Healthcare in Belize

53155POSTS

14 years ago

Hi,

how does the healthcare system work in Belize ? Is it efficient ?

What are the main differences between public and private sectors?

Is it recommended to purchase private health insurance in Belize?

Thanks in advance for sharing your experience !

Julien

See also

Wealthships Serial expat

282POSTS

13 years ago

Health Care is available to anyone in Belize - citizens, residents, and tourists alike-no insurance required.聽 Government run hospitals generally provide care free of charge - however you get what you pay for. Private hospitals and doctors offer much better care, at reasonable prices.

An average doctor visit is $35-50 bze, depending on where you live. Specialists are more like $60-70 bze. Prescriptions about $1-2 a pill. Most medicines can be found in Belize.

The country does lack the resources to purchase advanced medical equipment (like MRI's, for instance). So for major health issues, most people either travel to Merida, Mexico, the U.S., or Guatemala.聽 Many Expats purchase health insurance which covers their medical and travel expenses should an emergency arise.

Armand ViP

24785POSTS

13 years ago

Thanks for your help Wealthships

Armand

GuestPoster454 Guest

0POSTS

11 years ago

Can anyone refer a good chiropractor in or near San Pedro?

jvr1330 Active member

54POSTS

11 years ago

Just an added comment on prescriptions:
On a recent visit last fall while finalizing our land purchase - we stopped in a pharmacy in BC to check on availability and pricing on our current prescriptions.聽 We found that we could get our normal prescriptions and that they were substantially less expensive.聽 For instance - my Advair for Asthma costs over $200 for a month's supply - it was around $50 for the same (equivalent sold globally by the same pharmaceutical company) medicine.聽 We estimate our total annual savings for normal prescriptions to be several thousand $USD!

Julie Team

16225POSTS

11 years ago

Hi,

In order to help expats and soon-to-be expats, we would like to invite you to share your experience on this topic, with updated info on the healthcare system.

Thank you in advance,

Julie
大咖福利影院 Team

finnish100 New member

4POSTS

11 years ago

I think you will hear from a lot of people that the health care system here is now growing and is no longer in the infancy stage. I had dental surgery today in fancy in a very clean modern yet basic office with two very attentive doctors . I was apprehensive and they quickly made me feel safe and comfortable. I think it will only improve shortly many changes are already being experienced in the Biotech and health care field where govt bureaucracy will not be a factor..Can t wait to see the next chapter here. I am very bullish on Belize and its healthcare now and in the future...

1 member reacted to this post

mzcalifornia Active member

71POSTS

11 years ago

Wealth ships covered the topic.聽聽People with serious chronic conditions like diabetes and coronary artery disease may come here and get by comfortably for some time.聽 Eventually, most return to the USA or Canada for treatment.聽 This group will generally want to sell their property for what they paid for it.聽 This may take 3 years.聽聽 Traumatic injury such as an auto accident or sudden onset of myocardial infarction, will often not be survived.聽聽Physicians trained in Cuba do not have the skill level or access to medications that the north american physicians have.聽聽There is little physical therapy for lower back or stroke injury.聽 To live in Belize permanently, one must be prepared to live & pass as the Belizeans do.

charles fishman New member

4POSTS

11 years ago

I went to BZ to see if it suited me for retirement and was impressed with the laissez-faire attitude of that society.聽 As I
have a chronic blood problem I inquired if there was a hematologist in town (Belize City) and the response was "no",
I would have to go to Mexico or other neighboring country for assistance.聽 As this is not that rare a specialty, we all have blood after all, I presume that there is no coverage for other disease states.聽 Not a good thing and the main reason that I will not pursue a move.

