Taking a trip to Chile for school is an exciting new adventure. However, if you have a partner/spouse or kids with you as you take this journey, the excitement could soon fade when you realize how much of a challenge finding affordable health care will be in Chile. Chile has one of the best medical systems in the world; however, it is a mix of public and private options. The complexity of the Chilean medical system will make it challenging to find affordable health care no matter how well prepared you are. 

The most important thing to remember at this point is that most “student” insurance policies available to students in Chile are individual only. Therefore, unless there is a specific plan that includes dependent coverage, you will need a plan of attack to provide your dependents with adequate coverage. If you are looking for the comfort of being able to go to a global provider or want to integrate into the local health care system in Chile, there are 10 options listed below for families and I will give you some strategic advice to help you decide which one is right for your family.

1. FONASA + Complementary Insurance

The National Health System (FONASA) is Chile’s public health service. You will be enrolled in FONASA if you or your spouse receive a local employment contract, and you contribute 7% of your income towards social security. 

The enrollment process for families through FONASA has the best characteristics for equality among all entry points. Once you are legally recognized as a resident, all of your dependents will be included in your contributions. In addition, the public system generally faces very long waiting periods for medical care. For professional families who plan to live long-term in Chile, it is recommended to purchase “complementary insurance”. These are private insurance plans that can be purchased to complement FONASA; these private plans allow for payment of copays and they also provide access to a broader range of private hospitals than FONASA. This hybrid approach is an affordable alternative to purchasing private insurance exclusively for those long-term students with local employment.

2. ISAPRE Colmena Golden Cross

The majority of families with the financial means to pay for private medical services in Chile put Colmena at the very top of the list. Colmena has created a solid network for pediatrics as well as maternity options.

Colmena’s “Golden Cross” insurance plans give families access to the best hospitals in Chile. Although they can be pricey and sometimes require an additional out-of-pocket expense (“top-up”) beyond the 7% mandatory contribution, there is comfort in knowing that you will see a doctor sooner and that the hospital will likely be more modern. A monthly total healthcare budget (premiums + co-pays) for a family of three or four would range from $1,500 to $2,500 for high-end private health insurance.

3. ISAPRE Banmédica

Banmédica is generally preferred by expats and young professionals. The reason is that Banmédica has very effective and efficient systems in place with respect to both online and digital applications. It certainly makes managing a house and pursuing an education much easier. 

Family plans from Banmédica are comprehensive. Banmédica offers excellent coverage of vaccination requirements, emergency visits for children and also offers many specialist visits at major hospitals in Santiago where you may be able to find English speaking doctors. As with other ISAPREs, Banmédica uses medical underwriting. Medical underwriting requires that Banmédica carefully review your family’s medical history prior to issuing a contract. Therefore, if possible, you should attempt to apply during the time when all members of your family are healthy.

4. ISAPRE Consalud

Consalud is an established player in the Chilean private health insurance market; as such they are often the first choice when it comes to partnering with large universities and corporations. 

One of the advantages of working with Consalud is their scale. In addition to offering many different plan options, they also allow clients to tailor those options based on what services are available in a client’s neighborhood and/or the nearest clinic. Consalud also offers a single contract option for clients who will be covering family members who have been resident in Chile for at least six months prior to the effective date of coverage; this provides significant administrative savings. Clients should however be aware of the “fine print” that exists regarding which clinics will provide the greatest bonificación (the percent of each medical service covered by the policy) for each client.

5. ISAPRE Cruz Blanca

Cruz Blanca has a large network of affiliated hospitals throughout Chile’s larger cities, which means if you’re studying in Santiago, Valparaiso, or Concepción you will be close to one of Cruz Blanca’s providers. 

The family plan at Cruz Blanca focuses on minimizing your out-of-pocket expenses when it comes to hospitalizations. Their strength is in their negotiated prices with the top-rated clinics; while they may have similar monthly premium amounts as Colmena or Banmédica, Cruz Blanca’s negotiability is a major advantage for families that live in the downtown area of Santiago.

6. ISAPRE Bupa Chile

You probably already know the name Bupa. Bupa is an insurer and own clinics in Chile. The advantages to being vertically integrated, are the billing may be less complicated since the insurer owns the clinic. 

Although they have student-specific “student” insurance products that are generally individual-only coverage, their comprehensive ISAPRE family plans are very good and one of the top choices for families wanting the global brand recognition and integration of a Chilean health plan.

7. University-Sponsored Student Plans

The majority of universities in Chile require students to obtain a standard medical insurance package. Typically these packages are arranged through providers such as Bupa or Consalud, and the monthly costs vary from approximately CLP 25,000 to CLP 45,000. 

The Problem: In virtually all cases, the student’s coverage will exclude his/her family members.

The Importance: A mandatory medical insurance plan is required by most Chilean universities in order to process student visas and registration. Most international families that achieve success in finding the right type of coverage for their families utilize the university plan as the base for the student and then locate a different (and usually far better) plan for the spouse and dependents.

