Grenada Health Insurance for Expats

For expats in Grenada, international health insurance offers peace of mind due to the limitations in specialized and advanced healthcare on the island. While Grenada’s healthcare system provides solid primary care services, specialized services may be lacking, requiring emergency evacuation.

Interested in the healthcare landscape in Grenada? This guide covers everything you need to know about securing health insurance in Grenada, along with the top insurers and the country’s healthcare. Whether you’re planning a visit or a permanent move, this guide is essential.

Read on for more details or click below to get a free insurance quote!

Healthcare System in Grenada

The Grenadian health policy ensures that citizens have access to healthcare treatment. Both public and private facilities are available in the country. The Ministry of Health (MOH) in Grenada is responsible for policy formulation, regulation, and financial administration of the healthcare sector.

Grenada’s Public Healthcare Sector

The country is divided into 7 different health districts, each assigned a district medical officer, several categories of nurses, dentists, pharmacists, environmental health officers, and other support services.

6 of the districts have a health center, which is the major primary care facility, and an additional 30 medical stations distributed throughout the country that should act as the first point of contact within the health system.

Grenada’s Public Healthcare Funding

Public healthcare sector funding comes from taxation, with aid from international agencies for certain programs. User fees are also collected at hospitals (exemptions for the elderly, children, and other vulnerable groups) to cover private wards and certain diagnostic services.

Hospitals and Facilities in Grenada

The most notable public hospitals in Grenada comprise Grenada General Hospital, Princess Alice Hospital, Princess Royal Hospital, Mt. Gay Hospital, and Richmond Home. Although most of these hospitals lack online support, they are well known within Grenada through local inquiry.

Grenada's Ministry of Health operates several key public hospitals across the country:

• Grenada General Hospital: The main referral hospital in Grenada, offering a full range of inpatient and outpatient services, including specialized care and treatment.
• Princess Alice Hospital: Provides general medical services but has limited diagnostic capabilities. Patients needing X-rays or laboratory tests are typically referred to the General Hospital.
• Princess Royal Hospital: A rural hospital serving the local community with essential healthcare services.
• Mt. Gay Hospital: Specializes in psychiatric care, focusing on long-term treatment for chronic mental health conditions.
• Richmond Home: A dedicated geriatric facility providing care for the elderly population.

There is a limited referral system between hospitals, and patients attending other community medical facilities are referred to the Accident & Emergency (A&E) department for admission to said hospitals. As a consequence, many people go directly to A&E, which can result in lengthy waiting times.

Grenada’s Private Healthcare Sector

In Grenada, while public healthcare remains the primary provider, there is a growing demand for private medical services, largely concentrated in the capital, St. George’s.

Grenada has a network of 30 medical stations and 6 health centers to support primary healthcare. Many private services, including diagnostics like imaging, are faster than those offered by the public sector due to shorter wait times.

Grenada’s Private Healthcare Funding

Patients seeking consultation or treatment in private facilities will be required to pay out-of-pocket unless they have sufficient coverage via a health insurance plan. Furthermore, another thing to note is that most doctors and hospitals will expect payment in cash, regardless of health insurance.

Private Hospitals and Facilities in Grenada

Grenada’s private hospitals offer diverse services.

• St. Augustine’s Medical Services (SAMS): This is the leading private hospital in Grenada, offering services such as medical, surgical, emergency care, maternity, and specialized diagnostic treatments.
• Carriacou Health Services (CHS): Located in Carriacou, this clinic provides various medical services, including basic surgery, X-rays, and specialized care through visiting specialists​.
• Marryshow’s Hospital and Health Clinic: A private facility providing a wide range of treatment options​.

Private Health Insurance for Expats in Grenada

Our recommendation is for expats to secure private health insurance during their stay in Grenada, in order to ensure that they can access whatever available healthcare services. This helps to ensure financial protection and access to emergency services.

Most expats will find the healthcare system in Grenada to be limiting, especially when it comes to the range of medical treatments. In case of a serious health emergency or prolonged medical treatment, expats will have to be medically evacuated to a country with state-of-the-art facilities.

Recommended International Health Insurance Plans for Expatriates Living in Grenada

The best health insurance plans for expatriates in Grenada are offered by Cigna, AXA,, April, IMG, Generali, and Bupa Global. These international health insurance plans offer customizable coverage and robust global protection no matter where you live and travel.

Looking for a suitable health insurance plan? Pacific Prime can offer foreign nationals in Grenada travel insurance or international health insurance that meets their individual needs and budgets.

In Grenada, Pacific Prime collaborates with several well-known insurers, including:

Cigna International Health Insurance Plans for Expats in Grenada

Cigna offers tailored plans with three primary tiers: Silver, Gold, and Platinum. Each level includes different degrees of global coverage, with services like access to specialist care, preventive health options, and worldwide medical evacuation.

AXA International Health Insurance Plans for Expats in Grenada

AXA’s international plans are divided into Foundation, Standard, Comprehensive, Prestige, and Prestige Plus, each catering to different levels of coverage and budget preferences. Expats can access extensive networks globally, with AXA handling direct billing at many in-network facilities.

Allianz International Health Insurance Plans for Expats in Grenada

Allianz offers Essential, Classic, and Premier plans that include global healthcare access, with optional coverage for maternity and dental care. Their plans provide peace of mind with emergency evacuation and hospitalization without upfront costs at many in-network facilities worldwide.

April International International Health Insurance Plans for Expats in Grenada

April International is designed for expats seeking simplicity, April’s plans come with a mobile-friendly platform for submitting claims and contacting support. Coverage includes inpatient, outpatient, and emergency services, as well as unlimited 24/7 telemedicine.

