St. Kitts and Nevis Health Insurance

The tiny two-island Federation of Saint Kitts and Nevis holds the status of the smallest country by both population and landmass in the Americas, at just over 50,000 persons and 261 square kilometers respectively. However, thanks to tourism that is so popular in most countries blessed with sandy beaches, warm water, and friendly faces, St. Kitts and Nevis has risen to a moderately developed country in the last three decades with 2010 per-capita income of $9,980(US) and tourism is now the largest single contributor to the nations economy, employing a third of all workers. As is common in the region, the spread of wealth is disproportionate, and poverty remains a fact of life for some, but the government has taken steps to assist this segment of its society and has initiated social programs to improve the quality of life for the majority of its population.

St. Kitts and Nevis Healthcare and Health Insurance

While limited in offerings, as one would expect of a country with such small population and therefore limited economic and human resources, St. Kitts and Nevis' healthcare system does manage to take care of the basic needs of its population. Pharmaceuticals are widely available, and the doctor to patient ratio is a respectable 15:10,000 inhabitants. Government spending represented 5.8 percent in 2008, a strong sign of investment in interests of public health.

Communicable disease is well contained in St. Kitts and Nevis, with near universal rates of child immunization achieved, and emphasis is placed on early detection practices by the government to improve general health. Expatriates, tourists, and visitors should therefore not be overly concerned with contraction of disease while in the country. Instead, the majority of early deaths are attributed to strokes, cardiac failure, cancers, auto accidents, and drowning. The largest health risks most holiday makers face are instead self-induced, resulting from sunburn, heat exhaustion, and over-use of alcohol.

Routine healthcare is offered through a network of public clinics and hospitals divided up between the two islands. St. Kitts has 11 clinics and two hospitals, Joseph N. France General (JNFG) Hospital and Molineux Hospital which offer emergency, diagnostic, standard surgical, x-ray imaging, and some laboratory services. On Nevis, there are six clinics and one hospital, Alexandra Hospital, which offers some but not all of the care available on St. Kitts, and when necessary can refer patients to JNFG. All facilities have been refurbished in recent years, and while conditions are not equivalent to North America or Europe, they are acceptable for basic care needs. Private clinics are not very common in St. Kitts and Nevis, and there is no private hospital available.

Patients requiring more complex procedures will invariable require transport abroad, typically to Puerto Rico or the United States, as most specialty care is not available on St. Kitts or Nevis. Emergency air transport is readily available in the Caribbean through private vendors, however cost is high, and burden of payment falls on the patient. It is therefore recommended that all consider insurance coverage for this service, as plans are typically quite affordable. Further, visitors planning on scuba diving should be aware that there is no decompression chamber on either island in case of emergency, the nearest facility is a short distance away by boat on Saba Island.

St. Kitts and Nevis Medical Insurance

As of yet, the state government has not implemented a formal nationalized health insurance plan, though it does require that all workers to make contributions to the social security scheme which in turn pays for many basic treatments for those who are not covered by any form of medical insurance. All public sector and most private sector employers offer insurance coverage for their employees to cover necessary treatments. Persons deemed vulnerable by the government and the Ministry of Health also receive free healthcare from the social security fund.

All non-residents are expected to make immediate payment for all treatments, including emergency care, received in St. Kitts and Nevis which can mean significant out of pocket payments for those without insurance protection. For this reason, it is recommended that all traveling to these islands avail themselves of sufficient private international health insurance coverage for the duration of their stay.

St. Kitts and Nevis Travel Insurance Information

While the Caribbean is famous for its warm sunny weather, it does at times have an alternate personality. Tropical storms and hurricanes frequent the area, most commonly from June through November, and trips should be planned accordingly, as cancellation due to weather is not always possible without trip insurance. Travel to and from the country is relatively easy, with an international airport on each island and several seaports available to receive visitors from neighboring islands and further abroad. The official language is English, which makes communication easier for most tourists.

Improved water sources and sanitary sewers are available throughout the country, though bottled water is best outside of resorts to avoid any possible problems from contamination. Due to recently higher than usual unemployment rates, petty crime has been on the rise. Another ongoing problem that the government is actively working to eliminate is drug-trafficking. No one should buy, sell, or transport items that are not his personal property, and despite the wide availability of recreational drugs, possessing or using drugs is illegal and all drug related activity can be strongly punished, including imprisonment. Another, more unusual, item to be aware of is that it no one except military personnel are permitted to wear camouflage clothing or carry camouflage items of any kind while in the country or they may face a penalty by police, this includes minors.

St. Kitts and Nevis Expat Medical Insurance

While most will only visit St. Kitts and Nevis for a few days to weeks, it only takes a instant for an accident or unexpected illness to cause major anxiety in your life. Visitors are well served by purchasing medical insurance that is honored in the country in case of emergency, and all who are relocating to the islands will find solace in knowing that a comprehensive St. Kitts and Nevis Medical Insurance Plan with emergency transport coverage will provide all the coverage anyone will need to ensure access to the best care available to maintain their good health. Expat Medical Insurance is happy to offer St. Kitts and Nevis Medical Insurance as well as International Health Insurance Plans that will ensure protection for you and your family no matter where you happen to be. Contact us today for a free consultation regarding complete details and an accurate price quote.