8. International Student & Family Plans (e.g., Guard.me)

International student insurance policies provide better emergency health coverage than ISAPREs and include medical evacuation and repatriation; these policies are usually purchased on an individual basis and can be covered under a single policy by the whole family. This is great because it covers many things that the ISAPREs tend to ignore such as the emergency hospitalizations, evacuations, etc. However, international student insurance will probably have fewer benefits in terms of routine vision or dental care while living in Chile compared to purchasing local ISAPREs. International student insurance provides the most flexibility when traveling to other countries and you expect to spend around $400-$800 (per year) for the primary student and then additional fees for each dependent.

9. Global Expat Health Plans (Cigna, Allianz)

International student insurance policies provide better emergency health coverage than ISAPREs and include medical evacuation and repatriation; these policies are usually purchased on an individual basis and can be covered under a single policy by the whole family. This is great because it covers many things that the ISAPREs tend to ignore such as the emergency hospitalizations, evacuations, etc. However, international student insurance will probably have fewer benefits in terms of routine vision or dental care while living in Chile compared to purchasing local ISAPREs. International student insurance provides the most flexibility when traveling to other countries and you expect to spend around $400-$800 (per year) for the primary student and then additional fees for each dependent.

10. The “Broker Bundle” Strategy

Professional expat brokers in Chile rarely recommend just one brand. Instead, they recommend a structure.

A common “Expert Bundle” looks like this:

• The Student: Uses the mandatory University Plan (for the visa).
• The Family: Uses a local ISAPRE (for day-to-day care in Chile).
• The Safety Net: A small international “travel” or “evacuation” add-on for the whole family.

This approach ensures you meet all legal requirements while keeping your out-of-pocket costs predictable.

Cost & Coverage: A Quick Glance

Actionable Tips for the International Student Parent

1. Check “Waiver” Rules: Before you purchase an expensive international plan, contact your Chilean university for their “Waiver Requirements”. If your plan does not include repatriation coverage of $50,000+, they will likely reject your plan, requiring you to purchase both an ISAPRE and International Insurance.
2. The Residency Factor: If your spouse is entering on a Tourist Visa, they cannot be part of an ISAPRE. A Spouse obtaining a Dependent Residency Visa, however, makes them eligible to obtain an ISAPRE.
3. Know the “Carencias”: Carencias are waiting periods for pre-existing conditions or pregnancy. Some ISAPREs have waiting periods from 6 months to 2 years. Therefore, if you are considering having children, you should enroll in the ISAPRE before arriving in Chile.
4. Pediatric Check: Well-child visits are common in Chile (“Control de Niño Sano”). Your plan should cover all of these well-child visits at 100% or low copays since well-child visits are cumulative during the first two years of a child’s life.
5. Mental Health: With the increasing stress of modern student life, many students are seeking mental health services. Make sure your plan has “Salud Mental” coverage. Historically, local Chilean plans have been lacking in this area, but some ISAPREs are improving their outpatient psychology coverage.

Insurance selection goes beyond selecting a premium rate; it is also ensuring that a middle-of-the-night fever does not become a financial emergency. Purchasing a local plan to meet your daily needs and purchasing an international plan to provide safety-net support for unexpected emergencies allows you to focus on your studies and your family’s adventures in the heart of the Andes.

References:

• BeaKon Global. (2025, April 9). International health insurance in Chile.https://www.beakonglobal.com/blog/country-guide-4/international-health-insurance-in-chile-11
• BrokerFish. (n.d.). Chile: Expat medical insurance & healthcare guide.https://brokerfish.com/medical-insurance/country-guides/chile
• Expat.cl. (2022, May 13). Healthcare in Chile: An overview for expats moving to Chile.https://www.expat.cl/guide-chile/healthcare/
• Expat.cl. (2025, August 10). ISAPRE: Complete guide to Chile’s private healthcare.https://www.expat.cl/guide-chile/healthcare/isapre-private-healthcare-complete-guide/
• InternationalInsurance.com. (2025, December 10). Chile’s healthcare system: Access for expats and visitors. https://www.internationalinsurance.com/countries/chile/healthcare/
• International Student Insurance. (2016, September 5). Health insurance policy requirements for inside Chile. https://www.internationalstudentinsurance.com/schools/inside-chile.php
• Isapre o Fonasa. (2024, December 31). FONASA vs ISAPRE 2025 y 2026: Guía completa y seguros complementarios Chile. https://www.isapreofonasa.cl
• Mondassur. (2025, February 9). Your student insurance in Chile and tips for your stay.https://www.mondassur.com/en/tips-and-tricks-for-international-students-in-chile/
• Qogent Global. (2025, May 27). Chile health & travel insurance 2025 – Complete guide.https://qogentglobal.com/study-in-chile/pre-departure/insurance
• CompareExpatPlans. (n.d.). Health insurance for families in Chile: Expat guide.https://compareexpatplans.com/insurance-for/families/in/chile/