Healthcare in Belize

Health Care is available to anyone in Belize - citizens, residents, and tourists alike-no insurance required.  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.  Many Expats purchase health insurance which covers their medical and travel expenses should an emergency arise.

Thanks for your help Wealthships

Armand

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

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.  We found that we could get our normal prescriptions and that they were substantially less expensive.  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.  We estimate our total annual savings for normal prescriptions to be several thousand $USD!

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
Expat.com Team

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...

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

I went to BZ to see if it suited me for retirement and was impressed with the laissez-faire attitude of that society.  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.  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.  Not a good thing and the main reason that I will not pursue a move.

charles fishman

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  in Belize . For unfortunate incidents like an accidents, Heart attack, and Stroke ,  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  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  to move out of the harbor and face the risk and the unknown

I have 2 sons who have been told that they need their wisdom teeth removed.  To the tune of $3,000.00 each.  Lol!!  What a crock!  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?  Thank you!

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 .

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

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!

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  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's Health Care System Just for Travelers: facebook.com/editnote.php?draft&note_id=1613406942235303&id=1516028725306459

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

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

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

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

san Ignacio .

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

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 !

Does Medicare offer coverage for expats in Belize?