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- FONASA (Public Healthcare)
Last updated on 19/03/2026
FONASA (Fondo Nacional de Salud) is Chile's public healthcare system. It covers all legal residents and gives you access to public hospitals, as well as some private clinics through specific arrangements. If you work with a local contract, the 7% health contribution from your salary goes here by default — unless you choose an ISAPRE instead.
For most expats, the question is whether FONASA is good enough or whether you should pay more for private coverage. The answer depends on your income, your health needs, and your tolerance for waiting.
How it works
FONASA assigns you to one of four groups based on your income:
Group A is for people with no taxable income. Coverage is free and limited to the public hospital network.
Group B covers people earning up to CLP 440,000 per month. You pay 7% of your income and get free care at public hospitals.
Groups C and D cover higher earners. You still pay 7%, but you also pay copayments (10-20%) for services at public hospitals. The advantage is that you get access to the Libre Elección modality, which lets you use participating private clinics at reduced rates.
In all groups, emergency care is available regardless of ability to pay.
Using FONASA at private clinics
FONASA is not limited to public hospitals. There are two ways to access private care:
Libre Elección ("free choice") lets you see any doctor or clinic registered with FONASA. You pay upfront and get partially reimbursed. The reimbursement depends on your group and the type of service — typically 50-75% of the FONASA reference price, which is often lower than what the clinic actually charges. Expect to pay a significant portion out of pocket.
PAD (Pago Asociado a Diagnóstico) is a system where specific procedures (childbirth, appendectomy, cataract surgery, etc.) are covered at a fixed price at participating private clinics. If your procedure qualifies, this can be a very good deal — you know the cost upfront and the coverage is generous.
Registration
You register at any FONASA office or through your employer's payroll system. You need your Chilean RUT. If you do not have one yet, you cannot enroll — but you can still access emergency services and pay out of pocket.
If you are employed, your employer handles enrollment and deductions. If you are self-employed or retired, you register directly and make monthly contributions.
Costs in practice
The 7% contribution is your base cost. Beyond that, what you actually pay depends on where you go:
- Public hospital, institutional modality: Free or minimal copayment for Groups A and B. Groups C and D pay 10-20%.
- Public hospital, specialist referral: Free, but wait times can be weeks to months for non-urgent cases.
- Private clinic via Libre Elección: You pay the difference between the clinic's price and FONASA's reimbursement. For a GP visit, expect CLP 15,000-30,000 out of pocket. For specialists, CLP 25,000-50,000.
- Medications: FONASA covers some medications at public pharmacies, but the selection is limited. You will likely buy most medications at commercial pharmacies at full price.
Who should choose FONASA?
FONASA makes sense if you are on a limited budget, if you are generally healthy and only need occasional care, or if you want a safety net without paying high premiums. It also accepts everyone regardless of age or pre-existing conditions — which ISAPREs do not always do.
If you need frequent specialist care, want short wait times, or prefer English-speaking doctors at private clinics, an ISAPRE or international insurance will serve you better.
Frequently Asked Questions about FONASA
Coverage and Costs
7% of your taxable income, deducted automatically from your salary. If you have no income, you can register for free in Group A with basic coverage.
Yes, through the Libre Elección modality (you pay and get partial reimbursement) and the PAD system (standardized procedures at fixed prices at participating private clinics). Coverage is partial — typically 50-75% depending on your group.
Long wait times for specialists and elective procedures, limited choice of doctors in the institutional modality, and lower reimbursement rates for private clinic visits. For emergencies and basic care, FONASA works well.
Registration
Yes, if you have a Chilean RUT and are a legal resident. You register at any FONASA office or through your employer's payroll system.
Yes, you can switch once per year during the open enrollment period. You can also switch from ISAPRE to FONASA at any time.
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