Palau 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 Palau

Pacific Prime is an expatriate insurance broker specialising in providing overseas medical insurance for Palau nationals living, working or holidaying abroad. If you are a non Palau national and moving to Palau 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 Palau hospitals/doctors. Most of our clients are expatriates so we maintain a list of Embassies in Palau.

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

We can offer expatriates in Palau 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.

Palau Medical Insurance

Palau, officially known as the Republic of Palau, is an archipelago in the Pacific Ocean. The Philippines lie 800 kilometres to the East of the country, and Japan lies 3,200 kilometres to the South. Palau is one of the smallest sovereign states and is among the world’s youngest nations. The estimated population of the island is 21,000 people. The official language is English and Palauan with Japanese being widely spoken by Palau’s older population. Other recognised languages are Sonsorolese and Tobian. The Palau capital is Melekeok, while the largest city is Koror. Palau uses the US dollar as the country’s national currency.

The political structure of Palau is in the form of a presidential representative democratic republic. Palau’s economy generates revenues mainly from tourism, subsistence agriculture, and fishing. In 2008 GDP was $164 million giving an estimated per capita income of $8,100; placing Palau among the wealthier Pacific island states. In 2007 the number of business visitors and holiday makers entering the country was in the region of 89,151 people, the expectation is for this number to rise inline with expansion of airline travel in the Pacific, and increased disposable income in East Asian countries.

Palau’s total expenditure on healthcare services as a percentage of GDP in 2006 was 10.5 percent. The Federal Government of the United States of America provides a large portion of funding to health services in Palau, this is in addition to the technical support and funding provided by the United Nations.

The management of the health care systems lies with The Minister of Health who is appointed to the position by the President. The Ministry of health is divided into two organisations, the Bureau of Clinical Services and the Bureau of Public Health. The Bureau of health is further divided into five Divisions namely, Public Health and PHC, Behavioural Health, Dental Services, Community Health Centres and Environmental and Sanitation Services. The management of the Public Health and PHC, and Community Health Centres is performed by a doctor.

Palau’s Division of Primary and Preventative health is divided into four community health centres, known as super dispensaries, located in the Southern Island of Peleliu, for the Southern Lagoon population, and three in the big island of Babeldoad. This structure was adopted in 1993. The public health care system is efficient and well organised despite is geographical isolation and limited resources.

One national hospital, Belau National Hospital, located in Koror serves the entire population of Palau. Facilities include an operating suite, dialysis machines and an outpatient clinic, along with a pharmacy. In recent years the Belau hospital has undergone extensive renovations and has made enhancements to its respiratory isolation care and PPE care services. In addition to this Belau Hospital has also updated its disaster and emergency contingency plans, as well as installing a backup generator capable of producing one month’s power supply in an attempt to ensure continuing capabilities in the event of a serious calamity. In 2006 there were 26 doctor, 117 nurses, and one midwife offering services in Palau.

Private health care in Palau is an emerging industry; there are currently two private medical clinics and one surgical clinic, two pharmacies and one dental surgery. The government is in the process of implementing a universal health care insurance plan which will stimulate the public and private health sector. However, private medical services in Palau can be extremely expensive. While these medical facilities can offer the high quality of healthcare which many expatriates will expect, the treatment options will often come at a greater cost than those associated with the nation’s public healthcare system. All expatriates planning on utilizing Palau’s public healthcare services should possess a comprehensive expatriate medical insurance policy. This is due to the fact that doctors in Palau will expect immediate cash payment for services. While hospital services for routine medical procedures are of an adequate quality, if you fall victim to a serious medical condition, evacuation may be necessary. Due to this, it is important that you ensure that you are covered by comprehensive Palau medical insurance prior to arriving in the country.

As of 2011 the birth rate was estimated at 10.74 births per 1,000 people, with the death rate set at 7.87 deaths per 1,000 people. The infant mortality rate is 12.43 deaths per 1,000 live births; the life expectancy at birth for males is 68.63 years old, while for females it is 75.12 years old.

A number of environmental issues affect the population of Palau, such as inadequate facilities for disposal of solid waste, which has the potential to adversely affect the nation’s health. Over fishing and illegal fishing by means of dynamite blasts causes extensive damage to coral, local waters, and fish stock numbers. Rising sea levels as a result of Global Climate Change, availability of drinking water, and limited arable land are also real concerns.. Infectious diseases originating in Asia also pose a risk to the population.

Dengue fever is prevalent in all areas of Palau. Preventative measure, such as wearing insect repellent, long pants and sleeves, sleeping in air-conditioned rooms and using bed-nets, are recommended. However, it is important to note that there is no vaccine or medication that prevents an individual contracting Dengue Fever. Before you travel you are advised to consult with your health care professional, preferably one experienced in travel medicine, about the various health risk posed by regional and communal diseases in Palau. You should also ensure that all routine vaccinations are up-to-date.

Palau has a tropical climate, and the annual mean temperature is 28 degrees Celsius (82 F), with the average annual rainfall equal to 150 inches. It tends to rain more between the months of May and September. The risk of typhoons is low as Palau lies outside the Pacific’s main typhoon zone; however, tropical storms, hurricanes, cyclones and floods periodically affect the island which can lead to disruption of services. One should monitor updates from the World Meteorological Organisation, local and international weather reports.

Palau is home to the world’s first shark sanctuary, the size of which is comparable to that of France (600,000 square kilometres of ocean). Palau is also home to saltwater crocodiles whose habituates are dispersed across various mangroves and rock islands. There has been only one death attributed to saltwater crocodiles in Palau’s history.

Scuba diving and snorkelling are the main tourist attractions of the islands. The only hyperbaric chamber in Palau is located in Koror which is at a distance from many of the popular dive sites. If you are considering scuba diving during your stay in Palau ensure that your Palau medical insurance plan covers the cost of transportation in case of an emergency.

There is a low level of crime in Palau however you should exercise normal precautionary measures. The legal drinking age is 21 years of age, and it is illegal to consume alcohol in public areas. Homosexuality is illegal; however, the law is rarely enforced. A departure tax of $35 is demanded of all travellers when exiting the country.

Pacific Prime can assist you further by providing free professional advice on health care services available to you for the duration of your stay in Palau. Our wide range of global medical insurance policies can be tailored to suit all budgets and cover a variety of activities. To hear more about our current Palau health insurance offers call us today.