Bahamas Health Insurance for Expats

International Health Insurance for Expats in the Bahamas 

International health insurance can protect expats moving to or visiting the Bahamas from high medical bills and provide access to private healthcare facilities. Private health insurance with medical evacuation coverage is recommended for all expats in the Bahamas. 

Are you an expat or traveler planning a trip to the Bahamas and want to learn more about your health insurance options in the islands? The insurance experts at Pacific Prime have prepared this comprehensive guide for all expats and foreigners in the Bahamas. 

We will discuss the country’s healthcare system, international health insurance providers, and more. We will also share resources for visitors in the Bahamas. Keep reading to learn more, or click here for a free health insurance quote!

Recommended International Health Insurance Plans for Expatriates Living in The Bahamas

Cigna Global Insurance Plan

• Worldwide Coverage (excluding the US)
• Access to Cigna's trusted network of hospitals and doctors
• Numerous Deductible Options
• 24/7 Customer Support
• 4 Core Insurance Plans

Plan Details Get a Quote

Allianz Care Health Insurance

• World-leading Health Insurance Provider for Expats
• Extensive Network With Over 1.9 Million Medical Providers
• Quick and Efficient Claims Process
• Maximum Plan benefit up to USD $5,000,000

Plan Details Get a Quote

The Healthcare System in the Bahamas

The Bahamas' healthcare system is made up of public and private healthcare facilities. Citizens and legal residents in the Bahamas can register for the National Health Insurance, which covers the cost of primary healthcare services and preventative medical care. 

The quality of medical care in the Bahamas is higher than in some of the other islands in the Caribbean, as it has more medical infrastructure and skilled medical staff. This also means that healthcare services in the Bahamas are more expensive than on other islands. 

Bahamas Public Hospitals 

The Bahamas has three public hospitals that expats and travelers can visit for treatment. Two of the hospitals are located in the capital on New Providence Island, with the other on Grand Bahama. These hospitals offer a variety of specialties for locals and visitors alike. 

Princess Margaret Hospital
Address: 3MG7+779, Shirley St, Nassau, Bahamas
Phone: +1 242-322-2861
The Princess Margaret Hospital is a non-profit public hospital that was built in 1952 and provides primary, secondary, and tertiary medical care. It has a Level I trauma center, and houses more than 400 beds divided into four major wings. 

The Princess Margaret Hospital provides the following specialties and facilities:

• Cardiology
• Dentistry
• Dermatology
• Emergency medicine
• Family practitioners
• Gastroenterology
• General pediatrics
• General surgery
• Neonatology
• Nephrology
• Neurology
• Neurosurgery
• Obstetrics & gynaecology
• Oncology
• Plastic surgery
• Radiology
• Rheumatology
• Urology
• And more

Rand Memorial Hospital
Address: East Atlantic Drive, Freeport, Grand Bahama, Bahamas
Phone: +1 242-350-6700

The Rand Memorial Hospital in the capital of Nassau has 85 beds and provides the following specialities and facilities: 

• Intensive care unit
• Dental clinic 
• Laboratory & pathology
• Emergency services 
• General practice clinic
• Ear, nose & throat
• Oncology
• Pediatrics
• Surgical
• Obstetrics &gynaecology
• Radiology & other diagnostic services 
• And more 

Sandilands Rehabilitation Centre
Address: Fox Hill Road, Nassau / Paradise Island, Bahamas
Phone: 242-324-1246

The Sandilands Rehabilitation Centre is composed of two different hospitals: the Geriatric Hospital, which helps the elderly with medical, social, and psychiatric issues, and the Sandilands Hospital, which helps children, adolescents, and adults with the same issues.

Bahamas Private Hospitals 

The Bahamas has two private hospitals where expats can find quality care and skilled medical staff. Though these hospitals may be more equipped than other Caribbean facilities, expats may find they still need to seek treatment outside of the country for more complicated health issues. 

Doctors Hospital
Address: 1 Collins Ave, Nassau, Bahamas
Phone: 242-302-4600

The Doctors Hospital in Nassau is a high-quality private hospital that has been servicing the Bahamas for over 50 years. It provides 24-hour emergency care and includes primary care and outpatient services. 

