Dominican Republic Health Insurance

Feeling comfortable in the knowledge that if something was to happen to a family member their medical costs will be taken care of, is important to us all. Our expert consultants can advise on the most suitable level of coverage for families, individuals, groups, travelers, and teachers expatriate health insurance.

Expatriate Health Insurance Dominican Republic

Pacific Prime is an expatriate insurance broker specialising in providing overseas medical insurance for Dominican Republic nationals living, working or holidaying abroad. If you are a non Dominican Republic national and moving to Dominican Republic we can also provide plans that meet your specific requirements.

Professional Service you can trust

Pacific Prime Insurance will be with you for the duration of your policy. We offer additional customer services that include claims advice, emergency contact numbers and medical advice lines. We also maintain a comprehensive list of Dominican Republic hospitals/doctors. Most of our clients are expatriates so we maintain a list of Embassies in Dominican Republic.

As a leading broker of medical insurance in Dominican Republic we keep up on the latest insurance trends and Dominican Republic Insurance News.

We can offer expatriates in Dominican Republic dedicated international health insurance plans that will provide comprehensive coverage in the East and around the world. Plans that we can offer will usually have a number of benefits that a policyholder is able to tailor to suit their specific requirements. With coverage options including out-patient, dental, maternity, and emergency evacuation, you will be assured of receiving the highest levels of quality treatment anywhere in the world.

Dominican Republic Medical Insurance

Located in the Caribbean, the Dominican Republic is a country on the island of Hispaniola. Two thirds of Hispaniola is occupied by the Domincan Republic, with the country of Haiti in the western third of the island. The Dominican Republic has a population of approximately 10 million people and an area of 48,442 square kilometers. The largest city in the country is the capital Santo Domingo, with other populated cities including Santiago and Puerta Plata. The Dominican Republic is regarded as a middle-income developing country, and has the second largest economy within the Caribbean and Central American region, after Cuba. Large industries in the Dominican Republic include agriculture, tourism and trade.

The public health care system in the Dominican Republic underwent a wide ranging reform during 1996 to 2000, which focused on the improvement of health care standards and greater access to medical facilities. The Social Security Reform Law, established in 2001, introduced a compulsory national health insurance system; providing free healthcare services to all citizens and legal residents in the Dominican Republic. Approximately 75 percent of the population depends on the public health care system, putting a strain on the limited resources in which it can provide. Public hospitals face shortages in health care staff and medical equipment, with public patients enduring long waiting lists.

Private health care facilities offer the highest level of medical care in the country. Medical tourism is an emerging industry in the Dominican Republic, gaining a reputation for its cosmetic surgery in private health care facilities. The best hospitals in the Dominican Republic are located within the capital city Santo Domingo, as well as Puerto Plata and Santiago. Access to quality health care generally becomes limited outside urban areas. Private hospitals provide higher standards in terms of availability of specialty services, as well as modern medical equipment. Private facilities also cater for tourist patients, and as such, doctors are generally proficient in English. Medical costs are significantly higher in private facilities when compared to the public health system. To ensure access to quality health care services, expats living in the Dominican Republic are highly recommended to obtain a comprehensive Dominican Republic health insurance policy.

Within the capital city Santo Domingo, the Hospital Metropolitano de Santiago (HOMS) is the best hospital in the Dominican Republic; renowned internationally, and receiving emerging recognition in the Central American medical tourism market. The 400 bed facility is a joint public and private institution, offering emergency care and a wide range of diagnostic and specialized services including maternity and cardiac care. CEDIMAT, also based in Santo Domingo, offers a range of private inpatient and outpatient services, including a comprehensive health screening clinic. The Clinica Corominas located in Santiago, and the Centro Medico Bournigal in Puerto Plata; both provide a range of private inpatient and outpatient health care services.

Remote regions of the Dominican Republic have limited access to health care. Patients must travel to urban areas if they require emergency or specialized healthcare services. Tourist resorts within the Dominican Republic typically employ a doctor that can provide basic medical care. In the event of a serious medical illness or traumatic accident, expats will require emergency medical evacuation to a hospital facility in the capital city Santo Domingo, or overseas to Miami in the United States. As such, it is highly important that expats in the Dominican Republic obtain a international medical insurance policy that includes emergency evacuation and repatriation coverage.

The Haiti earthquake of 2010 placed a large strain on the Dominican Republic, particularly affecting it's health care system and tourism industry. Haitians were evacuated to the capital Santo Domingo for emergency treatment, with many more crossing the border to receive medical assistance for crush-related injuries. Health care facilities, particularly close to the country's borders, provided great assistance however, they struggled to cope with the large influx of patients. Due to the large number of displaced Haitians, camps were set up in the Dominican Republic to accommodate those who lost their homes.

Extensive damage in Haiti resulted in poor water and sanitation standards, leading to a Cholera epidemic that killed over 2,300 Haitians. Due to the Dominican Republic's large involvement with the disaster, the cholera outbreak managed to spread across the borders. On 21st October 2010, the Dominican Republic officially placed the country on a cholera outbreak alert. Cholera cases were reported from hotel resorts areas and travel warnings were issued in the media. Tourism, which attracts more than 4 million visitors a year, experienced dwindling numbers of travelers, which in turn posed a serious threat to the Dominican Republic's economy.

Expats living in the Dominican Republic need to exercise extreme caution to prevent the transmission of cholera. The bacterial infection is transmitted via water sources. As such, expats should drink bottled water, or otherwise can achieve water sterilization through boiling water or using chlorine tablets. Symptoms of cholera typically include diarrhea, abdominal pain, fever or nausea. Expats presenting symptoms should seek immediate medical attention to prevent rapid dehydration and deterioration.

Other communicable diseases prevalent in the Dominican Republic include HIV/AIDs, vector borne diseases, typhoid and rabies. During periods of heavy flooding, normally between the months of June to November, the incidence of communicable diseases significantly increases. Dengue and malaria are highly prevalent, particularly in the western regions close to the Haitian border. Symptoms of malaria and dengue typically include high fevers, abdominal pain and rash. Immediate medical attention is required to prevent deterioration and fatality, which can occur in severe dengue cases.

HIV/AIDs is considered to be one of the leading causes of death among people aged between 15 and 49 years of age, with transmission extending to all population groups in the country. The country hopes to eradicate the burden of this disease, implementing prevention and education programs, supported largely by UNICEF (United Nations Children's Fund).

Vaccinations are recommended for protection against Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, rabies and typhoid for all travelers planning on visiting the Dominican Republic. Hundreds of rabies cases are reported every year. Transmission typically occurs as a result of a bite from an infected animal. Expats need to exercise caution and seek medical attention if they are bitten by an animal.

Emergency protocols should be adopted by residents during the event of an accident, serious illness or criminal offense. For medical emergencies within the Dominican Republic, expats can contact the private ambulance service Movi-Med. For ambulance assistance in Santo Domingo expats can dial 809-532-0000, within Santiago dial 809-587-333, within Puerto Plata dial 809-970-0707, and all other areas dial 809-200-0911.

For emergency air evacuation in the Dominican Republic, expats can contact Movi-Med on 866-255-5387.

For more information about Dominican Republic medical insurance plans, or to receive a free Dominican Republic International Health Insurance Quote, please contact one of our dedicated advisers today.