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- Emergency Medical Care
11/08/2025
Essential Emergency Numbers
Primary Emergency Numbers
- 131: Medical emergencies (SAMU - Servicio de Atención Medical de Urgencia)
- 132: Fire department
- 133: Police (Carabineros)
- 134: Police investigations (PDI)
Alternative Emergency Numbers
- 911: Unified emergency number (redirects to appropriate service)
- 600 360 7777: Poison control center
- 129: Coast Guard (for maritime emergencies)
Important Medical Emergency Contacts
- FONASA Emergency Line: 600 360 3000
- Private Clinic Emergency Numbers: Varies by facility
- Tourist Emergency Hotline: 600 600 2828
Types of Emergency Services
Public Emergency System (SAMU)
Coverage: National emergency medical service Response: Ambulance services and emergency medical technicians Cost: Free for life-threatening emergencies regardless of insurance status Languages: Primarily Spanish, limited English support
Private Emergency Services
Coverage: Private ambulance services and emergency response Response: Often faster response times with advanced equipment Cost: Higher but often covered by private insurance (ISAPRE) Languages: Better English language support available
Clinic Emergency Departments
Private Clinics: Premium emergency care with shorter wait times Public Hospitals: Comprehensive emergency care, potential longer waits Specialty Centers: Trauma centers, cardiac emergency units Pediatric Emergency: Specialized children's emergency care
Major Emergency Hospitals by City
Santiago Emergency Facilities
Public Emergency Hospitals
Hospital Salvador
- Location: Avenida Salvador 364, Providencia
- Specialties: General emergency, trauma center
- Contact: +56 2 2570 2000
- Metro: Salvador (Line 1)
Hospital Clínico Universidad de Chile
- Location: Santos Dumont 999, Independencia
- Specialties: University hospital with all specialties
- Contact: +56 2 2978 8000
- Metro: Hospitales (Line 2)
Hospital de Urgencia Asistencia Pública (HUAP)
- Location: Portugal 125, Santiago Centro
- Specialties: Major trauma and emergency center
- Contact: +56 2 2362 0000
- Metro: Los Héroes (Line 1, 2)
Private Emergency Clinics
Clínica Las Condes
- Location: Lo Fontecilla 441, Las Condes
- Contact: +56 2 2210 4000
- Features: English-speaking staff, premium emergency care
- Specialties: Cardiac, trauma, pediatric emergencies
Clínica Alemana
- Location: Vitacura 5951, Vitacura
- Contact: +56 2 2210 1111
- Features: International patient services, multilingual staff
- Specialties: Comprehensive emergency care, intensive care
Clínica Santa María
- Location: Avenida Santa María 0500, Providencia
- Contact: +56 2 2913 0000
- Features: Maternity emergency, pediatric care
- Specialties: Women's health, family emergency services
Regional Emergency Facilities
Valparaíso Region
Hospital Carlos Van Buren (Valparaíso)
- Contact: +56 32 362 5000
- Services: Regional trauma center, emergency care
Hospital Gustavo Fricke (Viña del Mar)
- Contact: +56 32 2386 000
- Services: Emergency and trauma care
Concepción Region
Hospital Guillermo Grant Benavente
- Contact: +56 41 273 9000
- Services: Regional emergency and trauma center
La Serena Region
Hospital de La Serena
- Contact: +56 51 2204 6000
- Services: Northern region emergency care
Costs and Insurance Coverage
Public Emergency Care (FONASA)
Emergency Room Visits:
- Group A: Free emergency care
- Group B: Minimal copayments ($2,000-5,000 CLP)
- Group C: Moderate copayments ($5,000-15,000 CLP)
- Group D: Higher copayments ($10,000-25,000 CLP)
Private Emergency Care (ISAPRE)
Emergency Room Visits:
- Network facilities: Copayments based on plan level (10-40% of costs)
- Out-of-network: Higher copayments (50-80% of costs)
- Typical costs: $50,000-200,000 CLP depending on treatment
Private Ambulance:
- Coverage varies by ISAPRE plan
- Direct billing often available
- Costs: $100,000-300,000 CLP for transport
Tourist and Uninsured Care
Payment arrangements: Hospitals offer payment plans Travel insurance: Essential for tourists to cover emergency costs Estimated costs: $400,000-2,000,000 CLP depending on complexity
Special Emergency Situations
Heart Attack and Stroke
Immediate Response: Call 131, do not delay
Best Facilities:
- Clínica Las Condes (Cardiac Center)
- Hospital Salvador (Public stroke center)
- Clínica Alemana (Comprehensive cardiac care)
Key Information to Provide:
- Time symptoms started
- Current medications (especially blood thinners)
- Previous cardiac or stroke history
Trauma and Accidents
- Hospital de Urgencia Asistencia Pública (HUAP) - Public
- Clínica Las Condes - Private
- Hospital Salvador - Public
Pregnancy Emergencies
- Clínica Santa María (renowned maternity services)
- Hospital Salvador (public maternity emergency)
- Clínica Las Condes (comprehensive obstetric care)
Pediatric Emergencies
- Hospital Roberto del Río (public pediatric hospital)
- Clínica Santa María (pediatric emergency)
- Clínica Alemana (children's emergency services)
Emergency medical care in Chile is generally excellent, particularly in major cities. Being prepared, understanding the system, and knowing how to communicate during emergencies will ensure you receive prompt, appropriate care when needed.
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