5 Expats Talk about Health Insurance and Healthcare in Bahamas

How are healthcare services Bahamas?

When we asked expats and global nomads about the quality of medical care in Bahamas, they replied:

"Regardless of coverage, ensure you have the ability to travel to US for any major care needs. There are many private practitioners but only two hospitals. One is for people without insurance (Princess Margaret) and the other is for people with insurance (Doctors Hospital). Ask around in your community for reliable local providers, especially for kids. We found some incredible providers this way for our children," commented one expat living in Paradise Island, Bahamas.

"As compared to Canada the availability and quality of some health care services is lacking but still adequate. The speed of which they will see you at the clinics and private hospitals is much faster then it is in Canada and for what is missing a quick trip to Florida will provide you with all you need that can not be found in New Providence," added another expat.

"The majority of people who can afford insurance use the local private hospital as a reference to have any real work done in the US. Probably the most advanced procedure you can have here with accuracy is MRI/CAT scans. From there, you are diagnosed and sent to US for treatment," commented one expat living in Nassau, Bahamas.

"For any major healthcare needs I would travel back home or to Florida and not risk a major surgery here," added another expat.

"I have lived in more countries than I haven't, always with a main base in The Bahamas. I elected to have my children here. Overwhelmingly I have received a better level of care here across all of my medical needs, than I have in UK Ireland USA and other countries. The majority of doctors here hit well above their weight on the international stage in terms of training. Do your homework for sure and ask around for word of mouth recommendations. Issues here might sometimes be availability of resources, capacity and equipment resources as compared with larger urban centres, and also insurance costs and scope, and resultant medical and prescription billing. There are certain pharmacies that are more willing to reach out into international suppliers for exact prescription requirements, where local alternatives do not satisfy a need, it's usually a matter of asking around," commented one expat who moved to Nassau.

"My home country offers Public Health that is very inclusive. Access to Healthcare services there take a very long time. In my adopted country, the public Healthcare Coverage is insufficient, and Private coverage is expensive. However, services are very accessible. The quality of healthcare is adequate for basic healthcare as well as for some specialties. However, many residents will travel for healthcare to the USA for more experienced specialists if they have international healthcare coverage. This is starting to change somewhat with some medical facilities commanding a higher quality and level of service, education, and experience," said another expat.

Are healthcare and health insurance expensive in Bahamas?