If you are moving to Uruguay it is advisable that you do not purchase international health insurance valid for a long period of time before you move out here because you will spend a lot money and effort by doing so. we recommend that you buy local insurance once in Uruguay as it is significantly less expensive and of good quality.

One thing that you should know, especially those coming from the United States, is that going to the doctor in Uruguay is affordable. Private insurance hospitals prices rate between USD 50 to USD 100 per month depending on the person's age and the type of insurance purchased. You should know that every time the person goes to the doctor's office he/she will be required to pay a fee around USD 5 for the visit. Prescriptions can be obtained at around USD 5 per box within the insurance company drugstore, or more expensive if bought in another pharmacy.

Not every drug is generally required to be prescribed by a General Practitioner (GP or General Doctor), only those drugs with Psychological effects such as anti-depressants are required to be prescribed by a GP. Most drugs may be obtained at a local pharmacy counter without a prescription.

In addition to Hospitals there are private ambulances companies called "Emergencias Moviles" the service provides a GP visiting the person at his or her house. To have this service an extra fee about USD 25 per month should be paid. Then, every time you use the service the person will be required to pay a fee (affortable, no more than USD 10 each time).

Some health insurance companies include both the hospital service and these ambulances service within a plan. Therefore prices vary. You can buy services separately or you get what is known as a "paquete".

The Healthcare system is introducing changes. It may be possible in the future to have a new type of healthcare provider in the country or most likely a mixed service of public and private healthcare that would make medicare available to more people.

If a person works in Uruguay the employer will be automatically cover Health Insurance for the employee of a Hospital from the private sector and will have to choose from a list of Hospitals but 90 % of the country hospitals are in that list. A 3 % of the person's salary will be deducted to it. Even if a HIV+ person working in Uruguay it is illegal that a healthcare provider discriminates against the worker and will be forced (by law) to take the person and cover all the treatment of any disease no matter what.