The Doctors Hospital provides the following specialties and facilities:

• Emergency and immediate care
• Diagnostics and imaging
• General surgery
• Pediatric surgery
• Nephrology
• Dermatology
• Gastroenterology
• Maternity care
• ICU
• And more

Lyford Cay Hospital
Address: Western Rd, Nassau, Bahamas
Phone: +1 242-362-4400

The Lyford Cay Hospital is a small private outpatient facility that specializes in cardiology, internal medicine, and family practice.

Public Health Insurance in the Bahamas for Expats

Citizens and legal residents of the Bahamas can have their healthcare covered through the National Health Insurance (NHI), but expats living in the Bahamas short term are not eligible for this insurance. 

The NHI focuses on preventive care and covers the cost of vaccinations and other primary care like blood sugar testing, pap smears, and prostate exams. It does not cover the cost of more serious issues, and Bahamas citizens who are hospitalized will have to pay for their own medical bills. 

Healthcare services not covered by the NHI are: 

• Emergency care
• Hospitalization and inpatient care
• Surgeries 
• Cancer treatment
• Childbirth
• Prescription medications
• Vision and dental care
• Physiotherapy and rehabilitation 
• Diagnostic imaging 

Bahamas locals and expats who want coverage for these healthcare services are left to either pay out of pocket or through a private health insurance plan. 

Private Health Insurance in the Bahamas for Expats

Private health insurance can help cover the cost of healthcare services in the Bahamas and grant expats access to private healthcare facilities on the islands. Without private health insurance, expats are left to pay for their healthcare out of pocket, which can add up quickly. 

Private health insurance can cover a variety of healthcare services, such as: 

• Inpatient and day patient treatment
• Surgical costs
• Physician visits
• Mental health treatment 
• Vaccinations
• Prescription drugs
• Medical evacuation and repatriation
• Repatriation of remains
• Dental and vision coverage
• Maternity coverage

Medical evacuation coverage is essential for expats in the islands, as local medical facilities may not have the resources to treat certain medical emergencies or illnesses. Medical evacuation coverage can cover the cost of transporting you to a different medical facility for treatment. 

Expats in the Bahamas have the option of securing a private health insurance policy through an international or local insurance provider. International insurance providers offer the benefit of globally portable coverage, so you can visit all the Caribbean islands and stay protected. 

Best International Health Insurance Providers in the Bahamas

The best private insurance providers for expats in the Bahamas are offered by international health insurance providers Allianz, April International, AXA, Cigna Global, and Bupa. We will share a brief overview and highlight these providers’ plans in the following sections.

If you’d like to learn even more about the top international health insurance providers, check out our article guide here!

Allianz Health Insurance in the Bahamas

Allianz offers comprehensive insurance plans in the Bahamas to fit a variety of expats’ needs. Riders are available to be purchased and attached to basic policies that Allianz provides. These riders can offer coverage for accidents and other risks that expats may face abroad. 

The plans offered by Allianz include the Care, Care Plus, and Care Pro plans. While each of these plans may differ in coverage limits and benefits, they share similar benefits as listed below:

• Inpatient treatment
• Surgical costs
• Cancer treatment
• Diagnostic services
• Medical evacuation coverage

Plan Details Get a Quote

April International Health Insurance in the Bahamas

April International is a leading international insurance provider that offers affordable, comprehensive coverage to expats in the Bahamas.

They offer their health benefits to expats in different tiers of coverage through their Emergency Plan, Formule Basic, Essential Plan, Comfort, and Premium Plan.

April International offers a variety of benefits in its plans, including:

• Inpatient treatment
• Outpatient treatment
• Emergency repatriation
• Emergency evacuation
• Maternity coverage
• Vision and dental coverage

Plan Details Get a Quote

AXA Health Insurance in the Bahamas

AXA is a leading international health insurance provider that insures expat individuals and families in the Bahamas. Its health insurance plans are offered in five coverage tiers: Foundation, Standard, Comprehensive, Prestige, and Prestige Plus.

Each of these plans includes comprehensive inpatient coverage, with annual limits ranging from USD $160,000 to $8,000,000. Exact coverage benefits will vary from plan to plan.  

The core benefits included in all five plans are:

• Hospitalization and surgery
• Emergency medical coverage
• Medical evacuation and repatriation
• Cancer treatment
• Diagnostic scans

Plan Details Get a Quote

Cigna Global Health Insurance in the Bahamas

Cigna provides flexible insurance plans to expats in the Bahamas and across the world. They offer their members 24/7 access to a customer care team and access to any of the Bahamas’s private healthcare facilities. Their plans are customizable and comprehensive. 

