Bahamas Health Insurance

The Commonwealth of the Bahamas is an island nation located in the Atlantic Ocean, to the southeast of the State of Florida and to the north of Cuba. The Bahamas consists of 29 islands in total, covers a land area of 13,939 square kilometers and has a population of approximately 330,000 people. The Bahamas became a British crown colony in 1718 and remained under direct control until 1973. It is now governed by a parliamentary democracy within the Commonwealth with Queen Elizabeth II as head of state. English remains the country’s official language although a local Bahamian dialect is also used in daily life. The Bahamas is one of the most affluent countries in the Caribbean region with an economy that is heavily reliant on tourism and financial services. Tourism accounts for over 60 percent of GDP and employs over half of the country’s workforce while financial services accounts for 15 percent of GDP.

Bahamas Health Care and Insurance

The Ministry of Health is responsible for the delivery of health care in the Bahamas. There are public and private health care services available on most islands, with the exception of Grand Bahamas where there are only public health care facilities. Health care services are deemed to be of a high standard and a wide range of treatments are available to citizens and residents of the country. Primary health care services are provided free of charge to state employees and their dependants, retirees, pregnant women and children under 18 years of age. The Bahamas has a large expatriate population and thousands of tourists visit the country annually. Should an expatriate or tourist require medical attention while in the Bahamas, a cash payment will be required before any treatment can be provided, therefore, it is advisable to purchase an international Bahamas health insurance policy for the duration of your time in the country.

The country’s primary health facilities are located in the capital city Nassau which is on the island of New Providence and in the second largest city Freetown. Limited services are available on the smaller and less populous islands, resulting in more serious cases requiring transfer to Nassau. The Princess Margaret hospital in Nassau is the largest and pre-eminent public health facility in the Bahamas. It is a state run hospital with a total capacity of 405 beds which also has a small private medical wing run by private sector contractors. A wide range of treatments and services are available including in-patient, out-patient, emergency and surgical. Health personnel at the Princess Margaret are highly trained and a high percentage will have received part of their medical training in the United States or Europe. On Grand Bahama Island, the Rand Memorial hospital is an 86 bed facility capable of providing primary health care and emergency services. Community health services are also available on the island through a network of medical clinics.

The Doctors hospital in Nassau is the Bahamas main private health facility. It offers a full range of medical services using advanced and modern equipment. The hospital has a 72 bed capacity and is capable of providing a comfortable setting for its patients. Unsurprisingly, the medical costs involved are extremely high and expatriates or travelers wishing to use this facility should bear this in mind. The government of the Bahamas is currently considering the introduction of a National Health Insurance scheme in which membership will be mandatory for Bahamian citizens. It is also hoped that such a scheme will provide a consistent and stable source of funding for the health sector. Expatriates and travelers in the Bahamas are not entitled to the same health benefits as the local population. Health costs, particularly those at private health facilities, are expensive. Purchasing an international Bahamas health insurance policy is strongly advised.

Bahamas Travel Insurance Concerns

Despite the Bahamas location in the tropics and its pleasant climate, few tropical diseases are prevalent in the country. Expatriates, travelers and other short term visitors to the island nation are not advised to seek medical advice prior to their arrival. Vaccinations for typhoid, tuberculosis and Hepatitis B are optional. The island of Great Exuma experienced a number of isolated cases of Malaria in 2006 and a notice to protect against insect bites remains in place. The Bahamas is prone to cyclones and hurricanes which generally affect the region during the months of May to November. These weather phenomenons can cause considerable damage to property and infrastructure and travelers should keep informed of the weather situation and to comply with local directives in the event that the government issues a weather warning.

The two main islands of the Bahamas, New Providence and Grand Bahamas, are home to approximately 85 percent of the country’s population and it is here where the majority of health facilities can be found. Health facilities on the smaller islands are quite limited and in some cases constitute little more than a clinic which is staffed by a local health worker. Serious medical cases require evacuation to one of the hospitals in Nassau or in Freetown. The Princess Margaret hospital in Nassau is widely acknowledged as being the main public sector health facility in the Bahamas and a lot of surgical procedures are performed there. In recent months, it has been highlighted that the hospital has encountered difficulties in its blood supplies which has directly affected its ability to carry out blood transfusions and other complicated procedures. As a result, emergency evacuation to the United States (Miami) may be necessary. It is therefore advisable to include a provision for emergency evacuation within the terms of your Bahamas international health insurance policy.

Bahamas Expat Health Insurance

The Bahamas are one of the region’s popular expatriate and tourist destinations. There are a sufficient number of both public and private health facilities capable of providing a good standard of primary health care. Expatriates and travelers should note that they will be required to pay in cash for any treatment received while complicated medical cases may require emergency evacuation to the United States. It is important to consider the costs associated with medical treatment and as such purchasing an international Bahamas health insurance policy is recommended. Expat Medical Insurance is an insurance broker which will help determine which policy would best suit you and your family members. For more information on Bahamas international health insurance plans, or for a free quote, please contact an Expat Medical Insurance advisor today.