Saint Lucia Health Insurance for Expats

International Health Insurance for Expats in Saint Lucia

Expats are recommended to secure an international health insurance plan, as well as medical evacuation benefits, as certain specialized or complex treatments may not be available on the island. The existing public health insurance scheme also provides limited coverage for certain services only.

This brief guide provides information about Saint Lucia's healthcare system, and further outlines the key health insurance options available in the country. Read on to learn more, or click below to obtain a no-obligation, free quote.

Recommended International Health Insurance Plans for Expatriates Living in Saint Lucia

The Healthcare System in Saint Lucia

Compared to most developed nations, St. Lucia might have limited healthcare options for expats, both public and private. Still, major hospitals in the country will be able to meet most medical needs and health centers can provide sufficient care for non-emergency medical conditions.

St. Lucia has five public hospitals, one private hospital, and 36 health centers for non-emergency medical support. While hospitals in St. Lucia could provide sufficient service for most medical needs, complex conditions might require medical evacuation to better-equipped facilities.

Expats are recommended to familiarize themselves with the local healthcare system and consider any additional insurance needed beforehand. Continue reading below for the list of public and private hospitals in St. Lucia and what to know about medical services on the island.

List of Public Hospitals in Saint Lucia

Dennery Hospital*

Telephone: (758) 453-3310
*Dennery Hospital provides outpatient service only.

Owen King European Union Hospital

Telephone: (758) 458-6500
Website: https://millenniumheights.org/

Soufriere Hospital*

Telephone: (758) 459-7258
* Soufriere Hospital provides limited inpatient service for minor illnesses only.

St. Jude's Hospital

Telephone: (758) 454-6041
Website: https://www.stjudehospitalslu.org/l/index.html

St. Lucia National Mental Wellness Center

Telephone: (758) 452-2289
Website: https://millenniumheights.org/our-facilities/

List of Private Hospitals in Saint Lucia

Tapion Hospital

Telephone: (758) 459-2000/01
Website: https://tapionhospital.com/

What to Know About Medical Services in Saint Lucia

Before seeking medical services in St. Lucia, expats and travelers might want to know more about the payment policy of hospitals in St. Lucia, whether they receive health insurance, and if you can find English-speaking staff.

Read below for what you should know about medical services in St. Lucia.

Language of Health Service in Saint Lucia

St. Lucia's official language is English. Expats can rest assured that there are English-speaking doctors and medical staff in St. Lucia. Many people will also speak Creole, but you should not have any trouble communicating your condition in English.

Hospitals' Payment Policy in Saint Lucia

Some healthcare facilities, especially private ones, might require patients to pay for any expense upfront before receiving any care. Some private facilities may also not accept foreign or travel insurance as payment. You might need some cash to pay upfront and reimburse your expenses later.

Make Sure You Have Enough Funds for Medical Expenses

Though St. Lucia is working on its universal health coverage scheme, the current public health insurance provides limited coverage. Expats should have enough funds or a health insurance plan to cover medical expenses as well as for possible medical evacuation.

Emergency Medical Service in Saint Lucia

You can dial 911 for an ambulance service in St. Lucia. St. Lucia's ambulance service is operated by the fire department. If you have purchased a health insurance plan, make sure you contact your insurer immediately if you are referred to any medical facility for treatment.

Health Insurance Options for Expats in Saint Lucia

Expats have the option of purchasing private health insurance for their time in St. Lucia. Though the government has been continuing its effort to implement a universal health insurance scheme, the existing scheme is still very limited in coverage.

Public Health Insurance in Saint Lucia

St. Lucia is in its initial phase of implementing the universal health insurance scheme. The current scheme provides coverage only for a limited group of vulnerable citizens and only for certain services, such as maternity care and chronic conditions management.

Currently, most healthcare in St. Lucia is still privately funded. This is why expats are recommended to have sufficient funds or health insurance plans to cover their medical expenses in St. Lucia.

Private Health Insurance in Saint Lucia

Private health insurance, with coverage for medical evacuation, is highly recommended for any expats staying in St. Lucia.

Though most hospitals in St. Lucia are equipped for most medical needs, certain complex or serious conditions might require medical evacuation to better-equipped facilities off-island. This includes conditions that might require specialized care as well.

