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Having a baby in the Bahamas?

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ChefKeats
  2/7/2012 00:22 EST

Hi everyone! Here's the dilemma: I have recently accepted a job in the Bahamas and my gf was going to travel back and forth to visit. (She has a job in the US) We have just learned however, that she is pregnant...she doesn't have insurance and cannot be added to mine in time to cover the pregnancy.
How much does it cost out of pocket in the Bahamas?
How are the hospitals out there?
Will Bahamian immigration be okay with her travelling back and forth?
What are our options financially?
Has anyone here had a baby in the Bahamas?

Your help is greatly appreciated! we're stressing...Thanks!!

survivor2012
  5/21/2012 12:44 EST

Congratulations on the new baby coming! I have lived in Nassau for 7 yrs since my husband is from here and we now have 2 children. I will say that the doctors here are very good but they don't always have the facilities or staff to provide the best medical they can. I have several friends here who have experienced stillbirths or a baby die shortly after birth so with both of our babies I travelled to the U.S. for delivery. I am glad we did it this way because I had complications that the local hospitals may not have been able to handle. In fact, my 1st child was diagnosed in the U.S. with a treatable condition that I had to bring him back to be treated for as the local doctors did not have the facilities. Immigration will not give u guys any problem with her travelling back and forth and she could apply for temporary medical insurance assistance for the pregnancy in the city she currently resides to help defray some of the cost. I strongly suggest you not risk having the baby here even if your girlfriend does her prenatal care her. Prenatal costs about $250 a visit plus lab/ultrasound cost. If she has a private doctor they will happily transfer her files to her u.s. doctor prior to the delivery.

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William Russell's private medical insurance will cover you and your family wherever you may be. Whether you need primary care or complex surgery, you'll have access to the best hospitals & doctors available. Unlike some insurers, we also include medical evacuation and mental health cover in our plans (except SilverLite). Get a quote from our partner, William Russell.
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clcizme
  2/14/2012 09:19 EST

As you didn't statewhich Island, I am answering in general terms. The health care here is much more expensive than that last person spoke. I had an ultrasound at one of the local centers and it cost me $550.00. All costs are paid before treatment is given. And, they routinely send pregnant moms to the USA for any type of complication, even small ones. Contrary to the other post. I would never use the community health system unless it was an extreme emergency. If you make an appointment, it is for the day. What I mean is that everyone who has that same appx will sit and wait until your name is called. We have friends who end up waiting most of the day. For anyone used to the US system, this will feel like "mickey mouse" medicine. If you want more info, I would be happy to write more. Just pm me. Congratulations! Now is when life gets truly interesting.

dolfie
  2/9/2012 18:55 EST

30 days is for regular visitors.
EU citizens get up to 90 days, UK and US to 180 days, you need to apply on arrival.
The officer can give you these periods, but also less.

dolfie
  2/9/2012 18:47 EST

If your GF is US citizen with papers, or has a US visa she can travel as much as she wants without immigration problems in the Bahamas.
Each time upon arrival she will get permission to stay between 90 to 180 days as she requests.
For babies, the hospitals are good here.

dolfie
  2/9/2012 18:43 EST

This is a way to go:
You are a chef with work permit? Get your girlfriend a permit to stay with you in the Bahamas - ($25.00 or $50.00 for a year permit plus $100.00 application fee) She can visit one of the community hospitals and get served for $30.00 the most per visit.
Delivery will be a different sum, but still a fraction of what it will be in the US.
I once went to FLL to visit the ER for a non localized problem with kidney stones.
After Xray, an examination and 10 hours waiting time, I received a strainer and a $3,800.00 bill. For that money, you can get a whole family of babies in the Bahamas.
I also had surgery in Freeport. It costed me $3,000.00 because I visited the surgeon in his private office.
In both cases my insurance paid everything back. It is just to show that the Bahamas is very reasonable in health care.
Blood exam = $180.00 - Xray about the same or less. Visiting private doctors costs $70.00 to $100.00.
These are prices paid in Freeport, Grand Bahama.
My friend just delivered twins. If you want I can check on what he paid too.

William RussellWilliam Russell
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William Russell's private medical insurance will cover you and your family wherever you may be. Whether you need primary care or complex surgery, you'll have access to the best hospitals & doctors available. Unlike some insurers, we also include medical evacuation and mental health cover in our plans (except SilverLite). Get a quote from our partner, William Russell.

William RussellWilliam Russell

William Russell's private medical insurance will cover you and your family wherever you may be. Whether you need primary care or complex surgery, you'll have access to the best hospitals & doctors available. Unlike some insurers, we also include medical evacuation and mental health cover in our plans (except SilverLite). Get a quote from our partner, William Russell.
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mstineyb
  2/9/2012 10:08 EST

Hi Chefkeats, Good luck and congratulations to you both. You didn't state which Bahamas Island you are going to be working in. Here in Nassau I haven't had any reason to go to the hospitals or doctor but I do know they will not compare to those in the US. I'm sure it will be more expensive here. I read the one in Freport is not as good as the one in Nassau. There are 2 here, the government one, Princess Margaret and Doctor's Hospital. As for your gf coming and going as long as you follow immigration rules she should have no problem. You should check the website, bahamas.gov.bs to get familiar. She must have a return ticket when she arrives. Immigration will stamp her passport giving her 30-60-90 days whichever they decide on. Say they stamp it for 30 days and she has a ticket for 50 days she would have to report to immigration before the 30 days and ask for an extension. This is all I can give, hopefully, someone with doctor and hospital experience will be able to fill you in.

mstineyb
  2/9/2012 10:08 EST

Hi Chefkeats, Good luck and congratulations to you both. You didn't state which Bahamas Island you are going to be working in. Here in Nassau I haven't had any reason to go to the hospitals or doctor but I do know they will not compare to those in the US. I'm sure it will be more expensive here. I read the one in Freport is not as good as the one in Nassau. There are 2 here, the government one, Princess Margaret and Doctor's Hospital. As for your gf coming and going as long as you follow immigration rules she should have no problem. You should check the website, bahamas.gov.bs to get familiar. She must have a return ticket when she arrives. Immigration will stamp her passport giving her 30-60-90 days whichever they decide on. Say they stamp it for 30 days and she has a ticket for 50 days she would have to report to immigration before the 30 days and ask for an extension. This is all I can give, hopefully, someone with doctor and hospital experience will be able to fill you in.

mstineyb
  2/9/2012 10:08 EST

Hi Chefkeats, Good luck and congratulations to you both. You didn't state which Bahamas Island you are going to be working in. Here in Nassau I haven't had any reason to go to the hospitals or doctor but I do know they will not compare to those in the US. I'm sure it will be more expensive here. I read the one in Freport is not as good as the one in Nassau. There are 2 here, the government one, Princess Margaret and Doctor's Hospital. As for your gf coming and going as long as you follow immigration rules she should have no problem. You should check the website, bahamas.gov.bs to get familiar. She must have a return ticket when she arrives. Immigration will stamp her passport giving her 30-60-90 days whichever they decide on. Say they stamp it for 30 days and she has a ticket for 50 days she would have to report to immigration before the 30 days and ask for an extension. This is all I can give, hopefully, someone with doctor and hospital experience will be able to fill you in.

William Russell
William Russell

Get a quote for international health insurance from our partner, William Russell.
Get Quote

William RussellWilliam Russell

Get a quote for international health insurance from our partner, William Russell.
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