First aid assistance, including the ambulance service, is free of charge. The medicine required in the first instance is also free. If it is necessary to remain hospitalized as a consequence of surgery or for any other reason, you will need to pay a fee according to the service provided. All public hospitals accept cash in U.S. dollars and Uruguayan pesos. Many also accept credit cards, although some do not, as many credit card companies charge large fees. These fees are usually passed on to the patients as a 5% to 10% surcharge.
You will be charged for all cases of medical attendance in a private hospital. The charge will depend on the type of service received. All private hospitals will accept cash in U.S. dollars and Uruguayan pesos. Many also accept credit cards.
Clinical attendance cost about $50 for consultation and attendance at the clinic. $300 is charged in case of ambulance service. There are many of these clinics throughout the country, the best known of which are SEMM, UCM, and SUAT (in Montevideo).
Most people who can afford to subscribe to a private medical plan in Uruguay do so. There are basically two kinds of plans you can subscribe to.
The first one is provided by a private hospital itself. By becoming a member, you will benefit from inpatient as well as outpatient services. Members are provided with a list of doctors they can consult within the hospital or at their private practice. In some cases, depending on the level of coverage, the plan will cover consultations with doctors outside of the medical plan. Health coverage cost with a private hospital depends on the hospital and the level of coverage one has chosen. Monthly fees vary between $50 to $85. For some hospitals, age can be a factor affecting the cost of the health coverage (deductibles may apply).
The second option is to join a health company that offers different health-care coverage alternatives, giving the choice of national and international benefits. Members have access to some of the best physicians and hospitals nationally and internationally, and are given the chance to select the country of treatment, the institution, and the physician they want depending on the coverage they have chosen. Monthly fees vary according to the type of coverage chosen and the age of the applicant (deductibles may apply). A medical report will be required before you can acquire such plans. Monthly fees are between $90 and $260.
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