Navigating the healthcare system requires access to a range of medical professionals.
This directory lists physicians in Buenos Aires across various specialties. Whether you need a primary care doctor or a referral to a specialist, this list can serve as a starting point for finding the right care.
Buenos Aires offers excellent medical care with highly qualified physicians, many of whom have trained abroad in Europe or North America.
The city’s healthcare system provides expats with both public and private options, though most foreign residents gravitate toward private healthcare for shorter wait times and English-speaking doctors.
The quality of medical services in Buenos Aires rivals that of major cities in developed countries, while costs remain significantly lower than in the United States or Europe.
Argentina’s public healthcare system is free for everyone, including foreigners and tourists, requiring only basic identification to access services.
However, public hospitals often have long waiting times and primarily Spanish-speaking staff. Most expats choose private healthcare, which offers modern facilities, English-speaking physicians, and the ability to schedule appointments more easily.
In Argentina, it’s common to visit specialists directly rather than going through a general practitioner first.
Some residents even use emergency rooms for non-urgent issues like colds or minor injuries, where hospital administration may direct you straight to the appropriate specialist. This differs from the referral-based systems in many Western countries.
Private health insurance starts at affordable monthly rates and doesn’t require special visa status – just identification and payment of the monthly fee. Most private facilities require credit card payment at the time of service, with reimbursement through your insurance provider later.
While many physicians speak English, knowing basic Spanish medical vocabulary helps, especially since conversational Spanish often doesn’t cover medical terminology.
Key terms include: médico (doctor), consultorio (doctor’s office), turno (appointment), obra social (social security health insurance), prepaga (private health insurance), receta (prescription), emergencia (emergency), and guardia (emergency room).
