International Health Insurance for Argentines

Why an Argentine needs international health insurance in dollars

Argentina has one of the most strained private health systems in Latin America. Prepaid plan fees rose more than 200% cumulatively over the last 24 months, many coverages were cut back through agreements with obras sociales, and services abroad are out of reach for most local plans.

International health insurance (IPMI) solves three specific problems for upper-middle-class Argentines:

1. Coverage in dollars — the premium is fixed in USD; it does not suffer the peso’s devaluation or the increases authorized by the Superintendencia. You pay today the same you will pay in 3 years in real terms.
2. Care outside the country — Miami, Barcelona, Madrid, Bogotá, Santiago. If you travel for work or want to be treated at Mayo Clinic or Cleveland Clinic, you do not have to fight with Swiss Medical, OSDE or Galeno to authorize every test.
3. Getting around the currency controls (cepo) — premiums are paid from abroad or via an international card, with no friction with the Central Bank’s limits on buying dollars.

What an IPMI plan covers for Argentines

The plans we offer to Argentine residents cover inpatient and outpatient medical care in more than 100 countries, with a special focus on:

• Miami, United States: Baptist Health, Jackson Memorial, Mount Sinai. It is the #1 destination for oncology treatments and complex surgery.
• Cleveland Clinic (Ohio) and Mayo Clinic (Minnesota): the two world references for difficult diagnoses. Best Doctors Insurance has direct agreements.
• Barcelona and Madrid: Vall d’Hebron hospital, Clínica Universidad de Navarra, Hospital Universitario La Paz.
• LATAM region: Fundación Santa Fe and Fundación Cardioinfantil in Bogotá, Hospital Alemán and Hospital Italiano in Buenos Aires if you need care locally and your plan allows it.

Comparison: obra social + prepaid plan vs IPMI plan

How much international health insurance costs for an Argentine

The price depends on three variables: age, chosen deductible and type of coverage (individual, couple, family). These are indicative annual ranges in USD for a resident of Buenos Aires:

• Adult aged 30–40, USD 5,000 deductible: USD 1,800 – 3,200 a year depending on insurer and plan
• Adult aged 40–50, USD 5,000 deductible: USD 2,600 – 4,500 a year
• Typical family (2 adults + 2 children), USD 5,000 deductible: USD 5,800 – 12,000 a year
• Adult 60+, USD 10,000 deductible: USD 4,500 – 8,500 a year

The deductible is what you pay out of pocket before the insurance covers. The higher the deductible, the lower the annual premium. It is the #1 lever to reduce cost.

The 6 insurers we represent for Argentina

We work with the most solid IPMI carriers on the market. Each has specific strengths:

• Bupa Global — 80 years, network of 2 million+ providers, no shareholders (reinvests profits). Ideal for frequent expats.
• Best Doctors Insurance — Bermuda Class 3B, RGA AA- reinsurance, direct agreements with Mayo Clinic, Cleveland Clinic, Baptist Health. Ideal for oncology and high-complexity coverage.
• VUMI Group — HQ in Puerto Rico (NAIC), regulated and audited, 137,762+ insureds, group with 45+ years of experience, VIP service. Strong for families.
• EVER Insurance — Lloyd’s A+ reinsurance, 56,000+ insured lives, J.P. Morgan as wealth manager. Human touch, 96% persistency rate.
• American Fidelity Global — Barbados, Spanish-first end to end, ideal if you value service in Spanish throughout the process.
• BMI International — LATAM specialist, international coverage with a regional focus.

The quoting tool shows you the 23 plans available for Argentina from these 6 carriers, with real prices and benefits compared side by side.

How to quote your plan in 90 seconds

Enter country (Argentina), ages, type of coverage and preferred deductible. In under a minute you will see all the options sorted by price, with a breakdown of benefits and each insurer’s credentials.

Quote my IPMI plan now →

How to pay for your plan from Argentina (around the cepo)

The insurers issue from abroad (Bermuda, Puerto Rico, Barbados, UK). Payment options for Argentine residents are:

1. International credit card: Visa/Mastercard issued in Argentina. The charge is debited in USD and converted to pesos at the “card” exchange rate (dólar tarjeta, ~1.6× the official rate). It is the most common option.
2. Card issued outside Argentina: if you have an account in the United States, Spain or Uruguay, the best option.
3. SWIFT transfer in USD: from a CERA account (special account for Argentine residents) or from an account abroad. No USD 200/month quota limit.
4. Automatic debit from a corporate card: if you have an SA/SRL, it can be channeled as an operating expense (check with your accountant).

Frequently asked questions

Is it legal to have international health insurance as an Argentine resident?
Yes. IPMI plans are legal products issued by foreign insurers. They are declared in the personal assets tax return (bienes personales) if applicable.

Can I keep my obra social or prepaid plan and add IPMI?
Yes. Many clients use IPMI as complementary coverage for what their prepaid plans do not cover (international second opinion, treatment abroad, high complexity with no caps). IPMI reimburses international expenses; it does not replace the local prepaid plan.

What about pre-existing conditions?
Each insurer has its own policy. In individual underwriting, they are declared when you apply. Some cover them from month 1 with a surcharge, others exclude them or impose a waiting period. In group quotes (companies), they are usually covered from day 1.

How does reimbursement work if I get treated in Argentina?
You pay for the care locally (cash, credit or debit card) and submit the invoice + medical report. The insurer reimburses in USD to your card or account abroad within 2–4 weeks. Some plans already have direct agreements with Hospital Alemán and Hospital Italiano in Buenos Aires.

Do I need to travel to sign up?
No. The whole process is 100% online: quote, application, electronic signature, policy issuance. Our team advises you in Spanish from Miami.

How long does it take to issue the policy?
Between 3 and 10 business days from when you send the complete application. Plans with no declared pre-existing conditions are issued faster.

Does it cover COVID-19 or future pandemics?
Yes. All IPMI plans cover infectious diseases including COVID-19 (hospitalization, medication, intensive care). No specific pandemic exclusions apply.

What happens if I move to Spain or the USA?
Your IPMI policy goes with you with no additional paperwork — that is the main advantage. You simply update your address with your advisor. There is no new waiting period.