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One of the most frequent questions many expats have during their visa application process is whether they can use a medicina prepagada (prepaid medicine) service to fulfill the health coverage requirements for a Colombian visa. The short answer is: no. In fact, selecting the wrong service can cost you not only money, but also the chance of your application being successful.
Because understanding how the medical system in Colombia works can be complicated, in this article, we will not only provide a general overview of key terms and regulations but also 4 reasons why you should not use a medicina prepagada service to apply for your Colombian visa.
What Are Medicina Prepagada, EPS, IPS, and Other Common Terms?
Before going into detail about the country’s regulations, we will provide a very brief explanation of some of the most common terms you will read or hear when doing your own research, which are vital to understanding Colombian health policies.
EPS
Stands for Empresas Promotoras de Salud (Health Promoting Companies) and refers to the companies that manage the affiliation and registration of individuals in the Colombian health system. The EPS is not the entity that directly manages patient care, but the one that ‘directs’ the system and patients.
IPS
This is the term used for Instituciones Prestadoras de Salud (health service provider institutions) in Colombia: hospitals, medical centers, clinics, and laboratories. They can be public or private and, under the authority of an EPS, they provide medical or emergency services in Colombia.
Aportes de salud (Health Contributions)
Unlike countries like the United States, the vast majority of Colombians do not have to purchase a health policy from private companies. Instead, the State is responsible for covering a portion of the medical costs through the EPS. In exchange, most employees in the country must pay a monthly amount known as Aportes de Salud (‘health contributions’).
Medicina Prepagada
This is a voluntary, private service that a person can purchase for faster service, access to VIP hospitals, and even home visits from doctors. Unlike mandatory health contributions, these plans are purchased directly. For those living in the USA, the equivalent is a PPO policy.
Régimen Contributivo y Subsidiado (Contributory/Subsidized Regime)
In Colombia, people are grouped into two types of health systems: those with the ability to pay (employees, for example), who contribute a portion of their salary, are under the Régimen Contributivo (Contributory Regime). On the other hand, People without the ability to pay, whose health is financed by the State through taxes, are under the Régimen Subsidiado (Subsidized Regime).
Cuota Moderadora (Moderator Fee)
Even though Colombians pay part of the health system through aportes de salud, every time they access the health system, they also have to pay a Cuota Moderadora: A payment made by both contributors and beneficiaries every time they attend a medical appointment, examination, or claim medication, to regulate the use of the service.
Can a Foreigner with a Tourist Stamp Register in a Medicina Prepagada Plan in Colombia?
No, most foreigners with a tourist stamp cannot obtain a Medicina Prepagada Plan in Colombia because, by law, they must be affiliated with an EPS, and that affiliation is not permitted. According to Decree 780 of 2016, which regulates the Health and Social Protection Sector, affiliation to an EPS is mandatory only for regular residents in Colombia.
If you are staying in Colombia with an entry stamp in your passport, that represents a temporary stay in the country, not an official resident status (as allowed by a visa). According to Article 2.1.3.2 of Decree 780 of 2016, you are not legally eligible to be enrolled in an EPS.
First reason: To acquire a medicina prepagada plan, it is necessary to be affiliated with an EPS
The first mistake many visa applicants make regarding medicina prepagada is viewing it as a standalone ‘private health policy.’ On the contrary, these plans are considered additional services to the EPS affiliation because they work as premium plans that offer ‘extras’ on top of the regular health system services.
This is established by Decree 780 of 2016, which regulates and defines the conditions under which medicina prepagada companies must operate in Colombia, clarifying that they are voluntary health services and, therefore, must be linked to an EPS.
“Contracts for additional plans may only be entered into or renewed with persons who are affiliated with the Contributory Regime of the General Social Security System in Health,” Decree 780 of 2016.
For tourists, it’s not possible to register within an EPS. Although Decree 780 of 2016 allows a passport to be presented as a document for affiliation, if you aren’t regularized with a visa, you don’t meet the “resident requirement” for EPS enrollment.
