With golden sandy beaches and a famously laid-back lifestyle, the appeal of Jamaica for expats, digital nomads and retirees is obvious. But how do things work from a health perspective?
Many expats choose to use the private healthcare system over the public model, so that they can get faster access to good-quality care as and when they need it. This guide covers all you need to know the healthcare system in Jamaica.
Jamaica’s public healthcare system is based around the National Health Fund (NHF), which is responsible for maintaining the public system and providing access to all Jamaican citizens and legal residents. It covers all key primary and hospital treatments, and treatment and prescriptions for a defined list of around 20 chronic illnesses and conditions.1
There are around 25 public hospitals in Jamaica altogether, with many of them focused around key urban and tourist areas like Kingston and Montego Bay.2
Alongside the public system, there are also several private hospitals and clinics which are popular with expats, and wealthier locals looking for a better quality of care. These are accessed either through a private medical insurance policy, or through patients paying up-front for out-of-pocket treatment.
Jamaica’s public healthcare system varies across different parts of the country. While there are many health facilities in the capital Kingston, and in other major urban areas such as Montego Bay, the quality and availability of care is less consistent in more rural parts of the island.3
Resources and staffing are often limited in public healthcare facilities in Jamaica. This can lead to long waiting times and inconsistent levels of care: some Jamaican hospitals require patients’ families to take care of feeding and bathing them.3
As a result, even though expats with residence are entitled to access the public healthcare system, they choose to go private instead if they can afford to do so. This enables faster access to care, better-quality equipment and facilities, although up-front cash payments are often required, including in emergencies.4
In some more serious cases, patients may need to be evacuated outside Jamaica to receive better-quality care abroad, commonly to the United States. The cost of this can stretch into the tens of thousands of US dollars4, so having private medical cover in place that includes evacuation and repatriation is a must.
Access to the public healthcare system in Jamaica depends on your legal status – in particular, whether or not you have legal residency status. This covers three types of people: those who have applied for permanent residency; those who have obtained a permit to work in Jamaica; and those who have married a Jamaican citizen.
People who qualify through these criteria can access the public healthcare system in the same way as Jamaican citizens, once they have obtained their National Health Fund card.
If you don’t have legal residency in Jamaica – perhaps you’re a tourist, or a digital nomad only staying in the short-term – then you won’t be eligible to use the public healthcare system. If this applies to you, then it’s essential you take out private cover for the length of your stay in Jamaica.
What kind of documentation do I need to access healthcare in Jamaica?
As a legal resident in Jamaica, you should apply for a National Health Fund care at the earliest opportunity, either online or at an NHF office. As well as proof of your legal residency status, you will need valid ID (ideally your passport), as well as proof of your place of residence in Jamaica, such as a utility bill or rental contract.
The NHF-supported public healthcare system in Jamaica is free at the point of use for all those who are eligible. However, many of the prescriptions associated with chronic illnesses and conditions are only partially subsidised. The NHF publishes a comprehensive list of all the levels of subsidy applied to different drugs.5
If you intend to use the private healthcare system in Jamaica, then costs can vary substantially depending on the cover you need and your current health profile. If you’re paying out-of-pocket , then prices are reasonable compared to more developed countries, with GP appointments costing between JMD 3500 and 4500 (approx. £16-21; $22-28; €19-25).6 But if you need care regularly, or require more extensive treatment, these costs can quickly spiral out of control, which makes international insurance cover the safer, better-value option.
Although it isn’t mandatory for legal residents, because of the limitations of the public healthcare system in Jamaica, going private is the best way to ensure you can access the quality of care you need and expect.
What are the benefits of private health insurance in Jamaica?
Having private medical insurance in place in Jamaica means you can benefit from:
Would I need dental insurance in Jamaica?
Yes. While there is a limited provision for dental care under the public healthcare system, there is a shortage of dentists which may make access to public dental services difficult.7
The best way to access the dental care you need is to go private. Costs are reasonable, at around JMD 2500 (approx. £12; $16; €14) for a consultation, and around JMD 8500 (approx. £40; $55; €45) for a filling or extraction. You’re likely to need to pay upfront for these treatments, but if you have a good private healthcare policy in place that includes dentistry, then you should be able to claim this money back quickly.
The main emergency number for ambulance care in Jamaica is 110, which can also be used to reach the fire brigade. However, this is only for serious or life-threatening incidents. For less serious incidents, you can get in touch with a range of ambulance and emergency assistance providers, such as Lifeline, Ambucare, Emed Jamaica and the Jamaica Red Cross.8
If an ambulance service is unable to reach you quickly because of a lack of availability, you may have to make your own way to the nearest hospital.
Staying in Jamaica for 12 months or more? Our annual healthcare policies give you peace of mind, including fast and easy access to the best possible care available.
If you’re only looking at staying in Jamaica for between three and 11 months, our short-term cover will insure you at the same level as our Foundation or Standard health insurance plans.
Get advice and help through our online Virtual Doctor service, either through a phone call or video call, wherever you are and even if you’re on the move.
Our Mind Health service gives you access to a qualified psychologist via phone or video call, for up to six talking sessions, so that you can prioritise your mental wellbeing alongside your physical health.10
Unsure about a diagnosis or treatment plan you’ve received locally? Our Second Medical Opinion service can give you an independent review from an experienced doctor, so that you can make an informed decision about your next steps.11
Many private health facilities in Jamaica require up-front payment, which can be stressful and disruptive. That’s why, provided we have all the right information, we reimburse over 80% of all eligible claims within 48 hours.12
You can always get help where it’s needed, from overnight stays in hospital to private ambulance services, as our comprehensive plans include emergency cover as standard.
If you need to access care outside Jamaica, our evacuation and repatriation service will get you to the care you need, and back again once you’re better.
We have expat health insurance that can suit your medical needs and circumstances, adaptable to every profession and job role you might do in Jamaica.
Our international health insurance cover can take care of prescriptions, annual health checks and more, so that your costs stay manageable.
Digital nomads from many countries take advantage of visa-free entry into Jamaica that lasts for up to 90 days. Our digital nomad insurance gives you access to healthcare whenever you need it, from emergency care to hospital stays.
Our long and short-term cover is flexibly designed to meet your and your family’s health and wellbeing needs, however long you intend to stay in Jamaica.
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1https://www.nhf.org.jm/nhf-card/#drug-subsidy
2https://www.expatfocus.com/jamaica/articles/what-quality-of-healthcare-can-you-expect-in-jamaica
3https://www.expatfocus.com/jamaica/guide/jamaica-health-service
5https://www.nhf.org.jm/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/nhf_rx_subsidy_list.pdf
6https://www.expatfocus.com/jamaica/articles/how-much-do-health-procedures-cost-in-jamaica-6447
8https://www.jamaicaexperiences.com/blogs/details/article/emergency-numbers-in-jamaica
9The Virtual Doctor service is provided by Teladoc Health and is part of the Virtual Care from AXA offering. Telephone appointments can be booked 24/7, 365. Callbacks are typically within 24 hours. Operating hours vary according to region. For availability in your local market and further information on the Virtual Doctor service, please click here.
10The Mind Health service is provided by Teladoc Health and is part of the Virtual Care from AXA offering. The service provides up to six sessions with a psychologist per non-emergency mind health concern, per year. For further information about the Mind Health service, including consultation availability, please click here.
11The Second Medical Opinion service is provided by Teladoc Health and is part of the Virtual Care from AXA offering. For further information about the Second Medical Opinion service, please click here.
1283.2% of eligible claims submitted online between Jan 25 - Dec 25, were paid within two days.