Healthcare & insurance

Barbados has a public system run by the Ministry of Health and Wellness, and a private sector most newcomers use day to day. The Queen Elizabeth Hospital handles emergency and specialist care; polyclinics across the island provide primary care.

Public care is free at the point of use for citizens and permanent residents. Others, including Welcome Stamp and work permit holders, may be charged, so confirm your eligibility with the hospital.

Private facilities commonly used by expats include Bayview Hospital (St. Michael), Sandy Crest Medical Centre (Holetown) and FMH Emergency Medical Clinic (St. Michael).

There's no national registration system. Most newcomers choose a private GP for shorter waits and easier access. A visit typically costs roughly US$50 to US$150, so ask the clinic for its current fee.

Bring your medical history and a list of your medicines, including generic names. A local doctor can then write prescriptions Barbadian pharmacies accept.

The Welcome Stamp requires cover for the full 12 months, and the SERP requires cover too. Plans can be international or bought locally.

Complex treatment sometimes means referral abroad, so medical evacuation cover is worth including. Compare inpatient, outpatient, evacuation and pre-existing condition cover. Premiums vary widely by age and plan, so get several quotes.

Pharmacies are found across the island, and over-the-counter items such as paracetamol and ibuprofen are freely available. Foreign prescriptions aren't automatically accepted: antibiotics and other regulated medicines need a prescription from a Barbados-licensed doctor.

Bring enough of your regular medicine for the settling-in period, in original labelled packaging, with a letter from your home doctor. Declare it at customs, and check the rules for controlled medicines before you travel.

Public dental care is limited, so most residents go private. As a guide, one Bridgetown practice lists a first examination with four X-rays and an oral cancer screening at BBD $240, with fillings generally BBD $250 to $500.

Optometrists carry out eye exams and prescribe glasses and contact lenses, and some opticians accept vision insurance. Many health plans don't include dental or optical cover, so check before you buy.