Brazil’s medical system in comparison to the US. I’m clearly no expert here, and this is based on my observations and recent experiences in Brazil related to medical care and medications in the US.

My first observation is that Brazilian medical care is better than my experience and care in the US. My first task was finding a doctor, and when I did, the office and facility were great. The office buildings also offered free coffee and, in some cases, cafes with food, a nice benefit if you are hanging around.

Upon meeting my doc, I spent close to an hour. He just wanted to get to know me, my medical history, and me as a person. Now I have not spent an hour with a doc in the US if I combined all my appointments for the last 10 years. In the US, it was a quick check, here is a script, and off you go. My appointment in Brazil lasted close to an hour, and he also requested several scans of the heart, lungs, and other internal organs to establish a baseline and ensure nothing was missed. Everything for me, a 63-year-old guy, was great. Now, here is the funny part: he gives you his WhatsApp number, and you text him anytime, for anything. I’m not kidding, and he gets back to you in a few hours. Imagine trying to reach your US doc like this. I’m stopping here for a good laugh.

Now, back to the scans, my son went through the same thing. This type of test would never be done in the US, yet it found a growth on his spleen that had to be removed. Fortunately, that was not an issue. However, if this were the US, that test would never be done as a general check, and who knows where that growth would have led us.

The hospital where my son had surgery was as good as any I’ve seen in the States. I’m directly comparing the hospital experience in Brazil with that in the U.S. The cafeteria was restaurant-quality eating in Brazil is great. My son’s surgery went smoothly, and the care was excellent. So far, Brazil is winning this debate.

Now, the second part is state-sponsored care that is free or low-cost. While this does not exist in the US, Brazil does offer free health care. I can’t speak to the quality, but from what I’ve seen, the facilities are decent. The key difference is that Brazil gives access to care for those who can’t afford it, so everyone receives at least basic treatment.

Finally, the cost and insurance. We have an insurance plan that covers hospital stays, and typically, we pay out of pocket for general doctor visits. Compared to US medical plans, our insurance costs about the same or less while providing better coverage. The cost of my son’s surgery in Brazil was significantly lower than what it would have been in the US.

Last prescriptions. I can get everything over the counter here that I need to renew every 6-12 months with a US doc. I think it is for anything other than narcotics, but all my blood pressure meds are right over the counter.

All said, I find the care and cost better here, no waiting, top-shelf knowledge, and much less stress. Even care for people who have limited means.

Author: kwholley63

I spent 40 years in FinTech before retiring to Rio de Janeiro to trade software releases for a front-row seat to the beautiful absurdity of life in Brazil. This blog is my digital porch, a place for unpolished commentary on book reviews, daily gripes, and the random thoughts of a guy who finally has the time to pay attention. I’m an observant realist with a deep appreciation for history, a good quote, and the perspective that only comes after the career ends. I write to stay sharp, to stay honest, and to keep the conversation going. I love my Patriots and Bruins, a life long fan in bad times and good. They have been quite good for a long time now! I love spending time with my wife the best times are just doing nothing; watching tv, talking or just sitting at the beach together for a few hours. Our spot is pier 60 in Clearwater. I love the time I have with my kids when I can, they are all pretty busy. Seinfeld is about the best comedy ever. You will see me frequently comment on the show and why my blog is about nothing.