15 Expats Talk about Health Insurance and Healthcare in Belize

"Our first choice is to go to the local pharmacist, who is very knowledgeable and helpful," commented one expat living in Hopkins Village, Belize.

"Belize has a wide range of medical services available to its citizens. The country has a number of public and private hospitals and clinics that provide a variety of medical services, including primary care, emergency care, and specialty care. The country also has a number of pharmacies and laboratories that provide access to medications and diagnostic tests. Additionally, Belize has a number of health centers and clinics that provide preventive care and health education services. The country also has a number of medical professionals, including doctors, nurses, and other healthcare professionals, who are trained to provide quality medical care," said one expat living in Belize.

"I am located 10 kms from 3 towns that provide adequate health care, but Santa Familia itself does not. So their healthcare is non-existent, but I don't care, I'm a 10-minute drive from 3 towns with good healthcare," mentioned one expat in Carmelita Gardens.

"Medical care in Belize is certainly not state of the art, but I received excellent care for a broken leg and resultant DVT, all at no out-of-pocket cost, at the public hospital in San Ignacio. I live out west in Cayo District," commented one expat who moved to Esperanza, Belize.

"Healthcare and health insurance in Belize can be expensive, depending on the type of coverage and services needed. Private health insurance is available, but it can be costly and may not cover all medical expenses. Public healthcare is available, but it is limited and may not provide the same level of care as private healthcare. Additionally, the cost of medications and medical supplies can be high, and some treatments may not be covered by insurance," wrote an expat living in Belize.

"In the US I have Medicare and a supplemental insurance, which is fine and I have had no problems with coverage. In Belize, I do not purchase medical insurance because it is very expensive. ," said an expat in Hopkins Village.

"La Loma Luz - Santa Elena. I am not aware of the emergency services. Quality of care is adequate, but my last experience was 12 years ago! Private hospital," commented one expat living in San Ignacio, Belize.

"We have not had to avail services from anywhere but private doctors. There is a small hospital in Corozal but we do not know much about it. We live outside of town in a more rural area but we have been told that there are ambulances. There are several private clinics in town," wrote one expat.

"Emergency services in Belize are generally reliable and can be accessed by calling 911. Ambulance services are available 24 hours a day and can be requested by calling 911 or the local police station. Emergency medical personnel are trained to respond to a variety of medical emergencies and are equipped with the necessary medical supplies and equipment. In addition, the Belize Red Cross provides first aid and medical assistance to those in need," commented one expat who moved to Belize.

"I will forewarn you, if you have any serious health issues, the medical infrastructure in Belize is not very strong. Most people go home for serious medical issues or they go to Mexico," wrote an expat living in Belize.

"It depends upon how serious. I would prefer to have surgeries done in the US. Initially, however, I would go to Dangriga or Belize City for help," said an expat in Hopkins Village.

"We went to Belize City to see a cardiologist. We were extremely pleased with the quality of care we received. Complete bloodwork and EKG's and ultrasounds were done all on site and the doctor spent over an hour with us going over all of the results. This is better care than what we received in the US. Also, we were able to get a appointment within less than a week. The cost for everything for both me and my husband was equal to what I paid for one month's premium of my health insurance back in the states. That insurance would have also cost me copays on the tests themselves," commented one expat living in Corozal/Belize City, Belize.

"As far as prescriptions go, if you already have an ongoing relationship with a US doctor and prescription by mail service [which will only ship to a US address], you will probably want to keep that until you are sure that you are going to enjoy living in Belize. You can sign up with a mail forwarder such as Traveling Mailbox, US Global Mail, etc. You can then check on the Belize prices and availability for your prescriptions after you have been here a while. Factor in shipping costs to compare your actual cost per pill, as prices are almost always stated in a Belize pharmacy. Alternatively, you can have parcels and packages shipped to one of the several freight forwarders like Arrow Freight Enterprises (Spanish Lookout, Cayo), with a Texas or Florida address. There are lots of choices, so you may want to ask for recommendations from folks who live near your location here in Belize," wrote one expat.

"Yes, common prescription medications are available in Belize. Most pharmacies in Belize carry a wide variety of medications, including those used to treat common illnesses and conditions. However, some medications may not be available in Belize, so it is important to check with a local pharmacist before traveling to ensure that the necessary medications are available. Additionally, some medications may require a prescription from a local doctor in order to be dispensed," commented one expat who moved to Belize.

"In checking with the Pharmacist in Hopkins, I found he could get all my prescription meds. It might take a couple of days, but he assured me he could get them. Additionally, he let me purchase a prescription medication for a rash I got at the beginning of rainy season," said one expat.

"The only medication that my husband takes, which he got by prescription back in Canada, he can buy over the counter here at a fraction of the cost," remarked one expat in Carmelita Gardens.

"Yes, common prescriptions are available at our local pharmacy. They are inexpensive and you often do not need a prescription. Anything prescribed by the local doctor is available locally. If you had an unusual illness of needed a particular medication, it would be wise to bring additional supplies, but once here you can speak to the pharmacist and likely they can arrange to bring it in for you," remarked one expat living in San Ignacio.

"Hospital are in Dangriga, Belmopan and Belize City. There are 4 Private Hospitals that offer excellent services. In Placencia there are 2 doctors - Public and Private. There are 2 different Ambulance Services in the area and both offer excellent service. Quality of care in the Private Hospitals is very good. Public is so so," wrote one expat.

"Yes, foreigners living in Belize have access to public healthcare. The public healthcare system in Belize is generally considered to be of good quality, with a wide range of services available. The public healthcare system is funded by the government and is free for all citizens and permanent residents. However, foreigners may be required to pay a fee for certain services. The public healthcare system includes a network of hospitals, clinics, and health centers, as well as a variety of specialized services. The quality of care varies from place to place, but overall, the public healthcare system in Belize is considered to be of good quality," commented one expat living in Belize.

"two visits to an optometrist, both went well. One trip to a clinic for a reaction to bug bites. It went well too," said one expat living in Carmelita Gardens.

"The pandemic has had a significant impact on the healthcare system in Belize. Access to healthcare has been limited due to the closure of many healthcare facilities, and the availability of medical supplies and personnel has been reduced. The government has implemented a number of measures to help mitigate the spread of the virus, including the introduction of a national health insurance scheme and the provision of free testing and treatment for those who are infected. Despite these efforts, the healthcare system in Belize is still struggling to cope with the demands of the pandemic. Many people are unable to access the care they need due to the lack of resources and the high cost of medical care," mentioned one expat in Belize.