Cigna has a Silver, Gold, and Platinum plan with different levels of coverage. All three of these plans share several common key coverage benefits:

• Hospitalization
• Inpatient and outpatient services
• Cancer treatment
• Medical evacuation and repatriation
• Accidental death or total permanent disability compensation

Plan Details Get a Quote

Bupa Global Health Insurance in the Bahamas

Bupa Global is a top international insurance provider for expats in the Bahamas looking for comprehensive and customizable coverage. Bupa Global allows its members to seek second medical opinions if needed and requires no referrals for specialist visits.

Bupa Global offers three international health insurance plans in the islands: Bupa Select, Bupa Premier, and Bupa Elite. Bupa Select offers the most basic and affordable coverage, while Bupa Elite offers the most comprehensive coverage with an annual limit of around USD $4,761,300. 

Bupa Global covers the following benefits in its plans:

• Inpatient treatment
• Cancer treatment
• Private hospital room coverage
• Medical evacuation coverage
• Health checks and screenings

Plan Details Get a Quote

Facts to Consider when Picking Insurance in the Bahamas

You should consider your budget, how long your trip is, and what your coverage needs are when choosing a health insurance plan for the Bahamas. Considering these factors is an important step to finding the right insurance plan for you. 

1. Your Budget: You should understand how much you can afford in monthly or yearly premiums, but this doesn’t mean you should try to find the cheapest coverage possible. You should ensure that your health and finances will be adequately protected through the coverage limit you purchase.
2. The Length of Your Trip: How long your trip is will determine how long you will need to purchase coverage, and whether you will need a travel insurance plan that will last only a few months or something more comprehensive, like an international health insurance plan.
3. Your Coverage Needs: Do you plan on needing outpatient care for your time in the Bahamas? Or preventative care? Take the time to determine where you may need additional medical support to ensure that you have the right coverage for your health needs.

Health and Safety Travel Tips for the Bahamas

Expats can stay safe while travelling to the Bahamas by staying alert and watching for crime, practicing watercraft and beach safety, and avoiding bug bites. We will discuss these tips in further detail below.

• Staying Alert and Avoiding Crime: Expats should stay alert when in high crime areas in the islands. Violent crime has happened to travelers in the Bahamas, and happens most frequently in the capital, Nassau. South of Shirley Street in Nassau is a common area for violent gangs in the Bahamas. 
• Practice Watercraft Safety: Stay safe while using watercraft in the Bahamas by ensuring your watercraft operator is licensed and insured and follows local marine alerts. Boating is not well-regulated in the Bahamas, and injuries and deaths have occurred. 
• Practice Beach Safety: Expats and travelers should practice beach safety by never swimming alone and watching out for watercraft operating close to the shore. They should also watch out for sharks, as shark attacks have occurred in the islands.
• Avoid Bug Bites: Expats should avoid bug bites by using the proper insect repellants, wearing long sleeves and pants, and sleeping under a mosquito net. African tick-bite fever, dengue, and zika can all be spread through bug bites in the Bahamas. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Does US health insurance cover you while in the Bahamas?

US health insurance, like Medicaid and Medicare, will not cover you while in the Bahamas. International health insurance can give you coverage while in the islands. 

What happens if I have a medical emergency while in the Bahamas?

If you have a medical emergency while in the Bahamas, you can call the emergency number 911 or 919 for an ambulance. If your illness or injury can’t be treated at the nearest hospital, you may need a medical evacuation to a different island and facility. 

Do expats have free healthcare in the Bahamas? 

Expats do not have free healthcare while in the Bahamas. The public insurance, NHI, only covers citizens and legal residents. Additionally, the NHI only covers primary care and preventive medicine, and won’t cover any emergency or inpatient costs. 

Conclusion: Compare Plans and Quotes Now

The Bahamas offers some of the more advanced medical facilities in the Caribbean, but expats should still secure a health insurance policy before their move to the islands. With international health insurance, expats can stay protected as they travel throughout the Caribbean and worldwide. 

Are you ready to begin shopping for your health insurance plan? Are you interested in a travel insurance policy? Contact Pacific Prime to discuss, free of charge, a range of Bahamas health insurance services available for you, your loved ones, or your group. 

As a global health insurance broker who specializes in expat health insurance, Pacific Prime can offer a wealth of professional expertise and services. Our tailor-made policies suit every budget and health care need for expats and travellers across the world.

To get a no-obligation, free price comparison quote, visit our website today!