IMG International Health Insurance Plans for Expats in Grenada

IMG has several options, including Global Medical Insurance and Global Crew Medical Insurance, tailored to the specific needs of individuals and families abroad. Coverage varies from basic medical services to comprehensive packages, and all plans include emergency evacuation and repatriation.

Generali International Health Insurance Plans for Expats in Grenada

Generali’s plans for globally mobile individuals focus on three primary coverage levels: Select, Classic, and Premier. Each includes inpatient and outpatient care, as well as flexible outpatient add-ons. Generali also offers extensive mental health benefits.

Bupa Global International Health Insurance Plans for Expats in Grenada

Bupa Global’s range of plans spans Major Medical, Select, Premier, and Elite levels, providing everything from basic serious illness cover to comprehensive plans that include routine checkups, dental, maternity, and mental health services.

Factors to Consider When Choosing Health Insurance in Grenada

When it comes to purchasing insurance for your expatriate life in Grenada, it’s important to consider coverage for key benefits, pre-existing conditions, geographic coverage, plan limitations, underwriting and eligibility requirements, and claims support.

Listed below are some considerations and descriptions to help guide your decision-making:

Coverage for Key Benefits

Ensure the policy includes necessary coverage such as inpatient, outpatient, and emergency evacuation, especially if you plan to travel frequently. Maternity, dental, and preventative care coverage are additional options to consider, depending on your personal and family needs.

Pre-existing Conditions

Some plans may exclude or limit coverage for pre-existing conditions. Consider policies that allow coverage with a moratorium period, exclusions, or premium loadings if you need coverage for these conditions.

Geographic Flexibility

If you travel regularly, consider a plan that provides international coverage, including emergency care abroad. This can be critical for expats and frequent travelers, as Grenada may not have the same level of healthcare facilities as larger countries.

Plan Limitations and Deductibles

Be mindful of the maximum benefit limits, annual deductibles, and co-payment options, as these can significantly impact your overall costs and financial security in emergencies.

Underwriting and Eligibility Requirements

Many international health insurance plans have specific underwriting requirements that might involve providing a health history. Make sure the plan’s eligibility requirements align with your circumstances, especially if you are over a certain age or have specific health conditions.

Ease of Claims and Support

Ensure the insurance provider has a straightforward claims process and good customer support in languages you are comfortable with. Of course, by purchasing insurance from Pacific Prime, we can handle all of this for you as part of our post-sale services.

Grenada Travel Advice for Expats

From staying alert in remote areas to preparing for hurricane season and monitoring natural hazards, a little preparation can enhance your experience. Moreover, it’s important to make sure you’re informed about local emergency contacts and health considerations.

If you’re visiting Grenada, you should take some of the following tips regarding health and safety.

• General Safety Tips: Most visits to Grenada are trouble-free, but there have been cases of violent crime. Take care when driving at night, especially on narrow roads and blind corners. Ocean currents can also be strong and not all beaches have lifeguards and/or warning flags.
• Hurricane: The hurricane season normally runs from June to November, so you should monitor the progress of any approaching storms on the US National Hurricane Center website and follow instructions issued by local authorities.
• Earthquakes: Watch out for any earthquakes, as the region is prone to them. For more information about what to do before, during, and after an earthquake, check out the US Emergency Management website.
• Volcanoes: Monitor the alert level of the underwater volcano ‘Kick’em Jenny’, located 5 miles off the coast of Grenada. Observe any maritime exclusion zones and follow the advice of the local authorities if there is a risk of eruption.
• Dengue Fever: Take precautions against mosquito bites as dengue fever is common in the Caribbean and outbreaks can occur periodically throughout the year. Stay away from artificial water containers, as that is where mosquitoes primarily breed.
• Medicines: Pharmacies are usually well stocked, and prescription medicine is available, but travelers are advised to bring with them sufficient prescription medicine as occasionally there are temporary shortages of medicines. Check customs requirements first.
• Emergency services: There are 5 ambulance services, 4 on mainland Grenada and one on Carriacou. For an ambulance in St. George's, call 434. For an ambulance in St. Andrew's, call 724. For an ambulance on the island of Carriacou, call 774.

Note: Please note that the information on this page is not fully comprehensive and is subject to change without prior warning. Consult with a local Grenada embassy should you have any doubts before you depart on your journey.

Frequently Asked Questions

What healthcare coverage should I prioritize as an expat in Grenada?

Prioritize coverage for inpatient and outpatient care, as well as emergency evacuation. Grenada’s healthcare system is limited to specialized treatments, so evacuation coverage is essential for serious conditions or advanced care needs.

Are pre-existing conditions covered by insurance in Grenada?

Some policies may limit or exclude coverage for pre-existing conditions. Look for plans that include options like moratoriums, exclusions, or premium loadings to ensure some level of coverage.

Do I need international coverage if I travel often?

Yes, an international plan ensures you’re covered beyond Grenada. These plans offer medical care across borders, which is ideal if Grenada’s limited facilities cannot address specific healthcare needs.

Conclusion

Relocating to Grenada requires consideration of public and private healthcare and coverage for your medical needs in accordance with your budget. Morever, given Grenada’s medical infrastructure, it’s imperative to include medical evacuation in your plan in case of specialized treatment.

With over 2 decades of experience in providing tailored health insurance plans to expatriates abroad, Pacific Prime offers a wide variety of policies with possible benefit packages, including dental, maternity, inpatient, outpatient, specialist consultations, and many more.

Get in touch with one of our insurance advisors today, or compare quotes using our online quotation system!