My husband and I moved to Porto from the Seattle area in 2022. In 2023, our private health insurance was raised 12% and this year was raised 20%. At this rate of year-over-year increase, in just a few years, Portuguese private insurance will surpass the US in terms of cost. Medicare Part B increases about 2-5% year-over-year and same with Obamacare. Currently, Portuguese private insurance is still very affordable; but given the trajectory, it will not be for long. Our broker has no answers, except that all companies are raising rates to unprecedented highs for vague reasons. Michael from Serenity told us that this may be the new normal moving forward due to systemic changes that are desperately needed but not being addressed in the medical system here in Portugal. Our experience with the medical care here in Portugal is superior to the US, but I want to paint a realistic picture for people considering coming here. (We prefer not to solely use the public system because it’s already overburdened; and as relatively privileged immigrants, we want local people's needs to be prioritized.)
Hi! Thank you for sharing your experience. We appreciate your realistic perspective on the rising costs of private health insurance in Portugal. Indeed, we absolutely agree that the reasons for increasing the rates seem to be rather vague. More and more people are resorting to private healthcare in Portugal due to public's system 'catastrophic' state and long waiting lists that can take YEARS. Its seems that's the main justification for insurances to raise their rates. Thank you once again for sharing!
Igualmente amiga!
My husband and I moved to Porto from the Seattle area in 2022. In 2023, our private health insurance was raised 12% and this year was raised 20%. At this rate of year-over-year increase, in just a few years, Portuguese private insurance will surpass the US in terms of cost. Medicare Part B increases about 2-5% year-over-year and same with Obamacare. Currently, Portuguese private insurance is still very affordable; but given the trajectory, it will not be for long.
Our broker has no answers, except that all companies are raising rates to unprecedented highs for vague reasons. Michael from Serenity told us that this may be the new normal moving forward due to systemic changes that are desperately needed but not being addressed in the medical system here in Portugal. Our experience with the medical care here in Portugal is superior to the US, but I want to paint a realistic picture for people considering coming here.
(We prefer not to solely use the public system because it’s already overburdened; and as relatively privileged immigrants, we want local people's needs to be prioritized.)
Hi! Thank you for sharing your experience. We appreciate your realistic perspective on the rising costs of private health insurance in Portugal. Indeed, we absolutely agree that the reasons for increasing the rates seem to be rather vague. More and more people are resorting to private healthcare in Portugal due to public's system 'catastrophic' state and long waiting lists that can take YEARS. Its seems that's the main justification for insurances to raise their rates.
Thank you once again for sharing!