Barbados Medical Insurance News
Ranked 31st in the world in 2006 according to the human development index, Barbados has a system of universal public health care provision in place, with modern facilities. Barbados’ main public hospital, and only full-service hospital, is Queen Elizabeth, which is supported by clinics elsewhere among the community; leading private hospitals include Bayview Hospital and Sandy Crest Medical Centre. For more information see our list of Barbados hospitals/doctors.
While medical standards in Barbados are generally good, medical transport can take hours to reach you and bring you to a hospital, and ambulance crews are not always authorized to administer emergency treatment en route. Minor problems requiring a visit to the emergency room can involve a wait of several hours; private clinics and physicians offer speedier service. Private medical insurance is however essential as medical treatment in Barbados can be very expensive. Bear in mind that doctors and hospitals often expect immediate cash payment for health services, and that United States medical insurance is not always valid outside the U.S.- the U.S. Medicare and Medicaid programs do not pay for medical treatment outside of the United States. The Queen Elizabeth hospital does however have a reciprocal arrangement for British Nationals on the NHS. Local private clinics can provide good on the spot treatment and minor surgery in some cases, and state hospitals can cope with many surgical requirements but serious cases that might require specialist treatment will mean emergency air evacuation (usually to USA), which can cost thousands of dollars, making adequate insurance essential. Please contact us for information about the products and services we can offer.
We can provide high quality international health insurance plans to expatriates in Barbados that will give you the assurance that no matter what happens, anywhere in the world, you will have the care that you need. Plans that we can offer are typically guaranteed for life and globally portable, this means that even if you should relocate away from Barbados your plan will travel with you. Due to the limited availability of specialist healthcare in Barbados, owing to its small size, a medical insurance policy with an emergency evacuation benefit is advised. These plans will ensure that if you are seriously ill or injured while in Barbados, you will be transported to the nearest center of medical excellence, this ensures that you will always receive the best treatment and healthcare, no matter what the situation is.
For more information about Barbados, the international health insurance plans that we can offer there, or to receive a free quote, please contact one of our expert advisers today.