The primary requirement for a prepaid health care plan (Medicina prepagada) is an active EPS affiliation. You can freely choose the health insurance agency of your preference to acquire a prepaid health care plan, regardless of the EPS you’re affiliated with.

Prepaid health care (Medicina prepagada) is not mandatory. It’s an optional service in addition to EPS that enhances the quality of life for the affiliate, providing access to medical specialists and other outpatient or hospital services. Prepaid health care reduces waiting times for appointment scheduling and can be obtained from medical centers separate from the EPS.

No. Foreigners with category V visas, except for regulatory exceptions, are not required to join the Colombian health system since they are profiled as «visitors» with no intention of permanent stay in the country. For these cases, it is necessary, and in most cases, MANDATORY, to have a health policy with coverage in Colombia.

Health insurance companies offer extended benefits much more complete than EPS. In addition to the fact that it is helpful for visa procedures, it is a health plan that has international healthcare coverage, funeral repatriation, hotel expenses for convalescence, compensation for missed flights and lost luggage, short-term disability insurance, and pre-existing conditions coverage, and so on.

No. The health insurance must be active during the validity of the visa. Once your application is approved, it will attached to the health insurance policy you provided in the requirements before the chancellery. Cancellation of the private health insurance may result in the loss of the validity of your visa.

All foreigners residing in Colombia and holding a category M or R visa, except the M type Retirement visa, must enroll in the Colombian health system when they obtain their Immigration ID.