This is why EG Assist is a tailor-made option for foreigners seeking a health policy as part of their visa process, as it doesn’t require an EPS or any other affiliation and is designed to comply with all the requirements of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Do you Need a Health policy for a Colombian Visa Applications?
Foreigners, when applying for a Colombian visa, health policy is key. EG Assist offers you the best plans and prices wich includes the coverages required for the Colombian goverment.
Can I Buy a Medicina Prepagada Plan for the Entire Granted Time of My Visa?
No. The reason is that one of the main characteristics of medicina prepagada plans in Colombia is that they operate on a monthly payment basis rather than an annual one. Because individuals must remain affiliated with an EPS, providers regularly verify that status to comply with Colombian law.
For visa holders and applicants, this monthly verification process carries additional importance. Maintaining valid health coverage is often a requirement during a foreigner’s stay in Colombia, and failing to demonstrate adequate coverage could affect the approval or renewal of certain visas.
Second reason: The duration of your health policy must be the same as your expected time in Colombia
According to Resolution 5477 of 2022, the duration of your health policy must be at least the time you expect to remain in Colombia. This means that if you intend to be in the country for three years, the health policy you present should be for at least this time.
This is because the government needs a guarantee that while you remain in Colombia, all your health expenses will be covered and you will not have to rely on the country’s medical care system. If you apply with a health policy that works with monthly payments or is valid for only one year, it’s possible that the granted time for your desired visa will be shorter.
Although we always recommend purchasing a health policy valid for the maximum granted time for the Colombian visa selected, this does not guarantee the visa will be approved for the same duration, as the decision is only up to migratory authorities. For this reason, EG Assist offers alternatives such as Premium Flex—an add-on that provides specific guarantees when purchasing a policy, such as the option to receive a refund for unused policy years if your visa was approved for a shorter period (terms and conditions apply).
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Does Medicina Prepagada Meet the Requirements for a Visa Application?
Because most medicina prepagada plans are designed to cover Colombian nationals and foreigners with a regular stay (visa), not tourists applying for visas or staying in the country, they do not meet most of the requirements set out in Resolution 5477 of 2022 for health policies.
Third reason: Your health policy must cover all requirements of Resolution 5477 of 2022
The Colombian law is clear in the requirements that a health policy must have. Next, you will find a table listing all the needs your plan must cover and how the EG Assist private health policy compares with the coverage offered by some of the most popular medicina prepagada plans in the country.
| Requirement | Medicina Prepagada | Private Health Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Coverage throughout the national territory | Yes, but only in selected plans and limited to the provider's regional coverage. | Yes, and also includes worldwide coverage. |
| Accidents | Yes, but in most cases, through the purchase of an accident policy. The cost is also higher. | Yes, with all-risk coverage included. |
| Illness | Yes, but not for those with pre-existing conditions. A prior medical examination is required to join. | Yes. Within each plan's coverage, the top expenses for emergencies related to pre-existing illnesses are included. |
| Maternity Complications | Yes, but for coverage, they require purchasing a maternity 'addendum' if the service was contracted before pregnancy. | Yes. Medical services for maternity emergencies are covered by the policy. |
| Disability | Yes, but even on the most expensive plans, they are added to a life policy, which incurs an additional cost to the user. | Yes, it is covered under the policy's all-risk coverage. |
| Hospitalization | Yes, but most plans that offer this option start at $85 USD per month. | Yes. All plans include hospitalization expenses. |
| Death | Yes, but in most cases, through the purchase of funeral insurance. | Yes, it is covered under the policy's all-risk coverage. |
| Funeral or medical repatriation | Yes, but in most cases, through the purchase of funeral insurance. | Yes, it is covered under the policy's all-risk coverage. |
Is Medicina Prepagada the Most Cost-Effective Option to Get Private Health Coverage in Colombia?
Since the visa process already involves a significant investment, many foreigners look for a health policy that offers them the best value for money. The problem with medicina prepagada plans is that, in the long term, they can be much more expensive and take a heavy toll on your wallet than alternative health policies designed for foreigners.
