15 Expats Talk about Health Insurance and Healthcare in Belize

"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," wrote an 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," said one expat.

"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.

"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 living in Belize.

"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," mentioned one expat in 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 who moved to Hopkins Village, Belize.

"My husband recently came down ill, to the point that my plan to drive him to the clinic changed to me calling an ambulance for him. At the Mennonite-run clinic in Spanish Lookout, he was diagnosed with an intestinal infection, a stomach infection and a lung infection. What followed was a 30-hour stay at the clinic to include medication, IV antibiotics, nebulized medication and oxygen. After his discharge, I had to bring him back for 3 subsequent days for rounds of IV antibiotics. He had medication to take at home and he had to use the nebulizer 3 times a day for 5 days. Total cost for ALL of this was under $1,000 USD. More importantly than the cost were the attention and care he received (superlative) and the results - a complete recovery. My American friends can't believe the cost. But neither can my Canadian friends, and they are looking at it from different ends of the spectrum. Americans can't believe how cheap it was and Canadians are a bit taken aback that it cost so much (healthcare in Canada is, for the most part, "free"). You decide what you believe. For a serious (ie heart attack or stroke) sudden ailment, or for a chronic health condition, the outcome could have been quite different. Belize does not have a robust medical system. I would encourage you to do some research on that. We've had requirements for dental care and minor medical care since we moved here 2 years ago. We've always been satisfied both with the cost and with the quality. But again, we are both in good health with no serious underlying health condition," remarked one expat living in Carmelita Gardens.

"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," commented one expat who moved to 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," 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," wrote an expat living in Carmelita Gardens.

"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," said an expat in 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," commented one expat living in Belize.

"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," wrote one expat.

"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," commented one expat who moved to Hopkins Village.

"The quality of medical facilities and medical care in Belize is considered to be substandard by international standards. The country lacks the resources needed in order to provide adequate levels of medical care, and it has limited access to specialized medical care and advanced treatments. While basic medical care is available, receiving treatments or care outside of the country may be necessary for more complex cases," wrote an expat living in Belize.

"There is newly established Emergency service minutes away that can be reached by phone. Hopkins has a small medical clinic also. There is a hospital and Clinic in Dangriga, about 40 minutes away," said an expat in Hopkins.

"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," commented one expat living in Placencia, Belize.

"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," remarked 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," mentioned one expat 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," commented one expat who moved to Belize.