10 More Countries with Better Healthcare Than the US
10 More Countries with Better Healthcare Than the US
Americans continue to get the squeeze when it comes to healthcare. Despite paying more per capita than any other nation on Earth, the healthcare system continues to fail us. We previously covered 14 other countries in this vein.
Perhaps that’s because the U.S. doesn’t view public healthcare as a human right. It allows a significant portion of its population to go uninsured, according to the Commonwealth Fund, or even file bankruptcy after receiving life-saving medical care. Most other Americans see their health insurance tied to an employer. This can limit job mobility if they get sick or see quality healthcare eliminated by said employer.
Currently your best choice for finding better care is by moving abroad. Here’s 10 more countries with better healthcare than the US that you could move to:
Chile
Photo Credit: Shutterstock.
Chile’s public and private healthcare systems serve complementary roles for tax-paying residents. Fondo Nacional de Salud (FONASA) administers the public side, focusing on preventative care and treatment. Private insurers called Instituciones de Salud Previsional (ISAPREs) focus on specialized medical needs as well as primary care. Either choice collects a 7% payroll deduction, though ISAPREs may levy additional premiums. Anyone working in Chile is automatically subscribed to health insurance.
Thailand
Photo Credit: Twenty20.
Medical care is cheaper here—about 20% of the US cost—making the country a medical tourism destination. Universal healthcare expands health access to nearly everyone here, though expats prefer private insurance for their medical needs.
Thai citizens and employees qualify for the universal health plan, funded by tax revenues and requiring no out-of-pocket costs in most cases. Thailand also has a surplus of specialists compared to general physicians, making this a destination for medical tourism.
Croatia
Photo Credit: Twenty20.
Croatia’s universal healthcare system provides a mandatory public system that all residents and citizens pay into monthly. Known as obvezno, this public health insurance scheme is administered by the Croatian Health Insurance Fund (HZZO). Croatia’s system centers around solidarity and reciprocity: residents contribute according to their ability and receive basic care according to their needs. Digital nomads are exempt from Croatia’s mandatory state coverage.
Australia
Photo Credit: Shutterstock.
Australia uses a universal, publicly funded healthcare system known as Australian Medicare. It’s funded by a 2% income tax and government levy, with higher income households paying more money to the system. The public healthcare system serves all Australian citizens and permanent residents, along with expats on a work permit. Over half of residents purchase private health insurance to supplement the public health plan.
Brazil
Photo Credit: Shutterstock.
Brazil considers healthcare a constitutional right, offering universal coverage to everyone within its borders, regardless of legal status. Their public health system, known as Sistema Único de Saúde (SUS), covers comprehensive services in primary, specialty, mental health, and hospitalization. There’s no application process to delay care access. Common conditions like diabetes get free medication, while prescription drugs requiring payment see discounts up to 90%.
Belize
Photo Credit: Shutterstock.
All residents, including expats, are entitled to medical services from the public health facilities. Its private health system is generally of higher quality, offering modern facilities and shorter wait times than the public system. Most physicians in Belize speak English and Spanish. Dental care here is both high quality and affordable, creating a destination for medical tourism.
Uruguay
Photo Credit: Twenty20.
The most popular medical plan for expats in Uruguay is the mutualista. Much like an HMO in the U.S, the mutualista is a subscription to a private hospital and its clinics. Membership costs about $100 USD per month and covers the bulk of your medical care: routine visits, emergencies, tests, surgeries, and more. Instead of applying a deductible, you’d pay a small copay.
Canada
Photo Credit: Shutterstock.
Canada uses a universal, publicly funded healthcare system known as Canadian Medicare. The public healthcare system serves all Canadian citizens and permanent residents, along with refugees and expats on a work permit. Primary care, specialist, and hospitalizations are generally delivered at no cost. Low-income people like seniors, children, and those with severe disabilities have low or zero copays.
New Zealand
Photo Credit: Twenty20.
New Zealand uses a universal, publicly funded healthcare system that covers citizens, permanent residents, and expats on extended work visas. New Zealand’s public healthcare system uses copays but no deductible. Copays for GP and other doctor visits usually range from $10 – $34 USD, and there’s no fee for hospitalization.
Estonia
Photo Credit: Twenty20.
Estonia built its healthcare system on twin principles of solidarity and equal treatment. Solidarity sees employed insured residents paying into the system for the unemployed, with contributions based on income instead of personal health risk. Equal treatment guarantees that all insured residents receive the care they need. As a result, Estonia boasts lower maternal mortality rates than the U.S., according to the CIA.
14 Countries with Better Healthcare Than the United States
Photo Credit: Shutterstock.
In some cases, countries have much better outcomes than the United States, and in others, countries have marginally worse outcomes but much more affordable, accessible care. Learn about 14 countries with better healthcare than the US where you can immigrate.
➤ 14 Countries with Better Healthcare Than the United States
Dying with Dignity: Best Countries for Seniors & End-of-Life Care
Photo Credit: Shutterstock.
One of our Instagram follower asks, “In [the U.S.], the late/end of life system is designed to bankrupt you and your family while providing dismal care. If someone is living on a limited income but would like to live in a country that provides affordable senior care with dignity, where can they go?”
Duke University created a study on end-of-life care and published an article called “Where is the Best Place to Die?” Their results ranked the U.S. 43rd of the 81 countries considered, based on criteria they created with 1200 experts and 181 palliative care experts. These were the 10 best countries for seniors:
➤ Dying with Dignity: Best Countries for Seniors & End-of-Life Care
Where to Next? 13 Best Countries to Live in 2023
Photo Credit: Shutterstock.
Choosing the right place to live can profoundly impact your quality of life. It’s not just about the scenery, the culture, or the people. Your environment can affect everything from your mental health to your career progression. But with 195 countries in the world, how do you find the perfect one? Each of these countries stands out in terms of quality of life, stability of its political system, healthcare and educational offerings, offering a unique blend of benefits that make them attractive destinations for potential expats.
From the sunny beaches of Spain to the vibrant culture of Japan, there is something for everyone:
➤ Where to Next? 13 Best Countries to Live in 2023
Brett Andrews is the co-founder of Expatsi, a company that helps expats discover how to leave the U.S. Brett and his partner Jen developed the Expatsi Test to recommend countries to move to, based on factors like budget, visa type, spoken languages, healthcare rankings, and more. In a former life, he worked as a software developer, IT support specialist, and college educator. When he's not working, Brett loves watching comic book movies and reading unusual books.
Related Posts
Brett Andrews is the co-founder of Expatsi, a company that helps expats discover how to leave the U.S. Brett and his partner Jen developed the Expatsi Test to recommend countries to move to, based on factors like budget, visa type, spoken languages, healthcare rankings, and more. In a former life, he worked as a software developer, IT support specialist, and college educator. When he's not working, Brett loves watching comic book movies and reading unusual books.