Updated 2026 · Public + IPS + Private
Paraguay healthcare. Same equipment as US clinics. A quarter the bill.
Private clinics in Asunción use the same imaging and lab equipment as US clinics at 3-5× lower prices, with no waiting lists. Tourists get free emergency care at public hospitals just by showing a passport. Dental work alone often covers the flight; implants start at US$ 1,135.
Cost compare
Private clinic prices vs the US.
| Service | Paraguay | United States |
|---|---|---|
| GP visit | US$ 15–50 | US$ 150–300 |
| Specialist visit | US$ 30–100 | US$ 300–500 |
| MRI (one zone) | US$ 150–300 | US$ 1,000–3,000 |
| Blood-test panel | US$ 30–80 | US$ 200–500 |
| Tooth extraction | US$ 30–80 | US$ 150–400 |
| Hospital stay (per night) | US$ 100–300 | US$ 2,500–5,000+ |
Prices are typical retail prices in Asunción private hospitals; vary by clinic and severity. Out-of-pocket without insurance.
How the system works
Paraguay's three healthcare tiers.
- 01
Public (MSPBS) — free for everyone
Constitutional right to free emergency + basic care for anyone with ID, including foreign tourists. Reality: crowded, Spanish-only staff, weeks-long waits for specialists. Solid for emergencies, not for routine care.
- 02
IPS — for the formally employed
Mandatory social insurance: 9% from worker + 16.5% from employer. Covers consultations, surgeries, dentistry, chronic disease — no deductibles or waiting periods. Freelancers and remote workers do not qualify.
- 03
Private — what most expats use
3-5× cheaper than US private care, no waiting lists, English-speaking doctors at top hospitals. The usual combo is out-of-pocket for visits + Asismed or OSDE for hospitalization — budget it alongside the rest of your cost of living.
Top private hospitals
Three private hospitals worth knowing by name.
All three are in Asunción with ICUs, MRI/CT, English-speaking specialists, and direct billing for international insurance.
Sanatorio Migone Battilana
Eligio Ayala 1293 esq. Curupayty, Asunción
+595 21 218 2500
Flagship private hospital. MRI + CT, English-speaking doctors, full ICU.
Sanatorio San Roque
Eligio Ayala 1383 y Paí Pérez, Asunción
+595 21 248 9000
Modern operating theaters. Strong cardiology and maternity.
Sanatorio Británico
Avda. Rodríguez de Francia 910 e/ Parapití, Asunción
+595 21 379-8000
Popular with English-speaking expats.
Insurance options
Three plan tiers.
- Local prepaid (from US$ 50/mo) — Covers basic visits and labs. Doesn't cover serious illness — gap-filler, not real insurance.
- Comprehensive local (US$ 100–200/mo) — Asismed, OSDE — covers surgeries and hospitalization at top private hospitals.
- International (US$ 200–400/mo) — Cigna Global, GeoBlue — clinic choice anywhere worldwide, complex cases covered.
Dental tourism
60–70% savings vs US prices.
Asunción dental clinics use the same Swiss titanium implants and CAD/CAM labs as US clinics. It's common to book a cleaning and check-up the same week as a residency appointment.
| Procedure | Paraguay | US (typical) |
|---|---|---|
| Cleaning | US$ 30–50 | US$ 100–200 |
| Filling | US$ 25–60 | US$ 150–300 |
| Tooth extraction | US$ 30–80 | US$ 150–400 |
| Crown (porcelain-metal) | US$ 150–300 | US$ 800–1,500 |
| Root canal | US$ 100–200 | US$ 700–1,500 |
| Implant (Swiss titanium, all-in) | US$ 1,100–1,500 | US$ 3,000–5,000+ |
- Risus Dental Clinic (Dr. Patricia Filippini) — Implant specialty. Fixed-price implant package: US$ 1,135. CAD/CAM lab, fully English-speaking staff.
- MediDent (Dr. Claudia) — Top patient-rated for routine care and cleanings. Av. Aviadores del Chaco casi Molas López.
- Odontología 3 — Largest network — 150+ clinics, 24/7/365 emergency dental.
- Codas Clinic (Dr. Diana Codas) — Premium / complex cases — diplomats' dentist. Uses dental microscopes. Juan de Salazar 463.
Emergency
Numbers and addresses to save.
- Ambulance (SEME) 141
- All emergencies 911
- Hospital del Trauma (Asunción) +595 21 204-800
- Sanatorio Migone (24/7) +595 21 218 2500
FAQ
Paraguay healthcare — common questions
Is healthcare good in Paraguay?
Private healthcare in Paraguay is genuinely good and very affordable. Top Asunción private hospitals — Migone, San Roque, Británico — run the same imaging and lab equipment as US clinics at 3-5× lower prices, with English-speaking doctors and no waiting lists. The free public system is solid for emergencies but crowded and Spanish-only for routine care.
How much does a doctor visit cost in Paraguay?
A GP visit at an Asunción private clinic typically costs US$ 15–50, and a specialist visit US$ 30–100 — paid out of pocket, without insurance. For comparison, the same visits run US$ 150–300 and US$ 300–500 in the United States. Imaging is cheap too: an MRI of one zone is US$ 150–300.
Can tourists get healthcare in Paraguay?
Yes — tourists get free emergency and basic care at public (MSPBS) hospitals just by showing a passport, as a constitutional right. For routine or planned care, tourists use private clinics and pay out of pocket, which is fast and affordable. Private hospitals also offer direct billing for international insurance.
Do I need health insurance in Paraguay?
It is strongly recommended but not legally required for foreigners. Many expats pay out of pocket for routine visits and carry insurance only for hospitalization — comprehensive local plans like Asismed or OSDE run US$ 100–200/month, and international plans US$ 200–400. Note that IPS, the mandatory social insurance, only covers the formally employed — freelancers and remote workers do not qualify.
Is dental work cheaper in Paraguay?
Yes — dental work in Asunción costs about 60–70% less than US prices, using the same Swiss titanium implants and CAD/CAM labs. A cleaning is US$ 30–50, a porcelain-metal crown US$ 150–300, and a full Swiss-titanium implant US$ 1,100–1,500 versus US$ 3,000–5,000+ in the US. For many people the dental savings alone cover the flight.
Do doctors in Paraguay speak English?
At the top private hospitals, yes — Migone, San Roque, and Británico all have English-speaking specialists, and Británico in particular is popular with English-speaking expats. Several leading dental clinics have fully English-speaking staff. Public hospitals, by contrast, are generally Spanish-only.
Sources
Verify with official sources
Every fact on this page links to a Paraguayan government authority or accepted third-party data source.
- MSPBS — Ministry of Public Health mspbs.gov.py ↗
Public-hospital network, sanitary regulations, MERCOSUR medical-certificate template.
- IPS — Instituto de Previsión Social ips.gov.py ↗
Social-security institute. Worker 9% / employer 16.5% rates referenced on this page.
- DINAVISA — Drug regulator dinavisa.gov.py ↗
Medication approvals; reference if checking what prescriptions are sold here.
Plan your move
Have a procedure or condition? We'll match you to a clinic.
Book a consultation and we'll connect you to the right Asunción specialist before you arrive.