| Brazil is the largest country in South America and | | | | all health care needs at no cost to the patients. |
| offers broad opportunities for travel and a range | | | | National health care patients pay nothing at all for |
| of living opportunities you would expect from | | | | doctors' fees, lab fees, hospitalization, surgery, |
| such a large and diverse country. There are the | | | | and even prescription drugs are free. |
| jungles of the Amazon rain forests, the high plains | | | | Brazil's national health care system is toughly equal |
| of the pampas around Brazilia, and of course the | | | | to the caliber and operational style of the V.A. |
| world famous beaches, plus much more. The | | | | hospital system in the USA. There are some |
| range of landscapes is enormous. Brazilians are | | | | drawbacks to this system. You will not receive |
| world-famous for their hospitality and friendliness, | | | | the very highest possible quality of health care in |
| and welcome foreigners unhesitatingly. Rio de | | | | the national health care system. There is a |
| Janero is well known for its beaches, partying, | | | | trade-off. If you want completely free health |
| nightlife, and the biggest party in the world, | | | | care, including all your prescription drugs, Brazil's |
| Carnival. | | | | national health care system is very good. Free |
| Brazil is fun, interesting, and warmly welcomes | | | | health care is a good safety net. If you want the |
| everyone. So you might expect it to be an | | | | very highest possible quality of health care, then |
| expensive place to live. It is not. Sao Paulo and Rio | | | | you must pay. The more affluent Brazilians favor |
| de Janeiro in Brazil are among the cheapest cities | | | | two different private market providers for health |
| in the world to live in, according to a study by the | | | | care, much like Blue Cross & Blue Shield. |
| British consultancy firm Economist Intelligence Unit | | | | The first private market medical provider is |
| (EIU). | | | | UniMed , which is owned and operated by doctors. |
| It is often said in Brazil: "You either have a | | | | They have their own hospitals and clinics |
| housekeeper or you are a housekeeper." Even | | | | throughout Brazil, they use a referral type |
| middle-class working families usually have a maid | | | | system whereas you have a primary doctor and |
| or housekeeper in Brazil. | | | | he refers you when needed to a specialist for |
| You can retire in Brazil. There is a retirement visa | | | | any special treatments. A plan for a family of |
| available, but to qualify for it you must have | | | | three costs about R$600.00 per month (less than |
| proof of an income of at least $2000 per month | | | | $300 USD). I would recommend UniMed if you |
| (plus an additional amount for dependents). There | | | | demand the highest quality healthcare. Personally, I |
| is also an investment category, as well as other | | | | prefer the completely free national health care |
| ways to become a permanent resident in Brazil. | | | | system, but to each their own. |
| Permanent residents of Brazil may apply for | | | | The second private market medical provider is |
| Brazilian passports and can also keep their current | | | | Banco Bradesco , which is a major financial |
| citizenships and passports too. It is perfectly legal | | | | institution in Brazil offering health insurance and |
| and common to do so. There can be some | | | | directly employing a substantial and high caliber |
| benefit to holding a Brazilian passport. Sometimes | | | | medical staff. The difference with this type of |
| citizens of the USA are targeted by terrorists | | | | policy is they only have private clinics and have to |
| when traveling overseas. Brazilians are not | | | | buy the hospital stay coverage from someone |
| targeted. | | | | like UniMed. Costs are also higher. A |
| Health care is a high priority for retirees. Health | | | | comprehensive health insurance policy for a family |
| care in Brazil is very good. The poorer people | | | | of three runs in neighborhood of R$1,000.00 ($500 |
| depend entirely on the free national health care | | | | USD) per month. |
| system. It is not necessary to be a citizen of | | | | The bottom line is you can get more for your |
| Brazil to use the national health care system. Any | | | | money in Brazil than almost anywhere else on |
| person who is legally in the country is welcome to | | | | earth. You can enjoy a higher standard of living |
| use the national health care system. The national | | | | for your money. |
| health care system does a good job of providing | | | | |