If you plan on going on an adventurous trip to Saint Lucia and want some peace of mind, private health insurance with coverage for medical evacuation can be highly beneficial.

Discuss with an international health insurance broker, such as Pacific Prime, can help you find out more about what each insurer includes in their international health insurance plan and how you can add additional benefits such as medical evacuation or dental care to suit your needs.

How to Find the Best Health Insurance for Expats and Travelers

With over two decades of experience in supporting expats and travelers, Pacific Prime can assist you with any St. Lucia health insurance needs. By leveraging our close relationships with top global insurers, we can offer you professional and impartial advice, as well as a free plan comparison.

Best International Health Insurance Plans for Expatriates Living in Saint Lucia

Continue below for some of the best international health insurance plans available for expats in Saint Lucia.

AXA

AXA Global Health Insurance offers both short-term and long-term plans for expats and travelers, with comprehensive coverage for any medical needs.

Some examples of shared coverage by all AXA insurance plans include:

NOW Health

NOW Health International offers expats abroad comprehensive health insurance solutions, as well as providing plans for international students. They offer online claim processes through a mobile app and provide other prompt online support.

They have several different tiers of plans, but these are the shared features across all of them:

Health Advice for Travelers and Expats in Saint Lucia

Though St. Lucia is generally safe for expats and travelers, there are certain precautions you should take to make sure you're not the outlier. These include cautions regarding St. Lucia's hurricane season, possible crimes, and potential health risks you should be mindful of.

Hurricane Season

The hurricane season normally runs from June to November. If you are planning on traveling to the island during this period, be sure to monitor local and international weather reports from the US National Hurricane Centre and follow the advice of local authorities, including any evacuation orders.

Crimes in Saint Lucia

Crimes of opportunity such as burglary and break-ins as well as violent crimes such as murder, sexual assault, and robbery do occur occasionally in St. Lucia. Travelers are recommended to take appropriate precautions such as avoiding walking alone at night or leaving their belongings or drinks unattained.

Using Health Insurance in Saint Lucia

If you have secured a health insurance plan, make sure you take details of your insurance policy with you, including your policy number and the emergency assistance telephone number provided by your insurer.

Expats are also recommended to give a copy of your policy details to the people you're traveling with and also your close friends or family back home, in case they need to contact your insurance company on your behalf.

Recommended Vaccinations and Medicines Before Traveling to Saint

With reference to the CDC, all expats and travelers should be up-to-date on routine vaccinations before traveling to Saint Lucia. All travelers will require vaccination for measles, as well as other routine vaccinations including:

• Chickenpox (Varicella)
• Diphtheria-Tetanus-Pertussis
• Flu (influenza)
• Measles-Mumps-Rubella (MMR)
• Polio
• Shingles

Other vaccines recommended by CDC for travelers going to St. Lucia include:

• Chikungunya
• Hepatitis A
• Hepatitis B
• Typhoid
• Rabies
• Yellow Fever (required if traveling from a country with a risk of Yellow Fever virus transmission)

(Take note: It is also essential that expats moving to Saint Lucia have a yellow fever vaccination and carry the certificate when traveling in and out of the country.)

Be sure to visit your local doctor or travel advisor to confirm what you need with them before heading out to Saint Lucia.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is healthcare free in Saint Lucia?

Most healthcare in St. Lucia is still privately funded. The ongoing public health insurance scheme provides limited coverage for certain services only.

Do you need health insurance to enter Saint Lucia?

Health insurance is not a prerequisite to entering St. Lucia. However, travelers are advised to have a health insurance plan to cover any medical emergencies or healthcare they receive in the country, including possible off-island medical evacuation.

Do international health insurance plans cover the Caribbean?

International health insurance plans can virtually provide you with health coverage everywhere you go. Some plans will give you the option to tweak what and where your plan will cover, mostly whether to include or exclude coverage in the US.

Compare Plans and Quotes Now

As a small island nation, St. Lucia will have limited healthcare available, especially for complex conditions that require specialized care. An appropriate health insurance plan, with coverage for medical evacuation, could be all it takes to ensure your peace of mind in this tropical paradise.

Contact our health insurance expert today for free quotes and plans comparison for your stay in St. Lucia.