amazing restaurants.
There are plenty of sandy beaches to stroll on, jungle trails to explore, and the historic colonial architecture is unique, seen nowhere else in the world. Plus English is widely spoken and there’s a friendly and open expat community.
But one of the things we are most grateful for is the health care, which is among the world’s best—and cheapest. It’s rare we need to use it, but when we do, it’s good to know we’re dealing with the very best doctors and at very low prices. There’s a reason four plane-loads of medical tourists land in Penang every day.
A visit to the dentist for an annual checkup was never a pleasant experience at home, but here it actually is. The staff are friendly, professional, and genuinely happy to see you. My dentist is a lovely Chinese woman who was trained in the U.S and the U.K. Her studio is state-of-the art and, as the seat reclines, a flat-screen TV showing Animal Planet episodes magically appears from the ceiling. Your mind is immediately someplace else as you feel yourself instantly relaxing.
A checkup costs $9, and if you include a cleaning, $15. The last time I was there I needed a filling and a cleaning, and that visit came to just $22.50. In the U.S. this would set me back around $180.
Prescriptions here cost a fifth of what we pay at home. But it’s not just the cost that’s attractive; it’s the service. The pharmacists, like the rest of the medical staff in Malaysia, are well-trained and informed. Malaysians are a friendly people, but it’s the genuine interest that they take in you, no matter how small or large the issue, which impresses.
It takes you back to a time when service meant something. When bank managers used to have a coffee with you and actually cared about your well-being. That same service is alive and well here!
