Health insurance in Trinidad and Tobago for expats

Public healthcare in Trinidad and Tobago is decentralised into five ‘Regional Health Authorities’, which take responsibility for hospitals, clinics and general practice facilities in their respective areas. There are six major hospitals in the country: five in Trinidad and one in Tobago.¹ Generally speaking, you can walk into most clinics and hospitals and be seen without having to make an appointment beforehand.²

Everyone in Trinidad and Tobago can receive a basic level of healthcare, free at the point of delivery, regardless of income or residency status. This includes emergency, inpatient and outpatient care. Beyond this, primary and specialist care is covered by contributions to the National Insurance Scheme (NIS), or out-of-pocket for those who haven’t enrolled. 

There are also a small number of private healthcare facilities in Trinidad and Tobago, which can provide more dedicated and specialist care. This tends to be much more expensive than the public system, which is why it’s mainly used by wealthier locals and expats.²

The public healthcare system in Trinidad and Tobago can suffer from long waiting times, overcrowding, and long lead times for investigations and treatment. Research has also suggested that difficulties with inpatient care mean accident and emergency departments are sometimes unable to transfer patients, which means that A&E departments end up with more patients than they can handle.³

One notable area of healthcare in Trinidad and Tobago, in which non-nationals are treated differently to citizens, is in the care available for chronic diseases and cancer.

Only citizens of Trinidad and Tobago can receive cancer care and treatment free of charge. Non-nationals must pay for treatment.
 
Treatments and medicines for chronic diseases such as: diabetes; asthma; cardiac diseases; arthritis; glaucoma; mental depression; high blood pressure; benign prostatic hyperplasia (enlarged prostate); epilepsy; hypercholesterolemia; Parkinson’s disease; and thyroid diseases, are also not covered for non-nationals.⁴

For both reasons, taking advantage of private medical insurance and private facilities is a common choice for expats.²

Having health insurance in place for your time in Trinidad and Tobago is not a legal requirement, although some employers stipulate that employees have health insurance in place⁵. Expats and residents can access the public healthcare system in the same way through the National Insurance Scheme (NIS).

If you don’t subscribe to the NIS scheme, you either must pay for your healthcare out-of-pocket, or through private medical insurance cover. If you’re likely to need regular care or want the peace of mind that you’re covered in the event of an emergency, then the latter choice may make more sense for you.

What kind of documentation do I need to access healthcare in Trinidad and Tobago?

To join the NIS scheme, you’ll need to visit your nearest NIS office with proof of your identity and proof of residency in Trinidad and Tobago. After completing the application form, and if your application is approved, you’ll receive an NIS card that you should have with you whenever you need to use a health service.

If you’re employed in Trinidad and Tobago, then you’ll pay for your access to public healthcare through two types of social security contributions. In both cases, your employer will withhold the relevant money and send it to the authorities on your behalf. 

The first is National Insurance. If you earn more than TTD 13,600 per month (approximately £1500; $2000; €1740), then the maximum contribution of TTD 414.30 per week (approx. £46; $61; €53) is applied. However, only one-third of this will come out of your paycheque, with your employer contributing the rest. 

The second type is the Health Surcharge. This is TTD 8.25 per week (approx. £0.90; $1.20; €1.05), payable by all employees who earn more than TTD 470 per month (approx. £52; $69; €60).⁶

If you aren’t employed – perhaps you’re a retiree – then access to the basic public healthcare system is free.

Not as a legal requirement, no. However, if you want to get the best possible treatment in the quickest possible time, then having private cover in place is the most reassuring, cost-effective option.

What are the benefits of private health insurance in Trinidad and Tobago?

Having private medical insurance in place in Trinidad and Tobago means you can benefit from:

• Shorter waiting times: Overcrowding and long wait times can be an issue in Trinidad and Tobago, so going private can help you get the treatment you need faster. 
• High-quality care: Private facilities are well-regarded for providing a superior standard of medical attention for common health issues, offering expats a more personalised patient experience and better facilities than those typically found in the public sector.⁷ 
• Dental cover: Advanced dental care must be paid out-of-pocket in Trinidad and Tobago. Private cover can make sure your treatment bills don’t become unaffordable. 
• Evmergency evacuation: If you need to seek emergency treatment outside Trinidad and Tobago, a private healthcare policy can cover your evacuation and repatriation costs.
• Peace of mind: Having private cover gives you the reassurance you’ll get the very best care.

Would I need dental insurance in Trinidad and Tobago?

Yes. The provision of dental services under the public healthcare system is very limited, so it’s likely you’ll have to pay for dentistry out-of-pocket.⁸ This can quickly get expensive if you need regular treatments and appointments, meaning a private health insurance policy with dental care included can help you make some major savings.

The main emergency number in Trinidad and Tobago is 911, although you should dial 811 if you specifically require an ambulance. You should dial 999 if you need the police, and 990 for the fire brigade.⁹