Do Expats Need Health Insurance in St. Kitts

Question: 
I am retire from the U.S. Military do i have to have medical insurance if i am going to St.Kitts

Answer: 

At present, the government of St. Kitts and Nevis does not
require residents to obtain health insurance. There is no national health
insurance scheme within the country, although citizens of St. Kitts and Nevis
who fulfill certain requirements are eligible to receive an exemption from all
healthcare costs for treatment received in the country.

There has been debate within the government of St Kitts and
Nevis to incentivize the purchase of private medical insurance for local residents;
however, this debate has not progressed through to the creation of a law
mandating such coverage.

As an expatriate you will not be able to access the low cost
healthcare options offered to local citizens. Doctors in St. Kitts and Nevis
will require that you pay for the cost of your healthcare prior to receiving
treatment. There are no private hospitals in St. Kitts, or on the island of
Nevis; expatriates can access the country’s public healthcare facilities, but
will have to pay a fee to do so – even at the public hospitals.

St. Kitts and Nevis, being a smaller country, lacks some
medical necessities. Individuals suffering from severe illnesses and injuries
may be required to travel overseas in order to receive comprehensive medical
care. Patients from St. Kitts who travel overseas for medical
treatment will usually go to the USA.

It is important to note that the USA does not have a public
healthcare system similar to the UK’s NHS, and that medical costs in the USA are
the most expensive in the world. Residents in St. Kitts who plan to utilize
medical services in America should purchase a medical insurance policy which
covers the USA due to the prohibitive cost of treatment.

Additionally, it is important to note that despite St. Kitts
and Nevis being an international hot spot for scuba diving, the country does
not possess and hyperbaric chambers to treat decompression sickness. The
closest hyperbaric chamber can be found in the Netherlands Antilles. Emergency evacuation in the case of caisson disease will be expensive, often in the
region of US$ 50,000 for transportation and proper medical care during the
journey.

While medical insurance coverage is not required for
expatriates in St. Kitts and Nevis, Pacific Prime strongly encourages all
foreign nationals in the country to consider the purchase of a policy. This is
primarily due to the nation’s inability to provide superior medical services,
and its remote location which may necessitate emergency evacuation in the event
of an untoward medical situation.

International health insurance plans from Pacific Prime will
offer comprehensive coverage in St. Kitts and Nevis. Policies we work with are
typically internationally portable, provide global protection, and will often
be guaranteed renewable for life. This means that should you ever relocate away
from St. Kitts, your plan will travel with you can continue to offer thecomplete protection you require.

We work with over 60 of the world’s leading international
health insurance companies, and can provide a range of options which can often
be tailored to meet you specific individual requirements.

For more information about St. Kitts and Nevis health insurance, please contact one of our expert advisors today. Alternatively, you
may complete the short form at the top of this page to receive a free quote.