We started with ASSE after arriving
As soon as we arrived in Uruguay, we registered with the public healthcare provider ASSE. For us, it was straightforward: appointments were free, and medicine was free as well. We used it for about six months without a separate bill for every visit.
We paid nothing for appointments or medicine through ASSE. Just after an international move, that made a major difference to our budget.
The wait for an ENT specialist was four months
Later, my sister needed to see an ENT specialist sooner. Through ASSE, the estimated wait was about four months. For us, that was no longer something we were comfortable waiting out, so we decided to change our setup.
ASSE was free for us, but it was not always fast. An appointment with a specialist could be months away.
We switched to Asistencial Médico
We chose a paid mutualista and clinic called Asistencial Médico. The trade-off is simple in our experience: regular payments, but noticeably faster access to doctors—sometimes within a few days rather than months.
What it costs us each month
Our setup involves contributions through FONASA. For four people, the current total is almost $200 a month. In our case, that combines FONASA with a local monotributo, a small-business contribution arrangement. This is an approximate figure and can move slightly from month to month.
| Cost | Our approximate amount |
|---|---|
| FONASA + monotributo for four people | ≈ $200 / month |
| Each doctor's appointment | ≈ $10 |
| Medicine each time | ≈ $10 |
The monthly contribution is only one part of the cost. Each visit and each purchase of medicine is extra. What we gain is speed: we are no longer looking at a four-month wait for an ENT appointment.
Where the clinics are in our area
Asistencial Médico and related locations in our area are mainly around Piriápolis, Maldonado and Punta del Este, with some coverage in nearby smaller towns. I am describing the coastal area where we live, not claiming that one network is available within easy reach everywhere in Uruguay.
- Piriápolis
- Maldonado
- Punta del Este
- Nearby smaller towns
Which option may fit different situations
- ASSE can be a starting point when the budget is tight and waiting is acceptable
- A paid option—Asistencial Médico in our case—may suit people who need faster specialist access
- Count both the regular contribution and the separate cost of appointments and medicine
We are not doctors or health-insurance brokers. This was our route: ASSE, a long wait, then a paid mutualista. Your family size, health needs, contribution status and city can lead to a different answer.
We will add more personal healthcare stories if we have new figures or situations to share. Our moving section: /en/pereezd/. Our house and land section: /en/dom/.