charles fishman

Spiceman39 Serial expat

219POSTS

11 years ago

#10

For Basic health care Belize health care is ok (that is what I hear from many). But specialities like Ortho and general surgery there are Medical centers聽 in Belize . For unfortunate incidents like an accidents, Heart attack, and Stroke ,聽 care may not be up to par. The chance of surviving one of these incidents may be small. I have subscribed to insurance for Airlift to USA for a catastrophic illness. But time will be a limiting factor. This聽 is not any deferent from going on a vacation outside USA ,especially to a 3rd world country.
I guess one has to balance the risk with what you really want to do with life. There are high risk sports many people participate. Rarely and unfortunately some of these high risk sports cause injury or death.
If you get a stroke while you are in the hospital your chance of survival is high.
It is a personal decision聽 to move out of the harbor and face the risk and the unknown

curious15 New member

9POSTS

11 years ago

#11

I have 2 sons who have been told that they need their wisdom teeth removed.聽 To the tune of $3,000.00 each.聽 Lol!!聽 What a crock!聽 So, based on your successful dental work, would you mind sharing what you think the cost of removing set of 4 wisdom teeth will be?聽 Thank you!

mobra Member

22POSTS

10 years ago

#12

I had dental work done in si 4 crowns & 1 root canal & a custom made mouth piece to wear at night . I am a chronic mouth grinder .a cleaning , xrays ect it was $900 for all ! here in states the dentists wanted $1,000 $ 2,000 per tooth !! crowns only . no cleaning ect.. I was very happy with my dentist & the dental care. ! he was very gentle & careing .

Spiceman39 Serial expat

219POSTS

10 years ago

#13

Hi Mobra
If ok would you share the name of Dentist.

mobra Member

22POSTS

10 years ago

#14

sure, spiceman , dr gonzalas Hudson st , I think that's the name of the street. should be easy enough to find him. he also practices at his son'r office in Miami fla once a month or so . can't wait to get back to belize for my cleaning ! haha!

kfung New member

9POSTS

10 years ago

#15

I tell everybody that if you are healthy any health care system is good for you. I am from Alberta, Canada. Free Health Care. Personally for little stuff, Belize Health Care is good. Big stuff, Belize just do not have the infra-structure to do it.
You want private health care in Belize as you will have to wait for聽 long time.
I have a vacation rental (long term) in Belize, the HAPPY house. It is 30 mins from Chetumal, Mexico. Should my renter or I have to do big stuff, it is a taxi and/or 15 min boat ride for medical care.
Many expats commented that they get sick less inBelize.
There is a recent article on Belize Health care: A Primer on Belize鈥檚 Health Care System Just for Travelers: facebook.com/editnote.php?draft¬e_id=1613406942235303&id=1516028725306459

8flyingfish New member

4POSTS

10 years ago

#16

Hello,
Would you mind sharing the contact number and address of your dentist?
Warmest Regards,
Cynthia

8flyingfish New member

4POSTS

10 years ago

#17

Oh, I forgot to ask, how long did it take to have work done?
Warmest Regards,
Cynthia

curious15 New member

9POSTS

10 years ago

#18

What town in Belize is your dentist located?聽 Thank you for sharing your experience.

mobra Member

22POSTS

10 years ago

#19

i'm sorry Cynthia I can't find his card . it is about a block from rosa's hotel . san Ignacio聽 it took a couple hours first day .total 2 days聽 good people

mobra Member

22POSTS

10 years ago

#20

san Ignacio .

8flyingfish New member

4POSTS

10 years ago

#21

Amazing!聽 I just cancelled my dental appt. for TOMARROW.聽 I'm ready to save a ton of money, time, and go on vacation while I do it!聽 I really appreciate you SHARING the good news!
Warmest Regards,
Cynthia

mobra Member

22POSTS

10 years ago

#22

Cynthia, there are a lot of great dentists in belize . my friend goes to meg ryan in san Ignacio & she loves her. yep, you can save money & have a vacay in an awesome country !

dannpalmer6771 New member

4POSTS

10 years ago

#23

Does Medicare offer coverage for expats in Belize?

GuestPoster454 Guest

0POSTS

10 years ago

#24

healthcare seems to be spotty and uneven.聽 cancer just started being treated in mexico which for an expat can be problematic, a dialysis center just opened in orange walk town which is a ways from other areas of the country.聽 american airlines has often been called belizes emergency room.

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