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," remarked one expat living in Hopkins Village.

"Word of mouth is a great way to find a doctor if you need one. Our pharmacist has a neurogist that comes to her place of business twice a month from Belize City. He is a wealth of information. Also, be willing to travel to Belize City or Chetumal Mexico to see specialists. We are very pleased with the care we have received thus far. Most of our prescriptions cost us less or equal to our copay in the US without having the cost of a monthly premium on top of that. We are going to look into getting an international health insurance just in case one of us has an emergency that can not be handled here or in Mexico," said one expat living in Corozal/Belize City.

"Belize offers a range of healthcare services, including primary care, hospital care, and specialist care. The public healthcare system in Belize is funded by the government and is available to all citizens and legal residents. The quality of public healthcare in Belize is generally considered to be good, with a number of well-equipped hospitals and clinics throughout the country. Foreign residents are able to access the public healthcare system in Belize, although they may be required to pay a fee. Expats in Belize typically use the public healthcare system, although some may opt for private healthcare services," mentioned one expat 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," said one expat living in Carmelita Gardens.

"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. ," wrote one expat.

"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," commented one expat who moved to Belize.

"Dangriga, about 40 minutes away by car, has a public hospital, Southern Regional Hospital. About 2.5 hours away is Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital in Belize City," commented one expat living in Hopkins Village, 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.

"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," said one expat.

"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 one expat.

"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," remarked one expat in Belize.

"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," remarked one expat living in Corozal/Belize City.

"Belize City is the primary hub for medical care in the country, with the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital being the largest and main referral center for definitive care. San Ignacio and Belmopan are also home to a variety of specialists, ranging from OB/GYN to general and orthopedic surgeons to opthalmologists and dentists. Additionally, there are smaller medical facilities in smaller towns across the country that offer general medical care and referral systems in place for complex medical conditions. Further specialized care is often sought in larger cities such as Mango Creek and Punta Gorda," said one expat living in Belize.

"We have gotten almost all of our medicines from the states here and have not needed a prescription for even one. A lot of them cost less than what we were paying with some being the same as our copay with our insurance back in the US. There was one of my husbands we could not find but the cardiologist we saw determined he noonger needed to take it. If they don't have the exact same drug, they have one that is compatible. Again, we have been very pleased. There are several pharmacies but we have found Evergreen to be the one we like best. Also, you can get prescriptions in Mexico with no problem as well," commented one expat living in Corozal/Belize City, Belize.

"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," wrote one expat.

"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," commented one expat who moved to San Ignacio.

"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," said one expat.

"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," remarked one expat in Placencia.

"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," mentioned one expat 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," wrote an 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," said an expat in Belize.