15 Expats Talk about Health Insurance and Healthcare in Belize

"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.

"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," remarked one expat living 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," said one expat living in Esperanza.

"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. ," commented one expat who moved to 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," said one expat.

"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," commented one expat living in Corozal/Belize City, 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," wrote one expat.

"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," commented one expat who moved to Carmelita Gardens.

"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," said 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," remarked one expat in 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," commented one expat who moved to Belize.

"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.

"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.

"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 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," remarked one expat in Belize.

"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," said 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 who moved to Belize.

"two visits to an optometrist, both went well. One trip to a clinic for a reaction to bug bites. It went well too," commented one expat who moved to 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 one expat.