The two main reasons are that, first, they tend to increase in value with age and are even more expensive for people over 30, and, second, they typically operate on a monthly basis, which means higher long-term costs.
Fourth reason: Medicina prepagada can be a more expensive health policy option
Medicina prepagada might not be the best option for your budget, especially since most base plans do not meet all the requirements for visa applicants. Most medicina prepagada plans can include elements like funeral or medical repatriation, but as add-ons that can significantly increase the final price of the health policy. We show a table comparing our EG Assist plans, with coverages designed specifically for Colombian visa applications, with other Medicina Prepagada plans.
Prices were calculated with a representative market rate of $3,750 COP per $1 USD.
| Health Policy Provider | Monthly Price | Annual Price |
|---|---|---|
| EG Assist (Private Health Policy for Visa Application) | Starting at $38.25 USD Monthly ($141.900 COP aprox) - paid annually | Starting at $465 USD annually ($1,856,000 aprox). |
| Seguros Bolivar (Medicina Prepagada Plan) | Starting at $105 USD monthly ($396,000 COP aprox).
No funeral or medical repatriation, unless you purchase an international coverage policy, which can increase the price by up to $253 USD extra per month. | Starting at 1,050 USD annually ($4,308,000 COP approx.). |
| Colmedica (Medicina Prepagada Plan) | Starting at $81 USD Monthly ($303,000 COP aprox).
No funeral or medical repatriation, unless you purchase an international travel policy, for $950 USD annually. | Starting at 912 USD dollars annually (3,663,000 COP aprox). |
| Coomeva (Medicina Prepagada Plan) | Starting at $61 USD Monthly ($228,000 COP aprox)
No funeral or medical repatriation, unless you purchase an international travel policy, for $950 USD annually. | Starting at 912 USD dollars annually ($2,763,000 COP aprox). |
| Sura (Medicina Prepagada Plan) | Starting at $57 USD Monthly ($215,000 COP aprox).
No funeral or medical repatriation unless you purchase their global funeral insurance, and the price can vary by age and the number of people insured. | Starting at $700 USD annually ($2,585,000 COP aprox). |
With this picture, it should be clearer why EG Assist is the best option for expats applying for a visa in Colombia. Our health policy not only complies with regulations but also strikes the best balance between value and cost. Not only that, but the buying process is simple; you can purchase your EG Assist health policy below in just a few minutes.
Explore EG Assist health policy plans, designed for visas in Colombia, and obtain peace of mind with your application
To Sum Up: You Should Not Use Medicina Prepagada to Apply for Your Visa in Colombia
Navigating the health system in Colombia can be complicated for foreigners, but it is vital to understand the law to comprehend why medicina prepagada plans are not only unsuitable for applying for a visa but, in many cases, can involve greater economic and time burdens:
- Required EPS affiliation: A prerequisite that most foreigners (especially tourists) cannot meet, as you cannot affiliate with an EPS unless you are a regular resident in the country (with a valid visa).
- Required monthly payments: Because medicina prepagada plans are paid monthly, the coverage is not yearly. This means less coverage and sometimes a shorter granted visa term.
- These plans do not meet many of the mandatory requirements. The law is clear, and these plans do not cover services such as funeral repatriation.
- Higher costs: Because most Medicina Prepagada plans require add-ons to cover the requirements for foreigners, they can be more expensive in the long term when you add critical elements such as medical and funerary repatriation.
It may seem that selecting the right health plan is a minefield of rules, decrees, and resolutions. But it doesn’t have to be. EG Assist is not only a policy designed for foreigners seeking a visa in Colombia, but it is also a service backed by a network of experts ready to answer your questions. What are you waiting for? Get a health policy created to increase your chances of getting your visa and starting your life in Colombia.
It may seem that selecting the right health plan is a minefield of rules, decrees, and resolutions. But it doesn’t have to be. EG Assist is not only a policy designed for foreigners seeking a visa in Colombia, but it is also a service backed by a network of experts ready to answer your questions. What are you waiting for? Get a health policy created to increase your chances of getting your visa and starting your life in Colombia.
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