Health insurance in Bermuda for expats

Bermuda’s healthcare system is largely private, and most residents and expats, including retirees, are responsible for covering the costs of their own healthcare.

For those moving to Bermuda for work, employers are legally required to provide health insurance plans to their employees, whether they are Bermudian citizens or foreigners. The extent of that health insurance coverage can vary from one employer to another¹, which means that taking out a private health insurance plan can help fill in any gaps.

If your health insurance isn’t provided by your employer, you have two options. First, take out private health insurance to cover your medical needs for the duration of your time in Bermuda. Second, sign up for a Health Insurance Plan (HIP) or Future Care plan offered by the Bermudian government’s Health Insurance Department.² These plans cover the costs of many inpatient and outpatient services and doctor’s visits, with some covered in full and others at subsidised, capped rates.³

The healthcare system in Bermuda is generally regarded to be of good quality, although as it’s such a small place with a population of around 65,000⁴, facilities are relatively limited.

Bermuda has one main hospital, the King Edward VII Memorial Hospital, which is situated close to the capital, Hamilton. It has around 300 beds in total and covers accident and emergency, and a wide range of inpatient and outpatient care services.⁵ There is also the Mid-Atlantic Wellness Institute that covers mental health, the Lamb Foggo Urgent Care Centre that looks after less severe illnesses and injuries, and four government-run community health centres.

Additionally, there are several private healthcare facilities around Bermuda, which offer faster access to care and a more dedicated approach to treatment for those with the appropriate private cover in place.

It has been known for some expats and digital nomads who require more advanced and extensive care to head overseas, principally to the United States.¹

As the healthcare system in Bermuda is insurance-based, access is based on the health insurance policy you have in place. The rules are the same for expats and digital nomads as they are for Bermudian residents. The medical service provider will claim directly from the relevant insurer for many costs incurred, although there may be occasions where you’re required to make payment and claim the money back yourself.

What kind of documentation do I need to access healthcare in Bermuda? 

If you’re receiving health insurance through your employer, then they’re legally required to register you for that scheme and should do so on your behalf. If registering for the main Health Insurance Plan, then you’ll need to download the form available online and enrol at the main Health Insurance Department office in Hamilton, along with your ID and proof of immigration status.

While the standard of healthcare in Bermuda is good, it comes with a price tag to match. The standard Health Insurance Plan premiums currently cost $459 per month (approx. £335; €395) for adults, $220 per month (approx. £160; €190) for children and $1239 per month (approx. £910; €1070) for over 65s.²

It’s also important to remember that these premiums won’t cover all the costs of your healthcare in Bermuda. For some services, the benefits are capped, meaning you’ll still be liable for any costs incurred over and above the stated amount.³ Examples of these caps include:

• physician fees for surgery: $2167 per admission
• GP appointments: $42 per visit, but only four visits a year are covered
• prescriptions: $1000 per year

These potential extra costs, plus the variability in health insurance plans offered by employers, underline the value of taking out a more comprehensive private health insurance plan that takes care of everything you may need within a single premium.

Services that are covered in full without a cap include hospitalisations, emergency room visits, lab services, and staying in hospital to give birth.

Having private medical cover in Bermuda isn’t mandatory but can make a real difference. Given how expensive healthcare in Bermuda can be, plus the capped benefits involved in the main Health Insurance Plan, a private policy can help you avoid any unexpected costs that might crop up.

What are the benefits of private health insurance in Bermuda?

Having private medical insurance in place in Bermuda means you can benefit from:

• Shorter waiting times: access to more healthcare facilities means you can get appointments and specialist treatments faster.
• High-quality care: private health insurance in Bermuda gives you access to more comfortable facilities, the very best clinicians, and a more dedicated approach to care.
• Dental cover: if you need advanced dental care, private cover can make sure your treatment bills don’t become unaffordable.
• Prescription cover: where eligible, a good private health insurance policy may help you take care of your prescription costs, without the risk of extra fees for regular medication.
• No hidden costs: avoid the potential of extra bills if you go beyond the limits of the Health Insurance Plan.

Would I need dental insurance in Bermuda?

Having insurance cover in place to cover dental care in Bermuda is extremely important. The Health Insurance Plan only covers relatively basic dental services, and even then will only cover 75% of the payment.³ If you’re likely to need more extensive or regular dental care while you’re in Bermuda, you should look to take out private medical cover that includes dental care as required.

The main emergency number for Bermuda is 911, which can be used to call for an ambulance, or to contact the police or the fire brigade. The King Edward VII Memorial Hospital can also be contacted directly on 441-236-2345.