15 Expats Talk about Health Insurance and Healthcare in Bahamas

"The healthcare services in the Bahamas are provided by both public and private institutions. The public healthcare system is funded by the government and is available to all citizens and permanent residents. The quality of public healthcare is generally good, with a wide range of services available, including primary care, emergency care, and specialist care. Foreign residents are able to access the public healthcare system, although they may be required to pay a fee. Expats in the Bahamas can use the public healthcare system, but they may need to pay a fee for certain services. In addition, many expats opt to purchase private health insurance to cover any additional costs," commented one expat living in Bahamas.

"The medical services in the Bahamas are generally of a high standard. The country has a number of well-equipped hospitals and clinics, staffed by experienced and qualified medical professionals. The country also has a number of private medical facilities, offering a range of services from general practice to specialist care. The Bahamas also has a number of pharmacies, providing access to a wide range of medications. In addition, the country has a number of medical insurance providers, offering coverage for medical expenses," wrote one expat.

"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," commented one expat who moved to Nassau.

"Before our health insurance kicked in at work our daughter needed stitches. We initially went to PM for treatment but after several hours wait a coworker assisted us to a private provider down the street. The cost at PM to be registered was $150. We lost that. The total cost at the private provider was approx $800 not including meds which were about $150. Work health insurance appears pretty good. We have a moderate copay and are accepted most places...even in united states," said one expat living in Paradise Island.

"In the Bahamas, emergency services are available to help people in need. To call for an ambulance, you can dial the emergency number 919 or the local police station. The ambulance will be dispatched to the location of the emergency and will provide medical assistance. The ambulance service is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week," wrote one expat.

"Both hospitals are on New Providence in the city of Nassau. They are the only two hospitals for the Bahamas. they are fairly close from Paradise Island, maybe 10 minutes. Both Princess Margaret (no insurance) and Doctors (treat people with insurance) are directly across from each other. Emergency services vary depending on your location. Hotels and resorts get a small priority. Personally, I would not rely on them, rather get to the hospital myself. Quality of care is decent at both. Wait times at PM are extremely long. Expect long delays in service and any medical attention. Doctors is fairly smooth but don't expect to be treated without insurance or a ton of cash. PM and Doctors are both public. There are many private providers on the island," commented one expat who moved to Paradise Island.

"I have no need to leave the island for health services yet. However most people take the short trip to Florida for any services they can not receive on island," wrote an expat living in Nassau.

"The cities of Nassau, Freeport, Marsh Harbour, and Eleuthera are known for having a variety of medical specialists in the Bahamas. The neighboring island of Grand Bahama is also known for its robust selection of medical specialists, including ophthalmologists, psychiatrists, and dentists. Other areas such as the Out Islands, Abaco and Paradise Island offer a variety of general practitioners, internists and other specialty physicians. No matter where you are in the Bahamas, you can be sure to find the healthcare you need with the help of a qualified medical specialist," said an expat in Bahamas.

"Most prescriptions are readily available. I have found for those not commonly at the pharmacies that they will order them for you without a problem. I have a reoccurring prescription that they order from England and I have been getting it every month at my local pharmacy without any problem. The cost is generally a little higher then it would be in the USA but my prescription coming from England is actually cheaper then what I paid for it in Canada. Prescriptions are needed for all prescribed medicines but are easily obtained at any of the clinics," commented one expat living in Nassau, Bahamas.

"All common prescriptions are available. Pharmacies are in most shopping centers. Prescriptions are mandatory for just about anything and very expensive. Before our insurance kicked in at work our daughter needed stitches. The antibiotics and pain killers were about $150 at the local pharmacy. ," wrote one expat.

"Yes, common prescription medications are available in the Bahamas. Most pharmacies in the Bahamas carry a wide variety of medications, including both generic and brand-name drugs. Many of the medications available in the Bahamas are the same as those available in the United States, although some may be sold under different names. Additionally, some medications may be available in the Bahamas that are not available in the United States," commented one expat who moved to Bahamas.

"The medical facilities and medical care available in The Bahamas are of a very high standard. Medical services are provided by both public and private institutions throughout the islands and modern, well-equipped healthcare facilities can be found in major cities, towns, settlements and resorts. The Bahamas boasts some of the best-trained and experienced doctors and nurses in the Caribbean and is home to a number of world-class hospitals. Many of the medical facilities available in The Bahamas are certified by the Joint Commission International (JCI). In addition to offering high-quality medical care, The Bahamas remains one of the safest countries in the Caribbean for healthcare and medical tourism," said an expat in Bahamas.

"Two hospitals service all the islands of the Bahamas. Princess Margaret is the free care hospital and waiting times are extremely lengthy. Doctors hospital is where most go if they have insurance or money to pay for an emergency. There are other private care clinics around that take insurance. Unfortunately, emergency services and response are associated with your area. There is a fire and police stations on PI, so we get pretty quick response. It differs in Nassau," commented one expat living in Paradise Island, Bahamas.

"Yes, as a foreigner living in the Bahamas, you will have access to public healthcare. The public healthcare system in the Bahamas is generally considered to be of good quality, with a wide range of services available. The government provides free healthcare to all citizens and permanent residents, and there are also a number of private healthcare providers available. The public healthcare system is well-funded and staffed by experienced and qualified medical professionals," said one expat.

"The pandemic has had a significant impact on the healthcare system in the Bahamas. The government has implemented a number of measures to ensure the safety of healthcare workers and patients, including the introduction of a national health insurance scheme, the establishment of a national health emergency response team, and the implementation of a national contact tracing system. Additionally, the government has provided additional resources to hospitals and clinics to help them cope with the increased demand for services. Despite these efforts, the healthcare system in the Bahamas has been strained due to the pandemic, with long wait times for appointments and limited access to medical supplies," wrote one expat.

"All visits to healthcare facilities during the pandemic have been socially distant, with proper cleaning and care taken to maintain safe environments for patients and staff," commented one expat who moved to Nassau.