The Bahamas is doing its utmost to provide citizens and legal residents of the country with a healthcare system that’s both accessible and affordable. The National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) began enrolling residents in a new public health insurance system, NHI Bahamas, in 2017. Prior to this, 70% of the Bahamian population had no health coverage. People were paying an average of $2,300 each year for the healthcare they received.
But transforming a country’s health infrastructure doesn’t happen overnight. The healthcare system in the Bahamas has made preventive care a major focus because it’s almost always less expensive to keep an illness from developing. This is a wise financial decision, but it means that beyond basic care, most healthcare services aren’t covered by NHI Bahamas.
People with pre-existing conditions, or anyone who has an unexpected medical emergency or serious accident, have to pay for their medical expenses out of pocket. For this reason, the healthcare system in the Bahamas is both more affordable and easier for expats to navigate with private insurance coverage.
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The Bahamas Healthcare System Pros & Cons
The Bahamas has more to offer its residents and visitors than tropical cocktails and glorious sunsets. Its healthcare facilities, both public and private, deliver excellent care to anyone who needs treatment.
However, be aware of the drawbacks of Bahamian healthcare: many types of health services come with a substantial price tag.
Pros of the Bahamas Healthcare System
The Bahamas has always welcomed visitors, from short-term tourists to expats who decide to make a new life on one of the country’s many beautiful beaches.
As a nation accustomed to welcoming new arrivals on its shores, there are no restrictions on who can access healthcare in the Bahamas.
Whether you’re a citizen, legal resident, or just a short-term visitor, you can get treatment at both public and private clinics and hospitals.
NHI Bahamas is focused on primary and preventative care. That means that if you live there, you have access to services like regular checkups, vaccinations, blood pressure monitoring, and cholesterol testing at no cost to you.
The aim of the system is to promote the health of children and adults and reduce their chances of getting sick.
Cons of the Bahamas Healthcare System
The trouble with NHI Bahamas is that if you do get sick or injured, the public system doesn’t cover the cost of care. If you need emergency care, surgery, cancer treatment, or even prescription medications, you’ll pay out of pocket unless you have private coverage.
The Bahamas is an expensive country to live in compared to most of its Caribbean neighbors, and healthcare costs are also high there.
For example, if you’re an expat who’d like to build your family while living in the Bahamas, consider how you’ll pay for the child’s birth before making plans for your little one’s first beachside birthday celebration.
Unless you have private insurance, delivery also isn’t covered in the Bahamas. Paying for the delivery room and staff yourself will cost about $1,500. If you need a C-section, the price can soar to more than $5,000.
Bahamian healthcare facilities and hospitals can treat most illnesses; however, a lack of specialized providers or equipment sometimes necessitates transferring patients to another country for care.
This is not only nerve-wracking, but it can also lead to a significant increase in healthcare costs. However, signing up for a private international health insurance policy with coverage is a great way to protect yourself and your family.
Does the Bahamas Have Universal Healthcare?
NHI Bahamas, overseen by the National Health Insurance Authority, is available to all Bahamian citizens and legal residents, provided they’ve registered with the National Insurance Board and possess an NIB Smart Card.
Once registered, everyone is eligible for primary health care services. This benefit is provided at no cost, but the care itself can be very limited.
Children with NHI Bahamas coverage receive immunizations, such as vaccines for measles and chickenpox. Their vision and hearing will be tested.
Adults also receive vaccinations and undergo testing for blood sugar and cholesterol levels. Women get Pap smears and basic pregnancy care (but you’re on your own when it comes to childbirth!); men receive annual prostate exams.
The medical services that aren’t covered by NHI Bahamas include:
- Diagnostic imaging, such as MRIs and CT scans
- Prescription medications
- Emergency room care
- Hospital inpatient care
- Surgical care
- Cancer treatment, such as chemotherapy
- Dental and vision care
- Rehabilitation and physiotherapy
- Childbirth
To access services that NHI Bahamas doesn’t cover, people in the Bahamas have two options: pay for the treatment themselves or obtain private health insurance.
How to Access & Receive Healthcare in the Bahamas
Whether you’ve got a cough that won’t go away or you got a bad sunburn while out windsurfing, you’ll receive excellent care at health centers and medical clinics in the Bahamas.
Even smaller towns and more isolated islands often have satellite medical clinics to visit.
Finding Dental Care
There are numerous private dentists in the Bahamas if you have a toothache or you accidentally cracked an incisor on a piece of lobster shell.
Ask your friends and neighbors for recommendations, or check out online reviews.
You’ll need private insurance that covers dental treatment if you don’t want to pay for this care yourself. Your insurer can also offer provider recommendations if you don’t know who to visit.
How to Get Emergency Healthcare in the Bahamas
Getting more advanced healthcare is also easy to do in the Bahamas, as long as you’re on an island with a hospital or clinic.
If you have an emergency on an isolated island, there isn’t an ambulance that will come to your rescue.
Before an urgent situation arises, make a plan for how you’ll travel from your island retreat to a medical facility.
Hospitals in the Bahamas
If you or a loved one is experiencing a medical emergency, visit one of the Bahamas’ five hospitals. Two of these are private facilities; the other three are public hospitals.
There may be more specialists and specialized medical equipment at private hospitals, but you’ll receive excellent care if you visit a public clinic or hospital.
Hospitals to Visit:
- Doctors Hospital, on New Providence Island (private)
- Lyford Cay Medical Facility, on New Providence Island (private)
- Princess Margaret Hospital, on New Providence Island (public)
- Sandilands Rehabilitation Centre, on New Providence Island (public)
- Rand Memorial Hospital, on Grand Bahama (public)
Insurance for Expats in the Bahamas
Remember, even though anyone can get medical care in the Bahamas, you will be expected to pay for any treatment you receive.
Because the Bahamian healthcare system is accustomed to visitors, citizens, and residents either paying for care themselves or using private insurance, you won’t be out of place whichever option you choose. However, having insurance means the treatment that saves your life won’t leave you with a big bill!
Our licensed brokers can help connect you with an insurance plan that works for your needs, whether you’re just on vacation or looking to relocate to the Bahamas for good.
For Short Stays and Vacations
Single Trip Platinum Travel Insurance
- For U.S. citizens and residents up to age 95
- Includes pregnancy coverage, baggage loss, trip interruption & more
- 24/7/365 service and assistance
Patriot Platinum Travel Insurance
- Maximum limits up to $8,000,000
- IMG pays 100% of medical expenses in-network
- Evacuation due to Natural Disasters & Political Unrest
For Expats Living in the Bahamas
Cigna Global Insurance Plan
- Flexible plans tailored to your needs and budget
- 1.5M+ providers in 200+ countries
- 24/7 multilingual customer support
Healthcare Knowledge Means a Better Stay in the Bahamas
The public health insurance system in the Bahamas is effective in covering basic care, such as immunizations and annual check-ups with a primary care provider. However, if you require more specialized treatment, this system carries significant financial risks.
Emergency room care and diagnostic imaging are just two kinds of medical services that aren’t covered. And accidents can happen at any time — you might trip while running to catch a ferry and break your arm.
Or what if you decide to try conch, the Bahamas’ national dish, and discover a previously unknown shellfish allergy?
Take some time now to understand the healthcare system, and you’ll have a better time during your Bahamian adventure.
Find the Best International Medical Insurance
- Compare multiple quotes from top insurers
- Get expert advice at no additional cost
- Find the right plan for your needs and budget
Sara Kettler is a seasoned freelance writer and Dartmouth graduate who has lived in Japan, France, the UK, and Australia. She shares insights on international relocation, including healthcare, culture, and local laws, helping readers navigate life abroad with ease.
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